JPH03195262A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To send a transmission original surely to a receiver side even when a sender leaves the location as soon as the paper feed end of the transmission original takes place by providing a transmission error detection section, a time monitor section and a control means controlling them. CONSTITUTION:A sender side FAX 30T applies message transmission with a message transmission command from an exchange 31T and stores a picture data to be sent to a transmission data storage means 15. When no reply returns regardless of the message transmission of the n-page of the original, a control means 14 starts a time monitor section 17 at the start of message transmission, a transmission error detection section 18 is operated when no reply comes for a prescribed time and it is informed to the control weans 14. The control means 14 starts the time monitor section 17 at that point of time and after a prescribed time T1 monitored by the time monitor section 17, the picture data stored in the transmission data storage means 15 is again read and sent.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile machine of a storage and transmission type that temporarily stores transmission data and transmits the stored data, and in particular, to The present invention relates to a facsimile machine having a function of automatically retransmitting transmission data when a transmission occurs.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as this type of facsimile device, for example, a second
There was something like the one shown in the figure. The configuration will be explained below using figures.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional facsimile machine using a digital signal transmission method.

This facsimile machine includes a reading means 2 that scans a transmission document 1 and converts it into an electrical signal, a recording means 3 that prints received image data on recording paper 2, and encodes the output of the reading means 2. It includes a signal processing means 4 for decoding received data, and a modem 5 for modulating data and transmitting it to a communication circuit 6 or demodulating received data from the communication circuit.

In this type of facsimile machine, the original to be transmitted is scanned by the reading means 2 and read as a one-dimensional time-series signal,
The signal is sent to the signal processing means 4. The signal processing means 4 performs -dimensional or two-dimensional data compression (encoding) in order not to reduce the amount of data to be transmitted, and provides the compressed data to the modem 5.

The modem 5 modulates the compressed data and sends it to the communication line 6. In addition, the received data from the communication line 6 is
After being demodulated by the modem 5, it is decoded by the signal processing means 4 and sent to the recording means 3. The recording means 3 prints the decoded data as an image on recording paper.

The communication control procedure for this type of facsimile machine is to call the other party's transmitter by dialing, and directly exchange transmission control signals and facsimile image signals between the transmitter and receiver.

However, such a method is not suitable for broadcast communication in which the same message is delivered to multiple destinations, and the communication manuscript 1 is fed by the reading means 2 at a speed synchronized with the line speed. Therefore, if the line speed is slow, the paper feeding of the transmitted original becomes slow, resulting in poor operability.

Therefore, conventionally, a facsimile machine is provided with a transmission data storage means such as a buffer memory for storing the transmitted message (transmitted message) for - hours, the paper is fed at high speed, the message is stored in the transmitted data storage means, and then the message is received. A storage and transmission method has been proposed in which information is delivered to the machine.

This storage and transmission method has the following advantages.

(a) Even if the transmitter side and the receiver side differ in terms of facsimile signal modulation method, encoding method, operating speed, etc., they can communicate with each other by a conversion function using the transmission data storage means.

(b) Since transmission data storage means are provided,
Since the message is stored in the storage means and then an outgoing line to the receiver side is searched for, the time from the start of the transmission process until facsimile transmission becomes possible is shortened, and the efficiency of use of the communication line 6 can be increased. .

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, conventional facsimile machines using the storage and transmission method have the following problems.

In the conventional storage transmission method, it is possible to increase the conveyance speed of the transmitted document 1 without being affected by the line communication speed, but if the communication speed cannot follow the conveyance speed, the reading means 2
In most cases, the communication itself is not completed even when paper feeding is completed, and as the number of transmitted documents 1 increases, the difference becomes more noticeable. In addition, the sender has a disadvantage in that, when checking whether the transmission is normal, the sender has to wait until the transmission is completed even though paper feeding has been completed.

For example, if paper feeding is finished and the sender leaves the location, an error may occur due to a failure on the receiver side or a failure in the communication line 6 between the end of paper feeding and the end of transmission. If this occurs, the sender will not be able to recognize the occurrence of the failure. To deal with this, the sender may wait until the end of the transmission and then come back to the location.

However, even if the sender arrives again, there is a good chance that the next sender who was waiting will have performed error recovery processing, etc., so in order for the sender to completely confirm that the transmission has been completed,
It is necessary to see it on the spot.

In addition, as mentioned above, if the sender thinks that the communication was successful, but actually the transmission was not successful, the expected information will not be transmitted to the receiver, which will cause a big problem. It is inevitable.

The present invention provides a facsimile machine that solves the problems of the prior art, such as the difficulty in detecting the occurrence of an error during transmission and the fact that the information expected by the recipient J\ is not transmitted.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention No. 1- is provided with a reading means for scanning a transmission document and converting it into an electrical signal, and printing the decoded data on recording paper. recording means; a modem for modulating encoded data and outputting it to a communication circuit; and demodulating received data from the communication circuit; and encoding an output of the reading means, applying it to the modem and demodulating it in the modem. A facsimile apparatus of a storage and transmission type, comprising: a signal processing means for decoding the encoded data and providing it to the recording means; and a transmission data storage means for storing the data encoded by the signal processing means until the transmission is completed, a transmission error detection unit that detects a transmission error and outputs an error detection signal; a time monitoring unit that monitors the time since the transmission error; and a time monitoring unit that reads data in the transmission data storage means based on the error detection signal; A control means for controlling retransmission of the read data after a predetermined time monitored by a time monitoring section is provided.

In the second invention, there is provided a transmission error detection section that detects a transmission error and outputs an error detection signal, a dial number storage means that stores a plurality of destination dial numbers, and the transmission data storage means based on the error detection signal. and a control means for reading the data therein and the destination dial number in the dial number storage means, and controlling the retransmission of the read data to another destination dial number.

(Operation) According to the first invention, since the facsimile apparatus is configured as described above, during transmission, the transmission piece is read by the reading means and encoded by the signal processing means. The encoded data is stored in the transmission data storage means, modulated by the modem, and sent out to the communication line. If a transmission error occurs due to some kind of failure between the end of paper feeding by the reading means and the end of facsimile transmission, the error will be detected by the transmission error detection section.

Then, the control means reads the data stored in the transmission data storage, and after a predetermined time monitored by the time monitoring section, provides the same continued data as that at the time of transmission to the modem and retransmits it via the modem. . As a result, the occurrence of an error during transmission is detected and the facsimile data is retransmitted.
Reliably transmitted to the recipient.

In the second invention, by storing a plurality of destination dial numbers in the dial number storage means in advance, when a transmission error is detected by the transmission error detection section, the control means stores the plurality of destination dial numbers in the transmission data storage means. Read the destination dial number in the data and dial number storage means. Then, in place of the destination dial number when an error occurs in transmission, the control means sends the same data to another destination dial number, for example, to a plurality of receiver side facsimile machines on the same receiver side. The function is to transfer the read data to the receiving facsimile machine via the modem. In this way, when a transmission error occurs, the facsimile data is retransmitted, so that even if the sender leaves the location at the same time as the sending of the transmitted document ends, the transmission will be completed normally. Therefore, the above problem can be solved.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic functional block diagram of a facsimile apparatus using a storage and transmission method showing an embodiment of the present invention.

The second facsimile machine scans the transmission document 10 and...
The apparatus includes a reading means 11 for reading dimensional time-series signals, and a recording means 12 for printing received image data on recording paper, and these are connected to the signal processing means]-'3. The reading means 1-1 places the transmission document 10 at a predetermined position l''?
C'? C' transport original transport section 11-a and transport control section],
1b, and an image sensor 1], c such as a CCD type or MOS type for extracting information written on the transmission document 1-○ in chronological order. Recording means]-2 is composed of an output printer section 12a using a thermal recording method or an electrostatic recording method, etc., and its printer control section 12b.

The signal processing means 13 has an encoding function for compressing the output data of the image sensor], and a recording means 12 for decoding the encoded received data.
It has decoding functions etc. This signal processing means 13 is connected to a control means 4 composed of a CPU and the like that controls the communication line. Control means]-4,
Transmission data storage means 1-5, dial number storage means] 6, time monitoring section 17 controlled by the control means 14
, a transmission error detection section 18, and a modem 19 are connected.

The transmission data storage means 15 temporarily stores the image data encoded by the signal processing means 13, and is composed of a buffer memory such as a random access memory (RAM). The dial number storage means 16 stores a plurality of destination dial numbers input from a scanning panel (not shown), and is composed of a RAM, a register, and the like. The time monitoring section 1-7 is controlled by the control means 14 in terms of cell 1 to reset and is composed of a timer, a counter, and the like. The transmission error detection section 18 is a circuit that detects errors during transmission under the control of the control means 14. Furthermore, the modem 19 is controlled by the control means]-4, and has the function of modulating the data encoded by the signal processing means 13 and outputting it to the communication line 20, and demodulating the received data from the communication line 20 to generate a signal. It has a function of providing information to the processing means 1-3.

A facsimile machine (hereinafter referred to as FA) configured as above
The operation of X will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the normal facsimile connection operation procedure in FIG.

1 In Fig. 3, the transmitter side FAX 3(')T is the subscriber trunk switch (hereinafter simply referred to as the switch) 3 on the transmitter side.
1T, line control device 32T, communication line 20, receiver side line control device 32R1, and subscriber trunk switch (hereinafter referred to as
FAX 3 on the receiver side via 31-R (simply referred to as an exchange)
Connected to 0R. FAX30T, 30R is the first
It consists of the circuit shown in the figure. In addition, 100~ in Figure 3
Reference numeral 118 indicates a facsimile communication procedure.

When performing facsimile communication from the transmitter side FAX 30T to the receiver side FAX 30R, the operator first dials in at the transmitter side FAX 30T, and sends the calling/receiving number and called party number to the exchange BIT (1,00>,
The subscriber file is verified by the exchange 31R on the receiver side (101-). According to the matching result (102>,
If the FAX is registered, the transmitter side F"AX30'r6: FAX switching instruction is issued from the exchange 31T (103
), an incoming call request is made (104>).

In response to the incoming call request, the exchange 131R on the receiver side sends a FAX call signal to the FAX 30R on the receiver side (105). Then, a response signal is output from the FAX 30R (106), a normal reception response is returned to the transmitter side FAX 30T (107), and the exchange 31-T instructs the transmitter side FAX 30T to send a message (10).
8).

At the transmitter side FAX, 30T, the transmission document 10 is conveyed by the transmission document conveyance section 1-1a and the conveyance control section 11b, and is imaged on, for example, an image sensor 1-1c. The image sensor 100 sequentially scans the formed image, converts it into an electrical signal, and supplies it to the signal processing means 1-3.

The signal processing means 13 encodes the output of the image sensor 1-IC by data compression, stores it in the transmission data storage means 15 under the control of the control means 14, and sends it to the modem 19 via the control means 14. One modem modulates the encoded data and sends it to the receiver side via the exchange 31T, line control device 32T, and communication line 20.

When the message for the first transmission document is transmitted in this way (1,09>, the receiver side FAX 30R demodulates the message received via the line controller 32R and exchange 3]-R using the modem 19. , further signal processing means 1
After decoding by step 3, the recording means 12 sequentially prints out the data on recording paper. When Print 1 to Out is completed, the receiver side FAX 30R outputs a message reception response signal (110). And transmitter side FAXB
When a retransmission request is made to the OT (111), the exchange 31"I" instructs the transmitter side FAX 30T to transmit again (]1-2>.

The above message transmission is repeated several times, and when the message for the last page of the manuscript is transmitted (11B), the receiver side 1"
AX30R sends the final message reception response signal to the exchange 31.
Send (1-14) to R, and the exchange 31-R,
Sends a message end response to the transmitter side exchange 31T (1
15).

The transmitter side exchange 31T sends a transmission disconnection instruction to the transmitter side FA.
When the fax is sent to the X30T (116), a line disconnection signal is issued from the FAX30T (117), the line is disconnected between the transmitter and the receiver, and the facsimile transmission ends (1
18).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a retransmission procedure when an error occurs in the facsimile connection operation in FIG. 1.

Steps 100 to 108 in the procedure are the same as in FIG.

In this retransmission procedure, the transmitter side FAX 30T receives a message transmission instruction from the exchange 31T (108).
As described above, the message for the first page of the original is transmitted (109), and the image data to be transmitted is stored in the transmission data storage means 15. Then, even though the message on the nth page of the original document has been transmitted (113a>), if no response is returned due to a line failure such as a power outage of the receiver FAX 30R, the transmitter FAX 30T transmits the message to the controller 1. -4 is the time monitoring unit 17 when the message transmission starts.
is activated, and when there is no response even after a certain period of time monitored by the time monitoring unit 17, the transmission error detection unit 18 operates.
Control means] 4 is notified. At that point, the control means 1-4 starts the time monitoring section 1-7, and after a predetermined time 'F]7 monitored by the time monitoring section 17, the control means 1-4 starts the transmission data storage means]-5 again from step 100. The image data stored in the image data is read out and retransmitted.

If an error occurs again, the retransmission procedure is executed after the predetermined time T2 has elapsed in the same manner as above. At Koji, Tl<”
T'2<...<'r"n, the retransmission interval will gradually become longer in consideration of error recovery, but retransmission will be repeated as many times as necessary until the retransmission is completed. Retransmission interval T
The usage efficiency of the communication line may be improved by setting l, '1'2..., 'l'n all to the same time. If another transmission or reception occurs during the retransmission interval, those interruptions are terminated under the control of the control means 14.
At that point, retransmission will occur. When retransmitting these,
The image data accumulated in the communication data storage means 15 is sent, and the accumulated image data is sent to the control means 144.
．． Therefore, it is cleared when retransmission is completed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another retransmission procedure when an error occurs in the facsimile connection operation in FIG. 1.

In this retransmission procedure, the steps up to error detection are the same as those in FIG. 4, but in FIG. ), a plurality of called party numbers, such as a second candidate, a third candidate, etc., are stored in advance in the dialed number storage means 1.6. Then, when attempting to send a message using the first candidate called party number (100a,), a sending error occurs and after the sending error is detected, no matter how many times the sending is performed as shown in Figure 4, the sending is not completed. If there is no dial number storage means 16 by the control means 14.
The second candidate number is then called.

Then, the transmitter side FAX 30T sends 1001. to the exchange 31T, replacing it with the second candidate's caller and called party numbers. )), retransmission is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

Here, if the second candidate number cannot be sent,
The steps from to H are repeated until the operator registers the third candidate number, the fourth candidate number, and so on, and the transmission with the final number is the same as in Figure 4. This procedure will be repeated as many times as necessary until the retransmission is complete.

As described above, this embodiment has the following advantages.

Transmission data storage means 1 for temporarily storing transmission data
In a facsimile machine using a storage and transmission method, which is capable of carrying a transmission document]-○ at high speed, a transmission error detection section 18 is provided to detect an error during transmission, and the transmission error detection section 18 detects an error. If detected, the control means 1-4 controls the output of the time monitoring section 17 to
Configure it so that it retransmits after a certain period of time. Therefore, even if an error occurs after the operator leaves the area immediately after the conveyance of the transmitted document 10 is completed, and until the transmission is completed, the transmitted document 10 will be automatically restarted without any operator intervention. Transmission takes place. Thereby, the operation time spent by the operator can be shortened.

Furthermore, if there are multiple facsimile machines at the same office or the like on the receiver side, the operator can first register the destination dial number in the dial number storage means 16, thereby selecting the first candidate destination dial number. Receiver side FA
Even if the X30R does not recover due to an error, the second
Since retransmission (forwarding) of other destination dial numbers such as candidates, third candidates, etc. to the receiver side FAX30R is automatically performed, the expected information can be reliably transmitted to the recipient. .

Note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, variations include the following.

(1,) By omitting the dial number storage means 100 in FIG. 1 and instead providing a storage means for storing only the destination dial number - in the control means ]-4,
It is possible to simplify the circuit configuration and accurately perform a retransmission operation in the event of a transmission error.

(2) The time monitoring section 1-7 in FIG. 1 is omitted, and when a transmission error is detected by the transmission error detection section 18, a message is sent to another upstream destination dial number registered in advance in the dial number storage means 16. It may be configured to retransmit (transfer). This makes it possible to simplify the circuit configuration and to accurately transmit the information expected by the receiver even in the event of a transmission error.

(Effect of the invention) As described above in detail, according to the first invention,
Since a transmission error detection section, a time monitoring section, and a control means for controlling them are provided, when a transmission error occurs, the transmission error is detected by the transmission error detection section, and the error is detected after a predetermined period of time monitored by the time monitoring section. , the transmission data stored in the transmission data storage means is retransmitted by the control means. Therefore, even if the sender leaves the place at the same time as the sending of the transmitted original ends, for example, the transmitted original will be accurately sent to the receiver side.

Therefore, it is possible to shorten the sender's operation time.

In the second invention, since the transmission error detection section, the dial number storage means, and the control means for controlling them are provided, the sender can store a plurality of destination dial numbers in the dial number storage means in advance at the time of transmission. If this is done, even in the event of a transmission error caused by the transmission error detection section, the control means can retransmit the transmission data stored in the transmission data storage means to the receiver of another destination dial number read from the dial number storage means. (transfer) is possible. Therefore, even if the sender leaves the facsimile machine on the transmitter side, the information expected by the receiver can be reliably transmitted to the transmitter side, and the reliability of the facsimile machine is significantly improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic functional diagram of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration of a conventional facsimile machine, and Fig. 3 shows the normal facsimile connection operation procedure in Figs. 4 is a diagram showing a retransmission procedure when an error occurs in the facsimile connection operation in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another retransmission procedure when an error occurs in the facsimile connection operation in FIG. 10... Transmission original, 11-... Reading means, 12- Recording means, 13... Signal processing means,
14... Control means, 15... Transmission data storage means, 16... Dial number storage means, 17...
. . . Time monitoring section, ]-8 . . . Transmission error detection section, 19 . . . Modem, 20 . . . Communication line.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A reading device that scans a transmission document and converts it into an electrical signal, a recording device that prints the decoded data as an image on recording paper, and a communication device that modulates the encoded data. a modem that outputs data to a communication line and demodulates received data from the communication line; and signal processing that encodes the output of the reading means and provides it to the modem, and decodes the data demodulated by the modem and provides it to the recording means. and a transmission data storage means for storing the data encoded by the signal processing means until the transmission is completed, the facsimile apparatus comprising: a transmission error detection section for detecting a transmission error and outputting an error detection signal; a time monitoring section that counts and monitors the time since the time of the transmission error; and a time monitoring section that reads out the data in the transmission data storage means based on the error detection signal and records the data after a predetermined time monitored by the time monitoring section. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a control means for controlling retransmission of read data. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission error detection section that detects a transmission error and outputs an error detection signal; and a dial number storage means that stores a plurality of destination dial numbers; A control means for reading data in the transmission data storage means and a destination dial number in the dial number storage means and controlling retransmission of the read data to another destination dial number. facsimile machine.