JP3016685U - Storage type facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Automatically determine the transmission time period when the transmission fee for accumulated image data is the lowest. [Composition] When the normal transmission mode is selected by the mode selection switch 13, the image data read by the image reading unit 5 is stored in the image data storage unit 7 in association with the input dial number of the transmission destination. . The control circuit 9
By comparing the transmission time zone data for each dial number stored in the time zone storage unit 11 with the dial number of the destination of the read image data, the transmission time zone data of the corresponding dial number is obtained. The current time measured by the clock unit 12 is monitored, and when the current time falls within the transmission time period indicated by the transmission time period data, the image data stored in the image data storage unit 7 is set to the corresponding dial. Send to a number.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a storage-type facsimile apparatus capable of storing image data of a document read by an image reading apparatus as transmission image data.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In a conventional storage-type fax machine that can store image data for transmission read from a document, the transmission timing of the stored image data is determined by the operator himself / herself specifying the transmission time zone. . In addition, even within the same transmission time period, call charges will be charged for each type 1 operator such as NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation), DDI (Daiden Denden Co., Ltd.), Japan Telecom Co., Ltd. and Japan High Speed Communication Network Co., Ltd. Since it is different, it is necessary to set the time and dial number in consideration of this point in the device without the LCR selection function.

Further, since the stored image data for transmission is stored in the reading order, when these image data are transmitted, they are transmitted in the reading order. At this time, when one image data is transmitted, the line is disconnected, the line is connected to the next dial number, and the next image data is transmitted.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 As described above, in the conventional storage-type facsimile machine, the user himself / herself determines and sets when to transmit the stored image data and which carrier's communication line is used. The operation had to be performed, which was a troublesome operation. Further, in the conventional storage type facsimile apparatus, when transmitting a plurality of image data, the line is disconnected each time one image data is transmitted. Therefore, for example, even when a plurality of image data of the same transmission partner is stored, the image data is transmitted separately, which causes a problem that the transmission fee increases and the transmission time becomes long.

The present invention was devised to solve such a problem, and one of the purposes thereof is to automatically determine the transmission time zone in which the transmission fee of accumulated image data is the lowest. As a result, the storage-type facsimile apparatus that does not require the operator to perform the setting operation is provided. The second purpose is to provide a storage-type facsimile machine that saves the transmission fee and transmission time by continuously transmitting the image data of the same transmission partner without disconnecting the circuit. Is.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The storage-type facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an image storage unit for storing the image data read by the image reading apparatus in association with the input dial number of the destination, and communication cost. The time zone storage means for storing the cheapest transmission time zone for each dial number, the clock means for measuring the current time, and the time at which the communication of the image data stored in the image storage means to the other party becomes the cheapest. Mode selection means for selecting the normal transmission mode to be transmitted to the band, and when the normal transmission mode is selected by this mode selection means, the image data of the original read by the image reading device is transmitted to the dial number of the transmission destination. The transmission time zone data for each dial number stored in the time zone storage means and the read image data are transmitted in correspondence with When the current time measured by the clock means falls within the transmission time zone indicated by the transmission time zone data, the transmission time zone data of the corresponding dial number is obtained by comparing the transmission time zone data with the corresponding dial number. A communication control means for transmitting the image data stored in the image storage means to the corresponding dial number is provided. Further, in the storage type facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the image data read by the image reading apparatus is sequentially stored and read in correspondence with the input dial number of the destination. When the image data is sent to the same dial number, the image storage means that stores these image data in association with each other and the time zone memory that stores the transmission time zone with the lowest communication cost for each dial number Means, a clock means for measuring the current time, a mode selecting means for selecting a normal transmission mode for transmitting the image data stored in the image storage means in a time zone when the communication with the partner is the cheapest, and this mode When the normal transmission mode is selected by the selection means, the image data of the document read by the image reading device is made to correspond to the dial number of the transmission destination. The corresponding dial numbers are sequentially stored in the image storage means, and the transmission time zone data for each dial number stored in the time zone storage means is compared with the dial number of the destination of the read image data. When the current time measured by the clock means falls within the transmission time zone indicated by the transmission time zone data, one or a plurality of image data corresponding to the dial number is obtained. A communication control means for sequentially reading from the image storage means and continuously transmitting the image is stored. Further, in the storage-type facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention, in each of the above-mentioned configurations, the time zone storage means performs the electric communication business with transmission charges for various time zones such as daytime, nighttime, and late night. Stored in association with the area code for each business operator, the communication control means uses the transmission time zone data stored in the time zone storage means to determine the transmission time zone in which the communication cost is the lowest and the communication line at that time. The configuration includes an LCR selection function for selecting and. Further, in the storage-type facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention, in each of the above-mentioned configurations, any one of the express transmission mode and the normal transmission mode in which the transmission is performed immediately while the document is being read if the line is free. When the mode is switched to the express delivery mode by the mode switching means, the communication control means performs the transmission immediately if the line is open even while the document is being read.

[0007]

[Action]

 The operation of the storage type facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 will be described. When the normal transmission mode is selected by the mode selection means, the image data read by the image reading device is stored in the image storage means in association with the input dial number of the transmission destination.

The communication control means compares the transmission time zone data for each dial number stored in the time zone storage means with the dial number of the destination of the read image data, to thereby obtain the corresponding dial number. Get the transmission time zone data of. Then, the current time measured by the clock means is monitored, and when the current time falls within the transmission time zone indicated by the transmission time zone data, the image data stored in the image storage means is adjusted to the corresponding dial. Send to a number. In this way, if the user selects the normal transmission mode, the image data of the read original will be the cheapest for communication by simply reading the original and entering the dial number of the other party. It will be sent automatically during the time zone.

The operation of the storage type facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 will be described. When the normal transmission mode is selected by the mode selection means, the image data read by the image reading device is sequentially stored in the image storage means in correspondence with the input dial number of the transmission destination. At this time, if the destinations of the read image data are the same dial number, these image data are stored in association with the same dial number.

The communication control means compares the transmission time zone data for each dial number stored in the time zone storage means with the dial number of the destination of the read image data to determine the corresponding dial number. Get transmission time zone data. Then, the current time measured by the clock means is monitored, and when the current time falls within the transmission time zone indicated by the transmission time zone data, one or a plurality of image data corresponding to the dial number is displayed as an image. The data is sequentially read from the storage means and continuously transmitted. That is, when a plurality of image data corresponding to the same dial number is stored, the plurality of image data are continuously transmitted without disconnecting the line. As described above, when a plurality of image data corresponding to the same dial number is stored, all the image data is transmitted by one transmission, so that the transmission fee and the transmission time can be saved. is there.

The operation of the storage type facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 will be described. The time zone storage means stores the transmission charges in various time zones such as daytime, nighttime, and midnight in association with the area code for each business operator (first-class business operator) who conducts the telecommunication business. Then, the communication control means selects the transmission time zone in which the transmission fee is the lowest based on the transmission time zone data stored in the time zone storage means. In other words, not only is it possible to select various time zones such as daytime, nighttime, and midnight, but it is also possible to automatically select which operator's communication line is the cheapest in the selected time zone.

The operation of the storage type facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 will be described. The mode switching means is provided to switch between the express transmission mode and the normal transmission mode in which the line is immediately transmitted if the line is open even during the reading of the document. If you switch to express delivery mode, the document will be sent immediately while the document is being read if the line is free.

[0013]

【Example】

 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of a storage type facsimile apparatus of the present invention. The telephone line 1 is connected to a network control circuit 2 for holding and releasing the line and connecting with each circuit. The network control circuit 2 transmits a facsimile control signal and an image signal to an analog signal and a digital signal. A modulation / demodulation circuit 3 for modulating / demodulating a signal is bidirectionally connected. A facsimile image processing unit 4 is bidirectionally connected to the modulation / demodulation circuit 3, and the output of an image reading unit 5 for reading a document is guided to the facsimile image processing unit 4.

Further, the output of the facsimile image processing unit 4 is guided to an image print output unit 6 for printing out the received image data on recording paper or the like, and an image read by the image reading unit 5 It is bidirectionally connected to the image data storage unit 7 for storing data. The facsimile image processing unit 4 band-compresses the digital image data read by the image reading unit 5 by, for example, the MH coding system or the MR coding system, and outputs the band-compressed image data to the image data storage unit 7. The band-compressed image data received via 3 are expanded and output to the image print output unit 6. Further, the image data storage unit 7 is a sequential storage medium in this embodiment, and its storage area has the configuration shown in FIG.

Further, the telephone line 1 is connected with an incoming call detection circuit 8 for detecting an incoming call from a partner terminal (not shown), and the output of the incoming call detection circuit 8 is a control for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus. It is input to the circuit 9. The control circuit 9 outputs a control signal corresponding to each of the network control circuit 2, the modulation / demodulation circuit 3, and the facsimile image processing unit 4, and is stored in the image data storage unit 7 and the image data storage unit 7. It is bidirectionally connected to the image information storage unit 10 for storing the corresponding dial number of the image data and the head address.

In addition, the control circuit 9 outputs the time zone storage unit 11 that stores the transmission time zone in which the communication cost is the lowest for each dial number (specifically, the area code), and the current time. Output of the clock unit 12 that measures the time and output of the mode selection switch 13 that selects the normal transmission mode in which the image data stored in the image data storage unit 7 is transmitted during the time when the communication with the other party is the cheapest. It has a structure in which and are guided. The mode selection switch 13 is included in the key input unit 14 provided with a numeric keypad for inputting a dial number and various function keys.

Here, regarding the data stored in the time zone storage unit 11, if the contract is only with NTT, it is sufficient to store only the late night time zone when the charge is the lowest. If you have contracts with operators other than NTT, such as DDI, Japan Telecom, and Japan High Speed Communication Network, check the cheapest communication line to use for each area code in advance. Alternatively, the data (that is, data in which the area code and the communication line to be used have a one-to-one correspondence) may be stored.

In this case, in order to clear all contract conditions on the side of the user, a one-to-one data table by a combination of the area code, NTT, and DDI, a combination of the area code, NTT, and Japan Telecom One-to-one data table according to the combination of area code and NTT, Japan high-speed communication network, one-to-one data table according to the combination of area code and NTT, DDI, Japan Telecom, One-to-one data table by combination of area code and NTT, DDI, Japan high-speed communication network, one-to-one data table by combination of area code and NTT, Japan Telecom, Japan high-speed communication network, and There are seven types of data tables, one-to-one data table based on the combination of the area code and NTT, DDI, Japan Telecom, and Japan High Speed Communication Network. The user should be allowed to select which data table to use by the operation.

That is, which business operator other than NTT has a contract depends on the usage environment of the user. Therefore, the most general data stored in the time zone storage unit 11 is transmission charges for various time zones such as daytime, nighttime, and late night, which are provided by NTT, DDI, Japan Telecom, and Japanese high-speed communication network operators. It is data associated with each area code. That is, the data stored in the time zone storage unit 11 is data classified by each area code by time zone and charge table. In this case, the control circuit 9 has an LCR selection function that automatically selects the transmission time zone and the communication line with the lowest communication cost based on the transmission time zone data stored in the time zone storage unit 11. It may be configured to include.

In the above structure, the image storage means described in claims 1 and 2 is composed of the image data storage section 7 and the image information storage section 10 in this embodiment. Next, the operation of the storage type facsimile apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. However, FIG. 2A shows an example of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 7, FIG. 2B shows an example of the data stored in the image information storage unit 10, and FIG. c) shows an example of transmission data. Further, FIG. 3 shows an operation flowchart of the control circuit 9 at the time of transmission. That is, when the mode selection switch 13 is operated to select the normal transmission mode, the control circuit 9 receiving this operation signal sets the present apparatus to the normal transmission mode.

Therefore, the image data read by the image reading unit 5 thereafter is stored in the image data storage unit 7 in association with the dial number of the transmission destination input from the key input unit 14. That is, the corresponding dial number of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 7 and the start address of the image data are stored in the image information storage unit 10.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, image data A1, image data B1, image data C1, image data A2, image data A3, image data D1, ... 2B, the dial number a corresponding to the image data A1 and its head address, and the dial number b corresponding to the image data B1 and its head are stored in the image information storage unit 10. As shown in FIG. Address, dial number c corresponding to image data C1 and its start address, dial number a corresponding to image data A2 and its start address, dial number a corresponding to image data A3 and its start address, corresponding to image data D1 The dial number d and its head address ... Are sequentially stored.

In the control circuit 9, the transmission time zone data for each dial number stored in the time zone storage unit 11 and the transmission destination of each image data A 1, B 1 ... By comparing with the dialed number, the data of the transmission time zone of the corresponding dialed number and the communication line used at that time is obtained. For example, image data A1, A2, A3 is transmitted using a DDI communication line in the midnight time period, and image data B1 is transmitted using a Japan Telecom communication line in the midnight time period. To get

Then, the control circuit 9 monitors the current time sequentially input from the clock unit 12, and when the current time falls within the transmission time zone indicated by the transmission time zone data (step S1), the image is displayed. The image data stored in the data storage unit 7 is transmitted to the corresponding dial number. That is, the control circuit 9 controls the network control circuit 2 to capture the telephone line 1, and at the same time, first transmits the dial number a to connect to the facsimile machine on the other side. Next, the control circuit 9 controls the modulation / demodulation circuit 3 to exchange control signals with the facsimile machine of the other party in accordance with the facsimile communication procedure, and then transmits the image data A1 stored in the image data storage section 7 (step S2).

At this time, the control circuit 9 searches the data in the image information storage unit 10 to check whether or not there is data with the same dial number a (step S3). If there is data of the same dial number a, the start address of the data is sequentially read, the image data A2 and A3 stored in the image data storage unit 7 are sequentially read, and the image data A1 is continuously transmitted. (Step S4, Step S5). That is, the image data A1, A2, A3 to be transmitted to the same destination are all transmitted in one transmission.

After that, when the image data to be transmitted is stored in the image data storage unit 7 (step S6), the process returns to step S1 and is processed. When the transmission of all the image data is completed, the connection with the telephone line 1 is disconnected and the automatic transmission operation is completed (step S7). As a result, as for the image data to be transmitted, as shown in FIG. 2C, the image data A1 to A3 are first continuously transmitted by the first line connection, and the image data B1 is transmitted by the second line connection. Then, the image data C1 is transmitted by the third line connection, and the image data D1 is transmitted by the third line connection.

As described above, if the user selects the normal transmission mode in advance, the image data of the read document can be transmitted by simply inputting the dial number of the other party while reading the document. It will be sent automatically during the cheapest time. Although the above embodiment describes the case where the communication time zones are the same late-night time zone, when the communication time zones of the respective image data stored in the image data storage unit 7 are different, The relevant image data is transmitted in accordance with the above processing operation each time the relevant time period is reached.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, only the case where the normal transmission mode is selected by the mode selection switch 13 has been described, but instead of the mode selection switch 13, the telephone line 1 is open even while the document is being read. If this is the case, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a mode selection switch that switches to either the express transmission mode for immediate transmission or the normal transmission mode is provided. Then, when switched to the express transmission mode by this mode selector switch, the control circuit 9 is configured to immediately transmit the image data being read if the telephone line 1 is free even during the reading of the document. . The operation when the mode is switched to the normal transmission mode is the same as the above operation.

[0029]

[Effect of device]

 In the storage-type facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, when the normal transmission mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the image data read by the image reading apparatus is imaged in correspondence with the dial number of the input destination. In addition to being stored in the storage means, the communication control means compares the transmission time zone data for each dial number stored in the time zone storage means with the dial number of the destination of the read image data. In this way, the transmission time zone data of the corresponding dial number is obtained, the current time measured by the clock means is monitored, and when the current time falls within the transmission time zone indicated by the transmission time zone data, the image is displayed. Since the image data stored in the storage means is transmitted to the corresponding dial number, if the user selects the normal transmission mode, the original can be read. With write, only to enter the dial number of the destination, it can be automatically sent to the cheapest become time zone of the communication of the image data of the document are read. Therefore, the communication cost of facsimile communication can be kept low and the transmission efficiency can be improved. Further, in the storage-type facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, when the normal transmission mode is selected by the mode selection means, the image data read by the image reading apparatus corresponds to the input dial number of the transmission destination. The image data is sequentially stored in the image storage means, and when the read image data is transmitted to the same dial number, these image data are stored in association with the same dial number. The communication control means compares the transmission time zone data for each dial number stored in the time zone storage means with the dial number of the transmission destination of the read image data to determine the corresponding dial number. Obtaining the transmission time zone data, monitoring the current time measured by the clock means, and when the current time falls within the transmission time zone indicated by the transmission time zone data, one or more corresponding to the dial number Since the image data is sequentially read from the image storage means and continuously transmitted, when a plurality of image data corresponding to the same dial number is stored, the plurality of image data are recorded once. You can send continuously by sending. Therefore, the communication cost for facsimile communication can be kept low and the transmission efficiency can be improved. Further, the storage-type facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention is, as data to be stored in the time zone storage means, transmission charges for various time zones such as daytime, nighttime, and midnight, which are used by each business operator that conducts electric communication business. Each time it is stored as data associated with the area code, the communication control means selects the transmission time zone with the lowest transmission fee based on the transmission time zone data stored in this time zone storage means. Since it is configured, it is possible to select not only various time zones such as daytime, nighttime, and midnight, but also which operator's communication line is the cheapest in the selected time zone. Further, since the storage-type facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention is equipped with the mode switching means for switching between the express transmission mode and the normal transmission mode, this mode is used when the transmission is urgent. By switching to the express delivery mode by the switching means, even if the document is being read, it will be sent immediately if the line is open, so that facsimile communication according to the situation becomes possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a storage type facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an image data storage unit and an image information storage unit and transmission data at the time of transmission.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the control circuit during transmission.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 telephone line 4 facsimile image processing unit 5 image reading unit (image reading device) 7 image data storage unit 9 control circuit (communication control means) 10 image information storage unit 11 time zone storage unit 12 clock unit 13 mode selection switch

Claims (4)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A storage-type facsimile apparatus capable of accumulating image data of a document read by an image reading apparatus as image data for transmission, wherein the image data read by the image reading apparatus is:
An image storage unit that stores the input destination dial number, a time period storage unit that stores the transmission time period with the lowest communication cost for each dial number, and a clock unit that measures the current time. When the normal transmission mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the mode selection unit selects the normal transmission mode in which the image data stored in the image storage unit is transmitted at a time when the communication with the other party becomes the cheapest. The image data of the document read by the image reading device is stored in the image storage means in association with the dial number of the transmission destination, and the transmission time zone data for each dial number stored in the time zone storage means is read. The transmission time zone data of the corresponding dial number is obtained by comparing the transmitted image data with the dial number of the transmission destination, and the clock means is provided. Communication control means for transmitting the image data stored in the image storage means to a corresponding dial number when the current time measured by the current time falls within the transmission time zone indicated by the transmission time zone data. Storage-type facsimile machine characterized by: 2. A storage type facsimile apparatus capable of accumulating image data of a document read by an image reading apparatus as image data for transmission, wherein the image data read by the image reading apparatus is:
An image storage unit that sequentially stores the dial numbers of the input transmission destinations, and stores the image data in association with each other when the transmission destinations of the read image data are the same dial number, The time zone storage means for storing the transmission time zone where the communication cost is the lowest for each dial number, the clock means for measuring the current time, and the image data stored in the image storage means are the cheapest for communication to the other party. Mode selecting means for selecting a normal transmission mode for transmitting in the following time zone, and when the normal transmission mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the image data of the original read by the image reading device is set as the destination dial number. Correspondingly stored in the image storage means sequentially, and read as transmission time zone data for each dial number stored in the time zone storage means. The transmission time zone data of the corresponding dial number is obtained by comparing the received image data with the transmission destination dial number, and the current time measured by the clock means is the transmission time indicated in the transmission time zone data. A storage type facsimile apparatus, comprising: a communication control means for sequentially reading out one or a plurality of image data corresponding to the dial number from the image storage means and continuously transmitting the data when it comes into the band. 3. The time zone storage means stores transmission charges in various time zones such as daytime, nighttime, and midnight in association with an area code for each business operator engaged in telecommunication business, and the communication control means. Is characterized by including an LCR selection function for selecting the transmission time zone in which the communication cost is the lowest and the communication line at that time based on the transmission time zone data stored in the time zone storage means. The storage type facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A mode switching means for switching between an express delivery mode for immediate transmission and a normal transmission mode if the line is open even during the reading of a document, and the mode switching means enables the express delivery mode. 4. The storage type facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the communication is switched, the communication control means immediately transmits the document while the document is being read if the line is free.