JPH04213945A - Text distribution device for facsimile store and forward switching system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize the text distribution equipment for the facsimile store and forward switching system by devising the system that the distribution in a communication charge discount time zone is implemented upon a request. CONSTITUTION:The text distribution equipment is provided with a current time storage revision means 12 storing a current time for a destination subscriber and revising it, a storage means 13 storing a communication charge discount time zone by each destination subscriber, a waiting means 16 awaiting a requested text till a time comes within the communication charge discount time zone of the destination subscriber upon a request of distribution within the communication charge discount time zone and a distribution execution means 14 extracting the awaited text and executing the distribution when the time comes within the communication charge discount time zone of the destination subscriber to attain economical distribution.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a message distribution device for a facsimile storage and forwarding system that takes into consideration the time for transmitting messages in a facsimile storage and forwarding machine.

0002

[Prior Art] When distributing messages using a facsimile storage/switching machine, there is a method in which the messages are delivered during a single delivery time period without distinguishing between destinations, and a method in which the messages are delivered at a specified time for each message delivery request. It was now possible to choose either method of how to perform the delivery.

[0003] In such conventional devices, there has been a problem in that, when requesting distribution, it is not possible to select a time slot when communication charges are low for each destination. On the other hand, there are devices in which the designated delivery time is set every time for each message. However, with this latter device, it was necessary to investigate the cheapest time slot for each destination, and it was also necessary to set this time each time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a message distribution device for a facsimile storage and exchange system that is capable of performing distribution within a communication discount time period when requested.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The invention as set forth in claim 1 has a local time keeping/updating means for holding and updating the local time at a destination, a storage means for storing a communication fee discount time period for each destination, and a communication A standby means for waiting for the requested message until the communication charge discount time for the destination when delivery within the charge discount time zone is requested, and a standby means for waiting when the communication charge discount time for the destination has entered. The message distribution device is provided with a distribution execution means for taking out the message that has been sent and distributing it.

[0006] In other words, in the invention described in claim 1, communication charge discount time slots are stored for each destination, and when delivery within the communication charge discount time slot is requested, the message is not sent until this time slot. The above-mentioned purpose is achieved by making the delivery of the information standby.

[0007] According to the second aspect of the invention, changing means for changing the communication charge discount time period stored in the storage means is provided, so that changes in the communication charge discount time period can be handled.

Furthermore, in the invention as claimed in claim 3, by adding a flag code to the received message data indicating whether or not delivery is requested in the communication charge discount time period, only the requested message is provided with an economical Distribution is now possible.

[0009]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to Examples below.

FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of the message distribution apparatus of this embodiment.

This message distribution device 11 includes a holding/updating means 12 for holding and updating the local time at the destination, a storage means 13 for storing the discount time period of the communication charge for the destination, and a communication charge for each destination. The apparatus is provided with a distribution execution means 14 for extracting and distributing the message that was waiting for when the discount time period begins. A changing means 15 is connected to the storage means 13 for changing the stored contents when there is a change in the call charge discount time period for the destination. Further, the distribution execution means 14 is connected to a standby means 16 for temporarily storing the message and waiting for it when a distribution request is received in a time zone other than the communication fee discount time zone for each destination.

[0012] In the message distribution apparatus having such a configuration, first, the changing means 15 is used to store in the storage means 13 the discount time period for communication charges to the destination. If a distribution request is made outside the communication charge discount time period for each destination, the requested message is temporarily stored in the standby means 16 and a waiting period is held.

[0013] Then, once the message has been met in this way, it is checked whether or not the communication fee discount time period for each destination has entered. If it is confirmed through this confirmation that the communication fee discount time period has entered, the message is taken out from the standby means 16, and the distribution execution means 14 executes distribution.

FIG. 2 shows a concrete example of such a message distribution device. In this message distribution device 21, a facsimile message receiving circuit 22 and a facsimile message transmitting circuit 23 are connected to a central processing unit (CPU) via buses 24 and 25, respectively.
26, and is designed to control reception and transmission of facsimile messages.

The CPU 25 is connected via a bus 27 to an interactive terminal 28 for inputting commands. Here, the conversational terminal 28 is a terminal that inputs a command instructing the setting of the contents of a table storing communication charge discount time periods.

The CPU 26 is further connected to a peripheral storage device 31 and a main storage device 32 via buses 29 and 30. Here, within the peripheral storage device 31, a dedicated storage area 33 is provided for storing the meeting message. The main storage device 32 stores a program storage area 34 that stores a control program for controlling this device, an internal clock 35 that maintains and updates the time for each destination, and communication charge discount time periods for each destination. A table 36 is provided.

In the message distribution device 21, the facsimile message receiving circuit 22 sends the received message data to the CPU 26 via the bus 24.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of received message data. The received message data 41 has a structure in which a destination code 42 indicating the delivery destination and a flag code 43 indicating a request for distribution during the communication charge discount time period are added to the message 44.

FIG. 4 shows an overview of the flow of message processing by this message distribution device. When the received message data 41 (FIG. 3) is sent as described above (step S101 in FIG. 4; Y), the CPU 26 stores the program storage area 34.
The request information is analyzed according to the control program stored in the . That is, it is determined whether a value requesting distribution in the communication charge discount time period is set in the flag code 43 (step S102), and if the requested value is set (Y), This is stored in the dedicated storage area 33 in the peripheral storage device 31 via the bus 29 (step S103). Then, each time a certain period of time passes (step S105; Y), the internal clock 35 is read out and compared with the contents of the table 36 (step S105).
).

FIG. 5 shows the contents of the table. In the table 36, the destination code 51 and the start time 52 and end time 53 of the communication charge discount period for that destination are recorded for each destination.

Such recording in the table 36 is performed when the system is started up or when a setting command is input by a maintenance person from the interactive terminal 28. In these cases, the control program stored in the program storage area 34 analyzes the input data and writes the contents into the table 36 if the set values are correct.

If the value indicated by the internal clock 35 is between the start time 52 and the end time 53 (step S10
6; Y), the message stored in the dedicated storage area 33 is retrieved and sent via the buses 29 and 25 to the facsimile message transmitting circuit 23, from where it is transmitted to its destination (step S107).

[0023] If delivery is not requested during the communication charge discount time period in step S102 (N), the message is immediately sent to the facsimile message transmission circuit 23 and transmitted to the destination (step S107). .

[0024]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the message distribution device of the present invention, when a request is made for distribution within a communication fee discount time period, message transmission is put on standby until the time period arrives. , economical delivery can be made. Moreover,
Since the user does not need to accurately recognize the communication charge discount time period of the destination, there is also the effect that the work for distribution is simplified.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of a message distribution device in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of received message data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overview of the flow of message processing in the message distribution device of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a table recording communication charge discount time periods in this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

12　This embodiment/updating means 13. Storage means 14 Distribution execution means 15 Modification means 16. Standby means 22 Facsimile message receiving circuit 23 Facsimile message transmission circuit 26 CPU 28　Conversational terminal 33 Dedicated storage area 34 Program storage area 35 Internal clock 36 Table

Claims (3)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A local time maintenance/updating means for maintaining and updating the local time at the destination, a storage means for storing the communication charge discount time period for each destination, and a request for delivery within the communication charge discount time period. a standby means for making the requested message stand by until a communication charge discount time period for the destination;
A message distribution device for a facsimile storage and forwarding system, characterized in that the message distribution device for a facsimile storage and exchange system is provided with a distribution execution means for retrieving and distributing a message that has been kept on standby when a communication fee discount time period for a destination starts. 2. The message distribution apparatus for a facsimile storage and forwarding system according to claim 1, further comprising a changing means for changing the communication fee discount time period stored in the storage means. 3. The facsimile according to claim 1, further comprising a determining means for analyzing a flag code constituting the received message data and determining whether or not delivery within a communication fee discount time period is requested. A message distribution device for a store-and-forward system.