JP4298689B2 - Sending gateway device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transmission-side gateway device that receives transmission image information transmitted from a transmission-side facsimile device and transmits the transmission image information to a reception-side facsimile device via a reception-side gateway device.

  In recent years, communication systems (hereinafter referred to as “mail-type Internet facsimile communication systems”) for communicating facsimile image information using electronic mail exchanged on the Internet have come into practical use. The technical contents of such a communication system are defined by RFCs (Request For Comments) 2301 to 2306 issued by an organization that summarizes technical contents related to the Internet called IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force).

  However, in this mail type Internet facsimile communication system, since the transmitting facsimile apparatus and the final destination facsimile apparatus do not communicate directly, the communication capability between the facsimile apparatuses cannot be immediately confirmed. The image information communication using the various functions (resolution, image processing capability, etc.) cannot be performed. In addition, since the notification of the communication result cannot be performed immediately, it takes time until the communication result is notified to the transmitting side user, and there is a situation in which the response when the necessity for re-transmission occurs is delayed.

  Therefore, as a facsimile communication system using the Internet, a plurality of real-time Internet gateway facsimile apparatuses having a function of exchanging image information with a facsimile apparatus via a public network and a function of exchanging information via the Internet are provided. There has been proposed a real-time Internet facsimile communication system that uses two gateway facsimile apparatuses to realize facsimile communication between facsimile apparatuses in real time via the Internet. Details of the proposal of such a real-time Internet facsimile communication system are described in ITU-T Recommendation T.30. It is scheduled to be published in 38.

  In such a real-time type Internet facsimile communication system, the transmitting-side facsimile apparatus calls the transmitting-side real-time Internet gateway facsimile apparatus and notifies the destination telephone number. In the transmitting-side real-time Internet gateway facsimile apparatus, the receiving-side real-time Internet gateway The destination telephone number notified from the transmission side facsimile apparatus is notified to the facsimile apparatus, and a connection request is made.

  The receiving side real-time Internet gateway facsimile apparatus calls the notified destination telephone number and, when a line is established, starts a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission procedure with the receiving side facsimile apparatus, and also executes a predetermined real-time transmission procedure. To start.

  As a result, the transmission side real-time Internet gateway facsimile apparatus starts a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure with the transmission side group 3 facsimile apparatus and executes a predetermined real-time transmission procedure with the reception side real-time Internet gateway facsimile apparatus. To do.

  As a result, the transmission-side facsimile device can perform real-time facsimile communication with the reception-side facsimile device via the transmission-side real-time Internet gateway facsimile device, the Internet, and the reception-side real-time Internet gateway facsimile device. Can send information.

Therefore, in this real-time type Internet facsimile communication system, the communication capability between the facsimile devices can be confirmed in real time, so that the transmission side facsimile device can transmit image information corresponding to the communication capability of the reception side facsimile device, Since the result is obtained immediately, a retransmission operation or the like can be performed quickly.
JP 2000-341342 A

  However, such a real-time Internet facsimile communication system has the following disadvantages.

  That is, in this real-time type Internet facsimile communication system, a public telephone network line is connected between a transmission-side facsimile device and a reception-side real-time Internet gateway device, and between a remote-side real-time Internet gateway device and a reception-side facsimile device. Need to be established.

  Therefore, even if the transmission side facsimile apparatus calls the reception side real-time Internet gateway apparatus to receive the service, and the line is established between the transmission side facsimile apparatus and the reception side real-time Internet gateway apparatus, For example, if the line on the receiving facsimile apparatus is busy and a line cannot be established between the remote real-time Internet gateway apparatus and the receiving facsimile apparatus, facsimile communication between the transmitting facsimile apparatus and the receiving facsimile apparatus is performed. In this case, the transmitting facsimile machine needs to make a re-call.

  At this time, since a line is established between the transmission side facsimile apparatus and the reception side real-time Internet gateway apparatus, the transmission side facsimile apparatus is charged, and if such a repeated call occurs frequently, the communication fee is charged. This causes a problem of bulkiness.

  Originally, the real-time Internet facsimile communication system also has an effect that the communication fee can be reduced. However, if such a re-calling occurs frequently, the effect of reducing the communication fee is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a transmission-side gateway device that can reduce an increase in communication charges.

The present invention relates to a transmission-side gateway device that receives transmission image information transmitted from a transmission-side facsimile device and transmits the transmission image information to a reception-side facsimile device via a reception-side gateway device, the transmission-side facsimile device A transmission request receiving unit that receives a transmission request for the transmission image information to the receiving side facsimile device, and a line is not established between the receiving side facsimile device after the transmission request receiving unit receives the transmission request. Proxy receiving means for receiving and receiving the transmission image information; connection request means for repeatedly issuing connection requests to the receiving facsimile apparatus at predetermined intervals to the receiving gateway apparatus; and the receiving gateway apparatus; When a line is established with the receiving facsimile machine, a predetermined pseudo real-time transmission procedure is performed. On the line, in which a transmission means for transmitting the transmission image information the intercepting means is intercepted to the receiving side facsimile device through the reception gateway device.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when there is a transmission request from the transmission side G3 FAX and a line is not established between the transmission side GW and the reception side G3 FAX, the transmission side GW transmits the transmission image information from the transmission side G3 FAX. After that, the connection request to the receiving side G3 FAX is repeatedly issued to the receiving side GW at a predetermined interval, and the pseudo real time is established when the line is established between the receiving side GW and the receiving side G3 FAX. Since the transmission procedure is executed and the image information that has been received and stored on the proxy side is transmitted to the G3 FAX on the receiving side, there is no need to use a line unnecessarily, and it is possible to avoid situations where communication charges are high. obtain.

  In addition, since a report for notifying the communication result when executing the storage type processing at that time is created and transmitted to the transmission side G3 FAX, the user of the transmission side G3 FAX appropriately knows the image information transmission result. The effect of being able to

  In addition, when there is a transmission request from the transmission side G3 FAX and a line is not established between the transmission side GW and the reception side G3 FAX, the reception side GW receives the transmission image information from the transmission side G3 FAX, After that, when a call is repeatedly made to the receiving side G3 FAX at a predetermined time interval and the receiving side G3 FAX makes an incoming call response, the image information stored by proxy reception by the predetermined G3 FAX procedure is transmitted to the receiving side G3 FAX. There is also an effect that it is possible to avoid a situation in which the communication fee is increased without using the network.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a real-time Internet facsimile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The real-time Internet facsimile communication system has a function of performing facsimile communication between the group 3 facsimile apparatuses FG1 and FG2 connected to the public telephone network PSTN and the group 3 facsimile apparatuses FG1 and FG2 connected to the public telephone network PSTN. , A group 3 facsimile terminal function and a real-time Internet gateway device GW1, GW2 having a function connected to the Internet INET and performing a predetermined real-time transmission procedure via the Internet INET.

  Here, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 and the real-time internet gateway apparatus GW1 are installed in the same area, and the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2 and the real-time internet gateway apparatus GW2 are installed in the same area. Is a remote area.

  Therefore, in this case, for the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1, the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 provides a real-time Internet facsimile communication system communication service, and for the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2, the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW2 A facsimile communication system communication service is provided.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the real-time Internet gateway device GW (GW1, GW2).

  In the figure, a system control unit 1 performs control processing of each unit of the real-time Internet gateway device, facsimile transmission control procedure (ITU-T recommendation T.30 procedure) processing, and real-time transmission control procedure (ITU-T recommendation T.30). 38 procedures) Various control processing such as processing is performed. The system memory 2 stores a control processing program executed by the system control unit 1 and various data necessary for executing the processing program. The work area of the system control unit 1 is configured, the parameter memory 3 is for storing various kinds of information unique to the real-time Internet gateway device, and the clock circuit 4 outputs current time information. Is.

  The scanner 5 is for reading a document image with a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image with a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 is for operating the facsimile apparatus. It consists of various operation keys and various displays.

  The encoding / decoding unit 8 encodes and compresses the image signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. In this case, the image information is received at the time of receiving the image information. Used mainly for error detection. The image storage device 9 is for storing a large number of pieces of image information in an encoded and compressed state.

  The network control device 10 is for connecting the real-time Internet gateway device to the public telephone network PSTN, and has an automatic outgoing / incoming function.

  The group 3 facsimile modem 11 is for realizing the modem function of the group 3 facsimile, and is a low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals and mainly for exchanging image information. A high-speed modem function (V.17 modem, V.34 modem, V.29 modem, V.27ter modem, etc.) is provided.

  The Internet communication control unit 12 connects the real-time Internet gateway device GW to the Internet INET and exchanges various data via the Internet INET. The TCP / IP packet analysis unit 13 is an Internet communication control unit. 12 is used for analyzing the received TCP / IP packet and extracting the received information. The group 3 protocol information generating unit 14 receives the received information output from the TCP / IP packet analyzing unit 13 in the real-time transmission procedure. It is converted into corresponding group 3 transmission procedure signal information.

  The group 3 protocol information extraction unit 15 is for extracting group 3 facsimile transmission procedure information to be transmitted in the real-time transmission procedure. The TCP / IP packet conversion unit 16 is output from the group 3 protocol information extraction unit 15. The group 3 facsimile transmission procedure information is converted into TCP / IP packet data, and the output data is added to the Internet communication control unit 12.

  The system control unit 1, the system memory 2, the parameter memory 3, the clock circuit 4, the scanner 5, the plotter 6, the operation display unit 7, the encoding / decoding unit 8, the image storage device 9, the network control device 10, and the group 3 The facsimile modem 11, the group 3 protocol information generation unit 14, and the group 3 protocol information extraction unit 15 are connected to an internal bus 17, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed through the internal bus 17. Is done through.

  Data exchange between the network control device 10 and the group 3 facsimile modem 11 is performed directly.

  In this real-time Internet facsimile communication system, for example, when image information is transmitted from the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 to the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2 (refer to FIG. Real-time communication according to 38 procedures is executed.

  That is, first, the group 3 facsimile machine FG1 makes a call to the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 (S1).

  As a result, the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 responds to the incoming call and responds a predetermined tone signal to the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 (S2).

  When the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 detects the tone signal from the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 requests the user to input the telephone number of the destination facsimile apparatus (in this case, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2). Enter the telephone number of the destination facsimile machine.

  Next, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 transmits the destination telephone number input by the user to the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 by the push button signal PB (S3).

  When the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 receives the destination telephone number from the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 by the push button signal PB, the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 makes a connection request to the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW2 and notifies the destination telephone number (S4).

  The real-time Internet gateway device GW2 that has received the connection request from the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 calls the destination telephone number notified at that time (S5).

  When the incoming call group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2 detects an incoming call, it responds to the incoming call (S6), whereby the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW2 starts a predetermined real-time transmission procedure for the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1. (S7).

  In this way, a communication path is formed between the group 3 facsimile machine FG1 and the real-time internet gateway apparatus GW1 via the public telephone network PSTN, and the real-time internet gateway apparatus GW1 and the real-time internet gateway apparatus GW2 via the internet INET. A communication path is formed between the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 and the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2 by forming a communication path between the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW2 and the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2 via the public telephone network PSTN. A real-time communication path is formed between the two.

  Thereafter, image information is transmitted from the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 to the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2 using the real-time communication path between the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 and the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2.

  In this real-time type Internet facsimile communication system, since the real-time Internet gateway devices GW1 and GW2 have the group 3 facsimile device function, for example, image information transmission operation from the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 to the group 3 facsimile device FG2. Is also possible. In this case, a communication path is formed between the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 and the real-time Internet gateway device GW2 via the Internet INET, and between the real-time Internet gateway device GW2 and the group 3 facsimile device FG2 via the public telephone network PSTN. By forming a communication path between them, a real-time communication path is formed between the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 and the group 3 facsimile device FG2. In addition, between the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 and the real-time Internet gateway device GW2, the recommendation T.30. The communication operation of 38 procedures is executed. In this case, however, the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 executes a process for simulating the operation of the transmission side G3 FAX in terms of process. 38 procedures can be applied. In this manner, the process of realizing the operation of the transmission side G3 FAX in a pseudo manner is executed, so Processing that applies 38 procedures is referred to as “(transmission side) pseudo real-time processing”.

  Conversely, image information transmission operation from the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 to the Internet gateway apparatus GW2 is also possible. In this case, a communication path is formed between the group 3 facsimile machine FG1 and the real-time internet gateway apparatus GW1 via the public telephone network PSTN, and the real-time internet gateway apparatus GW1 and the real-time internet gateway apparatus GW2 via the internet INET. By forming a communication path between them, a real-time communication path is formed between the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 and the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW2. In addition, between the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 and the real-time Internet gateway device GW2, the recommendation T.30. The communication operation of 38 procedures is executed. However, in this case, in the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW2, in a process, processing for realizing the operation of the receiving side G3 FAX in a pseudo manner is executed. 38 procedures can be applied. In this way, the process of realizing the operation of the receiving side G3 FAX in a pseudo manner is executed, and the recommendation T.264 is executed. A method of applying the 38 procedures is referred to as “(reception side) pseudo real-time processing”.

  FIG. An example of 38 communication procedures is shown. In the figure, the transmission side group 3 facsimile (G3FAX), the transmission side gateway (GW), the reception side gateway, and the reception side group 3 facsimile are respectively the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 and the real-time Internet gateway apparatus of FIG. These correspond to the GW1, the real-time Internet gateway device GW2, and the group 3 facsimile device FG2, respectively. A signal exchanged between the transmission side GW and the reception side GW is a signal related to a real-time transmission procedure (recommended T.38 procedure).

  First, the transmitting side G3 FAX makes a call to the transmitting side GW and transmits the destination telephone number designated by the user by the push button signal PB. When the transmission side GW detects an incoming call, the transmission side GW responds to the incoming call, and then receives the destination telephone number by the push button signal PB from the transmission side G3FAX.

  Next, the transmitting side G3 FAX sends a recommendation T.30 to request a call connection. A 30-step tone signal CNG is sent to the transmission side GW. Thus, the transmission side GW transmits a connection request packet to the reception side GW to request connection and notify the destination telephone number. As a result, the receiving side GW makes a call to the designated receiving side G3 FAX, sends a predetermined tone signal CNG to request a call connection, and transmits a connection confirmation packet to the transmitting side GW to establish a call connection. Check.

  The receiving side G3 FAX, which is called from the receiving side GW and requested to connect the call, responds to the incoming call and sends a predetermined tone signal CED (called station identification signal), and the receiving side GW sends the tone signal CED. Upon detection, a signal (T30IND: CED) indicating that the signal CED has been detected is transmitted to the transmission side GW, so that the transmission side GW transmits the tone signal CED to the transmission side G3FAX.

  Next, the receiving side G3 FAX is a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure signal following a flag signal, and a signal NSF for notifying an optional transmission function of the own terminal and an identification signal for the own terminal. The signal CSI and the signal DIS for notifying the standard transmission function of the terminal itself are sequentially transmitted. When the receiving side GW detects the flag signal, the receiving side GW transmits a signal (T30IND: Flags) to the transmitting side GW, and when the signals NSF, CSI, and DIS are sequentially detected, a signal (V21HDLC: NSF) representing the signals NSF, CSI, and DIS. / CSI / DIS) is sequentially transmitted to the transmission side GW.

  As a result, the transmission side GW starts sending the flag signal to the transmission side G3FAX when it receives the flag signal, and when receiving the signal (V21HDLC: NSF / CSI / DIS), the corresponding signals NSF, CSI, DIS To the transmitting side G3 FAX.

  As a result, the transmitting side G3 FAX knows the identification signal and transmission function of the receiving side G3 FAX, and therefore sets the transmission function and modem speed to be used at that time based on the notified transmission function. Next, the sending side G3 FAX sequentially sends a signal TSI for notifying the identification signal of the own terminal and a signal DCS for notifying the transmission function to be used, following the flag signal, which is a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure signal. Further, a signal TCF for performing modem training at the notified modem speed is transmitted.

  Thus, when the transmission side GW detects the flag signal, the transmission side GW transmits a signal (T30IND: Flags) to the reception side GW, and when the signals TSI, DCS, and TCF are sequentially detected, the signals (TSI, DCS) are represented. V21HDLC: TSI / DCS) is transmitted to the receiving side GW.

  Thereby, the receiving side GW starts sending the flag signal to the receiving side G3FAX when receiving the flag signal, and when receiving the signal (V21HDLC: TSI / DCS), the corresponding signals TSI, DCS, and The signal TCF is transmitted to the receiving side G3 FAX.

  When receiving the signal TSI, the receiving side G3FAX acquires the identification information of the partner terminal (transmitting side G3FAX), and when receiving the signal DCS, acquires the transmission function to be used, thereby setting the modem speed and the signal TCF. Receive.

  When the reception result of the signal TCF is good, the reception side G3 FAX transmits a signal CFR for notifying that the reception preparation is completed, which is a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure signal, following the flag signal. When detecting the flag signal, the receiving side GW transmits a signal (T30IND: Flags) to the transmitting side GW, and when detecting the signal CFR, the receiving side GW transmits a signal (V21HDLC: CFR) representing the signal CFR to the transmitting side GW.

  Thus, the transmission side GW starts sending the flag signal to the transmission side G3FAX when it receives the flag signal, and when receiving the signal (V21HDLC: CFR), transmits the corresponding signal CFR to the transmission side G3FAX.

  In this way, when preparation for transmission of image information is completed, the transmission side G3 FAX transmits image information after transmitting a training signal for modem retraining, and ends transmission of image information. Subsequent to the flag signal, a signal EOP notifying that the image information transmission has been completed is transmitted.

  When the transmission side GW detects the training signal from the transmission side G3 FAX, the transmission side GW transmits a signal (T30IND: Speed) to the reception side GW, and then divides the image information received from the transmission side G3 FAX into a plurality of pieces. The divided image information is transmitted as packet data to the receiving side GW. When a flag signal is detected from the transmission side G3 FAX, a signal (T30IND: Flags) is transmitted to the reception side GW, and when a signal EOP is detected, a signal (V21HDLC: EOP) representing the signal EOP is transmitted to the reception side GW. .

  On the other hand, when receiving the signal (T30IND: Speed), the receiving side GW transmits a corresponding training signal to the receiving side G3 FAX, and when receiving a packet carrying image information, sequentially extracts the divided image information included therein, Concatenated image information is created, and the image information is transmitted to the receiving side G3 FAX. Also, after the transmission of the image report is completed, transmission of a flag signal to the receiving side G3 FAX is started, and at this time, since the signal (V21HDLC: EOP) is received, the corresponding signal EOP is transmitted to the receiving side G3 FAX. .

  Also, the receiving side G3 FAX receives the image information after performing the retraining of the modem with the training signal received from the receiving side GW, and then receives the signal EOP following the flag signal, and the reception of the image information is completed. Recognize that Then, if the reception result of the image information at that time is good, the reception side G3 FAX transmits a signal MCF notifying the fact to the reception side GW following the flag signal.

  When detecting the flag signal, the receiving side GW transmits a signal (T30IND: Flags) to the transmitting side GW, and when detecting the signal MCF, the receiving side GW transmits a signal (V21HDLC: MCF) representing the signal MCF to the transmitting side GW.

  As a result, the transmission side GW starts sending the flag signal to the transmission side G3FAX when it receives the flag signal, and when receiving the signal (V21HDLC: MCF), transmits the corresponding signal MCF to the transmission side G3FAX.

  Thereby, the transmission side G3 FAX recognizes that the image information has been normally received by the reception side G3 FAX. Thereafter, the transmission side G3 FAX transmits the signal DCN for instructing the line restoration to the transmission side GW following the flag signal, and then restores the line.

  Thereby, the signal (T30IND: Flags) and the signal (V21HDLC: DCN) are transmitted from the transmission side GW to the reception side GW by the same procedure as described above. Then, the flag signal and the signal DCN are sequentially transmitted from the transmission side GW to the reception side G3FAX. When the reception side G3FAX receives the signal DCN, the line is restored.

  In addition, the transmission side GW sends a disconnection request packet requesting that the communication path is disconnected to the reception side GW, and when the reception side GW receives the disconnection request packet, it indicates that the communication path has been confirmed to be disconnected. A confirmation packet is sent to the transmission side GW, and a series of communication operations is completed.

  As a result, the line between the transmission side G3 FAX and the transmission side GW and the line between the reception side G3 FAX and the reception side GW are restored, and the real-time state formed between the transmission side G3 FAX and the reception side G3 FAX is restored. Communication path is disconnected.

  In this manner, the facsimile transmission procedure between the transmission side G3 FAX and the reception side G3 FAX is executed in real time by the real time transmission procedure of the transmission side GW and the reception side GW, and the transmission side G3 FAX to the reception side G3 FAX is executed. The image information is transmitted.

  Here, the signal (T30IND: “signal name”) in FIG. 30 is a signal for notifying the detection of a tonal signal according to ITU-T Recommendation T.30. 30 is a signal for carrying a binary signal according to 30. Also, “V.21”, ITU-T recommendation V.21. 21 indicates that the signal is carried by the modem, and “HDLC” indicates that the signal is an HDLC frame.

  By exchanging such signals, a real-time transmission procedure is realized between the transmission side GW and the reception side GW.

  In the present embodiment, the real-time Internet gateway device GW includes a user number table as shown in FIG. This user number table is composed of a plurality of pieces of telephone number information. Each telephone number information is an ID of each group 3 facsimile apparatus FG using this real-time type Internet facsimile communication system as shown in FIG. And a phone number.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of processing on the transmission side G3 FAX.

  First, a call is made to the transmission side GW (process 107), and it is monitored that a predetermined tone signal is detected within a predetermined time from the transmission side GW (NO loop of determinations 102 and 103). If the predetermined tone signal cannot be received from the transmission side GW within the predetermined time and the result of determination 103 is YES, the transmission operation at this time ends in error.

  Further, when a predetermined tone signal can be received from the transmission side GW within a predetermined time and the result of determination 102 is YES, the ID and the telephone number (destination number) of the reception side G3 FAX are input to the user. (Process 104).

  Next, the user number and the destination number input by the user are transmitted as a PB signal having a signal format of “(ID) # (destination telephone number)” (process 105), and a predetermined pre-transmission procedure is executed. The transmission function and modem speed are set (process 106), the modem training procedure is executed to determine the modem speed to be used (process 107), and the predetermined image information transmission procedure is executed to transmit the transmission image information. (Process 108).

  When the image information transmission is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 109), the line is restored, and the facsimile communication process for the transmission side GW is completed.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of processing of the transmission side GW.

  When an incoming call is detected (process 201), a predetermined tone signal is returned (process 202), and an ID and a destination number composed of a PB signal in a predetermined signal format are received and stored (process 203).

  Next, a connection request is made to the receiving side GW with the ID and destination number specified (process 204), and it is checked whether the receiving side G3 FAX is busy based on information received from the receiving side GW (decision 205). ).

  When the receiving side G3 FAX is not busy and the result of determination 205 is NO, real-time processing (processing 207) as described in FIG. 3 is started, and information on a predetermined facsimile signal (for example, DIS) is stored in a predetermined manner. It is checked whether or not the reception was made within the time (NO loop of judgments 207 and 208).

  If the information of the predetermined facsimile signal can be received within the predetermined time and the result of determination 207 is YES, the real-time type process started in process 206 is continued (process 209), and the real-time type process is ended. Then, the line with the transmission side G3 FAX is restored (process 210), and this process is terminated.

  If the information of the predetermined facsimile signal cannot be received within the predetermined time and the result of determination 207 is NO, the real-time type processing started in processing 206 is interrupted, and the process proceeds to storage type processing. (Process 211), the process is terminated.

  Further, when the receiving side G3 FAX is busy and the result of determination 205 is YES, the connection with the receiving side GW is disconnected (processing 212), the processing shifts to processing 211, and the accumulation type processing is executed.

  8 and 9 show an example of the accumulation type process.

  First, a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission pre-procedure is continuously executed with the transmission side G3 FAX to set a transmission function to be used, a modem speed, and the like (processing 301).

  Next, the modem speed to be used is determined by executing the modem training procedure (process 302), and the image information is received from the transmission side G3 FAX and stored in the image storage device 6 (process 303). At this time, the encoding / decoding unit 5 decodes the received image information and performs error detection processing and the like.

  When the reception of the image information is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 304), and the line is restored (process 305).

  Then, after waiting for a predetermined time (process 306), the receiving side GW is requested to connect with the destination number specified (processing 307), and it is checked whether or not the line connection to the receiving side G3 FAX has been established (determination 308).

  When the signal of the real-time transmission procedure is received from the receiving side GW and the result of determination 308 is YES, the above-mentioned (transmitting side) pseudo real-time type processing is executed, and the stored received image information is received on the receiving side. The data is transmitted to the receiving side G3 FAX via the GW (process 309), and a communication result report (not shown) in a predetermined format representing the transmission result at that time is created (process 310).

  Next, referring to the user number table, the telephone number of the transmitting side G3 FAX corresponding to the ID received at that time is acquired (processing 311), and the calling side is called to the transmitting side G3 FAX (processing 312). The transmission function and modem speed to be used are set by executing the pre-transmission procedure (process 313), the modem speed to be used is determined by executing the modem training procedure (process 314), and the report to be transmitted at that time (described above) A communication result report or an error notification report (to be described later) is transmitted (process 315). The report image is generated as display image facsimile data of the generated communication result report or error notification report, and the display image facsimile data is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 5 to generate transmission image information. To do.

  When the transmission of the report image ends, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 316), the line with the transmission side G3 FAX is restored (process 317), and this process ends.

  Further, when a connection failure is returned from the receiving side GW and the result of determination 308 is NO, it is checked whether or not a re-call is possible at that time (determination 318). For example, if the number of re-calls is less than the set number, the result of determination 318 is YES.

  When the result of determination 318 is YES, the process returns to step 306, and after waiting for a predetermined time, the transmission operation to the receiving side G3 FAX is performed again. When the result of determination 318 is NO, an error notification report (not shown) in a predetermined format for notifying the transmission source user that the designated transmission operation has not been performed is created (processing 319). ), The process proceeds to process 311, the subsequent processes are executed, and an error notification report is transmitted to the transmission source user.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of processing executed by the receiving side GW.

  When a connection request is sent from the transmission side GW and the ID and destination number are notified (process 401), a call is made to the destination (process 402), the above-described real-time processing is executed (process 403), and the line is restored. (Process 404), this process is terminated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when there is a transmission request from the transmission side G3 FAX and a line is not established between the transmission side GW and the reception side G3 FAX, the transmission side GW transmits from the transmission side G3 FAX. After the image information is received on a proxy basis, a connection request to the receiving side G3 FAX is repeatedly issued to the receiving side GW at a predetermined interval, and a line can be established between the receiving side GW and the receiving side G3 FAX. Since the pseudo real-time transmission procedure is executed and the image information that has been received and stored on the proxy side is transmitted to the receiving side G3 FAX, the line is not used unnecessarily, and a situation in which the communication fee is high can be avoided.

  In addition, since a report for notifying the communication result when executing the storage type processing at that time is created and transmitted to the transmission side G3 FAX, the user of the transmission side G3 FAX appropriately knows the image information transmission result. Can do.

  By the way, in the above-described embodiment, when the receiving side G3 FAX cannot receive image information, the transmitting side GW substitutes for transmission image information. However, at this time, the receiving side GW can also intercept the transmission image information. .

  An example of processing on the transmission side GW in that case is shown in FIG.

  When an incoming call is detected (process 501), a predetermined tone signal is returned (process 502), and an ID and a destination number consisting of a PB signal in a predetermined signal format are received and stored (process 503).

  Next, a connection request is made to the receiving side GW with the ID and destination number specified (process 504), the real-time type process (process 505) as described in FIG. 3 is executed, and the real-time type process is terminated. The line with the transmission side G3 FAX is restored (process 506), and this process is terminated.

  An example of processing on the receiving side GW in this case is shown in FIG.

    When a connection request is received from the transmission side GW and the ID and destination number are notified (process 601), a call is made to the destination (process 602), and it is checked whether the reception side G3 FAX is busy (decision 603).

  When the receiving side G3 FAX is not busy and the result of determination 603 is NO, the above-described real-time processing is started (processing 604), and information on a predetermined facsimile signal (for example, DIS) can be received within a predetermined time. (NO loop of judgments 605 and 606).

  If the information of the predetermined facsimile signal can be received within the predetermined time and the result of determination 605 is YES, the real-time type process started in process 604 is continued (process 607), and the real-time type process is terminated. Then, the line with the receiving side G3 FAX is restored (process 608), and this process is terminated.

  If the information of the predetermined facsimile signal cannot be received within the predetermined time and the result of determination 606 is NO, the real-time type processing started in step 604 is interrupted and the storage type processing is started. (Process 609), this process is terminated.

  If the receiving side G3FAX is busy and the result of the determination 603 is YES, the call to the receiving side G3FAX is terminated (step 610), the processing shifts to step 609, and accumulation type processing is executed.

  12 and 13 show another example of the accumulation type process.

  First, the above-described (reception side) pseudo real-time processing is executed with the transmission side GW (processing 701), and image information is received from the transmission side G3 FAX and stored in the image storage device 6.

  Then, a predetermined time is waited (process 702), a call is made to the reception side G3 FAX (process 703), and it is checked whether the reception side G3 FAX is busy (decision 704).

  If the receiving side G3 FAX is not busy and the result of determination 704 is NO, a predetermined G3 FAX pre-transmission procedure is executed with the receiving side G3 FAX to set the transmission function and modem speed to be used (processing 705). ), The modem speed to be used is determined by executing the modem training procedure (process 706), the image information stored in the image storage device 6 is transmitted (process 707), and when the transmission of the image information is completed, after a predetermined transmission The procedure is executed (process 708), and the line with the receiving side G3 FAX is restored (process 709). Further, a communication result report (not shown) in a predetermined format representing the transmission result at that time is created (process 710).

  Next, referring to the user number table, the telephone number of the transmitting side G3 FAX corresponding to the ID received at that time is acquired (processing 711), and the calling side is called to the transmitting side G3 FAX (processing 712). The transmission function and modem speed to be used are set by executing the pre-transmission procedure (process 713), the modem speed to be used is determined by executing the modem training procedure (process 714), and the report to be transmitted at that time (described above) A communication result report or an error notification report (to be described later) is transmitted (process 715). The report image is generated as display image facsimile data of the generated communication result report or error notification report, and the display image facsimile data is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 5 to generate transmission image information. To do.

  When the transmission of the report image ends, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 716), the line with the transmission side G3 FAX is restored (process 717), and this process ends.

  If the receiving side G3 FAX is busy and the result of determination 704 is YES, it is checked whether a re-call is possible at that time (determination 718). For example, when the number of re-calls is less than the set number, the result of determination 718 is YES.

  When the result of determination 718 is YES, the processing returns to step 702, and after waiting for a predetermined time, the calling operation to the receiving side G3 FAX is performed again. When the result of determination 718 is NO, an error notification report (not shown) in a predetermined format for notifying the transmission source user that the designated transmission operation could not be performed is created (processing 719). ), The process proceeds to process 711, the subsequent processes are executed, and an error notification report is transmitted to the transmission source user.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when there is a transmission request from the transmission side G3 FAX and a line is not established between the transmission side GW and the reception side G3 FAX, the reception side GW Substitute reception of transmission image information, and then repeatedly calling the receiving side G3FAX at a predetermined time interval. When the receiving side G3FAX responds to the incoming call, the receiving side G3FAX receives the image information that has been received and stored by the predetermined G3FAX procedure. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a communication charge is increased without using a line unnecessarily.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a real-time Internet facsimile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which showed the structural example of real-time internet gateway apparatus GW (GW1, GW2). Recommendation T. The time chart which showed an example of 38 communication procedures. Schematic which showed an example of the user number table and telephone number information. The flowchart which showed an example of the process of transmission side G3FAX. The flowchart which showed an example of the process of the transmission side GW. The flowchart which showed an example of the accumulation type process. The flowchart which showed an example of the accumulation type process (continuation). The flowchart which showed an example of the process which the receiving side GW performs. The flowchart which showed the other example of the process of the transmission side GW. The flowchart which showed the other example of the process which the receiving side GW performs. The flowchart which showed the other example of the accumulation type process. Flowchart showing another example of accumulation type processing (continued).

Explanation of symbols

GW1, GW2 Real-time Internet gateway device FG1, FG2 Group 3 facsimile machine

Claims (1)

A transmission-side gateway device that receives transmission image information transmitted from a transmission-side facsimile device and transmits the transmission image information to a reception-side facsimile device via a reception-side gateway device,
  A transmission request receiving means for receiving a transmission request from the transmission side facsimile apparatus to the reception side facsimile apparatus of the transmission image information;
  After the transmission request accepting unit accepts the transmission request, when a line is not established with the receiving facsimile apparatus, the proxy receiving unit that receives the transmission image information in an alternative manner;
  Connection request means for repeatedly issuing connection requests to the receiving facsimile apparatus at predetermined intervals to the receiving gateway apparatus;
  When a line is established between the receiving gateway device and the receiving facsimile device, a predetermined pseudo real-time transmission procedure is executed, and the transmission image information received by the proxy receiving means is received by the receiving side. Transmitting means for transmitting to the receiving facsimile apparatus via a gateway apparatus;
  A transmission-side gateway device comprising: