JPH04100353A - Facsimile store and forward exchange system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid useless communication by limiting the service which is requested by a terminal equipment to a center equipment and informing the service able to be requested to the operator of the terminal equipment in advance. CONSTITUTION:A data generating means of a facsimile store and forward exchange 1 generates a control data required for terminal equipments 31-32 to execute the service to be offered together with a data limiting the kind of services to be offered as loading data and a load means sends the generated loading data to the facsimile terminal equipments 31-33 to be loaded. A display means of each of the facsimile terminal equipments 31-33 displays kinds of services addressed to itself to be offered based on the loading data and a control means based on the loading data makes a service request to the facsimile store and forward exchange 1. Thus, useless communication is avoided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a facsimile storage and forwarding system, and particularly to limiting the services that can be provided to a terminal.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, this type of facsimile storage and forwarding system consists of a plurality of facsimile machines and terminals connected via a network to a center device consisting of a facsimile storage and forwarding device. Previously, all the services that the 7〉/Y device could provide (general communication, broadcast communication, information box communication, post office box communication, etc.) were open to all the terminals mentioned above, and it was difficult to determine which terminal was ζ-1. Since the configuration is such that the center device can perform all of the above services if requested by 3=, many terminals can request the center device to perform services for -m- at the same time. There is 1. If the communication is a broadcast communication, there is an inconvenience that it takes time for the requested information to be distributed.

Explain a specific example where the above-mentioned inconvenience occurs.For example, the broadcast communication service has ranks such as emergency, @broadcast, priority broadcast, and normal broadcast, and the center device normally performs broadcast communication. If a service request for emergency broadcast communication is received from another terminal during communication, the normal broadcast communication is temporarily interrupted and emergency broadcast communication is performed. However, if the second emergency broadcast communication service is open to all terminals, there is a possibility that all terminals will request emergency broadcast communication from the center device. If this happens, there will only be broadcast communication requests of the same rank in the facsimile store-and-forward system, so the ranking of broadcast communications as described above becomes meaningless, and emergency broadcast communication will no longer function. There was an inconvenience that it would disappear.

Second, in order to resolve this inconvenience, the center equipment is provided with a table that shows the types of services that can be provided for each terminal, and when a service request comes from a terminal, the table is referred to and the requested service is determined. By determining whether or not the service can be provided, accepting the requested service only for the service that can be provided, and disconnecting and rejecting the service that cannot be provided, the service that can be provided for each terminal can be adjusted. By limiting this, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a large number of terminals issue the same service request at the same time (for example, an emergency broadcast communication service), and it is possible to always perform various services smoothly.

However, in such a configuration, the terminal only learns that the request cannot be accepted after issuing a service request to the center device, which results in a lot of wasted communication and a large system overhead. There were drawbacks.

Furthermore, if the center device has a function to return the reason for rejection to the terminal side when it rejects a service request,
The terminal side can know why the line was disconnected midway through, but if such a function is not installed, the terminal side will repeatedly send service requests to the center equipment that will not be provided. There was an inconvenience.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) As mentioned above, in the conventional facsimile storage and exchange system,
Since any terminal in your system is authorized to execute all services for the center device,
Things like multiple duplicate requests for the same service! 9 (flooding of services), the processing of the center device is delayed, and the requested service is not easily executed.

Therefore, in order to avoid this drawback, if the center equipment is equipped with a table showing the services that can be provided for each terminal, and the center equipment selects service requests from the terminals based on this table, the terminal Only after issuing a service request to the center device can the side learn that the request cannot be accepted, which has the disadvantage of causing a lot of unnecessary communication and increasing system overhead.

Furthermore, if the center device has a function to return the reason for rejection to the terminal side when it rejects a service request,
The terminal side can know why the line was disconnected midway through, but if such a function is not installed, the terminal side will repeatedly send service requests to the center equipment that will not be provided. There were flaws.

Therefore, the present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks by limiting the services that can be requested from the center device on the terminal side, and by notifying the operator on the terminal side of the services that can be requested in advance, thereby eliminating unnecessary communication. The purpose is to provide a facsimile store-and-forward system that can.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention comprises a facsimile storage and forwarding device connected to a plurality of facsimile terminal devices that can be loaded with data by the facsimile storage and forwarding device via a line network, and the facsimile storage and forwarding device is connected to the After receiving and temporarily storing a communication service request sent from a facsimile terminal and the data to which this communication service is applied, the stored data is read out according to the communication service, and the processing specified by the communication service is applied to the data. In a facsimile storage and forwarding system, the data generating means generates, as loading data, control data necessary for the terminal device to execute the service that can be provided, together with data limiting the types of services that can be provided, and data generated by the data generating means. the facsimile storage and forwarding device includes loading means for transmitting loaded data to be loaded into the facsimile terminal device; a display means for displaying the type of self-service service provided by the facsimile storage and forwarding device; and a control means for making a service request to the facsimile storage and forwarding device based on loading data loaded by the facsimile storage and forwarding device. It has a configuration equipped with.

(Operation) In the facsimile storage and forwarding system of the present invention, the data creation means of the facsimile storage and forwarding device loads data that limits the types of services that can be provided as well as control data necessary for the terminal device to execute the services that can be provided. Create as. The loading means transmits the loading data created by the data creation means to be loaded into the facsimile terminal device.

The display means of each facsimile terminal device displays the type of self-directed service provided by the facsimile storage and forwarding device based on the loading data loaded by the facsimile storage and forwarding device. The control means makes a service request to the facsimile storage and forwarding device based on the loading data loaded by the facsimile storage and forwarding device.

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the facsimile storage and exchange system of the present invention.

1 is a center device consisting of a facsimile storage device, 2 is a network such as a public line, and 11 is a terminal 3.
After storing the image data transmitted from devices 1 to 33 in the external storage device 14, control is performed such as distributing the image data stored in the external storage device 14 according to the requested service. 12 is a communication control unit that performs communication between the center device 1 and the above terminals 31 to 33; 13 is a working memory of the CPU II; 14 is a data sent from the above terminals 31 to 33 an external storage device that stores the loaded image data and various information associated therewith, and a display 15 that displays various information related to the processing of the center device 1 and has a keyboard for inputting various information; Input section (CRT/KB)
, 16 is a line printer that prints and outputs various information processed by the center device 1 on paper, 31 to 33 are terminals consisting of facsimile machines, and 201 to 203 are the center device 1
Lines 301 to 303 connect network 2 to network 2, and lines 301 to 303 connect network 2 to terminals 31 to 33.

Here, the CPU II, memory 13, and display input section 15 constitute data creation means, and the CPU II and communication control section 12 constitute loading means.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed example of the terminal shown in FIG. 1. 21 is a CPU that sends service requests and service request data to the center device, receives data from the center device, and loads the received data; 22 is a ROM that stores various programs for controlling the CPU; 23 is a scanner that reads the original and obtains image data; 24 is a RAM with power backup that stores data sent from the center device and other data necessary for the device to operate; 25
26 is an image processing unit that performs various image processing on image data; 26 is a recording unit that prints and outputs received data and various registered data on paper; 27 is a modem that modulates transmitted data and demodulates received data; 28 is the NCU that seizes/releases the line,
Reference numeral 29 is an input unit for inputting dial information, registration information, various commands, etc., and 30 is a display unit for displaying internal information such as registration data, loading data, and operation information of the device.

Here, the CPU 21 and the display unit 30 use the display means as
21 constitutes a control means.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. In FIG. 1, when each of the terminal devices 31 to 33 makes a telephone call to the center device 1 via the network 2 and is connected, it sends a service request to the center device 1 and image data. The center device 1 temporarily stores the image data together with the transmitted service request in the external storage device 14, and then performs operations such as distributing the image data to the designated terminal according to the service request.

First, the operator previously inputs into the CPU II from the display input unit 15 data for determining what kind of service to provide for each terminal under the operator's management. This results in
The CPU II writes the input data into a predetermined area of the memory 13 and registers a table as shown in FIG. Note that the data may be registered using a secondary medium such as a floppy disk or a magnetic tape.

Here, the table shown in FIG. 3 will be explained. This table shows what kind of services (proxy communication, broadcast communication, information box communication, post office box communication, confidential communication, collection communication, etc.) are permitted for terminals 31 to 33, and ○ indicates Permission, × indicates prohibition. For example, terminal 3
Regarding 2, proxy communications, broadcast communications, and information box communications are permitted, but post office box communications, confidential communications, and collection messages are prohibited, and services that are permitted and prohibited for other terminals are also prohibited. You can learn about the services provided.

Thereafter, when the operator inputs a command to generate loading data for each terminal from the display input section 15 into CPULL, the CPU II generates the loading data for each terminal using the table registered in the memory 13 as described above, as shown in FIG. Generate according to the operation flow. First, in step 401, the process waits for input of a data generation command for loading, and when this command is input, the process advances to step 402. In step 402, the table shown in FIG. 3 in the memory 13 is referred to, and after extracting the services permitted for the terminal 31,
In step 3, screen display data as shown in FIG. 5 is created based on this extracted data, and control data necessary for the terminal 31 to request the center device for the service extracted in step 404 is created. Next, the CPU II proceeds to step 405, stores the screen display data and control data created as described above in a predetermined area of the external storage device 14 as a file, and proceeds to step 406. In step 406, it is determined whether the screen display data and control data have been created and filed for all terminals under management. If not, the process returns to step 402, and if all have been created, the process is continued. finish.

Here, the control data created in step 404 has the following functions. For example, when requesting proxy communication service from a terminal to the center device 1 but not performing it, after the terminal operator inputs the destination, the terminal sends a code to the center device 1 indicating proxy communication “゛10”.
I have to send the destination data entered as
At this time, the data that controls the operation of transmitting the code °'10'' and the destination data from the terminal to the center device 1 is the control data created in step 404.

By the way, when the process shown in FIG. 4 is performed on the terminal 31, all services from the table shown in FIG.
Control data for executing these services on the terminal is created for each of the services shown in the figure. Next, the process shown in FIG. 4 is performed for the terminal 32, but in this case, in step 403, the process shown in FIG.
Screen display data as shown in the figure is created, and furthermore, in step 404, control data necessary for the terminal 32 to execute proxy communication, broadcast communication, and information box communication service requests is created. Finally, the processing of the flow shown in FIG. 4 is performed for the terminal 33, and in step 403 screen display data as shown in FIG. 7 is created, and in step 404, each service request of this screen display data is Control data required for output by the controller 33 to the center device 1 is created.

After the screen data and control data for the terminals 31 to 33 have been created as described above, and these data have been converted into files and stored in the external storage device 14, the types of services that a certain terminal can request can be determined. If you want to change it, send a service attribute change command from the display input section 15 to the CPU II.
If you specify only the terminal by inputting it, the CPU II displays only the file of the terminal from the external storage device 14 on the display input section 15, and rewrites only this data based on the key input of the display input section 15. Perform processing.

In this way, when the loading data of the terminals 31 to 33 is finally determined and converted into a file in the external storage device 14,
The operator inputs a loading command to the CPU II from the display input section 15.

As a result, the CPU II communicates with the terminal 3 via the communication control unit 12.
1 to 33 are made in sequence, and when the line is connected, the corresponding loading data is read from the external storage bag 214, and this read loading data is transmitted to the terminal together with the loading code.

When each terminal receives loading data from the center device 1 as described above, it loads this data into the RAM 24 shown in FIG. 2 as described below.

That is, the terminal is connected to the center device 1 via the NCU 28 in FIG.
Receive the Guru loading code and loading data sent from. These data thus received are demodulated by the modem 27 and input to the f&CPU 21. When the CPU 21 detects the loading code, it stores the input loading data in a predetermined area of the RAM 24. Through such processing by the CPU 21 on the terminal side, the loading data sent from the center device f1 is loaded into the RAM 24.

Note that the loading data can also be retrieved by activating the center device from the terminal side.

Next, when the operator on the terminal side wants the center device 1 to perform, for example, a broadcast communication service, he inputs a service menu display command that can be requested by this terminal into the CPU 21 from the input section 29 shown in FIG. RAM2
The screen display data of the loading data loaded in 4 is read out and sent to the display section 30 to be displayed. Here, if this terminal is 31, a service menu as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. As a result, the operator knows that he can receive the broadcast communication service, and after setting the document to be broadcast on the scanner 23,
Select No. 2 from the service menu and input destination information from the input section 29. Next, when the dial information of the center device 1 is inputted from the input section 29, the NCU 28 makes a call to the center device 1.

As a result, when the line is connected, the CPU 21 uses the RAM 24
After transmitting the broadcast communication service request and destination information to the center device 1 according to the control data loaded in the computer, the scanner 23 is activated to read the original data, which is then binarized and encoded by the image processing section 25. After performing processing such as conversion, the signal is further modulated by the modem 27. This modulated data is transmitted to the center device 1 via the NCU 28 and line 301.

Note that when the terminal number 32 is 32, a service menu as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 30, and when the terminal number is 33, a service menu as shown in FIG.
Needless to say, it is displayed as 0.

According to this embodiment, the services that can be provided by the center device 1 and the control data for executing these services are transmitted to the terminal 3.
1 to 33 and limit the services that the terminal can receive for each terminal, it is possible to prevent processing delays due to an overflow of services and ensure smooth operation of the system. . Moreover, in each terminal, the services that the terminal can receive are displayed as a menu on the display unit 30 of the terminal, so that the operator on the terminal side does not send requests for services that are not provided to the center device l. , it is possible to eliminate unnecessary communication and reduce system overhead.

In addition, the operator on the terminal side looks at the available service menu, and if he/she wants the center device to provide a service that is not available there, he/she calls the operator on the center device side and rewrites the loading data for the terminal. By asking for help, you can receive new services.

In this embodiment, the center device 1, which is a facsimile storage and forwarding device, creates the loading data for display on the terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. It is good if the service type can be displayed on the terminal side based on
For example, data for a plurality of types of display screens may be stored in the memory of the terminal, and the facsimile storage and exchange device may instruct the terminal to display one of them.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the facsimile storage and forwarding system of the present invention, the services that can be requested from the center device on the terminal side are limited, and the services that can be requested are notified to the operator on the terminal side in advance, thereby eliminating unnecessary communication. can be eliminated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the facsimile storage and forwarding system of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed example of the terminal shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is the same as that shown in FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table stored in the memory shown in FIG. 4, an operation flowchart of the CPU shown in FIG.
6 and 7 are diagrams showing examples of service menu screens displayed on each terminal shown in FIG. 1. 1... Center device 2... Network 31
~33...Terminal 11.21...CPtj12
...Communication control unit 13...Memory 14...External storage device 15...Display input unit 16...Line printer 22...ROM23...Scanner
24...RAM30...Display section 28.
...NCU29...Input Department Agent Patent Attorney Book 1) Takashi Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 3 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of facsimile terminal devices that can be loaded with data by the facsimile storage and forwarding device are connected to the facsimile storage and forwarding device via a line network, and the facsimile storage and forwarding device receives communication service requests sent from the facsimile terminal device and Types of services that can be provided in a facsimile storage and forwarding system that receives and temporarily stores data to which a communication service is applied, reads out the stored data according to the communication service, and performs processing specified by the communication service on the data. a data creation means for creating loading data, along with data limiting data necessary for the terminal device to execute the services that can be provided; and a data creation means for loading the loading data created by the data creation means into the facsimile terminal device. the facsimile storage and forwarding device, and displays the type of self-referential service provided by the facsimile storage and forwarding device based on the loading data loaded by the facsimile storage and forwarding device; and a control means for issuing a service request to the facsimile storage and forwarding device based on loading data loaded by the facsimile storage and forwarding device. system.