JPH0370265A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the transmission operation of multi-address transmission whose time is designated by registering 1 destination telephone number and a transmission schedule time belonging to a group for each group in advance into a memory and applying multi-address transmission of a transmission original to each destination automatically when the group is designated. CONSTITUTION:A scanner 7 of a facsimile equipment 1 reads an original at transmission or storage and a coding/decoding section 12 compresses the picture information of the read original. The picture information compressed by the coding/decoding section 12 is stored in the storage mode (e.g. time designation transmission mode or multi-address transmission mode) into a picture memory 17, read and sent at a prescribed time and in the immediate transmission mode, the information is sent as it is or via the picture memory 17 immediately. On the other hand, the facsimile equipment 1 stores the picture information sent from a line L at the reception to the picture memory 17. The picture information stored in the picture memory 17 is read immediately or at a prescribed time and decoded (reproduced) by the coding decoding section 12 and fed to the scanner 7 and recorded on recording paper by a plotter 9. Thus, the transmission operation is facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile machine having a broadcast transmission function.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, facsimile machines are equipped with a so-called broadcast transmission function in consideration of the convenience of transmitting one document to multiple destinations.

This broadcast transmission function can be used by registering multiple destinations in advance in memory, setting the original to be sent, and specifying broadcast transmission.
The document is sent sequentially to pre-registered destinations.

However, in this broadcast transmission, the destination of the broadcast transmission is registered when the broadcast transmission is performed, and therefore there is a problem in that the operation of registering the destination is troublesome.

Therefore, in the past, facsimiles were used in which the destinations for broadcast transmission were registered in advance for each group, and when performing a broadcast transmission operation, simply by specifying the group name, the broadcast transmission was automatically sent to each destination registered in that group name. A device is appearing. In this conventional broadcast transmission, when specifying the transmission time,
After specifying the group name when requesting broadcast transmission, specify the transmission time. When a transmission time is designated, the facsimile machine does not immediately perform transmission processing, but waits until the designated transmission time and performs broadcast transmission processing.

On the other hand, facsimile machines that have a relay broadcast transmission function temporarily store the image information of the transmitted document received along with the broadcast transmission request in the image memory, and immediately broadcast it to the pre-specified broadcast transmission destination. Send.

In addition, in a facsimile machine that has a relay broadcast transmission function, when a relay request is received and the relay broadcast transmission is completed,
The communication results are sent to the relay requesting station as a result report. In this case, if there are multiple relay request manuscripts, a result report is sent to each relay request station after relay transmission of all the manuscripts is completed.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such conventional facsimile devices, when attempting to specify a time for broadcast transmission, it is necessary to specify the group name of the transmission destination at the time of broadcast transmission operation. , the configuration required specifying the sending time, so
It was necessary to specify the transmission time every time a broadcast transmission was performed. As a result, there is a problem in that the operation process for broadcast transmission is troublesome.

Furthermore, when performing a relay broadcast transmission operation, there is a problem in that the time cannot be specified.

Furthermore, with facsimile machines that perform relay broadcast transmission, when there is a manuscript requesting relay for multiple communications, the result report is sent to the relay requesting station after the relay transmission of all manuscripts is completed. If the number of copies of the requested manuscript is large, it may take a long time for the relay requesting station to receive the result report after the relay transmission is performed, and the operator of the relay requesting station may need to carry out the next process at an appropriate time. There was a risk that it would not be possible to take it.

(Purpose of the Invention) Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 registers in advance the telephone number of the destination of broadcast transmission and the scheduled transmission time for each group,
By simply specifying a group when performing a broadcast transmission operation, the broadcast transmission will be automatically performed at the scheduled transmission time specified for each destination in the group, making it easier to perform time-specified broadcast transmission operations. Aiming to make it simple and easy, the invention as claimed in claim 2 provides a facsimile approval device having a relay broadcast transmission function, in which the telephone numbers of the destinations of broadcast transmission and the scheduled transmission time are set in advance for each group. When a relay requesting station registers and specifies a group when making a relay request, the requested facsimile machine automatically performs relay broadcast transmission at the scheduled transmission time specified for each destination in the specified group. At the same time, when the broadcast transmission to one group is completed, the result report is transmitted to the relay requesting station, so that it is possible to easily and easily specify the time even in the relay broadcast transmission. The purpose is to enable the relay requesting station to quickly obtain a result report.

(Structure of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the invention as claimed in claim 1 provides an image memory for storing image information of a transmission document, a storage for storing a plurality of telephone numbers divided into groups, and a transmission schedule for each group. Equipped with a memory that stores the time and a broadcast transmission function that sequentially transmits image information in the image memory to destinations specified by the group, the phone number of the destinations belonging to the group and the scheduled transmission time are set in advance for each group. If you register it in memory, the transmitted original will be stored in the image memory when performing broadcast transmission operations.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that by specifying a group, a transmission document is automatically broadcasted to each destination of the specified group at the scheduled transmission time of the specified group. There is an image memory that stores the image information of the original, a memory that stores multiple phone numbers divided into groups and the scheduled transmission time for each group, and a memory that stores the images in the image memory to the destinations specified in the group. Equipped with a broadcast transmission function that transmits information, and a relay function that stores received manuscripts requested for relay as transmission manuscripts in the image memory and relays them to specified destinations. By registering the telephone number and scheduled transmission time, you can specify the relay destinations by group from the relay requesting station, and the received document will be automatically relayed and synchronized to each destination in the group at the scheduled transmission time of the specified group. When relay broadcast transmission to all destinations of the group is completed, a report of the communication results is transmitted to the relay requesting station.

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

1 to 5 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the invention according to claim 1.

FIG. 1 is a professional diagram of the facsimile machine 1, and the facsimile machine 1 has a CPU (Central Pr
-occessing Unit) 2, ROM (
Read 0nly Memory) 3, RAM (R
andom Access Memory) 4, D
MAC (Direct Memory Access)
Controller) 5, scanner controller 6, scanner 7, block controller 8, block 9, timer 10, clock 11, encoding/decoding unit 1
2, a modem 13, a network control section 14, an operation port controller 15, an operation section 16, an image memory 17, and the like.

The ROM 3 stores a basic program for the facsimile device 1 and a broadcast transmission processing program of the present invention, and the CPU 2 executes the sequence for the facsimile device 1 according to the program in the ROM 3, and also executes the broadcast transmission processing program of the present invention. Execute. The RAM 4 stores various data necessary for controlling the device 1 from the fax machine, and also stores various data necessary for the broadcast transmission process of the present invention. Various data required for the broadcast transmission process include, for example, the transmission mode (broadcast transmission or not), manuscript number, group number, transmission time, etc., as shown in Figure 2.
These various data are stored and managed in file format. The DMAC 5 controls the DMA transfer of data.

As the scanner 7, for example, a CCD (Charge
A line image sensor using a coupled device is used, and the scanner 7 reads the image of the document and outputs it as image information. As the plotter 9, for example, a thermal recording device using a thermal element is used, and the image is recorded directly on heat-sensitive recording paper or indirectly on ordinary recording paper via an ink sheet.

The timer IO measures the current time based on the clock signal from the clock 11.

The encoding/decoding unit 12 compresses and reproduces image information using a predetermined encoding method, and the modem 13 modulates and demodulates transmitted and received signals.'! A line, for example, a telephone line, is connected to the M control unit 14, and the network control unit 14 performs automatic call processing and line control.

The operation unit 16 includes a numeric keypad, various operation keys, and a display unit (
For example, a liquid crystal display (liquid crystal display) or the like is provided, and the operation section 16 performs communication between the operator and the facsimile machine l. From this operation unit 16, the telephone number and group name of the broadcast transmission destination registered in the RAM 4, as well as the scheduled transmission time and the like are input.

The image memory 17 mainly stores image information, and stores a predetermined capacity, for example, a plurality of pages of transmitted originals and received originals.

At the time of transmission or storage, the facsimile device 1 reads a document with a scanner 7 and compresses image information of the read document with an encoding/decoding unit 12. The image information compressed by the encoding/decoding unit 12 is stored in the image memory 17 in the storage mode (for example, time specified transmission mode or broadcast transmission mode), and then read out and transmitted at a predetermined time. In the immediate transmission mode, the image is transmitted as is or immediately via the image memory 17.

On the other hand, at the time of reception, the facsimile machine 1 stores the image information sent from the line in the image memory 17. The image information stored in the image memory 17 is read out immediately or at a predetermined time, decoded (reproduced) by the encoder/decoder 12, sent to the scanner 7, and printed on a recording paper by the plotter 9. recorded in

Next, the effect will be explained.

In the present invention, in broadcast transmission, if the destinations for broadcast transmission are registered in advance for each group and the scheduled transmission time for each group is also registered, the transmission document is read during the transmission operation and the destinations for broadcast transmission are registered. Its feature is that by specifying a group, broadcast transmission processing is automatically performed to each destination in the specified group at the pre-registered scheduled transmission time. The 20 broadcast transmission process will be explained below.

First, group registration of destination telephone numbers and scheduled transmission times will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

When registering a group of destination phone numbers and scheduled transmission times for broadcast transmission, the operator first sets the destination phone number group registration mode by operating the keys on the operation unit 16.In step s, enter the L group number and group name on the operation unit. 16 (steps Sz, Sz). Next, enter the telephone numbers of the destinations to be registered as the group, that is, the telephone numbers of the multiple destinations to be broadcasted (steps Pt, S,). Once the input of all the telephone numbers of the destinations of the group is completed, , it is selected whether or not to specify the transmission time (scheduled transmission time) (step S). When specifying the transmission time, the transmission time is input (step S7), and when the transmission time is input, the facsimile machine 1 checks whether the input of the group number is completed (step S2). If the designation of the transmission time is not selected, the facsimile machine 1 checks whether the input of the group number is completed, and if another group is registered, the process returns to step S2 and performs the same process. When registration of all group numbers is completed, this flow ends.

The group name, destination telephone number, and scheduled transmission time thus input are registered in the RAM 4 in a file format and managed as files, as shown in FIG.

Next, processing at the time of broadcast transmission operation will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

When causing the facsimile machine 1 to perform broadcast transmission, the operator must set the original to be transmitted on the scanner 7 in step P.
t), an instruction for broadcast transmission is input by operating keys on the operation unit 16 (step Pt). Next, by operating keys on the operation unit 16, a selection is made as to whether or not to use the scheduled transmission time (internal transmission time) input in advance at the time of group registration (step P3), and a group number is input (step P3). If you want to broadcast the original set on the scanner 7 not to one group but also to other groups, please enter the group number of the other group as well. Pt.

P, ), when the input of the group number is completed, the operation section 16
press the start button (step Pt).

When the start button is pressed on the fax machine,
The scanner 7 reads the original to be transmitted, stores it in the image memory 17, and enters a standby state for broadcast transmission. At this time, if the internal transmission time is not specified in step P3 and no new transmission time is set, it is determined that this is an immediate transmission instruction, and the image information of the transmission original stored in the image memory 17 is immediately synchronized. Send information.

If the sending time is specified, facsimile machine 1
manages the transmission time, and when the scheduled transmission time arrives, performs broadcast transmission processing. That is, as shown in FIG.
U2 is used for a predetermined period of time (for example, Ioms
) (Step Pt), the RAM 4 is searched to check whether there is a file waiting to be sent (Step Q). If there is no file waiting to be sent, a timer is set (Step Q).
3), Wait for the next timeout input (step Q,).

If there is a file waiting for transmission, it is checked whether the transmission conditions are met, that is, the transmission time, line availability, etc. (step Q4). The transmission time is checked by comparing the current time measured by the timer 10 with the scheduled transmission time registered in the RAM 4. If the transmission conditions are not met, return to step Q2 and repeat the same process until the transmission conditions are met. Perform processing. Once the sending conditions are met,
Start broadcast transmission processing. That is, the telephone number of the first destination in the group for which the transmission conditions have been met is read out from the RAM 4, and passed to the network control section 14 to make a call. The facsimile device 1 transmits the image information of the transmission document in the image memory 17 to the destination facsimile device according to a predetermined facsimile procedure, and when the transmission to the destination is completed, it calls the next destination in the group. Similarly, the image information of the transmitted original is transmitted. When all transmissions within the group have been completed, check to see if any other groups have registered the original to be sent, and if it has been registered, send to that group in the same way. conduct.

In this way, in broadcast transmission, if you register each destination for coaxial transmission in advance for each group and also register the scheduled transmission time for that group, you can simply specify the group during the transmission operation and the scheduled transmission time will be reached. , automatic broadcast transmission can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to perform broadcast transmission by specifying a time, and it is also possible to save the trouble of specifying the time for each transmission operation, and to assign temporal priorities to the destinations of broadcast transmission in groups. Broadcast transmission that takes communication charges into consideration, such as specifying a time late at night when communication charges are low, can be performed with an even simpler and easier transmission operation.

FIG. 6.7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the invention according to claim 2.

The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, except that it has a relay broadcast transmission function. Therefore, in explaining this embodiment, the reference numerals in FIG. 1 will be used as they are.

When receiving a relay request from a relay request station, facsimile machine 1 stores image information of the received relay request document in image memory 17, and broadcasts each destination of the specified group.

That is, in the facsimile apparatus 1 of this embodiment, as in the case of the previous embodiment, the operation unit 16 registers the destinations to which broadcast transmission is to be sent in advance for each group in the RAM 4, and also registers the scheduled transmission time of the group. I'll keep it. The group number, destination telephone number, scheduled transmission time, etc. are registered in the RAM 4 in a file format as in FIG. When making a relay request, the relay requesting station specifies a group of destinations for broadcast transmission, and the facsimile machine 1 that receives the relay request performs broadcast transmission at the scheduled transmission time registered in advance for each destination in the specified group. For example, in the G3 protocol, this group, etc. is specified in the standard frame used for data transfer, and as shown in Figure 6, the HDL
C (High Level Data Link Co.
ntrol Procedure)
(Facsimile Information C
ontrol) contains the telephone number of the relay requesting station, the group number of the destination, etc. The telephone number of the relay requesting station is included for the purpose of reporting the results, and this telephone number of the relay requesting station is stored in the RAM 4. In addition, in Fig. 6, FCF stands for Facsimil Control Ff.
It is eld.

Upon receiving the relay request, the forwarding device 1 checks whether there is a file waiting for transmission and the transmission conditions in the same way as shown in FIG. The destination telephone number is read from the beginning and the call is made (step R,), and the document requested for relay is transmitted according to a predetermined facsimile procedure (step R3). When the transmission to the destination is completed, the communication record, that is, the presence or absence of communication, the communication time, etc., is saved in the RAM 4 or the image memory 17 (Step R3), and a check is made to see if the next destination is in the group. (step R4),
When broadcast transmission to all destinations is completed and communication records to all destinations are created, the resulting ports are created according to a predetermined formant (step R3), and a call is made to the relay requesting station (step R6). ). When the relay requesting station responds, it transmits a result report and this flow ends.

Therefore, even in relay broadcast transmission, the relay requesting station only needs to specify the destination group, and the relay station can broadcast the broadcast to each destination at the preset scheduled transmission time. It is possible to assign temporal priorities to destinations in groups and to perform relay broadcast transmission in consideration of communication charges with an even simpler and easier relay request operation.

Furthermore, each time relay broadcast transmission to one group is completed, a report of the communication results can be sent to the relay requesting station, and the result report can be obtained immediately after relay transmission is completed. As a result, the operator of the relay requesting station can quickly learn the result of the relay request and can promptly take countermeasures.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the case where only one line is connected is described, but the invention is not limited to this, and the same can be applied to the case where multiple lines are connected. By performing multitasking processing, multiple files waiting to be sent can be processed in parallel using multiple lines.

(Effect) According to the invention set forth in claim 1, if the telephone number of the destination of broadcast transmission and the scheduled transmission time are registered for each group in advance, the group can be set by simply specifying the group at the time of operation of broadcast transmission. Broadcast transmission can be automatically performed at the scheduled transmission time specified for each destination, and the transmission operation of time-specified broadcast transmission can be made even simpler and easier.

According to the invention as claimed in claim 2, in a facsimile machine having a relay broadcast transmission function, if the telephone number of the destination of broadcast transmission and the scheduled transmission time are registered in advance for each group, when the relay requesting station makes a relay request, By simply specifying , you can have the facsimile machine requested to perform relay broadcast transmission automatically transmit relay broadcast transmission to each destination in the specified group at the specified scheduled transmission time, and also send the relay broadcast to one group. When the broadcast transmission is completed, the result report can be sent to the relay requesting station.

As a result, even in relay broadcast transmission, time can be specified simply and easily, and a result report can be promptly obtained at the relay requesting station.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 5 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a facsimile device according to the invention as claimed in claim 1, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the facsimile device, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing data necessary for broadcast transmission. Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the group registration process for the destination telephone number and transmission time, Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the broadcast transmission operation process, and Figure 5 is the flow chart showing the broadcast transmission operation process. It is a flowchart which shows transmission processing. 6.7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the invention as claimed in claim 2, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the format of a standard frame when requesting relay broadcast transmission, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the relay broadcast transmission process and the result report transmission process. 1...Facsimile machine, 2...CPU. 3...--ROM. 4...RAM (memory), 7...Scanner, 9...Plotter, 10...Timer, 11...Clock, 12. ...Encoding/decoding section, 13...Modem, 14...Network control section, 16...Operation section, 17...Image memory.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An image memory that stores image information of transmitted documents, a memory that stores multiple phone numbers divided into groups, and a memory that stores the scheduled transmission time for each group, and images that are sequentially sent to the destinations specified by the group. Equipped with a broadcast transmission function that transmits image information in memory, if you register the destination phone number belonging to that group and the scheduled transmission time for each group in advance in memory, the transmitted original will be transferred to the image memory during broadcast transmission operation. A facsimile apparatus is characterized in that by specifying a group, the facsimile machine automatically broadcasts a transmission document to each destination of the specified group at the scheduled transmission time of the specified group. (2) An image memory that stores image information of transmitted documents, a memory that stores multiple telephone numbers divided into groups, and a memory that stores the scheduled transmission time for each group, and images that are sequentially sent to the destinations specified by the group. Equipped with a broadcast transmission function that transmits image information in memory, and a relay function that stores received originals requested for relay as transmission originals in the image memory and relays them to specified destinations. When you register the destination phone number and scheduled transmission time belonging to , by specifying the relay destination in a group from the relay request station, the received manuscript will be automatically sent to each destination in the specified group at the scheduled transmission time of the specified group. A facsimile apparatus is characterized in that it performs relay broadcast transmission to all destinations of the group, and transmits a report of the communication result to the relay requesting station when the relay broadcast transmission to all destinations in the group is completed.