JP5870682B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device including a scanner device, a facsimile device, a copying machine, a projector device, and a multifunction device having a data communication function.

In a communication apparatus including a scanner apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, a copier, a projector apparatus, and a multifunction apparatus having a data communication function, a method of performing IP-FAX (T.38 protocol) on a next generation network (Next Generation Network: NGN). As a result, it has become possible to perform high-speed communication compared to FAX (G3 / G4) via a conventional analog public telephone network, and FAX communication can be performed at a lower communication fee.
NGN can transmit and receive various information including voice data, moving image data, and text information in addition to FAX communication.

Further, in NGN, a service of flat-rate billing per unit time (for example, 2 yen every 30 seconds) is operated for data communication.
Conventionally, when there are a plurality of transmissions to the same place, in order to use the call time per unit billing fee without waste, a plurality of transmissions are grouped according to the amount of transmission data as a single communication procedure. There is a communication device (for example, refer to Patent Document 1) that transmits the data.

  However, in the conventional communication apparatus, if the image data is transmitted at the default resolution when the FAX transmission is performed by NGN, the transmission is completed within 10 seconds even if, for example, a plurality of image data of an A4 size document is transmitted. For this reason, there is a problem that it is not possible to use data transmission / reception within the same communication usage fee, but the data communication within the same communication usage fee cannot be used effectively.

In addition, there is a case where data communication is performed in order to synchronize information such as phone book data and address book data between communication devices. There was a problem that could not be saved.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable effective use of data communication with billing in which a unit price is added every unit communication time.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises data communication means for performing data communication via the network using the Internet protocol, and is charged by adding a predetermined unit price for each unit communication time for data communication by the data communication means. Remaining time calculating means for calculating the remaining time of unit communication time until the next unit price is added by the accounting after the facsimile data is transmitted to the other communication apparatus by the data communication means. Data transmission availability determination means for determining whether or not predetermined data other than the facsimile data can be transmitted within the remaining time calculated by the remaining time calculation means; and within the remaining time by the data transmission availability determination means If it is determined that the predetermined data can be transmitted to the Providing a control means for terminating the data communication with another communication device, an instruction unit, a communication device and a data acquisition means for acquiring the predetermined data from the storage destination indicated by the instruction means.

  The communication apparatus according to the present invention can effectively use data communication with charging in which a unit price is added every unit communication time.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system having image forming apparatuses 1 and 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a communication sequence diagram in a case where a reference FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3. FIG. 3 is a communication sequence diagram when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 to the image forming apparatus 3 illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 when a fax transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another process executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating still another process executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3. It is a figure which shows an example of the recording content of the time when predetermined data was sent last. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration content of the priority of transmission. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration content of the priority of transmission and elapsed time. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of communication when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system having an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In this communication system, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 and 3 are connected via a network 2 so that data communication is possible. The image forming apparatuses 1 and 3 are multifunction machines having a scanner function, a print function, a copy function, and a data communication function.

  The network 2 is a next generation network (NGN) and is an Internet protocol T.264. Facsimile communication (FAX communication) can be performed using the 38 protocol, and higher-speed FAX communication is possible and the communication fee is lower than that of FAX (G3 / G4) communication via the conventional analog public telephone network. Can do.

Such NGN data communication FAX communication is also referred to as IP-FAX.
The image forming apparatuses 1 and 3 may be printers, scanner apparatuses, or projector apparatuses as long as they have the above-described data communication function.
FIG. 2 shows two image forming apparatuses 1 and 3, and other image forming apparatuses, an information processing apparatus such as a scanner apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, a printer, a personal computer (PC), and a server apparatus. The illustration is omitted.
In the network 2, the image forming apparatuses 1 and 3 are charged for each data communication by adding a predetermined unit price for each unit communication time. Such a device is also referred to as an IP-FAX terminal device. The billing system is well known and will not be described in detail.

Next, the image forming apparatuses 1 and 3 shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
Here, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described, but since the image forming apparatus 3 has the same configuration, the description thereof is omitted.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 4, an operation display unit 5, and an image forming unit 6.

The controller 4 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1, and the operation display unit 5 includes various operation keys such as a keyboard and a display unit such as an LCD, and inputs various operation inputs to the image forming apparatus 1 to the user. In addition, various work screens and operation and processing information are displayed to the user.
The image forming unit 6 includes a scanner and a plotter. The scanner scans a document image and converts it into image information. The plotter prints an image such as image information on paper. Further, the image information read by the scanner is printed on paper by a plotter to execute copying (copying).

Next, the controller 4 includes a CPU 7, a ROM 8, a RAM 9, an operation display interface (I / F) unit 10, an image forming interface (I / F) unit 11, and a communication control unit 12.
The CPU 7 executes various programs stored in the ROM 8 by using the RAM 9 as a work area, thereby controlling the entire image forming apparatus 1, as well as an operation display interface (I / F) unit 10, an image forming interface ( The functional units of the I / F) unit 11 and the communication control unit 12 are realized.

The ROM 8 is a rewritable memory such as a flash ROM that stores various programs executed by the CPU 7, and the RAM 9 is a rewritable memory that is used as a work area by the CPU 7 and temporarily stores various information. is there.
The operation display I / F unit 10 controls to output display data to the operation display unit 5 based on an instruction from the CPU 7 and output operation information input from the operation display unit 5 to the CPU 7.
The image forming I / F unit 11 controls input / output of image data with respect to the image forming unit 6 based on an instruction from the CPU 7.

Next, the communication control unit 12 includes a communication control instruction unit 13, a call control unit 14, T.P. A 38 packet communication control unit 15, a data communication control unit 16, a data registration unit 17, a data transmission availability determination unit 18, and a remaining time calculation unit 19.
The call control unit 14 connects and disconnects a call with a communication apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus 3) of a communication destination (FAX transmission destination or FAX reception source) at the time of FAX communication.

  T. T. et al. The 38-packet communication control unit 15 controls transmission of FAX communication via the network 2, and transmits T.38 which is facsimile data (FAX data) to be transmitted in FAX communication. It also encodes 38 fax data (T.38 packet) and decodes received FAX data.

The data communication control unit 16 controls transmission of data communication other than FAX data via the network 2.
The FAX data includes FAX control data and image data.
The data other than the FAX data includes audio data, moving image data, text data, and image data.
That is, the above T.W. The 38 packet communication control unit 15 and the data communication control unit 16 function as data communication means for performing data communication with the Internet protocol via the network 2.

In addition, the T.A. The FAX transmission by the 38-packet communication control unit 15 and the data transmission by the data communication control unit 16 are charged by adding a predetermined unit price for each unit communication time.
As for the charging, the charging management device (not shown) on the network 2 has a charging means for charging the data communication by the image forming apparatuses 1 and 3 by adding a predetermined unit price for each unit communication time. Manages charging of the forming apparatuses 1 and 3.

The remaining time calculation unit 19 performs the above T.D. For example, the remaining time of unit communication time after the FAX data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3 (another communication apparatus) by the 38-packet communication control unit 15 until the next usage unit price is added by charging in the network 2 is determined. It functions as a remaining time calculation means for calculating.
The data transmission availability determination unit 18 acquires a data amount of predetermined data other than the FAX data notified from the communication control instruction unit 13 and transmits the predetermined data within the remaining time calculated by the remaining time calculation unit 19. It fulfills the function of data transmission availability judgment means for judging whether or not it is possible. The predetermined data is information such as telephone book data or address book data.

Regarding the data amount of the predetermined data other than the FAX data notified from the communication control instruction unit 13, the communication control instruction unit 13 uses the predetermined data at the storage location specified by the user from the operation display unit 5, or is specified in advance. The predetermined data registered in the registered data registration unit 17 is referred to, and the data amount is obtained and provided to the data transmission availability determination unit 18.
Examples of the predetermined data include various data such as telephone directory data used by the image forming apparatus 1 and usage history data of the image forming apparatus 1.
The data registration unit 17 is a memory that registers and stores the predetermined data.

The data communication control unit 16 controls data communication based on an instruction from the communication control instruction unit 13, and also performs processing for transmitting predetermined data of the data registration unit 17 based on an instruction from the communication control instruction unit 13. To do.
When the communication control instruction unit 13 controls the functions of the call control unit 14 to the remaining time calculating unit 19 and determines that the data transmission availability determination unit 18 can transmit predetermined data within the remaining time, the data communication The control unit 16 transmits the predetermined data, and the call control unit 14 performs control to end data communication with another communication apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus 3) (end the call).
That is, the communication control instruction unit 13, the call control unit 14, and the data communication control unit 16 function as control means.

Next, charging at the time of FAX transmission in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of communication in the case where a reference FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3.
When the image forming apparatus 1 performs FAX transmission to the image forming apparatus 3, as shown in FIG. 3, a session of a FAX channel is performed by transmitting / receiving a call control signal to / from the image forming apparatus 3 in the call connection phase a. The information is determined and the call is connected. In the FAX channel establishment phase of b, the FAX channel is established by the FAX channel based on the session information of the FAX channel determined by the call connection processing, and the image is formed in the FAX signal transmission phase of c. While exchanging FAX control data with the apparatus 3, the image data of the FAX data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3.

When the transmission of the FAX data is completed, a process of disconnecting the FAX channel is performed in the FAX channel release phase of d, and a process of disconnecting the call with the image forming apparatus 3 is performed in the call disconnection phase of e.
In the communication sequence described above, charging usually starts after the call connection is established and starts until call disconnection (corresponding to the data communication time), and is charged by adding a predetermined unit price for each unit communication time. Treated on time.

In this communication, for example, if the period from the start of charging to the end of charging is within the same communication usage fee, there is remaining time to transmit / receive further data within the same communication usage fee after the FAX transmission is completed. However, if communication is terminated, data communication within the same communication usage fee cannot be used effectively.
Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when communication time that can be used with the same fee remains when FAX transmission is performed, data other than FAX data is communicated using the remaining time. Data communication costs to be used can be reduced.

Next, FAX transmission in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a communication sequence diagram when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3.
When the image forming apparatus 1 performs FAX transmission to the image forming apparatus 3, as shown in FIG. 4, in the call connection phase “a”, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits / receives a call control signal to / from the image forming apparatus 3 and performs a FAX channel session. Determine the information and connect the call.
In the call connection phase a, the image forming apparatus 1 notifies the image forming apparatus 3 whether or not data other than FAX data is exchanged.

In the call connection phase of a, when the notification is exchanged by a call control signal, for example, when using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) which is a kind of communication control protocol, an INFO method or message defined by SIP Notification should be made using a method.
The INFO method is information used for exchanging signaling information during a session according to a signaling path for a call.

Next, in the FAX channel establishment phase of b, a FAX channel is established by a FAX channel based on the session information of the FAX channel determined by the call connection process, and in the FAX signal transmission phase of c, FAX communication with the image forming apparatus 3 is performed. The image data of FAX data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3 while exchanging control data.
Then, after transmitting the FAX data, the image forming apparatus 1 calculates the remaining time of the unit communication time until the next usage unit price is added by charging in the process of determining d, etc. And determine whether the predetermined data can be transmitted within the remaining time.

When the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the predetermined data can be transmitted within the remaining time based on the above determination, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the predetermined data in the data transmission phase other than the FAX of e, and the FAX channel release phase of the f Processing for disconnecting the FAX channel is performed, and processing for disconnecting a call with the image forming apparatus 3 (processing for terminating data communication) is performed in the call disconnecting phase of g.
In this way, when there is remaining communication time available for the same fee during FAX transmission, it is possible to transmit predetermined data other than FAX data using the remaining time.

For example, since information such as telephone book data or address book data to be notified to the image forming apparatus 3 is also transmitted, data communication that can be used within the same fee range can be used effectively, and data used by the user Communication costs can be reduced.
Therefore, it is possible to effectively use data communication with billing in which the usage unit price is added every unit communication time.
Note that the above notification may be performed during FAX signal transmission in the FAX signal transmission phase of c, in addition to notifying by exchanging call control signals.

Next, a process executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time of FAX transmission will be described with reference to FIG.
In the case of this processing, the communication control instruction unit 13 functions as a data acquisition unit that acquires predetermined data from the data registration unit 17 specified in advance.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3.
In step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 1, when the FAX signal transmission phase ends, the process proceeds to step 2. In the process of step 1, the communication control instruction unit 13 in FIG. 1 detects the end of the FAX signal transmission phase.

In step 2, it is determined whether or not transmission of predetermined data other than FAX data is to be executed. If it is determined to be executed (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step 3, and if it is determined not to be executed (in the case of N). Advances to step 6.
In step 2, the communication control instruction unit 13 is set in advance so as to execute transmission of predetermined data other than FAX data when the FAX data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 by a user operation. Judge.

In step 3, the remaining time is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 4.
In the process of step 3, the communication control instruction unit 13 performs T.P. After the 38-packet communication control unit 15 (data communication unit) transmits FAX data to the image forming apparatus 3 (other communication apparatus), the remaining time calculation unit 19 is instructed to calculate the remaining time.
Then, the remaining time calculation unit 19 calculates the remaining time of the unit communication time until the next usage unit price is added by the accounting unit on the network 2 based on the instruction from the communication control instruction unit 13.

In step 4, it is determined whether or not predetermined data other than FAX data can be transmitted within the remaining time. If it is determined that transmission is possible (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step 5, and if it is determined that transmission is not possible (N ) Go to Step 6.
In step 4, the data transmission availability determination unit 18 acquires the data amount of predetermined data other than the FAX data sent from the communication control instruction unit 13, and within the remaining time calculated by the remaining time calculation unit 19. It is determined whether or not predetermined data can be transmitted.
As for the acquisition of the predetermined data, for example, the predetermined data is acquired from the data registration unit 17 specified in advance.

In the above determination, for example, it is determined that transmission is possible when the following calculation formula is satisfied, and it is determined that transmission is not possible when it is not satisfied.
Formula: {Remaining time of unit communication time until the next usage unit price is added [s]-(data amount of predetermined data [bit] ÷ transmission rate [bps])}> 0
In step 5, predetermined data other than FAX data is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step 6.
In the process of step 5, the communication control instruction unit 13 issues an instruction to transmit predetermined data registered in the data registration unit 17 to the data communication control unit 16.

Then, the data communication control unit 16 transmits the predetermined data registered in the data registration unit 17 to, for example, the transmission destination device of the address on the network 2 designated in advance, in this case, the image forming device 3.
When transmitting the predetermined data, an identifier for distinguishing from the FAX data is added to the head of the predetermined data and transmitted.
As a result, the image forming apparatus 3 on the receiving side can receive the FAX data and predetermined data other than the FAX data without confusion.

In step 6, the call is disconnected, the FAX channel is released, and this process is terminated.
In the process of step 6, the communication control instruction unit 13 instructs the call control unit 14 to disconnect the call.
Then, the call control unit 14 disconnects the call established with the image forming apparatus 3 based on the instruction from the communication control instruction unit 13 to release the FAX channel, and terminates the call with the image forming apparatus 3. As a result, the data communication with the image forming apparatus 3 is terminated.
Regarding the communication time from the confirmation of the call with the image forming apparatus 3 to the start of disconnection, the accounting management apparatus (not shown) on the network 2 monitors the data communication of the image forming apparatus 1 and performs unit communication. A billing process for charging by adding a predetermined unit price for each time is executed, and information on the billing amount is stored in a storage device in the billing management apparatus, for example.

Next, a process executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 when the user selects the predetermined data at the time of FAX transmission will be described with reference to FIG.
In this process, the communication control instruction unit 13 in FIG. 1 functions as a data acquisition unit that acquires predetermined data from the storage destination instructed by the operation display unit 5 (instruction unit).
The operation display unit 5 fulfills its function as the selection means.
The selection information from the operation display unit 5 is sent to the communication control instruction unit 13 of the communication control unit 12 via the CPU 7, and the communication control instruction unit 13 uses the data registration unit 17 (or other storage unit) based on the selection information. The predetermined data selected from the above may be acquired), and the data amount is obtained and sent to the data transmission availability determination unit 18.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3.
In step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 11, when the FAX signal transmission phase ends, the process proceeds to step 12. In the processing of step 11, the communication control instruction unit 13 of FIG. 1 detects the end of the FAX signal transmission phase.
In step 12, it is determined whether or not transmission of predetermined data other than FAX data is to be executed. If it is determined to be executed (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step 13, and if it is determined not to be executed (in the case of N). Proceeds to step 17.

Whether or not the communication control instruction unit 13 is set in advance to execute transmission of predetermined data other than FAX data when the FAX data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 by a user operation is determined in Step 12. Judge.
In step 13, predetermined data selection processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step 14.
In the processing of step 13, the user inputs selection information for selecting predetermined data from the operation display unit 5, and the communication control instruction unit 13 acquires predetermined data from the storage destination selected based on the selection information. .

Regarding the selection of the predetermined data, for example, the communication control instruction unit 13 instructs the CPU 7 to make a selection request, and the CPU 7 displays a selection screen on the operation display unit 5 via the operation display I / F unit 10. On the selection screen, desired data is selected as predetermined data.
The selection destination may be in the data registration unit 17 or may be data stored in the storage unit or the RAM 9 (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1.
Then, the selection information is sent to the communication control instruction unit 13 as described above. The communication control instruction unit 13 acquires predetermined data based on the selection information, determines the data amount, and determines whether to transmit data. Send to part 18.

In step 14, the remaining time is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 15.
In the process of step 14, the communication control instruction unit 13 executes the T.P. After the FAX data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3 (another communication apparatus) by the 38-packet communication control unit 15 (data communication unit), the remaining time calculation unit 19 is instructed to calculate the remaining time.
Then, the remaining time calculation unit 19 calculates the remaining time of the unit communication time until the next usage unit price is added by the accounting unit on the network 2 based on the instruction from the communication control instruction unit 13.

In step 15, it is determined whether or not predetermined data other than FAX data can be transmitted within the remaining time. If it is determined that transmission is possible (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step 16, and if it is determined that transmission is not possible (N ) Go to step 17.
In step 15, the data transmission availability determination unit 18 acquires a data amount of predetermined data other than the FAX data sent from the communication control instruction unit 13, and is calculated by the remaining time calculation unit 19 based on the data amount. It is determined whether or not predetermined data can be transmitted within the remaining time.

In the above determination, for example, it is determined that transmission is possible when the following calculation formula is satisfied, and it is determined that transmission is not possible when it is not satisfied.
Formula: {Remaining time of unit communication time until the next usage unit price is added [s]-(data amount of predetermined data [bit] ÷ transmission rate [bps])}> 0
In step 16, predetermined data other than the FAX data is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step 17.

In the process of step 16, the communication control instruction unit 13 issues an instruction to transmit predetermined data registered in the data registration unit 17 to the data communication control unit 16.
Then, the data communication control unit 16 transmits the predetermined data registered in the data registration unit 17 to, for example, the transmission destination device of the address on the network 2 designated in advance, in this case, the image forming device 3.

In step 17, the call is disconnected, the FAX channel is released, and this process is terminated.
In the process of step 17, the communication control instruction unit 13 instructs the call control unit 14 to disconnect the call.
Then, the call control unit 14 disconnects the call established with the image forming apparatus 3 based on the instruction from the communication control instruction unit 13 to release the FAX channel, and terminates the call with the image forming apparatus 3. As a result, the data communication with the image forming apparatus 3 is terminated.
Regarding the communication time from the confirmation of the call with the image forming apparatus 3 to the start of disconnection, the accounting management apparatus (not shown) on the network 2 monitors the data communication of the image forming apparatus 1 and performs unit communication. A billing process for charging by adding a predetermined unit price for each time is executed, and information on the billing amount is stored in a storage device in the billing management apparatus, for example.
In this way, when the predetermined data is also sent within the same fee using FAX transmission, it is possible to send the data that the user wants to send, so that the convenience for the user can be improved.

Next, another example of processing executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 during the above-described FAX transmission will be described with reference to FIG.
In this processing, as predetermined data to be transmitted together with FAX transmission, arbitrary data registered in advance by the user is transmitted in addition to information such as telephone book data and address book data.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another process executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3.
In step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 21, when the FAX signal transmission phase is finished, the routine proceeds to step 22. In step 21, the communication control instruction unit 13 in FIG. 1 detects the end of the FAX signal transmission phase.

In step 22, it is determined whether or not transmission of predetermined data other than FAX data is to be executed. If it is determined to be executed (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step 23, and if it is determined not to be executed (in the case of N). Proceeds to step 30.
Whether the communication control instruction unit 13 is set to execute transmission of predetermined data other than the FAX data in advance when the FAX data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 by the user operation is determined in Step 22. Judge.
In step 23, the remaining time is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 24.

In the process of step 23, the communication control instructing unit 13 performs T.P. After the FAX data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3 (another communication apparatus) by the 38-packet communication control unit 15 (data communication unit), the remaining time calculation unit 19 is instructed to calculate the remaining time.
Then, the remaining time calculation unit 19 calculates the remaining time of the unit communication time until the next usage unit price is added by the accounting unit on the network 2 based on the instruction from the communication control instruction unit 13.

In step 24, it is determined whether or not predetermined data other than FAX data can be transmitted within the remaining time. When it is determined that transmission is possible (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step 25, and when it is determined that transmission is not possible (N ) Go to Step 30.
In step 24, the data transmission availability determination unit 18 acquires a data amount of predetermined data other than the FAX data sent from the communication control instruction unit 13, and is calculated by the remaining time calculation unit 19 based on the data amount. It is determined whether or not predetermined data can be transmitted within the remaining time.

Regarding the acquisition of the predetermined data, for example, the communication control instruction unit 13 acquires the predetermined data registered in the data registration unit 17.
In the above determination, for example, it is determined that transmission is possible when the following calculation formula is satisfied, and it is determined that transmission is not possible when it is not satisfied.
Formula: {Remaining time of unit communication time until the next usage unit price is added [s]-(data amount of predetermined data [bit] ÷ transmission rate [bps])}> 0
In step 25, predetermined data other than FAX data is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step 26.

In the process of step 25, the communication control instruction unit 13 issues an instruction to transmit predetermined data registered in the data registration unit 17 to the data communication control unit 16.
Then, the data communication control unit 16 transmits the predetermined data registered in the data registration unit 17 to, for example, the transmission destination device of the address on the network 2 designated in advance, in this case, the image forming device 3.
In step 26, it is determined whether there is user registration data. If there is user registration data (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step 27, and if not (in the case of N), the process proceeds to step 30.
In this determination process, the communication control instruction unit 13 determines whether there is user registration data in the data registration unit 17, and if there is, issues an instruction to the data transmission availability determination unit 18 and the remaining time calculation unit 19.

In step 27, the remaining time is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 28.
In step 27, the communication control instruction unit 13 transmits predetermined data to the image forming apparatus 3 (another communication apparatus) by the data communication control unit 16 (data communication unit), and then the remaining time calculation unit 19. The instruction for calculating the remaining time is issued again.
Then, the remaining time calculation unit 19 recalculates the remaining time of the unit communication time until the next unit price is added by the accounting unit on the network 2 based on the instruction from the communication control instruction unit 13.
In step 28, it is determined whether or not the user registration data can be transmitted within the remaining time. If it is determined that transmission is possible (in the case of Y), the process proceeds to step 29. If it is determined that transmission is not possible (in the case of N). Proceed to step 30.

In step 28, the data transmission availability determination unit 18 obtains the data amount of user registration data sent from the communication control instruction unit 13, and the remaining time calculated by the remaining time calculation unit 19 based on the data amount. It is determined whether or not user registration data can be transmitted.
In the above determination, for example, it is determined that transmission is possible when the following calculation formula is satisfied, and it is determined that transmission is not possible when it is not satisfied.
Formula: {Remaining unit communication time until the next unit price is added [s]-(data amount of user registration data [bit] ÷ transmission rate [bps])}> 0
In step 29, user registration data is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step 30.
In the process of step 29, the communication control instruction unit 13 instructs the data communication control unit 16 to transmit the user registration data registered in the data registration unit 17.

Then, the data communication control unit 16 transmits the user registration data registered in the data registration unit 17 to, for example, the destination device of the address on the network 2 designated in advance, in this case, the image forming apparatus 3.
In step 30, the call is disconnected, the FAX channel is released, and this process is terminated.
In the processing of step 30, the communication control instruction unit 13 instructs the call control unit 14 to disconnect the call. Then, the call control unit 14 disconnects the call established with the image forming apparatus 3 based on the instruction from the communication control instruction unit 13 to release the FAX channel, and terminates the call with the image forming apparatus 3. As a result, the data communication with the image forming apparatus 3 is terminated.

Regarding the communication time from the confirmation of the call with the image forming apparatus 3 to the start of disconnection, the accounting management apparatus (not shown) on the network 2 monitors the data communication of the image forming apparatus 1 and performs unit communication. A billing process for charging by adding a predetermined unit price for each time is executed, and information on the billing amount is stored in a storage device in the billing management apparatus, for example.
In this way, the image forming apparatus 1 performs complicated selection operations for data other than the FAX data that the user wants to send to the image forming apparatus 3 arbitrarily registered together with the predetermined data for synchronizing the contents with the image forming apparatus 3. Even if it does not do, it can send together, and a user's convenience improves.

Next, still another processing example executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time of FAX transmission described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating still another process executed by the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of recorded contents at the time when predetermined data was last sent.

In this process, when the predetermined data cannot be sent because there is no FAX transmission for a long time, communication for transmitting only the predetermined data is executed.
In order to execute this process, the communication control instruction unit 13 in FIG. 1 records the transmission time as the time when the predetermined data was last transmitted when the predetermined data is transmitted.
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the time when the predetermined data was last sent is recorded in correspondence with each of the communication partners A to C. The recording destination may be, for example, the data registration unit 17.
The communication partners A to C are examples of apparatuses on the network 2 including the image forming apparatus 3. For example, the communication partner C is assumed to be the image forming apparatus 3.

Further, the communication control instruction unit 13 refers to the time when the predetermined data recorded in the data registration unit 17 was last sent, the time obtained from the difference between the time and the current time, and a preset predetermined time. If it is determined that the data has not been transmitted even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the data communication control unit 16 causes the data registration unit 17 to transmit the predetermined data.
That is, the communication control instruction unit 13 causes the data communication unit to transmit the predetermined data stored in the storage unit when the next transmission cannot be performed for the predetermined data even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous transmission. It functions as a transmission control means.

As shown in FIG. 8, in step (indicated by “S” in the figure) 41, the communication control instruction unit 13 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the last transmission of predetermined data. If not (N), this process ends.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 41 that the predetermined time has elapsed since the last transmission of the predetermined data (in the case of Y), transmission of the predetermined data is executed in step 42, and this process ends.

In the case of the data example shown in FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus 1 sends the predetermined data to the image forming apparatus 3 when the predetermined data has not been transmitted for the image forming apparatus 3 of the communication partner C. Execute sending.
In this way, when FAX transmission is not performed, predetermined data is not transmitted indefinitely. Therefore, when certain time has elapsed, communication is performed using only predetermined data other than FAX data, thereby improving the reliability of data communication. Can be made.

Next, regarding the transmission of predetermined data in each FAX transmission process described above, when there are a plurality of predetermined data, the transmission priority order can be determined for each.
In the case of this processing, when the data registration unit 17 in FIG. 1 stores a plurality of predetermined data, it functions as a priority storage means for storing the priority for each predetermined data.
Further, the communication control instruction unit 13 starts from the predetermined data with the highest priority to the predetermined data with the lowest priority from the data registration unit 17 based on the priority for each predetermined data stored in the data registration unit 17. It also functions as means for obtaining the predetermined data.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of registered contents of transmission priority for each predetermined data.
A plurality of predetermined data such as “registration data 1”, “registration data 2”, “registration data 3”,... Are registered in the data registration unit 17 of FIG. When table data indicating the priority order of transmission for each predetermined data is registered, the communication control instruction unit 13 registers “registered data 1”, “registered data 2”, “registered data 3” in the data transmission availability determination unit 18. Notifies each data amount and each priority.

The data transmission availability determination unit 18 determines in order of priority the data that can be transmitted within the remaining time, and notifies the communication control instruction unit 13 of the determination result.
For example, when the communication control instruction unit 13 receives a notification that “registration data 2” and “registration data 1”, which are predetermined data of priority levels 1 and 2, can be transmitted within the remaining time, data communication control is performed. The unit 16 is instructed to transmit “registration data 2” and “registration data 1” in the order of transmission priority, and the data communication control unit 16 executes transmission processing according to the instruction.

Further, the communication control instruction unit 13 sets “registration data 3”, which has not been transmitted in the above-described processing, as a candidate to be transmitted at the next FAX transmission.
In this way, when a plurality of predetermined data are registered, it is possible to transmit data in order from the data with the highest priority set in advance, so that the convenience for the user can be improved.

Next, regarding the transmission of the predetermined data in the above-described FAX transmission processing, when there are a plurality of the predetermined data, the elapsed time for executing the transmission can be determined for each.
In the case of this processing, when the data registration unit 17 of FIG. 1 stores a plurality of predetermined data, it functions as an elapsed time storage unit that stores an elapsed time for each predetermined data.
Further, the communication control instruction unit 13 stores the time of the previous FAX data transmission, compares the time with the elapsed time for each predetermined data stored in the data registration unit 17, and compares the time for each predetermined data. When each elapsed time has elapsed, the data communication control unit 16 is instructed to transmit predetermined data after the elapsed time has elapsed.

That is, when the communication control instruction unit 13 does not transmit FAX data during the elapsed time for each predetermined data stored in the data registration unit 17, It also functions as means for causing the data communication control unit 16 to transmit predetermined data corresponding to the elapsed time when the stored FAX data has not been transmitted.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of registration contents of transmission priority and elapsed time for each predetermined data.

  A plurality of predetermined data such as “registration data 1”, “registration data 2”, “registration data 3”,... Are registered in the data registration unit 17 of FIG. When table data indicating the priority order of transmission and elapsed time for each predetermined data is registered, the communication control instruction unit 13 refers to each elapsed time of the data registration unit 17 and starts from the time of the previous FAX transmission. Judge whether there is any that has passed.

If there is an elapsed time, for example, when the elapsed time 60 min set in the registration data 2 of FIG. 11 has elapsed, the data communication control unit 16 is instructed to transmit the registration data 2.
And the data communication control part 16 performs a transmission process according to the instruction | indication.
In this way, when a plurality of predetermined data are registered, it is possible to transmit in order from the data that has not been transmitted even if the elapsed time set in advance elapses. Can be improved.

Next, with respect to each FAX transmission process described above, predetermined data other than the FAX can be received from the transmission destination during the FAX transmission.
In the case of this processing, the data communication control unit 16 of FIG. 1 functions as a data receiving means for receiving data other than facsimile data from the other communication device while transmitting facsimile data to the other communication device by data communication. .

Next, a process of receiving predetermined data other than FAX from the image forming apparatus 3 at the time of FAX transmission in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of communication when FAX transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 to the image forming apparatus 3.
When the image forming apparatus 1 performs FAX transmission to the image forming apparatus 3, as shown in FIG. 12, the session of the FAX channel is performed by transmitting / receiving a call control signal to / from the image forming apparatus 3 in the call connection phase a. Determine the information and connect the call.

In the call connection phase a, the image forming apparatus 1 notifies the image forming apparatus 3 whether or not data other than FAX data is exchanged.
The notification is made using, for example, an INFO method or a message method defined by SIP.
The above notification may be performed during FAX signal transmission in the FAX signal transmission phase of c ′, in addition to notifying by exchanging call control signals.

Next, in the FAX channel establishment phase of b, a FAX channel is established by the FAX channel based on the FAX channel session information determined by the call connection process, and between the image forming apparatus 3 in the FAX signal transmission phase of c ′. While exchanging FAX control data, the image data of FAX data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3.
During transmission of the FAX data, as shown by the hatched arrows in FIG. 12, data other than the FAX data (for example, data including telephone book data and address book data) is received from the image forming apparatus 3.

For example, the communication control instruction unit 13 executes a process of updating the received data with the corresponding data in the data registration unit 17. Further, depending on the contents of the received data, it can be sent to the CPU 7 for processing.
Further, after the FAX data is transmitted, the image forming apparatus 1 calculates the remaining time of unit communication time until the next usage unit price is added by billing in processing such as determination of d, and the like. And determine whether the predetermined data can be transmitted within the remaining time.

When the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the predetermined data can be transmitted within the remaining time based on the above determination, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the predetermined data in the data transmission phase other than the FAX of e, and the FAX channel release phase of the f Processing for disconnecting the FAX channel is performed, and processing for disconnecting a call with the image forming apparatus 3 (processing for terminating data communication) is performed in the call disconnecting phase of g.
In this way, data other than FAX data can be received from the destination image forming apparatus 3 during FAX transmission.

In FAX communication, a band for a communication band that is normally reserved for transmitting image data from an image forming apparatus on the transmission side to an image forming apparatus on the reception side is used, but image formation on the transmission side is performed from the image forming apparatus on the reception side. Since there is no data to send in the direction of the device, only a small amount of bandwidth is used.
Therefore, there is an effect of further improving transmission efficiency by receiving data other than FAX using the remaining band.

Next, it can be configured as a program for causing the computer to control various devices and realizing the functions of the respective units other than the data registration unit 17 of the communication control unit 12 of the image forming apparatus described above.
Such a program is stored in advance in the memory of the image forming apparatus, and is also recorded on a recording medium such as a CD, or a non-volatile recording medium such as a flexible disk, SRAM, EEPROM, or memory card, or via a network. It can also be made available for download.
Each function of the image forming apparatus according to the above-described embodiment can be realized by installing the program and causing the CPU to execute the program, or causing the CPU to acquire and execute the program from a memory or a download server.

Although the description of the embodiment has been completed above, in the present invention, the specific configuration of each unit, the content of processing, the data format, and the like are not limited to those described in the embodiment.
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus has been described.
However, the present invention can be applied to any communication device as long as it has a data communication function using the Internet protocol.
Further, it goes without saying that the configurations of the embodiments described above can be implemented in any combination as long as they do not contradict each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,3: Image forming apparatus 2: Network 4: Controller 5: Operation display part 6: Image forming part 7: CPU 8: ROM 9: RAM
10: Operation display interface unit 11: Image forming interface unit 12: Communication control unit 13: Communication control instruction unit 14: Call control unit 15: T. 38 packet communication control unit 16: data communication control unit 17: data registration unit 18: data transmission availability determination unit 19: remaining time calculation unit

JP-A-5-292292

Claims (6)

A communication apparatus comprising data communication means for performing data communication with a network protocol via a network, and charged by adding a predetermined unit price for each unit communication time for data communication by the data communication means,
After transmitting facsimile data to another communication device by the data communication means, a remaining time calculating means for calculating the remaining time of unit communication time until the next unit price is added by the billing;
Data transmission availability determination means for determining whether or not predetermined data other than the facsimile data can be transmitted within the remaining time calculated by the remaining time calculation means;
Control means for transmitting the predetermined data and terminating data communication with the other communication device when the data transmission availability determination means determines that the predetermined data can be transmitted within the remaining time ;
Indicating means;
A communication apparatus comprising: a data acquisition unit configured to acquire the predetermined data from a storage destination instructed by the instruction unit. A communication apparatus comprising data communication means for performing data communication with a network protocol via a network, and charged by adding a predetermined unit price for each unit communication time for data communication by the data communication means,
After transmitting facsimile data to another communication device by the data communication means, a remaining time calculating means for calculating the remaining time of unit communication time until the next unit price is added by the billing;
Data transmission availability determination means for determining whether or not predetermined data other than the facsimile data can be transmitted within the remaining time calculated by the remaining time calculation means;
Control means for transmitting the predetermined data and terminating data communication with the other communication device when the data transmission availability determination means determines that the predetermined data can be transmitted within the remaining time;
A communication apparatus comprising: a data acquisition unit configured to acquire the predetermined data from a storage unit designated in advance. 3. The communication device according to claim 2 , wherein if the next transmission of the predetermined data cannot be performed even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous transmission, the predetermined data stored in the storage means is transferred to the data communication unit. A communication apparatus comprising transmission control means for causing the means to transmit. The communication apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a priority storage unit that stores a priority for each predetermined data when the storage unit stores a plurality of the predetermined data.
The data acquisition unit is configured to execute the predetermined data in order from the predetermined data with the highest priority to the predetermined data with the lowest priority based on the priority for each predetermined data stored in the priority storage unit. A communication apparatus comprising means for acquiring data. The communication device according to claim 3 , further comprising an elapsed time storage unit that stores an elapsed time for each predetermined data when a plurality of the predetermined data is stored in the storage unit.
The transmission control means is stored in the storage means when the transmission of facsimile data is not performed during the elapsed time of each predetermined data stored in the elapsed time storage means. A communication apparatus comprising: means for causing the data communication means to transmit the predetermined data corresponding to an elapsed time during which the facsimile data was not transmitted. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a data receiving means for receiving data other than facsimile data from said other communication device facsimile data during transmission to another communication device by a data communication A communication device comprising:

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