JP2756973B2 - Image information communication device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image information communication device that provides an image information communication service function to another terminal device connected via a private communication network.

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a facsimile apparatus is provided with an automatic transmission / reception function so that image information set by an operator can be automatically transmitted. Can be.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, in such a facsimile apparatus, conventionally,
Execution state of image information transmission set by the operator, for example, normal termination of image information transmission, waiting for recall, or
In order to know the state before the execution of the image information transmission, it is necessary to go directly to the installation location of the facsimile machine.

Similarly, in order to know the execution state of image information reception, for example, whether a received original has been ejected, or whether there is confidential reception and the received image is stored in the memory, the installation location of the facsimile machine is directly I need to go to

As described above, the conventional facsimile apparatus has a disadvantage that the user has to go directly to the place where the facsimile apparatus is installed in order to know the image information transmission / reception result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of controlling a facsimile apparatus which solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional apparatus and which enables the user to know the result of image information transmission / reception of the facsimile apparatus by remote control.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a first network control device for connecting to an image information transmission line connected to a private branch exchange device, and a transmission state inquiry processing line connected to the private branch exchange device. A second network control device for connecting to the network, voice response means for responding to the line via the second network control device with a voice message,
Selecting signal discriminating means for discriminating a selection signal input from the second network control device; and when the second network control device receives an incoming call, when the first network control device is communicating image information, A series of call reservation guidance messages are output from the voice response means, and an extension number is registered based on the determination result of the selection signal determination means for the selection signal received in response to the call reservation guidance message, and When the information communication is completed, a call is made to the registered extension number, and the voice response means is provided with control means for responding to the communication status.

[Operation] Therefore, when there is an inquiry about the transmission status during image information communication, the extension number of the inquired party is registered, and immediately after the image information communication is completed, a call is made to the other party of the extension number. Since the communication status is responded to by the user, there is no need for the user to make an inquiry about the transmission status again, and the trouble can be saved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a use form of a facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a private branch exchange PBX has a number of push-button telephones TL1 to TLn,
One facsimile machine FX is connected. In addition, a plurality of lines of a public telephone line network are accommodated on the outside line side of the private branch exchange PBX.

The facsimile machine FX accommodates two lines, a line for transmitting image information and a line for processing a transmission state inquiry.

 FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the facsimile machine FX.

In FIG. 1, a control unit 1 is for executing control processing of various operations of the facsimile apparatus and group 3 facsimile transmission procedure processing, and a system memory 2 stores various control processings executed by the control unit 1 It stores various constants and the like necessary for the processing and constitutes a work area of the control unit 1.

The parameter memory 3 stores various information unique to the facsimile machine, for example, identification information of a user who uses the facsimile machine.

The scanner 4 is for reading an image of a transmission original at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 5 is for recording and outputting a received image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 6 is a facsimile apparatus. It comprises various operation keys necessary for operation and various display devices such as a character display device.

The image storage device 7 is for storing image information and the like in a coded and compressed state.
This is for encoding and compressing the image signal and decoding the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal.

The modem 9 is for performing a modulation / demodulation process for transmitting a digital signal using a telephone line which is an analog transmission line, and the network control device 10 is connected to an image information transmission line of the private branch exchange PBX. Modem 9
Are connected.

The voice synthesizer 11 is for synthesizing and outputting various voice messages (to be described later), and has a voice message memory.
Reference numeral 12 is for storing voice message information synthesized by the voice synthesizer 11.

The network control device 13 is for connecting to a transmission state inquiry line of the private branch exchange device PBX, and an output signal of the voice synthesis device 11 is added to a transmission signal input terminal, and a reception signal thereof is , To the tone detector 14. These network control devices 10 and 13 have an automatic transmission / reception function.

The tone detector 14 detects a push button signal transmitted via the transmission state inquiry line and outputs the content of the signal.

These control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, scanner 4, plotter 5, operation display unit 6, image storage device 7, encoding / decoding unit 8, modem 9, network control device
10, 13, the speech synthesizer 11, and the tone detector 14,
The components are interconnected via a system bus 15, and data transmission between these components is performed via the system bus 15.

When memory transmission is set by the operator and the transmission image information is stored in the image storage device 7, the control unit 1 responds to a file of the transmission image information (hereinafter, referred to as a transmission file) by using a third file. The transmission management information TM as shown in FIG. Further, when image information is received by being called from any other party, reception management information RM as shown in FIG. 3B is formed corresponding to the received image information (hereinafter, referred to as a received file).

The transmission management information TM includes a file number FN for identifying a transmission file, an identification information ID for identifying a user who has stored the transmission file, a transmission mode TD indicating a transmission mode set in the transmission file, and transmission of the transmission file. It comprises a transmission state TE indicating a state, and storage area information MP indicating a storage area of the transmission file in the image storage device 7.

Here, the transmission state TE is `` before transmission '' indicating that the transmission operation of the transmission file is not yet started, `` sent '' indicating that transmission of the transmission file is completed, and is in a recall standby state. It takes one of four states: "waiting for recall" and "end of recall" indicating that the number of recalls has been completed. Initially, it is set to "before transmission". When the operation is performed, the content is changed to the content corresponding to the state.

The reception management information RM includes a file number FN for identifying a reception file, an identification information ID for identifying a destination of the reception file, a reception mode RD indicating a reception mode of the reception file, and an image storage device 7 for the reception file. In the storage area information MP representing the storage area in.

Here, the identification information ID is the reception mode RD of the received file.
Is "confidential", the value set for the "confidential" transmission is set. Otherwise, a value not specifying a specific user (hereinafter referred to as a general value) is set.

The storage area information MP stores effective information only when the transmission mode RD is “confidential”.

The control unit 1 transmits and receives image information of a well-known group 3 facsimile transmission procedure using an image information transmission line connected to the network control device 10, and transmits a transmission state inquiry line connected to the network control device 13. The used transmission state inquiry processing is performed.

Further, each time the image information transmission / reception processing is executed, the above-described transmission management information TM and reception management information RM are formed and stored in the work area of the system memory 2.

An example of the transmission state inquiry process is shown in FIG.
(B) and (c) show.

When a call is initiated from any one of the telephones TL1 to TLn connected to the extension and the line is established by the network controller 13 receiving a call, the control unit 1 checks whether image information is being transmitted at that time. Check whether it is (decision 101).

When the result of the determination 101 is YES, the speech synthesizer 11
For example, a facsimile unused message indicating that "the facsimile apparatus is not currently used" is responded to the other party (process 102). ,
Please send dial 1 for inquiry about transmission status. "
103).

The output signal of the tone detector 14 is monitored to detect that the other party inputs dial 1 or dial 0 (NO loop of determinations 104 and 105), and the response of dial 0 and 1 is determined. If not, the process returns to step 103 to respond with a send / receive selection message.

Here, when dial 0 is input from the other party (judgment
105 is YES), with the error input counter ECN for holding the error input count of the identification signal cleared,
For example, the voice synthesizing device 11 responds to the identification information input request message "Please input your identification signal" (processing 106), and waits for the input of identification information from the other party (processing 107).

The identification information is dial-inputted from the other party, and each digit of the input dial is detected by the tone detection unit 14. If the identification information is determined based on the detection result, the input identification information is registered in the parameter memory 3. It is checked whether or not there is any error (decision 108). If the result of the decision 108 is NO, the error input counter ECN is incremented (process 109),
It is checked whether or not the error input counter ECN at that time has exceeded the specified value EN (judgment 110). If the result of the judgment 110 is NO, the process returns to the process 106, and the other party is again inputted with the identification information.

If the input identification information is registered and the result of determination 108 is YES, it is checked whether there is reception management information RM having the same identification information ID as the identification information (determination 111), and the determination is made. When the result of step 111 is YES, the voice synthesizing apparatus 11 responds, for example, with a message indicating that "image information is being received" to the other party (processing
112), if the result of the determination 111 is NO, for example, the voice synthesizing device 11 responds to the other party with a no-reception message indicating that "image information has not been received" (process 11).
3).

When the processes 112 and 113 have been completed, the speech synthesizer 11 responds with a service end message, for example, "Thank you, the inquiry service ends. Please hang up the phone" (process 114), and the other party disconnects the line. Waiting (NO in decision 115), disconnecting the line (result of decision 115 is YES), the network controller 13 restores the line (process 116).

Then, it is checked whether or not one or more call service reservation destinations (described later) are registered (decision 117). When the result of the decision 117 is NO, this processing is ended.

Further, when the identification information that has not been registered is input from the other party a number of times exceeding the specified number of times EN, the result of the determination 110 is YES, whereby the voice synthesizing apparatus 11 outputs, for example, "registered identification information". The response is a non-registered identification information notification message (process 118), and the process proceeds to decision 115.

When dial 1 is input from the other party in response to the transmission / reception selection message, the result of determination 104 is YES.

Accordingly, the control unit 1 responds to the identification information input request message from the speech synthesizer 11 with the error input counter ECN cleared (step 119; FIG. 4 (b)), and the identification information is input from the other party. Waiting to be performed (process 120).

As a result, when the identification information is dial-input from the other party, the input identification information is stored in the parameter memory 3.
It is checked whether or not it is registered in (step 121), and step 122
Is NO, the error input counter ECN is incremented (step 122), and it is checked whether the error input counter ECN at that time has exceeded a specified value EN (decision 1).
23), if the result of the determination 123 is NO, the process returns to the process 119 to make the other party input the identification information again.

If the input identification information is registered and the result of determination 121 is YES, it is checked whether there is transmission management information TM having the same identification information ID as the identification information (determination 124), and When the result of step 124 is YES, the contents of the transmission state TE of the transmission management information TM are read out and the transmission state TE is set to any one of "transmitted", "waiting for recall", or "end of recall". It is checked whether or not it is in such a state (judgments 125, 126, 127).

When the transmission state TE is “transmitted” (the result of the determination 125 is YES), the voice synthesizer 11 responds, for example, with a transmitted message of “transmission has been completed” (processing 12
8), the transmission management information TM is deleted (processing 129), and processing 11
Move to 4.

When the transmission state TE is “waiting for recall” (decision 126
Is YES), the voice synthesizing device 11 responds, for example, with a transmission standby message "waiting for recall" (process 130), and proceeds to process 114.

When the transmission state TE is “end of re-calling” (result of determination 127 is YES), for example, the voice synthesizer 11 responds with a transmission failure message of “transmission failed” (process 131), and returns to process 114. Transition.

If the result of the determination 127 is NO, it means that the set image information transmission has not been started yet, so that the voice synthesizing device 11 responds, for example, with an untransmitted message indicating that “transmission has not started yet” ( (Process 132) The process proceeds to process 114.

When the transmission file of the identification number input from the other party is not stored in the system memory 2 at that time, and the result of the determination 124 is NO, the voice synthesizing apparatus 11 outputs, for example, "the corresponding transmission file No inquiry service will be terminated. Please hang up. "
133), and waits for the other party to disconnect the line (NO loop of decision 134). If the other party disconnects the line and the result of decision 134 becomes YES, the process proceeds to processing 116.

Further, when the unregistered identification information is input from the other party a number of times exceeding the specified number of times EN, the result of the determination 123 is YES, and the processing shifts to the processing 118.

When the network controller 13 detects an incoming call and establishes a line,
When image information transmission is being performed, the result of the determination 101 is NO, whereby the control unit 1
Then, for example, a facsimile in-use message "Facsimile in use now" is sent to the other party (process 135; FIG. 4 (c)).

At that time, it is checked whether or not there is an empty area in a reservation registration area (not shown) for registering the destination of the transmission status inquiry service, which is allocated to the system memory 2 (decision 136). When the answer is YES, the voice synthesizing apparatus 11 gives, for example, "Call the user after the facsimile transmission is completed to perform the transmission status inquiry service. Enter the dial 1 when receiving the call service and hang up when it is not necessary to receive the call. Please reply to the other party with a reservation registration guidance message of "Please" (process 137).

If the other party detects that the line is disconnected or the dial 1 is inputted (NO loop of judgments 138 and 139), and if the line disconnection and the response of the dial 1 are not detected, the process returns to the processing 137 to return the reservation registration guidance message. To respond.

When the other party inputs dial 1 and the result of determination 139 is YES, the control unit 1
Responds to the guidance message "Please enter your extension number", thereby detecting that the other party has dialed the extension number (step 14).
0).

When the input of the extension number from the other party is completed, the extension number input at that time is added to the last part of the registered area of the reservation registration area (processing 141), and the facsimile apparatus waits until it becomes unused. (Step 142). When the network controller 13 newly detects an incoming call during this standby, the processing of FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) is started.

When the facsimile apparatus is in an unused state, a call is made to the first destination of the reservation registration area (process 143), and it is checked whether or not the other party answers (decision 144).

When the result of the determination 144 is YES, the extension number responded at that time is deleted from the reservation registration area (step 14
5) The voice synthesizing apparatus 11 responds to the service start message, for example, "Start the transmission status inquiry service" (process 146), and proceeds to process 103.

If the destination called at this time does not respond (the result of determination 144 is NO), the process proceeds to processing 116.

If the result of the determination 136 after responding to the facsimile busy message to the other party is NO, the voice synthesizer 1
From 1, for example, a response is made to the reservation registration impossible message that “The call service for the transmission status inquiry service cannot be registered.
146), and waits for the other party to disconnect the line (NO loop of decision 147).

If the result of decision 147 is YES, the line is restored (step 14
8), this process ends.

Also, when the result of the determination 138 is YES, the processing 148
Execute

With the above configuration, when the operator sets a transmission original on the scanner 4, inputs a destination, and turns on a start key (not shown) in the transmission mode, the control unit 1
Operates the scanner 4 to read the image of the transmission original,
The image signal is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 8, and the image information obtained thereby is stored in the image storage device 7.

At the same time, the control unit 1 transmits the transmission management information TM
Is stored in the system memory 2.

When the operator finishes reading the transmission document of the facsimile machine FX and receives the discharged transmission document, the operator returns to his or her seat.

Then, when inquiring about the image transmission status set by the operator, the operator calls the transmission status inquiry line of the facsimile machine FX.

Accordingly, when the facsimile machine FX receives a call, a facsimile unused message or a facsimile busy message is returned according to the facsimile machine FX at that time.

Here, when the facsimile apparatus FX is not transmitting image information, a transmission / reception selection message is responded after the facsimile unused message.

On the other hand, when the dial 1 is input, the identification information input request message is responded from the facsimile machine FX, so that the identification information of the user is dialed. here,
If the dial input is erroneously operated, an identification information input request message is returned again.

If the identification information can be dialed correctly, according to the transmission status of the image information transmission set by the operator,
One of a transmitted message, a transmission waiting message, a transmission failure message, or an untransmitted message is returned.

Thus, the operator can know the transmission state of the image information transmission set by the operator.

Also, if the facsimile machine FX is transmitting image information when the operator calls the transmission status inquiry line of the facsimile machine FX, and if there is an empty area in the reservation registration area, the facsimile busy message is displayed. Subsequently, a reservation registration guidance message is responded.

As a result, when the dial 1 is operated and input, an extension number is inquired. In response to this, the user dials the extension number of the telephone at his / her own seat and hangs up.

When the image information transmission of the facsimile machine FX is completed, a call is issued from the facsimile machine FX, and in response to the call, the telephone receiver is picked up. You.

Thereafter, the transmission state can be queried in the same manner as described above.

When the operator inquires about the existence of the received file, dial 0 is input after the transmission / reception selection message is answered.

As a result, the identification information input request message is responded, and the identification information is dialed in the same manner as described above. At this time, the user inputs his / her identification information when he / she wants to know whether or not there is confidential transmission to himself / herself, and otherwise inputs a general value.

If the identification information can be correctly input, a message indicating that there is a received message or a message indicating that there is no received message is returned according to the presence or absence of the received file.

This allows the operator to know whether or not there is a received file.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the operator:
Since the state of image information transmission concerning oneself can be known by using the telephone at one's own seat, the usability of the facsimile machine FX is greatly improved.

The operation state at the time of inquiry may take contents other than the above description. For example, when unregistered identification information is input, it is determined that the user is an unauthorized user, and the user cannot receive the transmission status inquiry service.

In the above-described embodiment, one facsimile apparatus is connected to the private branch exchange apparatus. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where two or more facsimile apparatuses are connected.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the voice synthesizing device and the voice message memory are used as the voice responding devices for responding to the voice message. However, other voice responding devices may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a push-button telephone is used, but a dial-pulse telephone can be used, and these telephones can be mixed. In this case, it is necessary to provide an element capable of detecting a dial pulse in order to determine a dial input.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the first network control device for connecting to the image information transmission line connected to the private branch exchange device, and the transmission device connected to the private branch exchange device A second network control device for connecting to the status inquiry processing line, voice response means for responding to the line via the second network control device with a voice message, and input from the second network control device. A selection signal discriminating means for discriminating a selection signal, and a series of call reservation guidance messages from the voice response means when the second network control device receives an image and when the first network control device is communicating image information. And, based on the determination result of the selection signal determining means for the selection signal received in response to the call reservation guidance message, register the extension number and perform image information communication. When a call is made to the registered extension number and the voice response means is provided with a control means for responding to the communication status, when the transmission status is inquired during the image information communication, Is registered, and immediately after the end of the image information communication, a call is made to the destination of the extension number and the communication status is responded. As a result, the user again inquires about the transmission state. There is no need, and the effect that the trouble can be saved is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a use form of a facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
4A is a schematic diagram showing an example of transmission management information, FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing an example of reception management information, and FIGS. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process of the transmission state inquiry service performed. PBX: Private branch exchange, TL1 to TLn: Telephone, FX: Facsimile machine, 1: Control unit, 10, 13 Network control unit, 11: Voice synthesizer, 12: Voice message memory, 14 ... Tone detector.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first network control device for connecting to a picture information transmission line connected to a private branch exchange device, and a second network control device for connecting to a transmission status inquiry processing line connected to the private branch exchange device. A network control device, voice response means for responding to a line via the second network control device with a voice message, selection signal determination means for determining a selection signal input from the second network control device, When the second network control device receives an incoming call and the first network control device is communicating image information, the voice response means outputs a series of call reservation guidance messages and responds to the call reservation guidance messages. The extension number is registered based on the determination result of the selection signal received by the selection signal determination means, and when the image information communication is completed, the call is made to the registered extension number. Call,
An image information communication apparatus, comprising: a control unit for responding to a communication status by the voice response unit.