JPH01179543A - Facsimile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save waste of line charge and to improve the convenience and effectiveness of a terminal equipment by sending data stored once in a store and forward repeater connected to an extension of an exchange to a terminal equipment of an extension designated by the sender side. CONSTITUTION:A facsimile communication system 1 located between an extension L1 of an exchange 3 used normally and an external line L01, receives a DTMF signal designating a destination extension sent via the external line L01 and stores it in a picture memory 13. Then an extension code corresponding to a DTMF signal is outputted to the exchange 3 and when the exchange 3 is connected to any of facsimile equipments 4-6 connected to the destination extension, the data stored in the picture memory 13 is sent by a store and forward repeater 2. Thus, plural facsimile equipments 4-6 can be utilized efficiently with a few external lines.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a facsimile communication system, and more particularly to a facsimile communication system that allows each sender to select a facsimile device (terminal device) connected to a destination extension. Regarding.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, facsimile machines have become widely popular and used due to the increasing amount of information and the accompanying need for information distribution.

For this reason, there is a trend toward personalization of facsimile machines, from the conventional practice of using one machine for the entire company to the use of each department.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, such conventional facsimile communication systems had a single configuration in which one facsimile machine was connected to one line, so as mentioned above, each department had to Although it is convenient to install multiple facsimile devices for reasons such as improving the efficiency of information use, there is a problem in that when a large number of facsimile devices are installed, the costs associated with setting up lines, usage fees, etc. increase.

[Purpose of the invention]

Therefore, the present invention eliminates wasted line charges by transmitting the data once stored by the storage relay device connected to the extension of the switching device to the terminal device of the extension corresponding to the identification mark input from the sending side. It also aims to improve the convenience and effectiveness of terminal devices.

[Means for solving problems]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a switching device connected to a plurality of terminal devices via a plurality of extensions and an outside line, and a switching device that is connected to the extension of the switching device and transmits data via the outside line. After receiving the data and storing it in memory, an extension code is transmitted to the switching device based on the identification mark included in the transmitted data, and when the switching device connects the line with the specified destination terminal device, the It is equipped with a storage relay device that transmits data stored in memory.

[Effect]

In the present invention, after a storage relay device connected to an extension line of a switching device stores data transmitted via an outside line in a memory, the data stored in the memory is stored based on an identification mark included in the transmitted data. Send to the specified destination terminal device.

Therefore, terminal devices installed in multiple departments can be used with fewer external lines, line charges are reduced, and the convenience and utilization of the terminal devices are improved.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained based on Examples.

1 to 6 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a facsimile communication system, and the facsimile communication system 1 includes a storage relay device 2, a switch 3, and facsimile devices 4-6.

The storage relay device 2 includes a network control unit 11. It is equipped with a modem section 12, an image memory 13, a modem section 14, a network control section 15, an extension code conversion section I6, and a control section I7, and is connected to an external line. It has the function of accumulating data transmitted via I, outputting an extension code to the exchange 3 based on a manually entered identification mark, and transmitting data to a predetermined extension.

The network control units 11 and 15 are generally called NCUs, and are connected to external lines. The call is automatically received in response to an outgoing call from I, and the extension facsimile devices 4 to 6
automatically calls. The modulation/demodulation section 12.14 is generally called a modem, and demodulates the modulation signal input manually via the network control section 11 to extract a digital signal, and also extracts the digital signal from the data stored in the image memory 13. is demodulated for transmission to a predetermined destination (in this embodiment, facsimile machines 4 to 6 connected to extensions .about.L of exchange 3).

This modulation/demodulation section 12.14 performs modulation/demodulation processing using different circuits and procedures depending on the manually input communication mode. Note that the communication mode of facsimile machines is currently Gl(
low speed), GII (medium speed), and cl[I (high speed digital).

The image memory 13 is a page memory configured with, for example, a RAM, and has a storage capacity for data for multiple sides. The image memo January 3 stores the data input from the modulation/demodulation section 12 as needed, and also stores the data inputted from the modulation/demodulation section 12 at any time.
In response to a data transfer command from 7, the accumulated data is output to the modulation/demodulation section 14.

At this time, the image memory 13 stores compressed data according to the communication mode described above.

The extension code converter 16 stores the extension code corresponding to the converter 3, and also converts the DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Fr.
It converts the signal (identification indicator) into a number code (for example, binary data) for each extension corresponding to the exchange 3, checks it, and outputs it to the RAM 23, which will be described later. In addition, the RAM 23 stores and holds this number code, and based on the command from the control unit 17, the network control i
The stored extension code is output to the exchange 3 via 115. When the exchange 3 receives this extension code, it performs a normal extension exchange operation and connects the lines with the facsimile machines 4 to 6 corresponding to the extension code. In addition,
It goes without saying that the extension code stored in the extension code generator 16 and the extension code output can be changed freely according to the specifications of the exchange 3.

The control unit 17 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RΔM 23,
It is equipped with a timer 24 and the like. CPU (Central
lProcessing Unit) 21 is ROM
According to the program written in the RAM 22, control signals are output to each part of the storage relay device 2, and the RAM 23
Data is exchanged with. ROM (Read 0
nly Memory) 22 stores a communication control program, etc., which will be described later.

RAM (Random Ac5ses Memory
) 23 temporarily stores, for example, communication mode data and data such as the extension code checked by the extension code converter 16. The timer 24 counts a timer value T based on a signal from the CPU 21 during communication control, which will be described later, regardless of program processing. That is,
The control unit 17 controls the storage relay device 2 in an integrated manner.

On the other hand, the network control unit 11 of the storage relay device 2 is connected to the exchange 3 via an extension L+. Switching machine (switching device) 3
is the so-called P I(X (Private Brac
hExchange), and the exchange 3 connects the extensions L1 to L4 with each other and the extensions, and connects the extensions L1 to L4 with the external line. , make a connection with. It goes without saying that the number of external lines and extension lines set for the exchange 3 differs depending on the specifications of the exchange 3. Facsimile machine 4-6
This device is widely used, and it reads the data (image information) of the original set in the device and transmits it through a line, and also receives human input data via the line and records it on paper.

Next, the effect will be explained.

In the facsimile communication system of the present invention (2), the storage relay device 2 connects to an external line. , the data transmitted via the DTM are stored in the image memory 13, and
The feature is that an extension code based on the identification mark input by the P signal is output to the exchange 3, and when a line with the designated facsimile machine 4 to 6 is established, data is read from the image memory 13 and transmitted. .

The operation of such facsimile communication system I can be shown by control signals as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the facsimile machine on the sending side is DT.
It is assumed that the device has a function of outputting an MF signal.

First, from the sending facsimile machine (not shown), 16
When a Hz bell tone (calling signal) is transmitted, the storage relay device 2 responds by transmitting a called station identification symbol (CED) and starts counting a timer waiting for a DTMF signal input. Therefore, when the transmitting side manually enters the destination extension number in the DTMF signal during this waiting time for human input, the storage and relay device 2 converts it into an extension code in the extension code converting section 16, and then checks, stores, and holds it. At this time, if the I) TMF signal is not manually input within the manual waiting time, the extension code preset in the extension code conversion section 16 is selected.

Then, as in normal facsimile communication, the storage relay device 2 transmits a non-standard function identification signal (NSF) and a digital identification signal (Dis), and the sending side sends a non-standard function setting signal (NSS) and a digital command signal. (DO8) and a training check signal (TCP). In response, the storage relay device 2 sends a reception preparation confirmation signal (CF
rt) to notify that reception preparation is complete, and upon receiving this CFR signal, data (image information) is sent from the transmitting side.
Send. When the data transmission is completed, the transmitting side outputs a communication end signal (EOI), and the storage relay device 2 outputs a communication end signal (MCF). Thereafter, a line disconnection command signal (DCN) is output from the transmitting side, and the line is disconnected.

Next, as shown by the control signal in FIG.
When the extension code is transmitted from the exchange 3, the exchange 3 transmits a calling signal to the facsimile machines 4 to 6 of the extension corresponding to this extension code. The facsimile devices 4 to 6 send out a called station signal (CED) in response to this paging signal, and thereafter, normal facsimile communication is performed between the storage relay device 2 and one of the designated facsimile devices 4 to 6. .

Further, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control program showing the operation of the storage relay device 2 described above, and FIG.
,. shows each step of this flow.

First, the PI determines whether or not a calling signal is detected.

When it is determined that a paging signal is detected, the control unit 11 connects the line under network control at P, and transmits the called station signal (C) to the other party at P3.
E I) ) is sent. On the other hand, if no call signal is detected in step PI or step P, the same process is repeated until a call signal is detected.

Next, an initialization signal is output at P4, and the timer value T is reset.

Next, P determines whether a DTMF signal from the other party is detected. When it is determined that the DTMF' signal is detected, %P? D'I converted by the extension code converter 16 in
' Check the data (binary data) of the MP signal. This is done by comparing the manually entered data with an extension code registered in advance in a memory (not shown) of the extension code converter 16. When it is determined that the extension code of the converted data is registered, the extension code of P and lever is stored and held in the RAM 23 of the control unit 17, and normal facsimile communication is started at P9, and p+o
The data from the sending side is stored in the image memo January 3. Here, in this embodiment, since the sending side is a facsimile machine, bit data is stored line by line in the image memo January 3.

On the other hand, if the DTMF signal is not detected in step P8, the process proceeds to PuS, and it is determined whether or not the timer value T has reached a predetermined value T'(T=T''). Indicates the waiting time for DTMF signal input.T=T
' When it is determined that the timer value T has reached , it outputs a stop signal to the timer 24 using the push button and stops counting the timer value T.

Next, P. Then, the extension code preset in the extension code converter 16 is read out and stored in the RAM 23. Furthermore, even if the data checked in step P7 is not registered as an extension code, step P
,. The process proceeds to step P, where the same process is executed, and the normal facsimile communication process is performed in step P. therefore,
Even if the sending side does not know the extension specified by the DTMF signal, the data can be received by any of the facsimile machines 4 to 6 of the extension specified by the receiving side.

On the other hand, when T<T' in steps P and 8, the process returns to step P8 and the steps are continued until the DTMF signal is detected.
Alternatively, the same process is repeated until T=T' in step Pus.

Next, at P + +, the line disconnection command signal (
DCN) is detected. (DCN), it is determined that the reception of data from the transmitting side has ended, and the PI controls the network control unit 11 to disconnect the line. On the other hand, if (DCN) is not detected in step P14, the process returns to step PIa and continues storing data in image memo month 3.

In this way, when the data has been stored in the image memo January 3 and the line is disconnected at Pl, the extension is called at Pl3. This is done by reading out the extension code stored in the RAM 23 in step P8 and sending it to the exchange 3 via the network control section 15. This results in
The exchange 3 connects any one of the extensions ˜L4 corresponding to the extension code transmitted from the extension LI to which the storage relay device 2 is connected. Note that for convenience of explanation, the network control unit 1
It is assumed that an extension code corresponding to the facsimile machine 4 is transmitted from the facsimile machine 5.

Next, the PI 4 determines whether the line to the facsimile machine 4 has been connected. Detection of a line connection is performed, as is conventionally done, by checking the polarity reversal of the line. When it is determined that the line is connected, the PI performs normal facsimile communication with the facsimile machine 4,
At P+s, it is determined whether all data stored in the image memory I3 has been transmitted. For example, image memo 1
This is done by checking the last line of data accumulated in month 3.

When it is determined that all data has been sent, the PI? The line to the facsimile machine 4 is disconnected and this flow ends.

Therefore, data from the sending facsimile device is outputted to the facsimile device 4 as a recorded image. On the other hand, if all the data has not been transmitted in step P18 of +iiij, the process returns to step PI of O7I and repeats the same process.

In this way, the extension line L1 and the outside line I of the exchange 3 in which the facsimile communication system 1 is normally used. .

Between, there is an outside line. After receiving the DTMF signal specifying the destination extension sent via 1 and storing it in the image memory I3, the extension code corresponding to the DTMF signal in +iif is output to the exchange 3, and the exchange 3 Since the configuration includes the storage relay device 2 that transmits data stored in the image memory 13 when connected to any of the facsimile devices 4 to 6 connected to the destination extension, there are fewer exceptions;
<A plurality of facsimile machines 4 to 6 can be used efficiently over the line.

In this embodiment, a case has been described in which a DTMF signal from a numeric keypad is used as an identification indicator for selecting a destination extension from the sending facsimile machine 2, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the extension code (binary data) incorporated in the definition area of the non-standard function setting signal (IN5s) in the protocol may be detected. For example, when a facsimile machine on the sending side reads the image information of a document, it reads the extension number written in barcodes, characters, etc., converts it into a binary code, and incorporates it into the (NSS) defined area mentioned above. Just do it.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a case will be described in which the storage relay device 2 temporarily stores data input manually via an external line in the image memory 13 and then transmits it to the specified destination facsimile devices 4 to 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In other words, an extension line.

~ External line via storage relay device 2 from facsimile devices 4 to 6 connected to L4. 1 can also be used to transmit data. This is, for example, the storage relay device 2
The destination phone number (dial code, DTMF signal, etc.) sent from facsimile machines 4 to 6 is sent to flA.
Once the data is stored in M23 and stored in the image memory 13, the phone number is read out from the RAM 23,
It is sufficient to make a call to the destination via the network control unit 11 and perform normal facsimile communication. Therefore, an external line. 1. Loy can be used efficiently depending on the situation.

Further, in this embodiment, a case has been described in which facsimile machines 4 to 6 are used as terminal devices connected to extensions IT to L4 of exchange 3, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

For example, as shown in FIG.
4 are connected to terminal devices 34 to 36 such as personal computers and word processors via modems 31 to 33,
It is also possible to perform so-called personal computer communication.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the storage relay device 2 shown in FIG.
An expansion section and a character generator were added to enable communication between the facsimile machine and terminal devices such as personal computers and word processors.

In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIG. 1.5 are given the same numbers and their explanations will be omitted.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 41 denotes a storage and relay device, and the storage and relay device 41 is provided with a data compression/decompression section 42 and a character generator 43.

Data compression and expansion jπ<42 are intended to shorten data transmission time and improve efficiency, and the control unit 17 is set to 1;
Based on the Ordinance, the data (compressed data) accumulated in the image memo January 3 is decompressed into original information and sent to the modification'A section 14,
Also, the data output from the character generator 43 is compressed and output to the image memo January 3. charactor·
The generator 43 converts the character code into bit data, and when a character code is input to the converter gi 14, it detects this and compresses the bit data corresponding to the human-generated character code. ,
It is output to the decompression section 42. That is, for example, the sending side is a facsimile machine and the destination is a personal computer 4.
When 4 is specified, external line ■. 1, the data entered manually through the image memory I3 is stored in the image memory I3 as described above.
is temporarily accumulated. And personal computer 4
4 is established, the accumulated data is read out to the data compression/expansion section 42, expanded, and then transmitted to the personal computer 44 via the modulation/decompression section 14 and the network control section 15.

Therefore, the personal computer 44 can receive the data transmitted from the facsimile machine as bit data. If the transmitting side is a personal computer or the like, the character data stored in the image memory 13 is output to the modulator/demodulator i1<+4 and transmitted to the personal computer 44.

On the other hand, when data (character data) is transmitted from the personal computer 44 to another facsimile machine using an external line, when the data is manually input to the modulation/demodulation section 14, the image memory 13 and the data compression/expansion section 42, only the character code is checked without any manual input.

The character generator 43 then outputs bit data corresponding to the character code input to the data compression/expansion section 42. Data compression, expansion: M<
The bit data manually entered in 42 is transferred to a predetermined communication mode (
For example, data is compressed in response to Ctrl) and stored in the image memory 13, and thereafter the facsimile communication described above is performed. In this way, even data (character data) from the personal computer 44 can be communicated with the facsimile machine.

Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the usability of the facsimile communication system can be further improved.

〔effect〕

According to the present invention, data once stored by a storage relay device connected to an extension of a switching device can be transmitted to a terminal device of an extension specified by a sending side.

As a result, wasteful line charges can be avoided, and the convenience and effectiveness of the terminal device can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 5 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the facsimile communication system 14 of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the facsimile communication system, and FIG. 2 is a transmission diagram showing the operation of the facsimile communication system. Control signals between the side facsimile device and the storage and relay device 2, Figure 3 shows the operation of the facsimile communication system between the storage and relay device 2 and the exchange 3.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile communication system, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the facsimile communication system. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a second Song Dynasty embodiment of the facsimile communication system of the present invention. l...Facsimile communication system, 2...
Storage and relay device, 3...Switching device, Patent applicant Systems Intelligence Co., Ltd.
Figure 2 Sending facsimile device Storage relay device 2 No. 3
figure

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A switching device connected to multiple terminal devices via multiple extensions and outside lines, and a system that is connected to the extensions of the switching device, receives data sent via the outside lines, and stores it in memory. After that, an extension code is transmitted to the switching device based on an identification indicator included in the transmission data, and when the switching device connects a line with a designated destination terminal device, the data accumulated in the memory is transmitted. A facsimile communication system comprising a relay device. (2) The facsimile communication system according to claim 1, wherein the storage relay device transmits a preset extension code when the transmission data does not include an identification mark. (3) Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that when the designated destination terminal device is busy, the storage relay device selects an available terminal device and connects the line to it.
The facsimile communication system described in Section.