JPH04156769A - Facsimile mail equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To transmit a facsimile telegraphic message for transmission origin destination in the same call receiving the facsimile telegraphic message by inversing communication direction without hanging up the call according to a transmission request signal and transmitting the corresponding facsimile telegraphic message and notification information while taken out from a storage means. CONSTITUTION:When the facsimile telegraphic message is received by the facsimile equipment, a transmission origin detection means 15 detects the transmission origin of the facsimile telegraphic message. A retrieval means 16 detects the presence of the facsimile telegraphic message for the transmission origin destination or the notification information in a storage means 12, and in the case of the presence, a communication direction changeover control means 17 inverses the communication direction of the call. Thus, the facsimile mail equipment takes out the facsimile telegraphic message corresponding to the facsimile equipment destination or the notification information to perform the transmission in the call receiving the facsimile telegraphic message.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Summary) Regarding a facsimile mail device that stores and delivers facsimile messages, the facsimile mail device transmits a facsimile message addressed to the sender within the same ear that receives the facsimile message. A communication control means for controlling communication based on a facsimile protocol of a predetermined communication network, a storage means for storing facsimile messages and notification information, and a storage means for transmitting received facsimile messages and notification information to the storage means, In a facsimile mail device, the facsimile mail device is equipped with processing means for extracting the received facsimile message and notification information from the storage means and controlling the delivery to a specified destination via the communication control means. After completion of receiving the facsimile message, the source detection means searches whether the facsimile message and notification information addressed to the sender are stored in the storage means, and outputs a transmission request signal if there is a corresponding facsimile message and notification information. The processing means performs control to reverse the communication direction without disconnecting the call in response to the transmission request signal, and performs control to retrieve and transmit the corresponding facsimile message and notification information from the storage means. The communication direction switching control means is provided.

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a facsimile mail device that stores and delivers facsimile messages.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, facsimile machines have become widespread with the advent of OA, but the equipment used is not only Group 1 to 3 facsimile machines (hereinafter referred to as rG3FAX) that use analog lines, but also uses I5DN and other digital lines. Group 4 facsimile machines (r
G4FAX.

That's what it means. ) are also beginning to be used.

On the other hand, facsimile machines can be used in two ways: one uses a telephone network for two-way communication, and the other uses a facsimile communication network to store facsimile messages and then deliver them according to a predetermined service type. There is. Note that facsimile communication networks are not only provided as public networks (for example, they are realized by building systems centered on facsimile mail devices in corporate networks). The mail device is characterized by the fact that it stores facsimile messages and then sends them to the corresponding destinations, making automatic retransmission and circular transmission easy.

Here, the connection procedure between the facsimile mail device and the conventional G3 FAX will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a call transmission procedure from a G3 FAX to a facsimile mail device.

In the figure, the G3 FAX makes a call to the facsimile mail device (Phase A), and the facsimile mail device calls DIS.
In response, G3FAX returns DO3 to set the facsimile communication mode, and then C,
Send training signal from 3FAX, TCP, CFR
After detecting an error, the transmitting side issues a training signal again to complete preparations for sending and receiving a facsimile message (image signal) (Phase B). Next, G3FAX sends a facsimile message, and at the end sends an RTC to return to control mode (phase C), and then G3FAX
sends an EOP, and the facsimile mail device confirms the end of the message and returns an MCF (Phase D), G3F
AX detects this MCF and sends DCN to disconnect the line (phase E).

As mentioned above, the G3 FAX communication procedure includes call transmission, in which the calling party sends a facsimile message, and call reception, in which the called party makes a call and sends a facsimile message. However, it was a one-way communication.

Therefore, the same procedure is used when a facsimile message is delivered from a facsimile mail device to a G3 FAX.

In addition, if the facsimile mail device notifies the completion of reception after sending a facsimile message from the 03 FAX to the facsimile mail device, the facsimile mail device calls the corresponding G3 FAX again and notifies the completion of reception using the procedure described above. is being sent.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, when a facsimile device transmits a facsimile message to a facsimile mail device, there are cases where the facsimile message addressed to the facsimile device that has been sent in its entirety has already been stored in the facsimile mail device. .

However, since the communication procedure of G3FAX is unidirectional communication, it is necessary for the facsimile mail device to separately send a corresponding facsimile message to the GSFAX address.

In addition, even when notifying the completion of reception, in the conventional method, the facsimile mail device has to make a new call and send the message, and this service is originally provided to the person who sent the facsimile message, and the communication cost should also be borne. Regardless, the communication costs are borne by the facsimile mail device.

Also, since the transmission of a facsimile message from G3FAX and the transmission of the reception completion notification are separate calls, G3FA
With X, it was necessary to confirm each time which facsimile message the reception completion notification was for. Furthermore, when a single 03 FAX is shared by multiple people, there is a possibility that it becomes unclear which person sent the reception completion notification for the facsimile message.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile mail device that enables two-way communication in which the facsimile mail device sends a facsimile message addressed to the sender within the same ear as the facsimile mail device receives the facsimile message. do.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention.

In the figure, a communication control means 11 is connected to a predetermined communication network and performs communication control based on a corresponding facsimile protocol.

The storage means 12 stores facsimile messages and notification information.

The processing means 13 sends the received facsimile message or notification information to the storage means 12, and takes out the accumulated facsimile message or notification information from the storage means 12 and sends it to a designated destination via the communication control means. I do.

The sending source detection means 15 detects the sending source of the received facsimile message.

After completing the reception of the facsimile message, the search means 16 searches whether or not the facsimile message or notification information addressed to the sender is stored in the storage means 12, and if there is the corresponding facsimile message or notification information, sends a transmission request signal. Output.

Communication direction switching control means 1 provided in processing means 13
7 sends a transmission request signal to the communication control means 11,
Control is performed to reverse the communication direction without disconnecting the call, and the corresponding facsimile message or notification information is stored in the storage means 1.
Control is performed to extract and transmit data from 2.

The invention according to claim 2 is configured such that when a facsimile device that is connected oppositely to a facsimile mail device via a communication network transmits a facsimile message to the facsimile mail device, the sender number is also transmitted. The source detection means 15 is configured to identify the sender number from the received facsimile message and detect the sender.

In the invention according to claim 3, the communication control means 11 is an ISDN.
and is configured to perform communication control based on a group 4 facsimile protocol with an opposing group 4 facsimile device via the ISDN,
The sender detection means 15 is configured to detect the sender from the sender number notified from the 15DN.

[Function] The invention according to claim 1 is such that when a facsimile message is received by the facsimile mail device, the sending source detecting means 1
5 detects the sender of the facsimile message, the retrieval means 16 detects whether or not the facsimile message or notification information addressed to the sender exists in the storage means 12, and if so, the communication direction switching control means 17 detects the sender of the facsimile message. Reverse the direction of communication. Therefore, the facsimile mail device can retrieve the corresponding facsimile message or notification information addressed to the facsimile device from the storage means 12 and transmit it while listening to the facsimile message.

Note that in the G3 FAX protocol, the communication direction can be reversed by sequentially performing communication control for call transmission and call reception. Furthermore, since bidirectional communication is possible in the C.4 FAX protocol, reversal of the communication direction is easily possible.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a facsimile device facing a facsimile mail device via a communication network notifies the facsimile mail device of the sender's number at the same time as transmitting the facsimile message.
It is applicable to any of the 4 FAXes.

The invention according to claim 3 is configured to use ■SDN as a communication network, and by making both a facsimile device and a facsimile mail device compatible with group 4, the origin of the call can be detected from the caller number notified from the 15DN when a call is received. can do.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the facsimile mail apparatus of the present invention.

Here, the processing procedures of the communication control means 11, the storage means 12, the processing means 13 including the communication direction switching control means 17, and the transmission source detection means 15 shown in FIG. 1 are listed in chronological order.

In the figure, when the communication control means 11 detects an incoming call, the reception process of the facsimile message is performed according to the procedure described above, and the received facsimile message is stored in the storage means 12 according to the data writing control of the processing means 13. .

In response to the reception completion detection by the communication control means 11, the transmission source detection means 15 detects the caller number.

Note that if this facsimile communication is in group 3 mode, from the sending facsimile machine (C, 3FAX),
For example, it is necessary to write the sender number on the OMR sheet and notify it to the facsimile mail device, and the sender detection means I
In step 5, the OMR sheet is analyzed to determine the caller number and detect the sender. Furthermore, in the group 4 mode that uses the l5DN, the caller number is notified along with the destination number from the l5DN according to the setup frame format shown in FIG.
Then, detect it and determine the source.

The search means 16 searches the facsimile messages and notification information stored in the storage means 12 using the sender detected by the sender detecting means 15 as a key. Note that when the reception of the facsimile message is completed, a corresponding reception completion notification is stored in the storage means 12 as notification information addressed to the sender.

When the search means 16 detects that there is a facsimile message or notification information addressed to the corresponding sender in the storage means 12, it activates the communication direction switching control means 17. Accordingly, the communication direction switching control means 17 controls the communication control means 11 to reverse the communication direction without disconnecting the call, and reads out the corresponding facsimile message or notification information from the storage means 12 to control the communication. Means 1
Send to 1.

Note that if this facsimile communication is in group 3 mode, the communication direction is switched according to the communication procedure described later. Furthermore, in the group 4 mode that uses 15DN, bidirectional communication is possible, so the communication direction is switched according to a predetermined procedure.

After switching the communication direction, the communication control means 11 transmits the facsimile message or notification information read from the storage means 12 via the processing means 13, and upon completion of the transmission, disconnects the series of calls.

All of the above processing is performed by the facsimile device that accesses the facsimile mail device, and the facsimile device is charged for retrieving the facsimile message and notification information addressed to the facsimile mail device from the facsimile mail device. .

That is, when a facsimile message is transmitted from a facsimile device to a facsimile mail device, not only the reception completion notification but also the already stored facsimile messages addressed to the device itself can be continuously retrieved during the call.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a group 4 facsimile mail device.

In the figure, the facsimile mail device is connected to a digital network 40 and includes an adapter 41 that controls the facsimile protocol of group 4, a storage unit 43 such as a disk device in which received facsimile messages and notification information are stored, and the above-mentioned processing. A main memory 45 that stores a program to execute the program and has a buffer, and an MPU 47 that executes the program are connected to each other via a path 49.

Note that when storing notification information and facsimile messages in the storage unit 43, information (destination number) indicating the destination of each piece of information is added and used for the calling process and search process of the transmission process.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a communication direction switching procedure in group 3 mode.

In the figure, the facsimile message sent from the G3 FAX to the facsimile mail device is transmitted in the same manner as the call transmission procedure shown in FIG.

Here, when the facsimile mail device detects the EOP sent by the G3 FAX after completing the transmission of the facsimile message and returns the MCF, if the transmission request signal is raised from the search means, the facsimile mail device sends the data to be transmitted on the facsimile mail device side. There is a transmission direction switching request EDR (Excha
ngeDirectionRequest). In G3FAX, when EDR is detected following MCF, transmission direction switching confirmation E D is sent as a response signal.
C (Exchange Direction Conf.
irm) and transfers the transmission right to the facsimile mail device (phase D'). That is, the following is G3
This is the procedure for making and receiving FAX calls.

The facsimile mail device responds with DIS upon confirmation of this EDC. In C,3 FAX, the facsimile communication mode is set by transmitting DTC to this DIS, notifying the facsimile mail device of the functions it has, and the facsimile mail device returning DC3 in response.

In the following, the facsimile mail device becomes the sender, and the stored facsimile message or notification information is sent.

The facsimile mail device issues an RTC at the end of the facsimile message to return to control mode (Phase C)
. The facsimile mail device then sends the EOP,
G3FAX confirms the end of the message and returns the MCF (Phase D).

Next, G3FAX sends a transmission termination request TER (Transmission) to terminate the communication after transferring the transmission right.
onEnd Request), and the facsimile mail device sends a transmission end confirmation TE C (Transmission End Co., Ltd.) as a response to this TER.
nfirm) (phase D').

G3FAX detects this TEC, sends DCN, and disconnects the line (phase E).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the present invention allows a facsimile mail device to send a reception completion notification or send a facsimile message to the sender within the ear of the recipient of the facsimile message, thereby constructing an efficient facsimile communication network. can do.

Furthermore, since transmission and reception are performed within the same ear, communication costs can be reduced compared to a method in which transmission and reception are performed using different calls.

Furthermore, since the facsimile device that sent the facsimile message can receive notification of completion of reception addressed to itself, the facsimile device can absorb the communication costs that were traditionally borne by facsimile mail devices, and receive benefits. It is possible to realize the burden paid by the individual.

Further, immediately after the facsimile message is sent to the facsimile mail device, the reception completion notification and the facsimile message addressed to the facsimile device are received, so that the reception process can be performed reliably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the facsimile mail apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the setup frame format. FIG. 4 is a group 4 facsimile machine. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a mail device. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure for switching the communication direction in group 3 mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining a call transmission procedure from 03 FAX to a facsimile mail device. In the figure, 11 is a communication control means, 12 is a storage means, 13 is a processing means, 15 is a source detection means, 16 is a search means, 17 is a control means, 40 is a digital network, 41 is an adapter, 43 is a storage unit, 45 is a main memory, 47 is an MPU, and 49 is a bus. Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the facsimile mail device of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the setup frame format. (Calling sending side) Sequence diagram showing the procedure for switching the communication direction in the facsimile mail device Gutsudobu 3 mode. Figure 5. G3FAX (Calling sending side) Fig. Figure 6

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Communication control means (11
), and a storage means for storing facsimile messages and notification information (
12), the received facsimile message or notification information is sent to the storage means (12), and the stored facsimile message or notification information is retrieved from the storage means (12) and sent via the communication control means (11). In the facsimile mail device, the facsimile mail device includes a processing means (13) for controlling delivery to a specified destination, and a sending source detecting means (13) for detecting the sending source of the received facsimile message.
5) After the reception of the facsimile message is completed, the facsimile message or notification information addressed to the sender is stored in the storage means (1).
2), and if there is a corresponding facsimile message or notification information, the processing means (13) outputs a transmission request signal. In response to the,
The present invention further includes communication direction switching control means (17) which performs control to reverse the communication direction without disconnecting the call, and performs control to retrieve and transmit the corresponding facsimile message or notification information from the storage means (12). A facsimile mail device with special features. (2) In the facsimile mail device according to claim 1, when the facsimile device oppositely connected to the facsimile mail device via the communication network transmits a facsimile message to the facsimile mail device, it also transmits a caller number. A facsimile mail device, characterized in that the sender detection means (15) is configured to identify the sender number from the received facsimile message and detect the sender. (3) In the facsimile mail device according to claim 1, the communication control means (11) is connected to an ISDN, and the communication control means (11) is connected to an ISDN.
The structure is configured to perform communication control based on the group 4 facsimile protocol with the opposing facsimile machine of group 4 via the DN, and the source detection means (15) detects the caller number from the caller number notified from the ISDN. A facsimile mail device characterized in that it is configured to detect a sender.