JP2733365B2 - Image communication device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication method, and more particularly to an image communication apparatus capable of transmitting operation instruction information to a partner image communication apparatus at high speed when transmitting and receiving an image.

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of an image communication apparatus, a facsimile is used. As an operation mode for reducing the communication cost of the facsimile, when the same original is transmitted from one station (facsimile) to a plurality of remote stations, There is a method in which one or a plurality of the stations is set as a relay station, a relay is requested to this station, and a document is sent, and the relay station distributes the document to the remaining stations.

7 to 12 are diagrams showing a relay operation in a conventional facsimile. Among these figures, FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of the relay system. This relay system represents, as an example, a case where a document is transmitted from Osaka to a fulcrum at Rokkasho in Tokyo, and a case where a document is distributed from a Tokyo head office to six branches in Tokyo as a relay station. In this case, the method of giving a relay instruction from the Osaka branch to the Tokyo head office is performed according to the sequence shown in FIG. That is, first, when a CNG (calling tone signal) is transmitted from a transmitting side image communication device of the Osaka branch (hereinafter referred to as a transmitting side device) to a receiving side image communication device of the Tokyo head office (hereinafter referred to as a receiving side device). CED (2100Hz called station identification signal) from the receiving device
Is returned. Further, the receiving side device outputs NSF (non-standard function signal), CSI (called terminal identification signal), and DIS (digital identification signal). On the other hand, NS
S (non-standard function setting signal) is transmitted to transmit the communication mode and the relay instruction, and then TSI (transmission terminal identification signal), T
CF (modem training signal) is transmitted. CFR
When the (reception preparation confirmation signal) is returned, the image data of the original to be relayed is transmitted as a facsimile message from the Osaka branch. After this, EOP (procedure end signal) and TCF (message confirmation signal) are exchanged and DCN
(Line disconnection signal) is sent to disconnect the line and end the communication.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the NSS has a flag field F, an address field A, a control field FCF (here, NSS is set), and a facsimile information field F.
It comprises an IF and a frame check sequence FCS for detecting a frame error, and a communication mode and a relay instruction are set in this FIF. In the relay instruction method, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), the number following “* 1” is the transmission source information,
The number following “2” is the destination information. In the example of the system in FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 10, “* 1 telephone number of Osaka branch”, “* 2 telephone number of Tokyo branch 1”,. "Phone number of Tokyo branch 6". At the Tokyo head office, the received document is temporarily stored, and the document is sequentially distributed to the Tokyo branch offices 1 to 6 as destination information based on the contents of the FIF relay instruction. It is also possible to return this distribution result to the Osaka branch that is the source.

The relay instruction can also be performed using the G4 protocol. The sequence in this case is shown in FIG.
Following CSS (session start), RSSP (session start affirmation), CDS (document start), and CDUI (document user information), the relay instruction information is transmitted. After that, CDE (document end), RDEP (document end affirmation), CDCL (document function list), RDCLP
(Document function list affirmation) is exchanged, and image data of the manuscript to be relayed is transmitted as a facsimile message by CDUI following CDS. CDUI DD (document descriptor), PD (page descriptor), TU
The (text unit) is a signal of the presentation layer, which transmits the attribute of the document by DD / PD and the image data by TU. When this is completed, CDE, RDEP, CSE (session end) and RSEP (session end acknowledgment) are exchanged, and the session layer ends. In recent years, facsimile machines equipped with both the G3 protocol and the G4 protocol have appeared.

FIG. 12 shows a sequence of an operation of transmitting image data from the facsimile apparatus A to the facsimile apparatus B using the G3 protocol and subsequently transmitting image data from the facsimile apparatus B to the facsimile apparatus A by reversing the transmission right. Is shown. In this method, following the exchange of CNG, CED, NSF, CSI, DIS between the calling station (facsimile apparatus A) and the called station (facsimile apparatus B), the communication mode is transmitted from the calling station by NSS. Then, TSI and TCF are transmitted. When the CFR is returned, the calling station returns a facsimile message. End of facsimile message and return to phase B (pre-message procedure) EO
When notified by M (end of message), the called station
CF is returned, NSF, CSI, DIS are transmitted after 6 seconds, and NSC (non-standard function setting signal), CIG (calling station identification signal), and DTC (digital transmission command) are transmitted from the calling station. . As a result, the transmission right is inverted, and NSS, TSI,
The TCF is transmitted, and when the CRF is changed, a facsimile message is transmitted. When this is finished, exchange EOP and MCF,
The DCN is sent to disconnect the line, and the communication ends.

However, in such a conventional image communication method, since the relay instruction is performed at a low communication speed of 300 Bps, the time required for the instruction increases particularly when the content of the instruction increases. There was a problem.

Further, in the G4 protocol, since the relay instruction is performed at the same high communication speed as the image data, there is no problem even if the content of the relay instruction increases, and in addition, other applications such as a post office box and a bulletin board can be sufficiently supported. Meanwhile, G3
In the protocol, as described above, when the content of the instruction increases, the communication time becomes extremely long, and therefore, the supported range is limited. Therefore, the relay instruction method differs between the G4 protocol and the G3 protocol. Therefore, there is a problem that the protocol for instructing the relay between the facsimile apparatuses having the G4 protocol and the G3 protocol is limited, and the relay cannot be instructed when the line cannot be communicated.

Further, in the method of transmitting image data by inverting the transmission right as described above, image data can be transmitted from the receiving device without disconnecting the line. Obviously, this is more efficient than the case where communication is performed as a transmitting device.

However, in the first phase B, it is necessary to mutually confirm that there is image data to be transmitted to the receiving apparatus. If no image data to be transmitted is generated at the time of the confirmation, the image to be transmitted after the reception starts Even if data is generated, the line is disconnected at the end of reception,
Communication ends, and there is a problem that image data cannot be transmitted from the receiving device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to transmit control information such as a relay instruction without increasing communication time, and to establish a G4 line between image communication apparatuses having a G4 protocol and a G3 protocol. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image communication apparatus which enables transmission of control information even in the case of interruption, and which can continuously transmit without disconnecting the line at the receiving apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is directed to the invention according to claim 1 which confirms that control information can be communicated in phase B of a G3 facsimile procedure, and then proceeds to phase C. Control information communication means for communicating control information by the control information communication means, and after returning to the phase B after communication of the control information by the control information communication means, confirming that the image information is to be communicated; It is equipped with image information communication means for communication.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, when the billing information is confidential retrieval, a detecting means for detecting whether or not there is image information designated by the control information is provided. Transmission right inversion means for inverting the transmission right when the image information designated by the detection means is detected.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is a G4 facsimile communication means for performing G4 facsimile communication, a G3 facsimile communication means for performing G3 facsimile communication, and the G4 facsimile communication when the G4 facsimile communication means can not perform the G4 facsimile communication Switching means for switching to facsimile communication means, wherein the G3 facsimile communication means confirms that control information can be communicated in phase B of the G3 facsimile procedure, and then shifts to phase C to transmit control information to communicate control information. Communication means, and image information communication means for returning to phase B after communication of the control information by the control information communication means and confirming that image information is to be communicated, and then proceeding to phase C to communicate the image information; It has a configuration that consists of

Operation With the configuration described above, the invention according to claim 1 can communicate control information in phase C, and transmits and receives control information in phase C that is different from image information in time series during one communication. Therefore, it is possible to perform communication in which control information and image information reception can be separately confirmed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the information for confidential removal is transmitted as control information, and the transmission right is inverted after detecting the image information specified by the control information. It is possible to transmit and detect the image information specified immediately before reversing the transmission right.

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 3, when communication cannot be performed in the G4 facsimile procedure, control information that should have been performed in the G4 facsimile procedure can be transmitted in phase C.
By switching to the G3 facsimile procedure, communication in the G4 facsimile procedure can be executed efficiently even in the G3 facsimile procedure.

Embodiment FIGS. 1 to 6 are views showing an embodiment using an image communication apparatus to which the present invention is applied and an image communication apparatus.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a facsimile apparatus. Reference numeral 1 denotes a processor and a system control unit having a program for operating the processor. Reference numeral 2 denotes a reading unit that reads an original to generate an image signal. A memory unit for expanding read and input image data, a recording unit for outputting received image data as a hard copy, a panel unit for inputting various operation instructions in this system and displaying an operation mode, and a G3 for G3 A G3 facsimile control unit 7 for controlling communication with the line 8 and executing facsimile communication with the other party's facsimile apparatus by executing predetermined transmission control means and using the G3 protocol;
A G4 communication control unit that controls communication with the G4 line 9 and executes a predetermined transmission control procedure to control facsimile communication with the other party's facsimile apparatus using the G4 protocol.

The G3 communication control unit 6 has, for example, a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and includes an encoding / decoding unit 9 for encoding transmitted image data and decoding a received image signal, and for transmitting digital data. It comprises a modem 10 for performing predetermined modulation / demodulation processing, a network control unit having an automatic transmission / reception function, and a handset 12 used for telephone operations. Further, the G4 communication control unit 4 has substantially the same configuration as that of the G3 communication control unit 6. The system control unit 1 is connected to each operation unit and a predetermined operation unit by a system bus 13.

The operation of the facsimile communication system having such a configuration will be described below.

In FIG. 3, when a CNG is transmitted from a calling station (transmitting apparatus) and a called station (receiving apparatus) from the calling station, the G3 communication control unit 6 makes a call at the called station. A predetermined procedure is executed with the station, the received control information is analyzed by the system control unit 1, the CED is transmitted, and the NSF is transmitted from the called station. The NSF notifies the receiving device that the control information receiving function is available. Specifically, as shown in the frame configuration of FIG. 6A, information of "control information communication function available" is set in control field C, facsimile control field FCF in which NSF is set, and facsimile information field FIF. Then, CSI and DIS are output, and then the communication mode is notified from the calling station by NSS, and "control information reception designation" is specified here. As shown in FIG. 6 (b),
Set SS, and set "Control information reception designation" in FIF together with the communication mode. Subsequently, TSI and TCF are transmitted, and when the CRF is returned from the called station, the calling station transmits control information such as a relay instruction. End of this control information and return to phase B
, The MCF is returned from the called station, and in response, the NSS is transmitted from the calling station. This time, since the image data is transmitted, set the FIF to “designate reception of facsimile message”. Next, TCF, CFR between the calling station and the called station
Is exchanged, and image data is transmitted as a facsimile message. At this time, in the facsimile apparatus of the calling station, when the procedure shown in FIG. 3 is executed with the called station through the G3 communication control unit 6, the control information of the relay instruction is transmitted from the system control unit 1 to the G3. It is sent out via the communication control unit 1. Subsequently, the image data directly input from the reading unit 2 or the image data stored in the memory unit 3 is stored in G3.
It is sent from the communication control unit 6. After this, EOP and MCF
Are exchanged, and a DCN is transmitted to disconnect the lines 8 and 9 and the communication is terminated.

On the other hand, in the facsimile machine of the called station, the received image data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 3 and the communication is terminated. Thereafter, in accordance with the control information analyzed earlier, if the content of the control information is a relay instruction, the called station becomes a calling station, sequentially calls the destination indicated by the control information, receives first, and receives the memory first. 3 is delivered.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram in the case where the transmission right is reversed halfway, in which "confidential removal" is instructed as control information and the original document is returned. First, CNG and CED are exchanged between the calling station and the called station, and the called station transmits NSF.
As described above, this NSF notifies the receiving side that the control information receiving function is available. Subsequently, SCI and DIS are output, and then the communication mode is notified from the calling station by NSS, and "control information reception designation" is specified here. Subsequently, TSI and TCF are transmitted, and when the CFR is returned from the called station, the calling station transmits control information of “confidential removal”. When this is complete, the calling station
EOP is sent. In the called station, the control information is analyzed by the system control unit 1, and if this is successfully received,
It is checked whether or not the designated confidential image data exists in the memory unit 3. If there is confidential image data to be transmitted to the calling station, the MCF that sets transmission right request information as a post message response command
return it. Specifically, the frame structure of the post message response command is changed as shown in FIG. That is, the conventional post message response command A, control field C, facsimile control field (MCF, RTN,
RTP, PIN or PIP is set. Here, an MCF is set), and a facsimile information field FIF is provided. Then, the transmission right request information is set in the facsimile information field FIF. When the information of the transmission right request is set in the MCF, the calling station sequentially sends NSC, CIG, and DTC, and the called station sets the communication mode by the NSS. At this time, “Receive facsimile message is specified”. As a result, the transmission right is reversed, and the called station has the transmission right. The called station sends TSI and TCF, and the calling station sends CSI and TCF.
When FR is returned, confidential image data is sent to the calling station as a facsimile message. When this is completed, the called station sends out EOP, and when MCF returns, sends out DCN, disconnects the line, and ends a series of communications.

The confidential image data to be transmitted to the calling station is read by the reading unit 2 or G3
The data is input from another facsimile apparatus via the communication control unit 6 or the G4 communication control unit 7 and stored in the memory unit 3.

In the facsimile apparatus of the calling station, the procedure shown in FIG. 4 is executed by the G3 communication control unit 6 with the called station, and the control information of “confidential extraction” is first transmitted from the system control unit 1 to the G3 communication control. It is sent out via the unit 6. Then, the MCF from the called station is analyzed, and if the information of the transmission right request has been set, the procedure of the transmission right inversion shown in FIG. 4 is executed. The image data is received and recorded by the recording unit 4. When the transmission right request has not been set, the communication right inversion procedure is not performed and the communication termination procedure is executed.

Next, FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram in a case where control information is transmitted using an ECM (Error Correction Mode) system which is an error correction system of CCITT Recommendation T.30. First, CNG and CED are exchanged between the calling station and the called station, and the called station transmits NSF. As described above, this NSF notifies the receiving side that the control information receiving function is available. Subsequently, CSI and DIS are output, and then the communication mode is notified from the calling station by NSS, and "control information reception designation" is specified here. At this time, it is notified that the ECM method is used in the communication mode. Subsequently, TSI and TDF are transmitted, and when the CFR is returned from the called station, the calling station outputs control information of a relay instruction from the calling station. When this is completed, PPS and EOM are output from the calling station. At this time, it is assumed that an error has occurred, and in that case, the called station transmits PPR which is a request for retransmission of the error part.
In response to this, the calling station retransmits the control information of the error part,
When retransmission is completed, PPS and EOM are output, and if there is no error, MCF is received. Next, NSS is output from the calling station, and this time, "designate reception of facsimile message". Exchanges TCF and CFR and sends out image data to be relayed as a facsimile message. When this is completed, PPS and EOP are sent out. If there is no error, MCF is returned, DCN is sent out and the line is cut off, and communication ends. The called station distributes the received image data to the destination specified by the control information.

In this embodiment, a relay instruction or the like can be performed even by using the G4 protocol. here,
In the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1, if the other party's apparatus is a facsimile apparatus having the same configuration, the G3 communication control unit 6 is disabled when the relay instruction by the G4 protocol becomes impossible due to a failure of the G4 line 9 or the like. The communication is performed by the G3 protocol via the Internet.

As described above, according to the present invention, according to the first aspect of the present invention, after confirming whether control information communication is possible using a communication information field of a non-standard command, the control information is transmitted in phase C. Is transmitted, control information can be transmitted in a short communication time.
By providing the means for confirming that the control information has been transmitted, the effect is obtained that the image information can be transmitted after confirming the control information at the communication destination. In addition, the invention according to claim 2 has an effect that communication can be performed without wasting the line unnecessarily by inverting the transmission right only when there is image information to be transmitted to the transmission side.
Further, the invention according to claim 3 has an effect that communication in the G4 facsimile procedure can be efficiently performed even in the G3 facsimile procedure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a G3 used in the image communication apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a high government ordinance of a communication control unit, FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a first embodiment of an image communication system using the image communication apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a second embodiment of the image communication system using the apparatus, FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a third embodiment of the image communication system using the image communication apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a frame structure of a pre-message command used in image communication according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram in the case of giving a relay instruction by a conventional facsimile communication method. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication relay system. Figure is a frame configuration diagram of a relay command, FIG. 10 is a frame configuration diagram of an instruction command when performing relay communication,
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of a session layer in the case where a relay instruction is performed using the G4 protocol in the conventional facsimile communication method, and FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of a communication operation by transmission right inversion in the conventional facsimile communication method. . 1 System control section, 2 Reading section, 3 Memory section, 4 Recording section, 5 Panel section, 6 G3 communication control section, 7 G4 communication control section, 8 G3 line, 9 G4 line, 10 Modem, 11 Network control unit, 12 Handset, 13 System bus.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A control information communication means for confirming that control information can be communicated in phase B of a G3 facsimile procedure, and then proceeding to phase C to communicate control information, and the control information communication means by the control information communication means. Phase B after communication
To confirm that the image information is communicated,
And an image information communication means for communicating the image information. 2. When the control information is confidential retrieval,
Detecting means for detecting whether or not there is image information specified by the control information; and transmission right inverting means for inverting transmission right when the image information specified by the detecting means is detected. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. G4 facsimile communication means for performing G4 facsimile communication, G3 facsimile communication means for performing G3 facsimile communication, and when the G4 facsimile communication means cannot perform communication, switching the G4 facsimile communication to the G3 facsimile communication means. Switching means, the G3 facsimile communication means confirming that control information can be communicated in phase B of the G3 facsimile procedure,
Control information communication means for communicating control information by shifting to
After the control information is communicated by the control information communication means, the process returns to phase B, and after confirming that image information is communicated, the process proceeds to phase C and the image information communication means communicates the image information. Characteristic image communication device.