JP3867861B2 - Facsimile device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that implements a call control protocol such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). More specifically, prior to sending a document, information such as the remaining amount of recording paper in a destination apparatus is used as a method of the call control protocol. The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus to be used and acquired.

  In recent years, facsimile apparatuses that transmit image data through an IP network are becoming popular. For example, the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an ITU-T recommendation T.30. 38 is provided with an IP facsimile communication function conforming to H.38, and can transmit and receive document image data through the IP network. If image data is transmitted through the IP network, the communication cost can be significantly reduced compared to transmitting image data through a telephone line. Therefore, in recent years, companies have been using image data through the IP network for the purpose of reducing communication costs. There is a tendency to introduce a facsimile machine that transmits the message.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, when facsimile data is being received and recorded, when the remaining amount of recording paper becomes a certain amount or less, a notification is sent to a specific facsimile machine to prompt the user to replenish the recording paper. An apparatus is disclosed. Therefore, according to this facsimile apparatus, a shortage of recording paper and a shortage of recording paper can be quickly resolved.

JP 2002-101256 A JP-A-6-133139

  However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus including the facsimile apparatus according to Patent Documents 1 and 2, before the transmission of the document, the recording sheet size supported by the partner apparatus and the remaining recording paper in the partner apparatus are checked. I could not. For this reason, if the destination device does not support recording paper of the same size as the transmission original size, or if the recording paper of that size is cut even if it is compatible, it is the same as the original that the sending user wants to deliver There may be a case where a document of a size is not reproduced at the destination. For example, when image data of an A3 size original is transmitted in a state where there is no A3 size (Japanese Industrial Standards A row No. 3) recording paper in the counterpart device, A3 size A3 is used by the automatic reduction print function of the counterpart device. The recording may be reduced on a recording paper having a size different from the size, for example, A4 size recording paper. When such a reduced recording is performed, when characters, figures, and the like printed on a document to be transmitted are drawn very finely, there arises a problem that the contents of the characters and figures cannot be sufficiently grasped. Further, since it becomes necessary to retransmit the original, there is a problem that the first transmission operation and communication cost are wasted.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem. A facsimile apparatus capable of confirming in advance, on the transmission side, information such as a recording size and a remaining amount of recording paper corresponding to a destination facsimile apparatus prior to transmission of a document. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 calls a first command for requesting information indicating the remaining amount for each size of the recording paper from the partner apparatus prior to transmission of the image data. A first command transmitting means for transmitting by a method of a control protocol, a first text receiving means for receiving text data indicating the remaining amount for each size of recording paper from the counterpart device by a method of a call control protocol, and the first Output means for outputting text data received by the text receiving means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile communication terminal device according to the first aspect, a second command for requesting replenishment of recording paper by specifying a size is sent to the counterpart apparatus by a method of a call control protocol. The apparatus further comprises a second command transmitting means for transmitting, and a second text receiving means for receiving text data indicating that the recording paper has been replenished from the counterpart device by a method of a call control protocol .

To achieve the above object, the facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, a first command receiving means for receiving a first command for requesting information indicating a remaining amount of each size of the recording sheet by the method of call control protocols, the When the first command is received by the first command receiving means, detection means for detecting information indicating the remaining amount for each recording paper size of the own apparatus, and the remaining amount for each detected recording paper size of the own apparatus And a first text reply means for replying to the transmission source of the first command by a method of a call control protocol in a text data format.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein a second command receiving means for receiving a second command for requesting replenishment of recording paper by specifying a size by a method of a call control protocol; When the second command is received by the command receiving means, a prompting means for performing an operation for prompting the replenishment of the recording paper by specifying the size, and when the recording paper is replenished, the recording paper has been replenished Is further provided with a second text reply means for replying information in a text data format indicating to the transmission source of the second command by a method of a call control protocol.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the command is a text data format command.

  If the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 is the transmission side and the facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 is the reception side, the user on the transmission side confirms the information on the recording paper in the reception side facsimile apparatus prior to the transmission of the document. Can do.

  If the facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 is used as a transmission side and the facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 is used as a reception side, the above-mentioned advantages can be obtained, and a replenishment of recording paper can be requested remotely from the transmission side to the reception side. be able to. Further, when the recording paper is replenished on the reception side, the transmission side is automatically notified to the transmission side, so that the user on the transmission side can start the transmission of the document in a prompt manner.

  Hereinafter, as a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, an IP facsimile communication function for transmitting / receiving original image data using a call control protocol, a G3 facsimile communication function, and transmitting original image data attached to an e-mail. A description will be given by taking as an example a multifunction machine type facsimile apparatus provided with an Internet facsimile communication function and a facsimile server function for performing the various facsimile communications in response to requests from client apparatuses.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the facsimile machine 1. That is, the facsimile apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, an image memory 5, a modem 6, an NCU 7, a codec 8, a reading unit 9, and a recording unit 10. , A display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a LAN interface, an audio data generation unit 14, etc., and the units 2 to 14 are connected by a bus B.

  The CPU 2 functions as a control unit that controls each part of the facsimile apparatus 1 according to a control program stored in the ROM 3. The RAM 4 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 2. The RAM 4 stores various text data transmitted by a SIP method “MESSAGE”, which will be described later, and a correspondence table T between facsimile numbers and IP telephone numbers. This table T has both the G3 facsimile communication function and the IP facsimile communication function, and registers the destination information of the facsimile apparatus to which both the telephone number for G3 facsimile and the IP telephone number for IP facsimile are assigned in association with each other. Has been.

  The image memory 5 stores image data compressed and encoded by the codec 8. The modem 6 is, for example, an ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union) recommendation V.3. Modulate and demodulate transmitted / received data according to the 34 standard or the like. The NCU 7 is a line network control device that performs operations for closing and opening a line with the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 15, and connects the modem 6 to the PSTN 15 during G3 facsimile transmission / reception. The codec 8 compresses and encodes image data by JPEG method or MH, MR, MMR method or the like, and decodes received image data or the like, for facsimile transmission or the like. The reading unit 9 reads image data of a document, and includes, for example, a CCD color line sensor, an A / D converter, an image processing circuit, and the like.

  The recording unit 10 records the received image data, the image data read by the reading unit 9 and the like on a recording sheet. The recording unit 10 includes cassettes for storing recording paper of various sizes, such as a cassette A3 for storing recording paper of A3 size, a cassette A4 for storing recording paper of A4 size, and a cassette B5 for storing recording paper of B5 size. Each of these cassettes is provided with recording paper remaining amount detection units 10a to 10c for detecting the remaining amount of recording paper accommodated in the cassette.

  The display unit 11 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) arranged in parallel with the operation unit 12 and displays various screen information. The operation unit 12 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad, an abbreviated key, a one-touch key, a start key, a character input key, and a function key. Various operations by the user are performed in the operation unit 12.

  The LAN interface 13 is an interface that connects the facsimile apparatus 1 and a LAN (local area network) 16, and through this, the facsimile apparatus 1 communicates with a client PC 17, a router 18, and the like that are also connected to the LAN 16. Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 can transmit and receive image data and the like of a document to and from another facsimile apparatus 1 on which the SIP is mounted on the IP network 19 through the router 18.

  The voice data generation unit 14 performs a memory that stores voice data corresponding to various text data, a voice data of a message to be described later, a decoding process of the voice data stored in the memory, a D / A conversion process, and the like. A data processing circuit for outputting the generated analog audio data to the speaker S is provided. The voice data generation unit 14 converts the text data received by the facsimile apparatus 1 by the SIP method “MESSAGE” into voice data in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 2 and outputs the voice data from the speaker S. Further, the voice data of the message stored in the memory is read out and outputted from the speaker S according to the instruction of the CPU 2.

  The facsimile apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration implements TCP / IP, SIP, RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol), SDP (Session Description Protocol), etc., establishes a media session by SIP, and then, for example, documents by RTP The image data is transmitted / received to / from the other party, and text data is sent / received to / from the other party using the SIP method “MESSAGE”. In addition, an Internet facsimile communication function and a G3 facsimile communication function for transmitting and receiving image data of an original by electronic mail using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) are also provided.

  Next, in the facsimile apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration and functions, the processing operation of the transmitting-side facsimile apparatus 1 executed when transmitting the original image data, and the receiving-side facsimile apparatus that receives the original image data. 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts and sequence diagrams shown in FIGS. The processing operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 described based on these drawings is executed in accordance with a command issued by the CPU 2 as the control means based on the control program stored in the ROM 3. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the transmitting side facsimile apparatus 1 serving as a calling side will be referred to as a transmitter 1A, and the receiving side facsimile apparatus 1 serving as a called side will be referred to as a receiver 1B. In the following description, it is assumed that various operations and display output are performed in the facsimile apparatus 1. Of course, when the facsimile transmission / reception service of the facsimile apparatus 1 is used in the client PC 17, various operations and displays are performed in the client PC 17. Output is made.

  First, in the operation unit 12 of the transmitter 1A, destination information such as an IP telephone number and an e-mail address is input / designated or transmitted in advance and registered in the apparatus in order to transmit image data of a document. A number or one-touch dial is designated (S1: YES). Then, prior to transmitting the document image data, the facsimile apparatus 1 sends information for inquiring of the user whether or not to request the recording paper information from the destination apparatus that is the designated destination information apparatus. For example, it outputs by displaying on the display part 11 (S2). For example, a message such as “Do you want to request information on recording paper from the other party? Yes, please select No.” is displayed on the display unit 11.

  When the user performs an operation for designating that the information on the recording paper should be requested from the other party, and the facsimile apparatus 1 accepts the designation (S3: YES), the apparatus of the designated destination information is SIP-addressed. The method “MESSAGE” transmits a first command in the text data format for requesting information on the recording paper, for example, a command Z1 in the text data format as shown in FIG. 5 (S4). If the specified destination information is a mail address, it is presented to a DNS server (not shown) to obtain a destination IP address, and a SIP (call control protocol) port number is assigned to the destination IP address. The “MESSAGE” is transmitted by designating. If the designated destination information is a G3 facsimile facsimile number, the destination IP telephone number corresponding to the designated facsimile number is detected from the correspondence table T between the facsimile number stored in the RAM 4 and the IP telephone number. The “MESSAGE” is transmitted to the telephone number. Note that the SIP method for transmitting and receiving a command in text data format is not limited to “MESSAGE”, and any method that can transmit text data such as “INFO”, “SUBSCRIBE”, and “NOTIFY” may be used. The same applies to transmission / reception of “MESSAGE” described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first command Z1 in text format sent from the transmitter 1A by the SIP method “MESSAGE” is received by the receiver 1B via the SIP server 21 (T1). When the receiver 1B receives the first command Z1 in the text format by the SIP method “MESSAGE” (S51: YES), the remaining amount of recording paper is detected for each recording paper size by the remaining recording paper detection units 10a to 10c. (S52). Then, information in a text data format including information on the remaining amount of recording paper for each detected recording paper size is generated (S53), and this is returned to the transmitter 1A by the SIP method “MESSAGE” as recording paper information ( S54, R1). The information on the recording paper to be returned includes information on the type of recording paper corresponding to the receiver 1B in addition to the remaining amount information for each detected recording paper size. The remaining amount information of the recording paper is described for each piece of information “A4”, “B5”, “A3” indicating the size of each recording paper, for example, as shown in the figure. Information indicating that the amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (for example, “50 or more”), information indicating that the remaining amount of recording paper is low (for example, “Slightly remaining”), and indicating that there is no remaining recording paper Information (for example, “no recording paper”) is described. It should be noted that the free space information of the image memory 5 of the receiver 1B is also described and returned together with the recording paper information X1. Here, the free capacity information may be the ratio of the free capacity to the total memory capacity as shown in the figure, or may be a specific value of free capacity such as “1 MB”.

  When the transmitter 1A receives information on the recording paper in the text data format from the receiver 1B by the SIP method “MESSAGE” as a response to the first command transmitted in S4 (S5: YES), the recording of the received receiver 1B is received. Paper information and remaining memory information are displayed on the display unit 11 for output (S6). For example, when the recording paper information X 1 and the memory free space information as shown in FIG. 5 are received, the information in the text data format is displayed on the display unit 11. The user of the transmitter 1 can determine from the output information whether there is sufficient recording paper of a size desired to be used at the other party. Further, it can be determined from the output remaining memory information whether or not the memory can be received when the recording paper is insufficient. The output in S6 may be performed by converting the received text data format information X1 into voice data by the voice data generation unit 14 and outputting the voice data.

  On the other hand, when the transmitter 1A does not receive a response to the first command from the receiver 1B within a predetermined time (S5: NO), the transmitter 1A outputs information by displaying the information on the display unit 11, for example. (S7). As the output contents of S7, for example, a message such as “There is no response. Check whether the specified destination information is correct.” Is displayed on the display unit 11.

  Next, in the transmitter 1A, when the operation unit 12 performs an operation for designating that the receiver 1B should be requested to replenish the recording paper and an operation for designating the size of the recording paper to be replenished (S8: YES). The transmitter 1A accepts these, and a second command in a text data format for requesting the receiver 1B to replenish the recording paper of the designated size by the SIP method “MESSAGE”, for example, as shown in FIG. A command Z2 in a text data format is transmitted (S9). The command Z2 shown in the figure includes a command “<recording paper replenishment request>” requesting replenishment of recording paper and a command “<B5>” designating B5 as the size of the recording paper to be replenished.

  Next, when an operation to make a transmission reservation is performed in the transmitter 1A (S10: YES), the transmitter 1A accepts this, and when receiving a response, which will be described later, for starting transmission processing of image data of a document. A transmission reservation command is generated (S11).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the second command Z2 in the text data format sent from the transmitter 1A by the SIP method “MESSAGE” is received by the receiver 1B via the SIP server 21 (T3). When the receiver 1B receives the second command Z2 in the text data format by the SIP method “MESSAGE” (S101: YES), the receiver 1B executes an operation for prompting replenishment of the recording paper of a specific size (S102). As this operation, the voice data generation unit 14 reads out a message for prompting replenishment of the recording paper stored in the memory, and outputs the voice from the speaker S. The message for prompting the replenishment of the recording paper is, for example, “B5 size recording paper is insufficient. Please replenish immediately”. In addition, as the operation, the character information that prompts the replenishment of the recording paper of the specific size as described above is displayed on the display unit 11. The operation for prompting the replenishment of the recording paper is not limited to the above as long as it prompts the user of the receiver 1B to replenish the recording paper. For example, a sound generation unit or a light emitting unit may be provided to generate a predetermined warning sound or emit a predetermined light emitting lamp to prompt the replenishment of the recording paper.

  When the user of the receiver 1B notices that the recording paper has run out or the recording paper is insufficient due to the execution of the operation for prompting the replenishment of the recording paper in S102, and the recording paper is replenished, the recording paper remaining amount detection units 10a, 10b, 10c For example, it is detected that the recording paper has been replenished (S103: YES). Then, the receiver 1B stops the operation for prompting the replenishment of the recording paper, generates information in the text data format indicating that the recording paper has been replenished (S104), and transmits this information by the SIP method “MESSAGE”. It returns to 1A (S105, R2). For example, as shown in the figure, text data X2 such as “Replenishment of recording paper” is returned.

  On the other hand, when the transmitter 1A receives the information in the text data format indicating that the recording paper has been replenished from the receiver 1B as a response to the second command (S12: YES), the transmission reservation command is accumulated. (S13: YES), the command is executed to start transmission processing of document image data.

  On the other hand, when the transmission reservation command is not accumulated (S13: NO), the received text data X2 is output by being displayed on the display unit 11 (S14). At the same time, the voice data generation unit 14 converts the received text data X2 into voice data and outputs the voice from the speaker S (S14).

  When an operation for designating not to request recording paper information from the other party in S3 is performed (S3: NO), and when a display of S7 is performed, an operation for designating that replenishment of recording paper is not requested in S8. If it has been made (S8: NO), or if an output indicating that the recording paper has been replenished is made in S14, an operation to start transmission, for example, a start key on the operation unit 12 is pressed (S15). : YES), the image data transmission process of the document is started. On the other hand, when a transmission cancel operation is performed or an operation that should start transmission for a certain period of time is not performed (S15: NO), the process returns to S1.

  The image data transmission process of the document is performed by SMTP when the mail address is designated as the destination information in S1, and is performed by G3 facsimile when the facsimile number is designated, and the IP telephone number is input and designated. In this case, SIP is used. Of course, the protocol used for transmitting the image data of the document is not limited to these, and other protocols may be used.

  When transmitting image data of a document using SIP, a session as shown in FIG. 6 is formed between the transmitter 1A and the receiver 1B. That is, after the above-described procedure, the SIP method “INVITE” that is a session participation request is transmitted / received (T5), the response code is transmitted / received (R3), and the SIP method “ACK” that indicates the final response to “INVITE” is transmitted / received (T6). ) Is formed between the transmitter 1A and the receiver 1B, and after the media session is established, the image data of the document is transmitted from the transmitter 1A to the receiver 1B. After the transmission of the document image data is completed, the SIP method “BYE” for requesting session termination is transmitted from the transmitter 1A to the receiver 1B (T7), and a response response is returned from the receiver 1B to the transmitter 1A. (R4), the session is disconnected.

  In the embodiments described above, SIP has been described as an example of a call control protocol. However, any other call control protocol can be used as long as it can transmit / receive a text data format command to / from the other party. It may be adopted. In the above embodiment, commands in the text data format are adopted for the first command and the second command. However, commands other than the text data format may be adopted for these commands. For example, predetermined signals, non-text data, etc. can be transmitted and received as the first and second commands.

  The present invention can be applied to a facsimile machine capable of transmitting and receiving text data using a call control protocol such as SIP.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations executed when the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention requests information on a recording paper of a partner prior to transmitting image data of a document. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation to be executed when the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention receives a first command in a text data format for requesting information on recording paper. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations executed when the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention receives a second command in a text data format for requesting replenishment of recording paper. It is the sequence diagram which showed the communication procedure by SIP when a command and its response are transmitted / received between a transmitter and a receiver. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure formed between a transmitter and a receiver when image data of a document is transmitted / received after a media session is established by SIP.

Explanation of symbols

X1 Text data format information of the recording paper X2 Text data format information indicating that the recording paper has been replenished Z1 First command Z2 Second command 1, 1A, 1B Facsimile device 2 CPU
3 ROM
4 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Recording part 10a thru | or 10c Recording paper residual quantity detection part 11 Display part 12 Operation part 21 SIP server

Claims (5)

Prior to the transmission of the image data, a first command transmitting means for transmitting a first command for requesting information indicating the remaining amount for each recording paper size to the partner apparatus by a method of a call control protocol, and the partner First text receiving means for receiving text data indicating the remaining amount for each recording paper size from the apparatus by a method of a call control protocol, and output means for outputting text data received by the first text receiving means. A facsimile machine characterized by the above. A second command sending means for sending a second command for requesting replenishment of recording paper by specifying a size to the counterpart device by a method of a call control protocol; and a method of a call control protocol from the counterpart device 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising second text receiving means for receiving text data indicating that the recording paper has been replenished . A first command receiving means for receiving a first command requesting information indicating the remaining amount for each size of the recording paper by a method of a call control protocol, and when the first command is received by the first command receiving means, wherein the detection means and the method of call control protocol information indicating the remaining amount of each size of the recording sheet of the detected own device in the text data format to detect the information indicating the remaining amount of each size of the recording sheet of its own device And a first text reply means for replying to the transmission source of the first command. A second command receiving means for receiving a second command for requesting replenishment of recording paper by specifying a size by a method of a call control protocol, and when the second command is received by the second command receiving means, the size is changed. A prompting means for performing an operation for designating and prompting the replenishment of the recording paper, and when the recording paper is replenished, information in a text data format indicating that the recording paper has been replenished is obtained by the method of the call control protocol. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising second text replying means for replying to the transmission source of the two commands.   5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the command is a text data format command.

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