JPH02143635A - Facsimile store and forward exchange system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the system efficiency by providing index information to a host computer, and instructing transmission of a picture data while obtaining the index information from an input/output terminal equipment. CONSTITUTION:When a picture data of an original is sent from a facsimile terminal equipment 11 or a host computer 1, a CPU 7 transfer and stores the picture data from a memory cell 6 to a magnetic disk device 8 via a communication control section 9 or a cable 12. In this case, the CPU 7 generates and stores a memory table between a communication number of the stored picture data and a relevant picture data. A CPU 2 of the computer 1 generates index information based on the input from an input/output terminal equipment 4 upon the receipt of the communication number from a facsimile store and forward exchange 5, and stores the information into a magnetic disk device 3. The operator observes the list of the content of the original and the communication number to detect a required original through the terminal equipment 4 to apply the transmission request.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile storage and forwarding system that combines a facsimile storage device, a host computer, and its input/output terminal.

(Prior Art) A conventional sterilization system is shown in FIG. A facsimile storage/exchange device 400 is disposed in the center, and an image data storage unit 401 is provided therein to store image data related to originals for distribution. When a request to retrieve image data related to
0 stores image data related to the corresponding manuscript in the image data storage unit 40.
1 and sent to the facsimile terminal 402.

However, with such a system, the terminal side has to poll the center side at an appropriate time to receive transmissions, and there is a problem in that it is impossible to know whether image data related to the required manuscript has been stored.

In addition, on the host side, there is a problem in that it is not possible to manage the image data related to the content of the manuscript that has been accumulated and to which terminal it should be distributed, and the system cannot be operated efficiently. It was happening.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, in the conventional facsimile storage and exchange system, the stored image data is only distributed by polling the facsimile terminal. Since the contents of the image data related to the submitted manuscript cannot be known, the terminal is unable to perform accurate polling when necessary, and the center is unable to distribute the necessary image data to the appropriate destination. However, a problem arose in that the system could not be operated efficiently.

The present invention was made to solve the problems of the conventional facsimile storage and forwarding system, and its purpose is to accurately manage the image data stored in the facsimile storage and forwarding device from the center and terminals. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile storage and exchange system that can efficiently operate the system.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) A facsimile storage and forwarding system according to the present invention includes a facsimile storage device that performs facsimile communication with a facsimile terminal via a line, and an online connection between the facsimile storage and forwarding device and the facsimile storage and forwarding device. A facsimile storage and forwarding system comprising a host computer connected to manage and control the facsimile storage and forwarding device, and an input/output terminal connected to the host computer, the host computer having information stored in the facsimile storage and forwarding device. and an index storage section in which index information regarding the image data is stored, and the input/output terminal based on the data given from the input/output terminal, relating to processing regarding the index information of the image data and instruction to send the image data. The facsimile storage and forwarding device includes an image data storage unit that stores image data for distribution to the facsimile terminal, and an image data storage unit that stores image data for distribution to the facsimile terminal, and a processing unit that performs processing based on a transmission instruction given from the processing unit of the host computer. The present invention is characterized in that the apparatus further includes a distribution control section that reads out corresponding image data from the image data storage section and distributes it to a desired facsimile terminal.

(Function) According to the above configuration, the index information is provided in the host computer, and the index information can be input and output from the input/output terminal. You can give instructions to send image data while obtaining
The center can perform accurate distribution, and the terminal can request appropriate image data.

(Example) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a facsimile storage and forwarding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a host computer, 5 is a facsimile storage and forwarding device, and 4 is a CRT.
An input/output terminal consisting of a display device and a keyboard input device is shown. The host computer 1 and the facsimile storage/exchange device 5 are connected online via a cable 12, and the input/output terminal 4 and the host computer 1 are connected online. The host computer 1 is equipped with a CPU 2 that performs various data processing, and a magnetic disk device 3 that is an index storage section. Further, the facsimile storage and forwarding device 5 includes a CPU 7 that centrally controls the device.
, the main memory (MEM) 6 used by this CPtJ7,
A magnetic disk device 8 is an image data storage unit that stores image data for distribution, and a communication control unit (CC) that controls communication.
E) 9 is provided. The communication control section 9 performs facsimile communication with the facsimile terminal 111 through the horse via the line and the switching network 10. In the above, input/output terminals 41 to 4□
are located with the center (near the host computer 1) and the facsimile terminal 111, respectively. The CPU 7 of the facsimile storage/exchange device 5 functions as a distribution control section that performs processing such as reception and distribution of image data based on a program of a flowchart as shown in FIG. 2 stored in the main memory 6. Its operation is as follows. When the image data of the original is sent from the facsimile terminal 11 or the host computer 1, the CPU
7 determines whether it is input or output and proceeds to input processing (10
1) Receive image data related to a document via the communication control unit 9 or via the cable 12, transfer it from the main memory 6 to the magnetic disk device 8, and store it (102). C
The PU 7 creates a communication number using the accumulated image data as a unit of communication (103), and also notifies (sends) the communication number created above to the host computer 1 along with the number of pages, date and time of reception, sender information, etc. At the same time, a memory table is created and maintained to enable searching for communication numbers and corresponding image data. On the other hand, the CPU 2 of the host computer 1 performs processing related to index information and processing related to image data transmission instructions based on a program of a flowchart as shown in FIG. 3 in its own main memory (not shown). Functions as a processing unit. The operation of this processing section is as follows. It is determined whether it is an input or an output (201), and if a communication number is sent from the facsimile storage and forwarding device 5, this notification is received (202). As a result, the CPL of host computer 1
J2 waits for index creation from the input/output terminal 4, receives data from the input/output terminal 4, creates index information (203), and stores it in the magnetic disk device 3. For example, when image data is sent from the host computer 1 to the facsimile storage/exchange device 5, a communication number is given to the host computer 1, so the operator can use the communication number from the input/output terminal 4 located on the host side. Read out the content of the manuscript corresponding to this communication number,
Input/output terminal 4 for necessary data such as keywords and input date.
On the other hand, the operator also gives index information from the input/output terminal 4 near the facsimile terminal 11 that sent the image data, since the content of the sent manuscript is clear to the operator. The index information created in this way is stored so that it can be read by the communication number (using the communication number as a key) (204), and when there is a request for search output of the index information accumulated in this way, The CPU 2 proceeds from step 201 to the output side flowchart and inputs the password, keyword, etc. given from the input/output terminal 4 (205).
Based on this, the magnetic disk device 3 is searched and the corresponding information is sent out (206). As a result, the communication number and the contents of the manuscript are displayed as a list on the input/output terminal 4.
When the operator detects the required document and inputs a transmission request and the telephone number of the destination (his own facsimile terminal or the facsimile terminal of the recipient) from the input/output terminal 4, this is imported into the CPU 2 (207 )
. Therefore, the CPU 2 sends the given communication number and the destination telephone number to the facsimile storage and forwarding device 5 (208).
. Therefore, the CPU 7 of the facsimile storage and forwarding device 5
In the determination of input or output (101) in FIG. 2, the process proceeds to the output flowchart side, receives the data sent above (105), and searches for the corresponding image data from the magnetic disk device 8 ( 106), the destination phone number,
The searched image data is also given to the communication control section 9 to cause it to transmit (107).

Thus, according to this embodiment, the input/output terminal 4 searches the index information and requests the image data of the required manuscript, which is then transmitted to the facsimile terminal, and the necessary manuscript is appropriately transmitted or distributed. Can receive.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, index information is provided in the host computer, and this index information can be input and output from the input/output terminal. It is possible to issue instructions to send out image data while obtaining index information from the input/output terminal devices that have been accessed, allowing accurate distribution at the center and requesting appropriate image data at the terminal, improving system efficiency. obtain.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
The figure is a flowchart for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional facsimile storage and forwarding system. 1...Host computer, 2, 7...CPU3.
8... Magnetic disk device, 41-4I11... Input/output terminal, 5... Facsimile storage and exchange device, 6...
Main memory, 9... Communication control unit, 10... Switching network, 111-11, -... Facsimile terminal. Agent Patent Attorney Book 1) Takashi Diagram No. 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A facsimile storage device that performs facsimile communication with a facsimile terminal via a line, a host computer that is connected online to the facsimile storage and forwarding device and manages and controls the facsimile storage and forwarding device, and this host computer. A facsimile storage and forwarding system comprising an input/output terminal connected to the facsimile storage and forwarding device, wherein the host computer includes an index storage unit storing index information regarding image data stored in the facsimile storage and forwarding device; The facsimile storage and exchange device includes a processing unit that performs processing related to index information of image data and processing related to sending instructions for image data with the input/output terminal based on data given from the output terminal, and the facsimile storage and exchange device includes: An image data storage unit that stores image data for distribution to the facsimile terminal, and reading out corresponding image data from the image data storage unit based on a sending instruction given from a processing unit of the host computer and transmitting the image data to a required facsimile terminal. A facsimile storage and exchange system, comprising: a distribution control unit that performs distribution.