JP3282876B2 - Facsimile machine - 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 machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of facsimile machines, business using facsimile machines as communication means is increasing. For example, in mail-order sales, an application form is sent by a facsimile machine to make an application and receive it. At this time, the calling end side facsimile apparatus is connected to the called end side facsimile apparatus (hereinafter, in such a case, in principle, abbreviated as "calling end" and "called end"). Then, only the transmission information consisting of a predetermined document and image is transmitted, and the called end only receives the transmission information, thereby completing one operation associated with one communication line connection.

[0003]

However, in such communication, firstly, the transmission of the document is only performed unilaterally from the calling end to the called end, and the transmission is reliably performed to the person who should originally transmit the document. Cannot be confirmed whether or not it was performed. Therefore, the caller must confirm receipt separately by telephone contact,
If that is not possible, you will trust it to be accepted.

[0004] Second, when the response on the receiving side is slow, it is unclear for the sender whether the receiver is absent or takes time to work. Then, in order to resolve these inconveniences on the sender side, it is only necessary for the recipient to make a telephone call or reply by facsimile to the effect that the recipient has received it immediately. The biggest advantage is that they can be sent and received without being combined. Therefore, thirdly, it is difficult to immediately notify of receipt confirmation, and depending on the content of the information to be transmitted, it may be necessary to immediately prepare a response. In some cases, or it may be difficult to receive such information.

Therefore, there is a demand for a facsimile apparatus in which the receiving side automatically and immediately returns an acknowledgment as to whether or not the transmission has been performed reliably. Furthermore, when there is a possibility that the response on the receiving side may be delayed, it is desired to realize a facsimile apparatus in which an explanation of a situation such as a long absence or busy is returned. Furthermore, in correspondence education, mail-order sales, and the like using a facsimile machine, it is also desired to realize a facsimile machine in which a response and processing on the receiving side upon reception are performed quickly and automatically. It is more desirable from the viewpoint of quick response that the reception confirmation be performed once by connecting a communication line for transmitting the first (original) information from the calling end. For example, when sending a facsimile using a facsimile machine installed in a convenience store, stationery store, bookstore, etc., the caller immediately receives the sent message from the original destination immediately on the spot. It is desirable to receive a receipt confirmation.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-295563
The facsimile apparatus to which image information is transmitted from the receiving facsimile apparatus after the transmission from the transmitting facsimile apparatus is completed is described. However, the returned image information is abnormal message information corresponding to an abnormal state when an abnormality occurs in the receiving facsimile machine,
There is no reply when transmission is successful. For this reason, it is not possible to send a notification to the original party that the information has been correctly transmitted and accepted. Also, what comes back is
This is an abnormal situation of the receiving-side facsimile machine, and does not give a meaningful answer to the sender such as notifying the business situation of the receiving side.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 64-73
No. 863 describes turnaround polling in which the called end returns the original sent to the calling end directly to the calling end. However, the returned image information is the transmission information itself, and it is not possible to give a meaningful answer as well as an acceptance notification.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION, and receiving the document template storage unit for storing a template for receiving physical document, the caller by using a template of the receiving document template in the storage unit And a receiving document creating unit that creates a receiving document that is significant to the user, and instructs the receiving document creating unit to create the receiving document after receiving the image information, and automatically returns the receiving document created by the instruction to the calling end. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a return reply unit; and a called communication line connection unit that keeps holding a communication line connected from a calling end until the return reply unit completes transmission of an accepted document. .

Here, the received document preparing section comprises a template in the received document template storage section, information relating to the reception itself of the called end including the reception date and time and the number of received sheets, or received image information or a cut out necessary section. It is characterized in that an acceptance document is created from at least one of the information .

[0010] Here, a blank space is provided at a predetermined position in the template in the received document template storage unit, and information on the template and reception itself or at least one of the received image information by the received document creation unit is provided. The creation of the received document is characterized by embedding information relating to reception itself or information obtained from at least one of the received image information in a blank space at a predetermined position of the template .

[0011] Here, the feature that it has a receiving document clipper for clipping it and sends it to the receiving document creation unit In recognition of parts necessary for the receiving document creation from the received image information I do . A receiving content identification recognizing unit that reads an identification marker for the content of the received document written in the received image information or recognizes a tone signal for the content of the received document received together with the received image information; The reception document creation unit changes a template used for creation of a reception document in accordance with information on an identification marker or a tone signal from the in-reception identification recognition unit .

[0012] Here, in addition to a configuration in which an output unit for printing out the received document is provided and the return transmitting unit automatically returns the synthesized received document to the calling end, the received document is output to the output unit. Is printed out .

Here, when the called facsimile machine prepares an acceptance document for the transmitted image information,
An identification mark for determining which template to use is attached .

[0014]

According to the above arrangement, in the present invention , the received document template stores the received document template. The received document creation unit creates a received document that is meaningful to the caller by using the template in the received document template storage unit. The return transmission unit instructs the reception document creation unit to create an acceptance document after receiving the image information, and automatically returns the acceptance document created by the instruction to the caller. The called communication line connection unit keeps holding the communication line connected from the calling end until the return transmission unit finishes transmitting the received document.

[0015] The received document creating unit may include a template in the received document template storage unit and information relating to the reception itself of the called end including the reception date and time and the number of received images, or received image information or a part of the cut out necessary unit. A receipt document is created from at least one of the information. A blank is provided at a predetermined position in the template in the received document template storage unit. Creating acceptance document from a template by receiving the document creation unit and the at least one information reception itself information or the received image information on, small spider image information or information received regarding the reception itself blank predetermined position in the template Information obtained from one of the information is embedded. Also , the received document extracting unit recognizes a part necessary for creating a received document from the received image information, cuts it out, and sends it to the received document creating unit.

Further, recognizing a tone signal of the contents of the received document received with the received image information or read the identification label for the contents of the received document received content identification recognition unit are entered in the received image information. The reception document creation unit changes the template used for creating the reception document according to the information about the identification mark or the tone signal from the reception content identification recognition unit.

Further, in addition to the configuration in which the return transmitting unit automatically returns the synthesized received document to the calling end, the output unit instructs the output unit to print out the received document. The output unit prints out the received document under this instruction .

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on several embodiments. (First Embodiment) This embodiment is mainly based on claims 1 to 3.
The present invention relates to the invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment. In the figure, 11 is an input unit, 12 is a transmission unit, 13 is a reception unit, 14 is an output unit, 15 is an operation unit,
A 6-line connection unit, 17 is a return transmission unit, 18 is a transmission line, 19 is a received document template storage unit, and 21 is a received document creation unit.

An input unit 11 is a CCD for reading an image of a document.
(Charge coupled devices, charge-coupled devices) and transport rollers for transporting the original in the sub-scanning direction. The transmitting unit 12 stores a control content for executing a predetermined communication protocol at the time of transmission based on CCITT (International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee) recommendation T30.
M, a RAM for temporarily storing an abbreviated number, a called end number for each transmission, and the like, and a transmitting unit main body for compressing and transmitting a read document image.

The receiving unit 13 stores a control content for executing a predetermined communication protocol at the time of reception based on the CCITT recommendation T30, and a ROM for expanding received image information and demodulating it into monochrome bit data. Including a demodulation unit. A counting unit 5 for counting the number of pages of the received image information;
2 is provided. The output unit 14 includes a printer or the like for recording demodulated image information.

The received document template storage unit 19 receives the received document as a predetermined response to the received notification, status report, or transmitted content to a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk or a flexible disk, or a semiconductor storage element such as a ROM or a RAM. A template for a received sentence for creation (a concept including not only a “basic sentence” but also a “shape” and a “position”) is electronically stored.

The received document creating unit 21 includes a clock unit (date clock) 51 with a calendar, reads a received document template stored in the received document template storage unit 19 according to an instruction from the return transmission unit 17, and reads the received document template. The reception date and time and the number of pages that are blank in the template are filled in with reference to the values of the clock unit 51 with a calendar and the counting unit 52 to create a reception sentence. expand. The template stored in the received document template storage unit 19 includes a template composed of shortened image information or a template composed of character information, and a template composed of a mixture of image information and character information. is there.

The operation unit 15 includes operation buttons necessary for a user to input a received document template into the received document template storage unit 19, and a created document input unit that works in conjunction with a word processor. The line connection unit 16 includes a line connection control unit that controls connection between the communication line 18 and the transmission unit 12 and the reception unit 13.

When the apparatus is in the receiving end state, the return transmitting section 17 is activated by receiving a predetermined activation signal from the receiving section 13 which has detected this, and terminates the receiving state of the apparatus, and This time, control is performed so that the own side automatically shifts to the transmission state without disconnecting the connected communication line. When the return transmission unit 17 is activated, the contents of the received reception document created by the reception document synthesis unit 21 are transmitted to the communication line 18 via the line connection unit 16 by the transmission unit 12. Here, some of the received document templates are stored in a format as shown in FIG. 3, for example. However, in the figure, “null mark and lower horizontal line” indicate a state of no character (blank portion). Further, in the circles and the triangles, a numerical value indicating the reception end date and time and the number of received pages are programmed using the clock unit 51 with a calendar and the counting unit 52 built in the facsimile machine, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a calling-side facsimile apparatus for transmitting image information to a called-side facsimile apparatus according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The calling-side operation unit 25 includes an operation panel having a switch button for switching to transmission according to the present invention, in addition to a called-end number display panel and a numeric keypad necessary for normal facsimile transmission.

The return receiving section 27 is activated when a predetermined start signal is input from the transmitting section 12 which has detected this when the own apparatus is in the transmission end state, and terminates the transmission state of the own apparatus. At the same time, it does not cut off the connected communication line, but controls to shift itself to the reception state this time. In addition to the above, it is natural that both the facsimile apparatuses on the receiving side and the transmitting side have a character generator (character generator), a recording sheet, a recording sheet conveying section, a reception information storage section, and the like necessary for exhibiting the functions as the original facsimile apparatus. However, since these are obvious, the description is omitted.

In the following, for convenience of understanding the present invention, the operation and procedure of each component of the facsimile apparatus accompanying normal facsimile transmission / reception will be appropriately mixed, and the present invention will be described focusing on each component according to the present invention. The operation according to will be described. 4 and 5 show the operation flow of the called side and the calling side at that time. Since the gist of the present invention is to automatically return a received document from the called end without disconnecting the communication line, the operation of the facsimile machine on the receiving side will be described first.

When a call is received from the facsimile apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 in the facsimile apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a called terminal identification signal (CSI signal) subsequent to a calling tone (CNG), a calling terminal After a correct connection of the communication line is made by a predetermined transmission procedure such as exchange of an identification signal (NSC signal) (a1), it indicates that the transmission is according to the present invention in accordance with a predetermined agreement with the calling facsimile machine. By transmitting and receiving a non-standard function identification signal (NSF signal), a non-standard function command signal (NSC signal), and the like, the called-side facsimile apparatus detects the facsimile transmission according to the present invention (a2). Next, the line connection unit 16 connects the reception unit 13 to the communication line 18 as in the case of facsimile reception according to the related art. Thereafter, a reception preparation completion signal (CFR signal) is issued to the calling end side facsimile machine (a6), and at the same time, the reception unit 13 enters the reception state (a).
7). Then, the receiving unit 13 outputs the contents received from the calling-side facsimile apparatus to the output unit 14. In addition, the work performed accordingly, that is, the calling facsimile machine scans the sheet for transmission in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, and encodes, shortens, and transmits characters and image information on the sheet. At the same time, at the end of a line, the end of a page, etc., a predetermined signal (EO
L signal, MPS signal, etc.), while receiving these signals and detecting the contents, the called facsimile machine forms or transmits the character and image information transmitted to the recording paper. Prior to storing in a built-in memory, it is the same as facsimile reception according to the prior art. Next, when the receiving unit 13 completes receiving all transmitted documents, the operation according to the present invention is performed. That is, in the normal facsimile transmission (a3), the facsimile machine on the calling side detects the last part of the transmission information due to the absence of the recording paper set for transmission by the user, and a message end signal indicating this. (EOM signal), the called facsimile apparatus confirms this, and then sends a message confirmation signal (MCF signal) (a4), and the facsimile apparatus on both the calling side and the called side receives the communication line 18 (A5). However, in the facsimile transmission / reception according to the present invention, the calling facsimile apparatus detects the last part of the transmission information (b8).
In step (b9), a message end signal is issued in accordance with a predetermined program, and a digital transmission command signal (DTC signal) is also issued (b10).
Further, the communication system 18 is connected to the reception mode. On the other hand, the receiving section 13 of the called facsimile apparatus that has received the message end signal (a8) and the digital transmission command signal (a9) notifies the calling side, that is, the return transmitting section 17 on its own side. Return transmission unit 17
According to this notification from the receiving unit 13, the receiving document creating unit 21 creates a receiving document for reply using the received document template stored in the received document template storage unit 19 composed of RAM. And instruct the transmitting unit 12 to send a digital command signal (DCS) to the calling facsimile machine.
Signal) to establish a transmission right (a10), and then instruct the received facsimile machine to return the accepted document created by the accepted document creating section 21 to the calling facsimile machine. On the other hand, under the instruction from the receiving unit 13, the line connecting unit 16 newly connects to the transmitting unit 12 while maintaining the connection of the communication line 18 so that the above operation can be performed. Cut off. Based on the above, transmission of a reception document as a predetermined reply document to the calling-side facsimile apparatus under the instruction of the return transmission unit 17 is performed according to a predetermined procedure, that is, a procedure according to normal facsimile transmission ( a11).
The received document template storage unit 19 is provided with a word processor (not shown) linked to the facsimile machine.
"I am Taro Matsushita."
○ We received a fax of page △ at month ○ day ○ hour ○ minute. (The circles and circles indicate the contents of the clock unit 51 with a calendar built in the facsimile apparatus and the counting unit 52 that calculates the number of pages using the page end signal from the calling side as described above.) Fill in the numbers automatically.) And "Sorry, we ran out of paper.
Please send again after a while. Taro Matsushita "and others"I'm sorry I'm in a hurry,
We are closed for Bon holiday until August 17. In addition, 18
Open as usual from the day. And the like according to a program input by a maker of the facsimile apparatus described later. Further, basic programs necessary for these are prepared in advance by a maker of the facsimile apparatus and stored in the ROM. After transmitting the received document, after confirming the end with the identification mark, a message end signal indicating the end of the reply is sent to the calling facsimile machine (a12). The transmission / reception is terminated and the communication line is disconnected in the same procedure as in the facsimile apparatus (a).
5, a13, b13, b14).

Next, the specific contents of the above-described program or instruction will be described.
A program created by the creator of this facsimile machine and stored in ROM reads, "I am Taro Matsushita.
○ We received a fax of page △ at month ○ day ○ hour ○ minute. Will be automatically sent back. However, before the Bon holiday, the called party separately prepares and inputs the second document, and further presses a button for automatically replying to the second document in advance, so that "the hurry up" However, I'm sorry, but we are closed for the Bon holiday until August 17. We apologize for the inconvenience, but please wait for a while.
We will open as usual from the 18th. Is also transmitted back. Of course, if an abnormality such as paper cutting occurs, a reply to that effect is made.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine on the calling side will be described. However, at this time, the exchange of signals common (overlapping) with the previous called side is omitted.
Now, in the calling-side facsimile apparatus, when a transmission document is attached to the input unit 11 and the operation unit 15 is operated, the input unit 11
Reads the transmission document and inputs the content to the transmission unit 12. The line connection unit 16 connects the transmission unit 12 to the communication line 18 and transmits the signal to the destination facsimile apparatus designated by the user according to the procedure defined in CCITT (b)
1, b2, b6, b7). When the transmitting section 12 completes the transmission of the document (b8), it issues a message end signal (b9) to the called facsimile machine and subsequently issues a digital transmission command signal (b10), and also indicates that the transmission of the transmission document has been completed. The caller, that is, the return receiver 17 on its own side is notified. The return receiving unit 27 notifies the receiving unit 13 to receive a reply document from the called facsimile machine in accordance with the notification from the transmitting unit 12, and transmits the receiving unit 13 to the line connecting unit 16 to the communication line 18. Instruct to connect. Under this instruction, the line connection unit 16 newly connects to the reception unit 13 while maintaining the connection with the communication line 18,
Conversely, the transmission unit 12 is disconnected from the communication line 18. After receiving the digital command signal (b11), the receiving unit 13 transmits from the called-side facsimile apparatus in accordance with a predetermined program or the instruction of the called-side user after receiving the digital command signal (b11). After receiving the reply, the received document is output to the output unit 14 (b1).
2). Further, a message end signal (b13) is received from the called side (however, the received document becomes the calling side) that has finished transmitting the received document, and a message confirmation signal is subsequently transmitted (b14). Thereafter, the facsimile machine on both the calling side and the called side performs operations for terminating transmission / reception and disconnecting the communication line in the same procedure as the normal facsimile machine (b5, a5).

(Second Embodiment) This embodiment is mainly described in claim 2
And the inventions of claims 3 and 6. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment. In the figure, 1
1 is an input unit, 12 is a transmission unit, 13 is a reception unit, 14 is an output unit, 15 is an operation unit, 16 is a line connection unit, 17 is a return transmission unit, 18 is a communication line, and 19 is a received document template storage unit. , 22 are received document creation units.

The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Next, only the operation of the received document creating unit 22, which is a feature of the present embodiment, will be described in detail. The received document creating unit 22 includes a counting unit 53 for counting the reception number of the image information and a clock unit 51 with a calendar.
Is provided. The received document creating unit 22 writes the value of the clock unit 51 with the calendar and the count value of the counting unit 53 in the template, and then creates a manuscript for the accepted document, that is, a first accepted sentence. The operation up to this point is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the counting unit 53 counts a reception number that is incremented by one each time a received document is returned. A counting unit 52 for counting is provided).
Thereafter, the reception document creating unit 22 further combines the created primary reception document and the received image information to create a final reception sentence. Then, the transmission unit 12 returns this result. Here, the received image information is desirably an application form in a dedicated form that is determined in advance by the agreement between the sender and the receiver. FIG. 7 shows an example of such a form. The form of the form is distinguished between an applicant use column and a trader use column. Further, predetermined symbols for alignment are printed in advance at the four corners. As shown in FIG. 8, the template of the received document stored in the received document template storage unit 19 is written in conformity with the position of the field for use of the company in advance in the form. The entry position on the received sentence is determined, and the corresponding line of the form is also pre-printed with a predetermined alignment symbol.

The calling party fills in the predetermined items in the column for use by the applicant as shown in FIG. The receiving unit 13 on the called side accumulates the received document in a built-in temporary storage unit (not shown), and then reproduces the received document electronically to create a received document or print it out. When the reception is completed, the received document creating unit 22 combines the received document and the primary received document according to the instruction of the return transmitting unit 17, creates a final received sentence, and delivers the result to the transmitting unit 12. . As a result, an acceptance document as shown in FIG. 10 is returned to the calling side. In addition, the return transmission unit 17 delivers the created received document to the output unit 14 and instructs the printing of the received document. At this time, if the called side is programmed to suppress the print output associated with the reception of the received document itself before the received sentence is synthesized, it will save paper and shorten the printing time.

As described above, by automatically adding the receipt number to the receipt document, the sender can perform the following procedure based on the receipt number. For example, in the case of a mail order product order using a facsimile machine, the next procedure is payment, but when this payment is made by bank transfer, if this receipt number is specified, any of multiple orders Clarify if payment is for an order. In other words, when the transferor has several unpaid orders, it is clear which order was paid, and troubles related to payment between the applicant and the trader and merchandise receipt can be reduced. (For companies with a specific business relationship, confirmation can be obtained by using a form with a serial number printed in advance, but mail-order sales are targeted at an unspecified number of purchasers, and therefore, buyers are published in newspapers and magazines It is common to cut out or copy the application form of, and usually there is no serial number in the form, so it is difficult to specify without the serial number.) (Third embodiment) The embodiment mainly relates to the fifth and seventh aspects of the present invention.

In the first and second embodiments, the case where the reception date and time and the reception number are entered in the template of the received document has been described. However, in this embodiment, these are not performed, and instead, the contents of the received document are recognized. To change the template to be used. For example, the present invention is suitable for a case where a response to a multiple-choice or XX-type question book is transmitted for use in distance learning. At this time, the form is composed of an answer section to be filled in by the student and a correct answer section to be filled out by the teacher, and a bar code for specifying the answer sheet is printed in the upper left corner of the form in advance (FIG. 11). As the acceptance document, a document in which only the correct answer column is filled in for each answer sheet is prepared (FIG. 12), and the student enters ○ × at a predetermined position on the answer sheet.
When the answer with the symbol or number is sent (FIG. 13), the barcode is read, the template corresponding to the answer sheet is called, and the correct answer is combined and entered in the correct answer column. Is immediately returned to the student (FIG. 14). This allows students to score themselves without waiting for the teacher to return their answer. This is because, in the case of distance learning, the way of progress of the question differs depending on the student, so it is preferable to select the question according to the way of progress and to select and grade the accepted document according to the answer. It is. For this reason, in the present embodiment, black and white (1) on the received document electronically reproduced in the temporary storage unit in the receiving unit.
A program for reading (recognizing) the meaning content after recognizing the value from the barcode line composed of the barcode line consisting of (1) and (0) is built in the received document creating unit. Furthermore, by applying the technology and programmatic device used for the automatic postal code reader etc. to the called facsimile device, which is more complicated and expensive than the barcode reader, If the recognized symbols and their positions are also recognized, it is possible to reply with more advanced educational guidance, for example, collating with the correct answer, scoring, and so on. In these cases, the ROM or RAM incorporated in the microcomputer in the called facsimile machine, or a connected disk, etc., have a program necessary for operation for facsimile communication education separately incorporated in advance. Of course.

(Fourth Embodiment) This embodiment is mainly based on claim 4.
And the invention according to claim 6. FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment. Also in the present embodiment, the received document creating unit 23 and the received document extracting unit 20 which are the features
The operation will be mainly described. The received document extracting unit 20 extracts a predetermined portion of the stylized received document, and delivers the extracted portion to the received document creating unit 23. The received document creating unit 23 inserts the image information cut out by the received document extracting unit 20 into a predetermined position of the reply received document template stored in the received document template storage unit 19 to create a received document. . As a result, a part of the items described in the application form can be transcribed to the acceptance document, and an invoice or the like can be automatically issued. For example, FIG.
An application form is determined as shown in FIG. 16, and a template of an acceptance document (invoice) as shown in FIG. 16 is prepared. Further, the document clipping unit is preset so as to clip the area shown in FIG. Here, when the document as shown in FIG. 9 is received, the received document shown in FIG. 18 is created and automatically returned to the calling side.

Although the present invention has been described based on the first to fourth embodiments, the present invention is, of course, not limited to the above-described embodiments. That is, (1) In the first embodiment, reading (input) of the received document
Is performed by reading a document described on a transmission sheet, not by a linked word processor. (2) In the third embodiment, the recognition of the contents of the received document is entrusted to the receiver, but after transmitting the document, a tone signal used for this is used by using a tone-type telephone attached to many facsimile machines. (DTMF signal) # 1 * or # 2 *
Is transmitted, the transmission destination specifies a reply document according to the transmission tone. (3) In the fourth embodiment, since the transmission document is geometrically standardized, it is possible to recognize a predetermined position. Other means such as recognition by a special symbol such as a symbol similar to "[]" in the specification of the patent application, or recognition by a dashed line with a special thickness and gap space, according to the prior agreement of the applicant. Good. (4) The operation according to the present invention and normal facsimile transmission / reception can be switched. (5) A facsimile machine according to the present invention is modified from the existing facsimile machine.

In the operations (1) to (4), a non-standard function identification signal (NSF signal),
Of course, a non-standard function command signal (NSC signal) or the like may be used. In each of the embodiments, the case where the transmitting side is the calling end has been described. However, when the communication fee is borne by the receiving side, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Sho 63-220664 and Hei 1-106670 disclose. If the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-286566 is used, the transmitting end can be the called end.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, the calling facsimile apparatus and the called facsimile apparatus can automatically operate without disconnecting the communication line connected for document transmission. Then, a predetermined reply document is transmitted. As a result, the received document that has returned the status of the called party, specifically, whether or not the transmission has been reliably performed to the desired called party and whether or not the called party has been absent. It can be easily and specifically confirmed on the spot without a separate telephone call or the like. Furthermore, it is not limited to business-to-business communication, parent company and subsidiary company, seller and specific customer communication, etc.
Work that cannot be expected by merely transmitting information, such as facsimile communication education for the general public and facsimile mail order, can be processed, and the practical effect is large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a transmission-side facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an example of a template for a received document in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a flow of an operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a flow of the operation of the transmitting facsimile machine.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an example of a transmission side form in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an example of a template for an accepted document in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an example of a transmission document according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an example of a received document according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an example of a transmission-side form according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an example of a template for a received document in a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an example of a transmission document according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an example of a received document in a third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an example of a template for an accepted document in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows an example of designation of a received document cutout area in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an example of a received document in the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 input unit 12 transmission unit 13 reception unit 14 output unit 15 operation unit 16 line connection unit 17 return transmission unit 18 communication line 19 received document template storage unit 20 received document cutout unit 21 received document creation unit 22 received document creation unit 23 Receiving document creation unit 25 Calling side operation unit 27 Return receiving unit 51 Clock unit with calendar (date clock) 52 Counting unit 53 Counting unit

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] 1. An accepted document template storage unit for storing an accepted document template, and an accepted document creating unit for creating an accepted document that is meaningful for a caller by using a template in the accepted document template storage unit A return transmission unit for instructing the reception document creation unit to create a reception document after receiving the image information, and automatically returning the reception document created by the instruction to the calling end; Called communication line connection unit that keeps the communication line connected from the calling end until the transmission of the image is completed, and reads the identification mark for the content of the received document written in the received image information or A received content identification recognizing unit for recognizing a tone signal about the content of the received document received together with the information; Depending on the information about et identification label or tone signal,
A facsimile apparatus for changing a template used for creating a received document. 2. The received document creating unit includes a template in the received document template storage unit, information on reception itself of a called end including a reception date and time and the number of received images, or received image information or a cut out necessary unit. 2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a received document is created from at least part of the information. 3. The template in the received document template storage unit is provided with a blank at a predetermined position, and the template by the received document creation unit and information on reception itself or at least one of the received image information and 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating the received document from the template includes embedding information relating to the reception itself or information obtained from at least one of the received image information in a blank space at a predetermined position of the template. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to 2. 4. A received document extracting unit which recognizes a part necessary for creating a received document from received image information, cuts out the part, and sends it to the received document creating unit. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an output unit for printing out the received document, wherein the return transmitting unit automatically returns the synthesized received document to a calling end. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus has a configuration for giving an instruction to print out. 6. A method of transmitting a received document to a calling end by using a facsimile apparatus having a received document template storage unit for storing a received document template, wherein the facsimile apparatus transmits the received document. Called communication line connection step of maintaining the communication line connected from the calling end until the end of the call, and the facsimile apparatus reads or receives the identification mark of the content of the received document written in the received image information. Recognizing a tone signal about the content of the received document received together with the received image information, and the facsimile apparatus selects a template in the received document template storage unit according to the information about the identification mark or the tone signal, An acceptance document creation process that creates an acceptance document that is meaningful to the caller by using the selected template. And a return transmission step in which the facsimile apparatus automatically returns the generated received document to the calling end. 7. The template in the received document template storage unit has a blank at a predetermined position, and the received document creating step includes the step of receiving information or received image information in a blank of the template at a predetermined position. 7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein information obtained from at least one of the information is embedded. 8. A communication system for transmitting a received document to a calling end by using a facsimile apparatus having a received document template storage unit for storing a correct document template for a received document.
A method of controlling a facsimile machine used for training , wherein the facsimile machine keeps holding the communication line connected from the calling end until the transmission of the accepted document is completed, and a facsimile machine, A step of reading an identification sign for the content of the received answer document written in the image information of the received answer document or recognizing a tone signal of the content of the received answer document together with the image information of the received answer document; Selects a correct document template in the received document template storage unit according to the information about the identification mark or the tone signal, and generates a received document that is significant for the caller by using the selected correct document template. A facsimile machine to send the created receipt document to the calling end. A method of controlling a facsimile machine used for distance learning, which includes a return transmission step of automatically replying.
Law . 9. A blank space is provided at a predetermined position in the correct answer document template in the received document template storage unit, and the received document creation step includes the step of receiving information or receiving information in a blank space at a predetermined position of the correct answer document template. 9. The communication method according to claim 8 , wherein information obtained from at least one of the image information of the prepared answer document is embedded.
A method of controlling a facsimile machine used for credit education . 10. A communication system for transmitting a received document to a calling end using a facsimile apparatus having a received document template storage unit for storing a received document template for a received document.
A method for controlling a facsimile machine used for telemarketing , wherein the facsimile machine keeps holding a communication line connected from a calling end until transmission of an accepted document is completed, Reading an identification indicator for the content of the received application document entered in the image information of the received application document, or recognizing a tone signal for the content of the received application document received together with the image information of the received application document. The apparatus selects an accepting document template in the accepting document template storage in response to the information about the identification mark or the tone signal, and uses the selected accepting document template to generate an accepted document that is significant to the caller. The receiving document preparation step to be prepared and the facsimile machine A return transmission step of automatically returning a physical document to a calling end. A method of controlling a facsimile machine used for mail-order sales, comprising:
Law . 11. A blank space is provided at a predetermined position in the reception document template in the reception document template storage unit, and the reception document creation step includes the step of receiving information or reception information in a blank space at a predetermined position of the reception document template. 11. The control method for a facsimile machine used for mail-order sales according to claim 10 , wherein information obtained from at least one of the image information of the applied application document is embedded. 12. A correct answer document template for a received document
Facsimile provided with received document template storage unit
Communication that sends a receipt document to the calling end by using a simile device
An automatic education response method, Until the facsimile machine finishes sending the received document,
Called party communication that keeps the communication line connected from the calling end
A line connection step; Facsimile machine fills in image information of received answer document
Read the identification signs for the contents of the received
Answer received with image information of the answer document received or received
Recognizing a tone signal for the content of the document
When, The facsimile machine detects the identification mark or tone signal.
The received document template storage according to the information
Select the correct answer template in the department and select the correct answer
Sent by caller using document template
Received a correct answer to the answer shown in the
An acceptance document creation step for creating a management document; The facsimile machine sends the created receipt document to the calling end automatically.
Dynamically responding wrap Transmission step.
Automatic response method of correspondence education to be marked. 13. A receiving document template for a receiving document.
File with a received document template storage unit
Communication for sending an acceptance document to the calling end using a x-ray machine
An automatic sales order receiving method, Until the facsimile machine finishes sending the received document,
Called party communication that keeps the communication line connected from the calling end
A line connection step; The facsimile machine records the image information of the received application
Read the identification sign for the contents of the received
Reception received with the image information of the received application document
A switch that recognizes the tone signal for the contents of the application document.
Tep, The facsimile machine detects the identification mark or tone signal.
The received document template storage according to the information
Select the receiving document template in the department and
From callers by using the attached document template
Indicates the order received for the order indicated in the submitted application document
A receipt document creating step for creating a received receipt document; The facsimile machine sends the created receipt document to the calling end automatically.
And a return sending step for dynamically replying.
The automatic ordering method for mail order sales.