JPH03139047A - Facsimile store and forward exchange system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent production of an unarrived original due to a busy state by inhibiting a call from a store and forward exchange when it is recognized that a receiver side facsimile equipment is in reception or in transmission. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 6 of a central processing section 5 retrieves a memory 7 and extracts an original set with an original transmission queue by a store and forward exchange 3. Then the CPU 6 checks a call counter and an incoming counter set in a table format set by the memory 7 and discriminates it that a facsimile equipment 1-1 is in original transmission or in original reception when the count is 1 and inhibits the call to the equipment 1-1. When the counts of both the counters are both zero, the equipment 1-1 is called and the original is sent thereto. Thus, the equipment 1-1 surely receives the original and the production of unarrived original due to a busy state is avoided.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Purpose of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to facsimile store and forward systems.

(Prior Art) A block diagram of a conventional facsimile storage and forwarding system is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, facsimile devices 1-11-2.・・・
. . , 1-n are connected to the storage and forwarding device 3 via the exchange 2. The storage and exchange device 3 includes a CPU 6 and a memory 7.
The communication control unit 4 includes a central processing unit 5 and a communication control unit 4. Note that the CPU 6 controls the memory 7 to store and retrieve documents, and the communication control section 4 controls the facsimile devices 1-1.
1-2..., performs communication control between 1-n and the storage/exchange device 3.

In this facsimile storage and forwarding system, facsimile devices 1-1.1-2. . . ., the originals sent from 1-n are stored in the memory 7 of the storage/exchange device 3, but at this time, the stored originals are transferred from the sending facsimile machine to the facsimile machine of another destination. Information indicating the desire to send (hereinafter referred to as document sending queue) is also accumulated.

Here, a procedure for transmitting a document to a destination facsimile device according to the document transmission queue will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. 4 related to the storage/exchange device 3. In addition, the fourth
A program based on the flowchart shown in the figure is set in the memory 7 of the central processing unit 5 of the storage and forwarding device 3, and the CPU 6 performs control according to this program.

First, in step 40, the CPU 6 of the central processing unit 5 of the storage and forwarding device 3 searches for a document for which a document transmission queue has been set.
1. ), a call is made to the facsimile machine of the destination (indicated by the terminal name in FIG. 2) indicated by the document transmission queue (step 402). If the destination facsimile machine is in use, such as receiving or transmitting, it is busy (b).
usy) (step 403), the original is not output, and after a call waiting delay (step 405)
), m calls are made (steps 401 and 402). If the destination facsimile machine is not in use (step 403
), the connection with the destination facsimile device is established, the original is output (step 404), and after a delay in waiting for the call (
Step 405), return to step 401 and repeat the same process.

In this conventional facsimile store-and-forward system, if there is a document for which a transmission queue has been set, a call is immediately made to the destination facsimile machine, and if the destination facsimile machine is in use, it naturally ends up in the bin. , the manuscript was likely to be rejected.

Further, FIG. 5 shows a table format provided in the memory 7 of the central processing unit 5 of the storage/exchange device 3. The table format in Figure 5 includes terminal number (calling facsimile device), telephone number (storage forwarding device), terminal name (destination facsimile device), and terminal 110LD (hold).
The release time is written.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the conventional facsimile storage and forwarding system, since there is no means to grasp the communication status of the destination facsimile machine, it is difficult to make a call to a facsimile machine that is receiving a document, for example. This resulted in problems such as continuous busy calls resulting in undelivered documents, and inability to use the line effectively due to unnecessary calls being made.

The present invention has been made in view of this problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile storage and forwarding system that does not make a call to a facsimile machine that is receiving a document.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for solving the problem) In a facsimile storage and forwarding system in which a document sent from a sending facsimile device is stored in a storage and forwarding device and sent to a receiving facsimile device, the facsimile device is receiving or transmitting. a recognition means for recognizing whether or not there is a document stored in the storage/exchange device; and a recognition means for determining whether the facsimile machine on the receiving side is receiving or transmitting when the document stored in the storage and forwarding device is transmitted to the facsimile machine on the receiving side. The storage and forwarding device is characterized by comprising means for controlling the storage and forwarding device not to make a call to the facsimile device when the facsimile device is recognized by the facsimile device.

(Function) In the facsimile storage and forwarding system of the present invention, when transmitting a document stored in the storage and forwarding device to a receiving facsimile device, the recognition unit determines that the receiving facsimile device is receiving or transmitting. If the storage/forwarding device is recognized by the facsimile device, the storage and forwarding device does not make a call to the facsimile device.

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

The block diagram of the embodiment of the facsimile storage and forwarding system of the present invention is such that in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the flowchart shown in FIG. A program based on the flowchart shown in the figure is set in the memory 7 of the central processing unit 5 of the storage and forwarding device 3, and the CPU 6 performs control according to this program).
The table format set in the memory 7 of the central processing unit 5 is changed from that shown in FIG. 5 to that shown in FIG. 2.

In addition to the table format shown in FIG. 5, the table format shown in FIG.
An incoming call counter 9 is provided. A call counter 8 and an incoming call counter 9 are connected to each facsimile machine 1-1 to 1. −
For example, if a call is made from the storage and forwarding device 3 to the facsimile machine 1-1 and the facsimile machine 1-1 accepts this call, a corresponding one is provided for each of the facsimile machines 1-1. The value of the call counter 8 changes from this initial value "0" to "1". In the case of the incoming call counter 9, when a call is received from the facsimile device 2 to the storage and forwarding device 3, and the store and forwarding device 3 accepts this incoming call, the incoming call counter 9 corresponding to the facsimile device 1-2 The first shift changes from this initial value "0" to "]".

The operation of an embodiment of the facunmile storage and exchange system of the present invention will be described below based on FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

First, the CPU 6 of the central processing unit 5 searches the memory 7 and takes out the document for which the document transmission queue has been set in the storage/exchange device 3 (step 301). Next, for example, the CPU 6 of the storage and forwarding device 3 determines whether the facsimile device 1-1 is in a state where it can accept a call (step 302).
. In this case, the CPU 6 of the storage and forwarding device 3 checks the rows of the outgoing call counter 8 and the incoming call counter 9, which are set in the table format shown in FIG. If it is "1", it is determined that the facsimile machine 1-1 is receiving a document, and if the value of the incoming call counter 9 is "K", it is determined that the facsimile machine 1-1 is currently transmitting a document. Then, no call is made to the facsimile machine 1-1, and a call waiting delay is set (step 305). Then, the process returns to step 301 and repeats the process. Step 302 calls counter 8
, the values of the incoming call counters 9 are checked, and if the values of each counter are both "0", it is determined that the facsimile machine 1-1 is ready to accept the call, and the facsimile machine 1-1 is Make a call (step 303), step 3
01 and send the retrieved original (Step 3)
04). Then, the same process is repeated again.

As described above, in one embodiment of the store-and-forward system of the present invention, immediately after searching and retrieving a document from the memory 7 of the store-and-forward device 3, a call is made to the facsimile device of the destination for which the transmission request has been made. rather than the memory 7 of the storage and forwarding device 3.
Since the call is made after checking the status of the destination facsimile machine using the call counter 8 and the call counter 9 provided in the table format set in No undelivered manuscripts due to busy etc. will occur.

Here, another example using the incoming call counter 9 will be explained with reference to FIG. 3.

Now, in FIG. 3, each facsimile machine ]-1 to 1-n
is a device that inputs a transmission type code (normal, circular, etc.), destination terminal ID (confirmation code), and source terminal ID (confirmation code) when transmitting a manuscript. Here, for example, if the facsimile machine 1-1 is receiving a document, it is naturally impossible to transmit the document. However, facsimile machine 1
By inputting the sender terminal ID of -1 into the facsimile machine 1-2, the original can be sent from the facsimile machine 1-2. Therefore, for example, change the ID of facsimile machine i--1 to facsimile machine 1-2.1.
-3.1-4 respectively, and set the number of incoming calls on the facsimile storage device to a maximum of 3, for example, the sender terminal ID can use up to 3 lines at a time to send documents. You will be able to send it. In other words, when the value of the incoming call counter 9 reaches "3", calls from the same originating terminal ID may not be accepted. In this way, by increasing the maximum value of the incoming call counter related to a certain originating terminal TD and decreasing the maximum value of the incoming call counter related to other originating terminal IDs, the originating terminal ID with the large maximum value
If it is the source, the original will be input and crystallized. The above method is also effective when there are facsimile machines sharing the same terminal ID.

Using the incoming call counter in this way creates an environment where it is easier to manually write the manuscript for a specific caller terminal ID,
Conversely, it is possible to restrict human power from a specific terminal ID.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in the facsimile store and forward system of the present invention, when it is confirmed that the facsimile device is receiving or transmitting, the store and forwarding device does not make a call to the facsimile device. Documents can now be reliably accepted, and undelivered documents due to busy conditions will no longer occur.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the facsimile storage and forwarding system of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a table format of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of a conventional facsimile storage and forwarding system. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the system, FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a conventional facsimile storage and forwarding system, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a table format of the facsimile device according to FIG. 1-1~]-B...Facsimile device, 2...Switching machine, 3...Storage and forwarding device, 4...Communication control unit, 5...
-Central processing unit, 6...CPU, 7...memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a facsimile storage and forwarding system in which a document transmitted from a sending facsimile device is stored in a storage and forwarding device and transmitted to a receiving facsimile device, whether or not the facsimile device is receiving or transmitting. and a recognition means for recognizing that the receiving facsimile device is in the process of receiving or transmitting when the document stored in the storage and forwarding device is transmitted to the receiving facsimile device. A facsimile storage and forwarding system, characterized in that the storage and forwarding device includes means for controlling the storage and forwarding device not to make a call to the facsimile device.