JP3925728B2 - Facsimile device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that transmits and receives image data and text data using a call control protocol such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol).

In recent years, communication apparatuses that perform various data communications through an IP network such as IP telephone communications and electronic mail communications have become widespread, and facsimile apparatuses that perform data communications for both voice data and image data have also been proposed. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an IP telephone communication function and an ITU-T recommendation T.264. There is a facsimile apparatus which has an IP facsimile communication function conforming to No. 38 and can simultaneously perform transmission and reception by IP telephone communication and IP facsimile communication.
JP 2002-101256 A

  However, the conventional facsimile apparatus including the facsimile apparatus according to Patent Document 1 cannot transmit / receive text data arbitrarily designated by the user while transmitting / receiving image data to / from the other party.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting text data arbitrarily designated by a user while transmitting image data to a destination.

  The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data transmitting means for transmitting image data in a media session established by a call control protocol, text data specifying means for specifying text data to be transmitted, and designated text data as said text data And text data transmitting means for transmitting by a method of a call control protocol.

  The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, transmission of text data performed by the text data transmitting means is performed while the media session is established. Yes.

  The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 further comprises storage means for storing a plurality of text data in advance in the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the text data designating means is a plurality of texts stored in the storage means. The data selected from the data is designated as the text data to be transmitted.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect further comprises storage means for storing destination information and text data in association with each other, wherein the text data designating means corresponds to destination information of a communication partner. In addition, the text data stored in the storage means is designated as the text data to be transmitted.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a storing means for storing the type of image data to be transmitted and text data in association with each other, a type specifying means for specifying the type of image data to be transmitted, The text data designating unit designates text data stored in the storage unit in association with the type designated by the type designating unit as the text data to be transmitted. It is a feature.

  According to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, arbitrary text data designated by the user can be transmitted to the destination at a timing independent from the transmission of the image data while transmitting the image data of the document. In an Internet facsimile machine or the like that transmits image data using SMTP, the document image data and the text data are transmitted as a single file. Therefore, the transmission of the document image data and the transmission of the text data are performed separately. Although it could not be done independently, it is possible with the present invention. Thus, the sender can transmit any desired information to the other user or the facsimile apparatus while transmitting the document or before and after the transmission of the document. Further, in a conventional G3 facsimile apparatus with a handset, etc., after transmitting image data of a document, a switching operation can be performed to talk about the content of the document with the other party. For example, the form of a Chinese character, an e-mail address, etc. could not be easily transmitted to the other party, but according to the present invention, such information can be transmitted to the other party easily and quickly.

  According to the facsimile apparatus of the second aspect, since the text data is transmitted while the media session is established, the facsimile apparatus that receives them can process the text data and the image data in association with each other. .

  According to the facsimile apparatus of the third aspect, since the user can designate the text data to be transmitted by the selection operation, it is not necessary to perform an operation for inputting troublesome characters. Further, convenience is improved when specific text data frequently used is repeatedly specified.

  The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 is convenient when the content of the text data to be transmitted is limited to some extent for each destination.

  The facsimile apparatus according to claim 5 is convenient when the content of text data to be transmitted is limited to some extent for each type of document to be transmitted.

  Hereinafter, as a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, an IP facsimile communication function for transmitting image data of a document using a call control protocol, a G3 facsimile communication function, and the various facsimile communication in response to a request from a client apparatus. An example of a multi-function machine type facsimile machine having a facsimile server function for performing the above will be described.

  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, and a LAN interface 13, and the units 2 to 13 are connected by a bus 14.

  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 a phone book 4a that stores a destination facsimile number, a destination IP phone number, and the like associated with a shortened number and a one-touch key. Further, text data is registered in association with the destination IP telephone number (destination information) and the type of document to be transmitted (type of image data to be transmitted). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first table 4b for registering (storing) text data for each destination IP telephone number, as shown in FIG. 3, registering (storing) text data for each type of document to be transmitted. A second table 4 c is formed in the RAM 4. Note that “message A”, “message B”, etc. shown in the “text data” column of the tables 4b and 4c mean text data arbitrarily registered by the user.

  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 takes out the recording paper from the paper feed cassette and records the received image data, the read image data, etc. on the recording paper. 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 start key, a character input key, and a function key, and various operations by the user are performed in the operation unit 7.

  The LAN interface 13 is an interface that connects the facsimile machine 1 and a LAN (local area network) 16. Through this, the facsimile machine 1 communicates with a client PC, a router 19, and the like that are also connected to the LAN 16. Further, IP facsimile communication using SIP is performed with the same facsimile apparatus 18 as the own apparatus 1 on the IP network 17 through the router 19.

  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 Send / receive image data to / from the other party. It also has a function of sending and receiving text data with the other party using the SIP method “MESSAGE”. The communication protocol for transmitting and receiving the image data is not limited to RTP, and instead of this, SMTP, HTTP, or the like may be adopted.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows processing operations when the facsimile apparatus 1 having the above configuration and communication function transmits image data and text data by IP facsimile communication with a facsimile apparatus having the same configuration and communication function as the self apparatus 1. A description will be given based on the sequence diagram shown and the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The processing operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 described based on these drawings is executed according to instructions issued by the CPU 2 as control means based on a control program stored in the ROM 3. For convenience of explanation, the facsimile apparatus 1 serving as a calling side will be described as a transmitter 1A, and the facsimile apparatus 1 serving as a called side will be referred to as a receiver 1B.

  First, a communication procedure when image data and text data are transmitted and received between the transmitter 1A and the receiver 1B by IP facsimile communication will be described based on the sequence diagram of FIG. When a transmission operation is performed in the transmitter 1A, a call control session for establishing a media session as illustrated is formed between the transmitter 1A and the receiver 1B. That is, the transmitter 1A requests the SIP server 20 to call the receiver 1B by a session participation request “INVITE” in which the IP telephone number of the receiver 1B is designated (T1). Upon receiving “INVITE”, the SIP server 20 inquires of a location server (not shown) having IP phone number / IP address correspondence information for an IP address corresponding to the IP phone number designated by the transmitter 1A. A call is made by sending “INVITE” received from the transmitter 1A to the acquired IP address of the receiver 1B. When the receiver 1B responds to the call of the SIP server 20, the receiver 1B receives "INVITE" and sends a success response code "200" to the SIP server 20 (R1). The transmitter 1A that has received the success response code “200” transmits information “ACK” indicating that the success response code “200” has been received to the receiver 1B via the SIP server 20 (T2). Thereafter, a media session is established between the transmitter 1A and the receiver 1B, and image data is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver 1B.

  The text data designated by the user (text data designation will be described later) is received by the SIP method “MESSAGE” at a timing independent from the image data transmission processing in the media session while the media session is established. It is transmitted to the machine 1B (T3). That is, the text data designated by the user is transmitted to the receiver 1B by the SIP method “MESSAGE” simultaneously with the image data transmission process or before or after the image data transmission process. The SIP method is not limited to this as long as it can transmit any designated text data to the other party, and other methods may be used.

  The receiver 1B performs predetermined processing on the image data and text data received from the transmitter 1A. For example, print processing, transfer processing, screen display processing, and the like are performed on received image data, and print processing, screen display processing, and the like are performed on received text data. Further, in the receiver 1B, text data and a specific processing operation may be stored in association with each other in advance, and the corresponding processing operation may be executed by regarding the received text data as a command.

  When the transmission processing of image data and text data from the transmitter 1A to the receiver 1B is completed, “BYE” requesting the end of the session is transmitted from the transmitter 1A to the receiver 1B via the SIP server 20 (T4). After the receiver 1B transmits the success response code “200” to the transmitter 1A via the SIP server 20 (R3), the communication is disconnected.

  Next, the processing operation of the transmitter 1A will be described in more detail based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  In the transmitter 1A, when the destination telephone number (destination information) is directly input designated or designated using the shortening / one-touch function (S1), is IP facsimile transmission performed from the designated destination telephone number? Then, it is determined whether to perform G3 facsimile transmission (S2). The determination is made based on, for example, a specific digit of the telephone number.

  If it is determined that G3 facsimile transmission is to be performed (S2: NO), after a transmission start operation (such as pressing the start key) (S3: YES), the telephone number designated by G3 facsimile communication is used for the image data of the document. (S4).

  If it is determined that IP facsimile transmission is to be performed (S2: YES), a processing operation for requesting the user whether or not to transmit text data is executed. For example, an inquiry display such as “Do you also send text data?” Is accepted, and an affirmative / negative instruction operation (for example, input from the operation unit 12 of Y / N) for the inquiry display is accepted. When it is determined that the text data is also transmitted due to the affirmative instruction operation (S5: YES), the text data is designated by the user's predetermined operation (S6).

  The designation of the text data by the user is selected from the text data registered in the first table 4b in association with the IP telephone number designated in S1, and registered in the second table 4c in association with the type of document. This is performed by selecting from text data or by directly inputting characters or the like by the user. More specifically, after making an affirmative determination in S5, the transmitter 1A displays a screen 22 for selecting a text data designation method, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 11 (S101). . On the screen 22, “Select from text data registered in association with IP telephone number”, “Select from text data registered in association with document type”, “Direct input”, and the like are selected. Possible items are displayed. When any item is selected by a predetermined operation, the corresponding screens 23, 24, and 25 are displayed on the display unit 11, respectively.

  When the item “Select from text data registered in association with IP telephone number” is selected (S102: Address correspondence), it corresponds to the IP telephone number specified in S1 in the first table 4b. A text data selection screen 23 is displayed on the display unit 11 to selectably display the text data stored in addition (S103). When any text data displayed on the screen 23 is selected by a predetermined operation, the selection result is stored in the RAM 4 until the text data is transmitted later (S104).

  When the item “Select from text data registered in association with document type” is selected (S102: Document type correspondence), the document type registered in the second table 4c is displayed in a selectable manner. A document type selection screen 24 to be displayed is displayed on the display unit 11 (S105). When any of the document types displayed on the screen 24 is selected by a predetermined operation, the selection result is stored in the RAM 4 until text data is transmitted later (S106).

  When an item displayed as “directly input” is selected (S102: direct input), for example, a text data input screen 25 as shown in the figure is displayed on the display unit 11 (S107), and the keys of the operation unit 11 are displayed. When text data is directly input by an operation or the like, the input text data is stored until it is transmitted later (S108).

  After performing the processing operation of S6 or after making a negative determination in S5, when a transmission start instruction operation (such as pressing a start key) is performed (S7), the transmitter 1A communicates with the receiver 1B. A call control session such as T1 and T2 is formed to establish a media session (S8), and transmission processing of document image data is performed (S9). The image data of the document transmitted here is the image data of the document read by the reading unit 9, the image data received together with the facsimile transmission command from the client PC, the image data stored in advance in the own apparatus 1, and the like.

  If a positive determination is made in S5 (S10: YES), the designated text data to be transmitted is read based on the selection result stored in S104, S106 or S108 or the input text data. That is, when the processing operation of S104 is executed, the selected text data from the text data associated with the selected destination IP telephone number is designated as text data to the receiver 1B by the SIP method “MESSAGE”. Transmit (S11). When the processing operation of S106 is executed, the text data associated with the selected document type (image data type) is transmitted to the receiver 1B by the SIP method “MESSAGE” as designated text data ( S11). When the processing operation of S108 is executed, the input text data is transmitted as specified text data to the receiver 1B by the SIP method “MESSAGE” (S11). Thereafter, “BYE” requesting termination of the session is transmitted to disconnect the communication with the receiver 1B. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S5 (S10: NO), "BYE" is transmitted without performing the processing operation of S11, and communication is disconnected (T4).

  In this embodiment, after the image data transmission process of S9 is performed, the text data transmission process of S11 is performed. However, before the image data transmission process of S9 is performed, S10 and S11 are performed. A text data transmission process may be performed by performing a processing operation. Further, the text data may be transmitted by performing the processing operations of S10 and S11 while performing the transmission processing of the image data of S9.

  In this embodiment, the text data is stored in association with the destination IP telephone number and the document type. However, the text data is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 4 in an independent manner without being associated with other information. In step S6, the registered text data is displayed on the display unit 11 so as to be selectable, and the selected data is transmitted as the designated text data to be transmitted in step S11. Good.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, a facsimile apparatus that transmits image data in a media session established by SIP.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which matched and registered the destination IP telephone number (destination information) and text data. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which matched and registered original classification and text data. It is the sequence diagram which showed the outline of the communication procedure formed when the facsimile apparatuses which concern on embodiment of this invention perform IP facsimile communication. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations executed when the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment performs IP facsimile transmission or G3 facsimile transmission. It is the flowchart which showed the processing operation of the calling side facsimile machine performed when designation of text data is performed. It is the figure which showed the specific example of the display screen displayed in the calling side facsimile apparatus when designation | designated of text data is performed.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B facsimile machine 2 CPU
3 ROM
4 RAM
4b First table for storing destination information and text data in association with each other 4c Second table for storing in correspondence with document type and text data 20 SIP server 23 Text data selection / designation screen 24 Document type selection / designation screen 25 Text data Input screen

Claims (5)

  Image data transmitting means for transmitting image data in a media session established by a call control protocol, text data specifying means for specifying text data to be transmitted, and text for transmitting the specified text data by a method of the call control protocol And a data transmission means.   2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the text data is transmitted by the text data transmitting means while the media session is established. It further comprises storage means for storing a plurality of text data in advance,
3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the text data designating unit designates one selected from a plurality of text data stored in the storage unit as the text data to be transmitted. Storage means for storing destination information and text data in association with each other;
3. The text data designating unit designates text data stored in the storage unit in association with destination information of a communication partner as the text data to be transmitted. The described facsimile machine. A storage unit that stores the type of image data to be transmitted and text data in association with each other; and a type specification unit that specifies the type of image data to be transmitted.
The text data designating unit designates text data stored in the storage unit in association with the type designated by the type designating unit as the text data to be transmitted. The facsimile apparatus according to 1 or 2.

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