JP2939685B2 - Facsimile communication billing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as a facsimile) apparatus and a facsimile communication apparatus for charging a facsimile communication of an external facsimile apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of facsimile communication billing apparatus has
For fax communication in G3 mode, use a modem and G4
An HDLC controller is provided for the FAX communication in the mode, and at the time of the FAX communication of the externally connected FAX device, the communication protocol signal, that is, the transmission / reception signals appearing on the transmission line and the reception line of the external FAX device are transmitted to the modem or the HDLC. Monitoring is performed via a controller, and a fee for use of the apparatus and an information fee for each page of the transmission original are charged.

[0003]

A conventional FAX communication billing apparatus monitors a communication protocol via a transmission line or a reception line at the time of FAX communication of an external FAX apparatus, thereby making it possible to use the apparatus or charge a page of a transmission original. Each information fee is charged. That is, the information fee is charged by monitoring the confirmation signal (response command) indicating the completion of FAX reception returned from the partner apparatus after transmitting the FAX data. However, according to the communication protocol, after transmitting the FAX data to the partner apparatus, the information fee is charged. When the confirmation signal returned from the partner device is not delivered, the confirmation signal is returned from the partner device again, and as a result, there is a problem that charging is performed twice and disadvantageous to the user. .

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides an external fax machine in a G3 mode FA.
First detecting means for detecting an image signal transmitted and received during X communication, second detecting means for detecting a page end command indicating the end of transmission of the image signal for each page, and a page end command
3rd to detect the confirmation command returned for sending
Detection means and the third detection means detect the confirmation command
After, FAX of the first detecting means detecting result based on the confirmation command sent back with respect to the page end command <br/> external FAX device second detection means into the image signal is not detected a page end command by Control means for preventing charging for communication. Also, at the time of G4 mode facsimile communication of the external facsimile apparatus, the sequence number of each response command information returned each time an image signal is received is checked, and the sequence number returned and the sequence number returned last time are checked.
Detecting means for detecting coincidence with the license number, and control means for preventing charging of the external FAX apparatus for FAX communication in accordance with the detection output of the detecting means.

[0005]

[Action] at the time of G3 mode of the FAX communication of external FAX apparatus, it is returned to the transmission of the page end command of Eshingo
Image signal is not detected after the confirmation command
When a page end command is detected,
The charge is blocked based on the confirmation command returned to the command . Further, when the response command information of the same sequence number is received during the F4 communication in the G4 mode, charging is prevented.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a facsimile communication billing apparatus according to the present invention. Here, the device is ISDN
It is connected to a line, has a FAX communication function such as a handwritten FAX, and can accommodate a separately available FAX device, and charges for FAX communication performed in these devices. In FIG. 1, 1 is an ISDN line and 2 is an IDN line.
DSU, which is a U-point termination unit of the SDN line 1 and performs 2-wire 4-wire conversion and separates transmission lines and reception lines to the terminal side, and 3
A layer 1 call control unit that physically and electrically interfaces with the T point of the SDN, separates it into ISDN 2B + D signals, and performs call control via the D channel. An external G4 FAX device having a G3 FAX function, and 5 is physically connected to the ISDN S point.
Externally connected and connected external G4F
A layer 1 call control unit 6 for performing call control of the AX device is provided with a B channel (B1, B2) of each of the layer 1 call control units 3 and 5.
A B-channel signal switching unit that performs switching connection of a FAX transmission / reception signal and a monitoring signal to the external G4 FAX device 4.

A voice codec 7 converts an encoded digital signal on the B channel into an analog signal, and converts an analog transmission signal from a modem 8 described below into an encoded digital signal. Modem for modulating and demodulating control signals and image signals in the case of
An HDLC controller for transmitting and receiving a control signal and an image signal in the HDLC procedure in the case of FAX communication. The HDLC controller includes a display and a touch panel, and outputs handwritten input image data to a CPU 11 to be described later, and displays received image data from the CPU 11. It is a handwritten display displayed on a container. The program of the CPU 11 controls transmission and reception of G3 FAX and monitors transmission and reception signals in the G3 mode of the external G4 FAX device 4 to monitor the communication state.
A communication control task 12, a charging monitor task 13 for performing charging control for G3 FAX communication, a G4 FAX transmission / reception control, a G4 FAX communication control task 14 for monitoring a transmission / reception signal in the G4 mode of the external G4 FAX device 4, and monitoring the communication state, and a G4 FAX communication control task. It comprises a charging monitor task 15 for performing charging control for FAX communication.

Next, the general operation of the facsimile communication billing apparatus configured as described above will be described. Handwriting display 1
During FAX communication by 0, the contact of the switch SW1 is a
1 and switch SW2 contacts G3
The mode is switched to the a2 side in the mode, and to the b2 side in the G4 mode. By switching the contacts of the switches SW1 and SW2 in this manner, in the G3 mode, transmission / reception signals via the handwritten display 10, the CPU 11 and the modem 8 pass through the audio codec 7 and the B channel signal switching unit 6 to the line side. While being transmitted, a signal from the line side is received via the modem 8 through a similar route. In the case of the G4 mode, the handwriting display 10, the CPU 11, and the HD
The transmission signal via the LC controller 9 is switched to a desired channel by the B channel signal switching unit 6 and transmitted to the line side, and the signal from the line side is transmitted to the HD through a similar route.
Received via the LC controller 9.

On the other hand, while the external G4 FAX device 4 is performing facsimile communication, the line section of the external G4 FAX device 4 passes through the layer 1 call control unit 5, the B channel signal switching unit 6, and the layer 1 call control unit 3, It is connected to one side. An external fax reception monitor signal and an external fax transmission monitor signal are output to the input / output lines 16 and 17 of the B channel signal switching unit 6, respectively. Here, when the external G4 FAX device 4 performs the FAX communication, it is necessary to charge the device usage fee and the FAX communication for each page of the document. In this case, it is not necessary to monitor all of the FAX communication protocols in the external G4 FAX device 4, and only the necessary signals need to be monitored and billing is performed. In particular,
By setting the contact of the switch SW1 to the a1 side, a signal to the reception line of the external G4 FAX
The signal from the transmission line of the AX device 4 is input to the CPU 11 via the modem 8 and transmitted to the G3 FAX charging monitor communication while the external G4 FAX device 4 is performing the FAX communication in the G3 mode by switching the contact point of the switch SW1 to the b1 side. It is monitored by the execution of the control task 13. In addition, external G4
While the fax device 4 is performing fax communication in the G4 mode, the HDL
Input to the CPU 11 via the C controller 9 and G4
It is monitored by the execution of the FAX accounting monitor desk 15.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams showing the status of the monitor operation when the external G4 FAX device performs the FAX communication. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the case of the G3 mode FAX communication. Reference numeral 3 denotes a sequence in the case of G4 mode fax communication. Note that a circle in the figure indicates a check point to be monitored. First, the operation sequence of FIG. 2 will be described. Here, the external G4F
An example in which the AX device is the called device will be described. That is, the other party's FAX device (hereinafter, calling side) which is the calling side device calls the external G4 FAX device 4 (hereinafter, called side) which is the called side device, and the called side itself receives the call from the called side. When the digital identification signal DIS indicating the communication capability of the
The calling side checks its own communication speed and the presence / absence of an ECM (Error Correction Mode), and returns a digital command signal DCS indicating these conditions to the called side. In this case, the signal DCS is to be monitored, and the signal DCS is checked by switching the contact point of the switch SW1 to the a1 side. Thereafter, a training signal TCF is transmitted from the calling side, and a reception preparation confirmation signal CFR is returned from the called side in response to the training signal TCF. At this time, the contact point of the switch SW1 is switched to the b1 side to change the signal CFR.
Is checked, and the device usage fee is charged.

Subsequently, image data corresponding to one page of the original is transmitted from the calling side, and transmission of the image data is completed, and a multi-page signal MPS indicating that there is a transmitted original of the next page is transmitted to the called side. Then, the contact of the switch SW1 is switched to the a1 side to confirm this, and subsequently, the contact of the switch SW1 is switched to the b1 side, and the message confirmation signal MCF returned from the called side is checked.
An information fee corresponding to the number of sheets is charged. Subsequently, the image data of the document of the next page is transmitted from the calling side, and when the transmission is completed and the multi-page signal MPS is transmitted to the called side, the called side confirms the message in the same manner as described above. Signal MC
F will be returned. However, this confirmation signal MC
If F does not reach the calling side, no charge is made by the message confirmation signal MCF returned from the called side after confirming the multi-page signal MPS transmitted again from the calling side.

That is, the MPS transmitted from the calling side next to the message confirmation signal MCF returned from the called side is the MPS after the image data has been transmitted or the message confirmation signal MCF.
It is necessary to determine whether F is an MPS that has not been delivered and has been retransmitted. This determination method uses the high-speed modem speed previously confirmed by the DCS, sets the speed of the modem 8 after transmitting the MCF, and checks the high-speed data (image data) to determine whether or not the MPS is retransmission. Thus, external FA
At the time of FAX communication in the G3 mode of the X device 4, the multi-page signal MPS, the message end signal EOM, or the procedure end signal EOP transmitted from the calling side after image data transmission on the calling side is returned from the called side. After confirming the message confirmation signal MCF, the information fee is charged. In addition, a polling reception method for calling from a calling side and receiving original information of a called side, FAX communication between non-standard apparatuses, or E
CM, FAX by error correction mode
The present invention can be applied to communication.

Next, based on the operation sequence of FIG.
The monitor operation in the case of the mode FAX communication will be described. In this operation sequence, a command of a layer 2 U frame on a B channel based on a call from a calling side to a called side is monitored and confirmed, and each command of an I frame of an upper layer is checked and used. This shows a situation in which a fee or an information fee for each document is charged. That is,
When a call is made from the calling side to the called side, the calling side sets “SA” of the layer 2 U frame on the B channel.
When a "BME" command (extended asynchronous balanced mode setting command), that is, a modulo 128 request indicating a terminal identification is transmitted, the called side initializes various variables and responds to this, that is, a UA indicating unnumbered confirmation. The response is transmitted on the U frame. In this case, in order to perform the charging process, the "SABME" command is checked first, and subsequently, each command of the I-frame of the upper layer is monitored and checked.

When a call is made from the calling side to the called side, a "SABME" command of a layer 2 U frame is transmitted from the calling side to the B channel. At this time, a signal DM indicating the disconnection response is received from the called side.
Is returned, the calling side sends a "SABM"
A command (asynchronous equilibrium mode setting command), that is, a modulo 8 request indicating terminal identification is transmitted, and the called side transmits a response to this, that is, a UA response indicating unnumbered confirmation. Therefore, in this case, first, "SAB
In addition to monitoring the "ME" command, the "SABM" command from the calling side is monitored and checked, and then each command of the upper layer is monitored.

When the layer 2 command is checked,
Next, layer 3 which is the upper layer transmitted from the calling side
Monitor and check network data DT, transport data signal TDT, layer 5 user information command CSUI, and document transmission start signal CDS on the I frame. When all of these are confirmed, a device usage fee is charged. After that, the manuscript is sent,
The transmission of the first document is completed and the document reception completion acknowledgment signal RDPBP of the layer 6 indicating the normal reception thereof, the response signals DT and TDT for each of the above signals of the layer 3 and the response signal RSUI of the command CSUI are transmitted. When it is returned from the called side, it is monitored and charged as an information fee for one document transmission. Thereafter, the original of the next page is transmitted from the calling side. As a result, the transmission of the original is completely completed, and the called side transmits the document transmission confirmation signal RDEP of the layer 6 and the response signals DT, TDT, and RSUI of the layer 3. When returned,
After confirming these signals, an information fee is charged for the transmitted original. Thereafter, the monitoring is terminated after confirming the layer 2 disconnection signal DISC transmitted from the calling side.

However, each signal DT / TDT / I frame of the I frame transmitted from the calling side in response to the end of the transmission of the document.
Each response signal DT / TDT / RSU of the I frame returned from the called side in response to the CSUI and the document identification signal CDPB.
I / RDPBP or DT / TDT / RSUI / RDE
If P does not reach the calling side, the information fee cannot be charged, and the response signal DT retransmitted from the called side is re-transmitted.
/ TDT / RSUI / RDPBP or DT / TDT /
The information fee is charged after confirming the RSUI / RDEP. That is, the response signal RDPBP or RDEP
Is checked, and if the sequence number indicated by this parameter matches the previously transmitted number, no charge is considered as retransmission of the response signal, and charging is performed for the first time when it is different from the previous transmission number. It was done.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When an external fax machine is performing fax communication in G3 mode ,
Confirmation code returned for sending the page end command
Command is detected , the image end
When an end command is detected, the
To prevent the billing based on the confirmation command sent back to
As a result, double billing can be prevented and the user will not be disadvantaged. Also, in FAX communication in the G4 mode, charging is blocked when response command information of the same sequence number is received, so that double charging can be similarly prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a facsimile communication billing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a monitoring status of a communication protocol at the time of G3 mode FAX communication by an external FAX device in the device.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a monitoring status of a communication protocol at the time of G4 mode FAX communication by an external FAX device in the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ISDN line 2 DSU 3,5 Layer 1 call control part 4 External G4 FAX device 6 B channel signal switching part 7 Voice codec 8 Modem 9 HDLC controller 10 Handwriting display 11 CPU 12 G3 FAX communication control task 13,15 Charge monitor task 14 G4 FAX communication control task SW1, SW2 switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tatsujiro Kawakita 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Mao Otokawa 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 1/34 H04M 15/00-15/38

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile communication billing device connected to a communication line, accommodating an external facsimile device, and charging G3 mode facsimile communication via the communication line of the accommodated external facsimile device. First detection means for detecting an image signal transmitted / received by the external facsimile apparatus, second detection means for detecting a page end command indicating the end of transmission of the image signal for each page, and transmission of the page end command Sent back to
Third detecting means for detecting the confirmation command
After the issuing means detects the confirmation command, the first detecting means
Detection second detecting means a page end command to the image signal is not detected result returned for this page end command
A facsimile communication billing device, comprising: control means for preventing the external facsimile device from being billed for facsimile communication based on the confirmed command . 2. A facsimile communication billing device connected to a communication line, accommodating an external facsimile device, and charging G4 mode facsimile communication via the communication line of the accommodated external facsimile device. Check the sequence number of each response command information returned each time an image signal is received at the time of facsimile communication of the external facsimile apparatus, and check the returned sequence number and the previous return number.
A facsimile communication billing device, comprising: a detecting means for detecting a match with the transmitted sequence number; and a control means for preventing charging for facsimile communication of the external facsimile apparatus in accordance with a detection output of the detecting means. .