JPH042253A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the composite service in combination with voice and picture communication by providing a means sending and receiving a picture file and a voice file stored in a storage means to the facsimile equipment. CONSTITUTION:A communication control section 13 sends a picture file and a voice file. A receiver side equipment receives the picture file and the voice file to be sent and stores them into a reception file storage area of a DAT memory 12 together with the file number of the like. Then a CPU 1 reads the received voice file, sends it via a voice buffer 10 to a voice CODEC 9, in which the file is D/A-converted and converted into a relevant analog signal and outputted from a speaker 8. Simultaneously, the received picture file is read and sent to a picture CODEC 5 via a picture buffer 6 and relevant picture information is printed out by a printer 4. Thus, the composite service in combination with voice and picture communication is attained.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a facsimile device capable of storing image information and audio information, and relates to a facsimile device connected to an ISDN, for example.

[Conventional technology]

In conventional facsimile machines connected to ISDN, voice information is only partially used, for example, for voice guidance to the operator and voice notification when a call is received. Other audio was handled only in the form of phone calls. This is due to the fact that conventional facsimile machines did not have sufficient memory to store voice. This is because conventional facsimile machines use semiconductor memories as storage devices, which have a maximum capacity of only several tens of megabytes and are not suitable for long-term voice storage. Furthermore, in addition to facsimile machines, voice mail services are available that deliver voice as mail. This is a service in which a center device stores audio on a tape and transmits it by calling a designated destination at a designated time.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Conventional facsimile machines that communicate only images cannot store audio information as a file, and the information that can be transmitted is extremely limited. Furthermore, in the conventional ISDN, communication control is inconvenient for transmitting and receiving voice information in a facsimile machine, and it has been desired to establish an optimal communication procedure for transmitting and receiving voice information.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention was made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and includes the following configuration as one means for solving the above-mentioned problems. That is, an image input/output means for inputting and outputting image information, an audio input/output means for inputting and outputting audio information, and image information and audio information inputted by the audio input/output means and image input/output means are respectively converted into image files. It includes a storage means for storing as an audio file, and a transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving the image file and the audio file stored in the storage means. Further, the transmitting/receiving means can continuously transmit a plurality of audio files and a plurality of image files to the same destination. Furthermore, the transmitting/receiving means is connectable to an ISDN and includes first identifying means for identifying consecutive image files and audio files as the same file by means of a call setup message on the D channel of the ISDN. The transmitting/receiving means also includes a second identifying means for identifying consecutive image files and audio files as the same file based on the NSC (non-standard terminal capability) of the control signal CSS of CCITT Recommendation T.62 (Session Layer). Furthermore, when the transmitting/receiving means receives the audio file, it identifies whether to output it to the audio player means or to store it as a file in the storage means using a call setting message. Alternatively, the transmitting/receiving means simultaneously uses two B channels, which are the basic services of ISDN, to transmit and receive image files and audio files at the same time. The sending/receiving means is an I
This is done by a call setting message on the D channel of the SDN, and the transmitting side, which receives an audio file reception confirmation response by the call setting message on the D channel, is provided with erasing means for erasing the audio file sent by the storage means.

[Effect]

With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a composite service that combines voice and image communication. It is also possible to send input voice messages.

【Example】

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the overall configuration of this embodiment will be explained below using FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a main controller (CPU) that controls the entire apparatus of this embodiment according to the control procedures shown in the flowchart described later, which is stored in the built-in ROM 1a.
2 is a RAM that temporarily stores the processing progress etc. on the CPUI; 3
is a scanner that reads image information, 4 is a printer that prints out image information, etc., 5 is scanner 3, printer 4
6 is an image buffer that temporarily stores image information, 7 is a handset that inputs and outputs audio information, 8 is a speaker that outputs audio information, and 9 is an image codec that compresses and expands image information. Handset 7 and speaker 8
and A/D for audio information. An audio codec that performs D/A conversion, etc., 1o is an audio buffer that temporarily stores audio information, and 11 is an audio storage key.
File transmission key An operation section consisting of a one-touch Daicel key, a message output key 1, and a display that displays various guidance information, etc. 12 is a DAT memory (Digital Audio T) which is a large capacity external storage device.
ape), 13 is a communication control unit that controls the interface with the 15DN line 21, 21 is the 15DN line, and 50 is the 15DN to which the device of this embodiment is connected. In the above configuration, the CPU 1 normally monitors operation input from the operation unit 11 or call detection from the communication control unit 13. When transmitting normal image information, the image read from the scanner 3 is sent to the CPUI via the image buffer 6 as a code compressed by the image codec 5, and -
The data is then stored in the DAT memory 12, which is a storage device. When all pages have been stored, start the communication control unit 13 and
After making a call to the 5DN 50 and confirming that the destination device has responded, the image information stored in the DAT memory 12 is read out and sent to the 15DN line 21 via the communication control unit 13.
15DN 50 is sent to the destination device connected to the I5DN 50. The communication procedure in the communication control unit 13 at this time uses the G4 facsimile procedure. In the destination device that has received this image information, the communication control unit 13 receives this image information and converts it into an image codec 5.
The image is decoded into a raw image and output from the printer 4. Next, control for storing audio information in the DAT memory 12 will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A handset 7 is used as the voice input means. Further, the handset 7 is also used as a communication means. When the operator presses and inputs the "audio storage" key on the operation unit 11 in step S1 in FIG. 2, the processing of the CPUI shifts to the audio storage processing shown in FIG. When the "audio storage" key in step S1 is input, the CPU 1 displays "Please enter audio box number OO~99" on the display section on the operation section 11 to prompt the operator to input the audio box. In this embodiment, a total of 100 types of voice boxes can be specified in the DAT memory 12. The voice box can be used as a box for each purpose or individual. After viewing this guidance, the operator enters the voice box number to be specified in step S2. Then, in step S3, the handset 7 is picked up (off-hook). When the CPU detects this off-hook state, the display of the operation unit 11 displays the message "Please enter a voice message."
Please display the following message. After confirming this guidance, the operator continues (in step S4, inputs the voice information to be stored from the handset 7. The analog voice information input from the handset 7 is converted into A/D by the voice codec 9. and converted into corresponding digital information,
Step S to the DAT memory 12 through the audio buffer 6
The audio box number specified in step 2 is assigned and stored. When the operator finishes inputting the voice message, he hangs up the handset 7 (goes on-hook) and ends the series of voice storage processes. Hereinafter, the CPUI will refer to the operation input of the operation section 11 of the method,
Alternatively, the communication control unit 13 moves to a process of monitoring call detection. Through the above operations, the input audio information file to which the input audio file number has been assigned is stored in the DAT memory 12, and the file number stored through this audio storage process is displayed on the display. Next, control for storing image information in the DAT memory 12 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG. When the operator wants to accumulate image information,
First, as shown in step Sll, a document to be stored is set on the scanner 3. Then, the message "Original is set" is displayed on the display of the scanner 3 or the operation unit 11. After confirming this message, the operator then presses and inputs the "Image storage" key on the operation unit 1, as shown in step S12. CPU
1, when the "image storage" key in step S12 is input, "Enter image box number (0~99)" is displayed on the display section on the operation section 11 to prompt the operator to input the image box. In this embodiment, a total of 100 types of image boxes can be specified in the DAT memory 12.The image boxes can be used as purpose-specific or personal boxes.The operator who saw this guidance should specify them in the following step S13. Then, in step S13, the "start" key of the operation unit 11 is entered.When the CPU 1 detects the human power of this "start" key, it starts the scanner 3 in step 815 and sets the "start" key. The image buffer 6
The image is stored in the DAT memory 12 with the image box number designated in step S13. The CPU sequentially continues reading the originals set in the scanner 3 and storing them in the DAT memory 12, and ends the series of image accumulation processing when all the set originals have been read/stored. Thereafter, the CPU 1 shifts to operation input from the operating unit 11 or monitoring process for detecting a call from the communication control unit 13. Through the above operations, the original set on the scanner 3 is read, a predetermined image file number is assigned as an image information file, and it is stored in the DAT memory 12.
The file number accumulated through this image accumulation process is displayed on the display. Next, referring to the flowchart in FIG. 4, we will explain the control on the sending side when the image files and audio files stored in the DAT memory 12 with file numbers assigned by the above process are successively sent to the same destination. do. First, the operator presses and inputs the "file transmission" key on the operation unit 11 in step S21. CPU1 is in step S
When the "File Send" key No. 21 is input, the operation section 1
1. In the display section above, select “Enter the file number.”
is displayed, and a guidance prompting the operator to input the file number to be sent is displayed. After confirming this display, the operator first inputs the image file number to be transmitted in step S22. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, rFile No.=052 Image KAIGI
Enter the designation like KAISAIJ. Then, in the following step S23, the audio file number to be transmitted is input. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, rFile No.=052 Audio Al5ATSU
Then, in step S24, specify and input the destination number to which the file is to be sent using the "Fun Touch" key or the "Telephone number" key on the operation unit 11. After confirming the input of this destination number, The CPU 1 calls the destination device with the input number. When the destination device responds, in steps S25 and S26, the CPU 1 reads out the information of the specified image box and audio box in the DAT memory 12, and performs communication control. The unit 13 sends the data to ISDN and sends it to the designated destination device.Then, the process of transmitting all the image files and audio files in the designated box is completed.When only one of the files is to be transmitted, the image file Alternatively, you only need to specify the file number of one of the audio files to be sent.In the above process, the ISDN interface has B
There are two channels and a D channel, and the communication control unit 13 uses the D channel to execute the pre-procedure and declare image transmission. Then, the image file is transmitted using the B channel according to the G4 facsimile procedure. Next, audio transmission is declared using the D channel procedure, followed by transmitting the audio file using the B channel. The control on the receiving side of the image file information and audio file information transmitted as described above will be explained below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In response to the incoming call, they form a mutual communication path, receive the subsequently sent image files and audio files, and store them in the DAT memory 12 along with the file numbers assigned to the files.
is stored in the received file storage area. When the file has been stored, the communication path with the sending device is opened,
``There is an image/audio message'' is displayed on the display section of the operation section 11. When the operator confirms this display and learns that image/audio messages from other 15DN connected devices are stored in the DAT memory 12, the operator proceeds to step S3.
When the "message output" key of the operation unit 11 shown in FIG. The received audio file is read out and sent to the audio codec 9 via the audio buffer 10, where it is D/A converted to a corresponding analog signal and output from the speaker 8. At the same time, in step S34, the received image file stored in the DAT memory 12 is read out and sent to the image codec 5 via the image buffer 6, where it is decompressed and demodulated into the original image data, and the corresponding image is The information is printed out by the printer 4. Note that in the case of either an audio file or an image file being received, only the received file will be output. When all the received files have been output, the series of processing is completed and the display on the display is also reset. In the above explanation, an example of continuous transmission of one audio/image file was given, but the present invention is not limited to the above example. By the way, multiple audio/image files can also be sent in one operation.The l5DN line 21 and l5DN in the above explanation
The details of the communication procedure of the communication control unit 13 when communicating an image file or an audio file with another device via the device 50 will be described below. First, details of the communication procedure of the communication control unit 13 when communicating an image file will be explained. In this embodiment, image files are communicated via the 15DN 50 using the 04 protocol of the facsimile communication procedure. The basic ISDN service consists of two information channels (B channels) and one call control channel (D channel), i.e., two
It is composed of B+D. The D channel controls connection and disconnection of calls and is based on CCI TT Recommendation Q, 921. Q931.
It is specified in I430. Especially when connecting a call, 5ETUP (ll15F setting)
Set the B, C (carrying capability), and HLC (higher layer compatibility) of the B channel you want to use during the message, and send a 5ETUP (call setup) message containing the B, C, and HLC values to the other party's terminal. . When communicating image files in the device of this embodiment, [B,
C=unrestricted digital, HLC=G4 facsimile], image file communication using the G4 protocol becomes possible. 64 protocol on the B channel is CCI TT Recommendation T,
563. T, 503. T, 521. T, 62, T, 90
The link layer connections (SABM, U
A) and disconnection (DISC. VA), and network layer connection (CR. Packet size, window size negotiation by CC packet) and disconnection (CQ. CF),) transport layer connection (TCR. TCA) transport size negotiation)
It consists of session layer connection (CSS. R35P) and disconnection (C3E, R3EP), document layer connection (CDCL, RDCLP. CD5) and disconnection (CDE, RDEP), and document transfer (CDUI). In particular, image files are
Transmission and reception are performed using the UI). As described above, image file communication is performed in the sequence of (call connection via D channel)→(image file transfer via B channel)→(call disconnection via D channel). FIG. 6 shows a detailed communication example of the communication procedure of the communication control unit 13 when communicating the above image file. Since the communication control of the image file described above is only slightly different from the general communication splitting procedure, detailed explanation will be omitted. Next, details of the communication procedure of the communication control unit 13 when communicating an audio file will be explained. The D channel also controls call connection and disconnection in audio file communication, and as in the image file communication shown in FIG. 6, CCI TT Recommendations Q, 921°Q, 931. I430
stipulated by. However, in the case of audio file communication, the transmission capacity of the B channel only needs to be able to communicate voice, so B, C (transmission capacity) = 5peech (voice) or 3. IK H
Just set z Audio. The pre-procedure processing and post-procedure processing using other D channels are the same as in the case of image file communication described above. Further, after a call is connected through the D channel, control of the B channel is performed without any procedure, and voice information to be stored in the voice file is communicated by transmitting voice from the transmitting side to the B channel. FIG. 7 shows a detailed communication example of the communication procedure of the communication control unit 13 when communicating the above audio file. The image file communication and audio file communication of this embodiment explained above are based on an example in which each image file communication and audio file communication are performed at different timings.
Since the basic service of DN has a 2B+D configuration, IS
It is also possible to use two B channels, which is a basic service of DN, to simultaneously perform image file communication while simultaneously communicating other audio files. In this case, after completing the communication phase on the D channel in the communication control sequence for the image file shown in FIG. 6 and entering the phase on the B channel, the communication of the audio file shown in FIG. 7 on the D channel is performed. This can be achieved by controlling the control sequence. This allows image files and audio files to be communicated in parallel over the two B channels. When the communication of any file is completed, the post-procedure processing shown in FIG. 6 or 7 may be performed using the D channel from the completed file communication. At this time, in the sequence example shown in Fig. 6, if the other B channel, which is the basic service of ISDN, is available while the B channel is using CDUI and the image file is being transferred, then By controlling the sequence shown in FIG. 7 from the beginning, the audio files may be controlled to be transferred simultaneously. Even in this case, the image file and the audio file can be transferred using the two B channels as described above. Can be sent at the same time. Furthermore, in order to distinguish between normal phone calls and voice file communication, in this embodiment, voice file communication is defined in the user information of the 5ETUP message in the pre-procedure process. However, there are other methods such as using NSC (non-standard terminal function) in the G4 protocol, and defining new audio file communication for identifying the high layer characteristics of HLC (high layer compatibility) of the 5ETUP message in pre-procedure processing. It is also possible. For example, an example will be explained in which user-user information of the information element of the 5ETUP message is used. FIG. 8 shows an example of the format of user-user information. The user-to-user information element is used to convey information between users, and the contents of this information element are not interpreted by the network (transparently transferred and sent to the other device). Therefore, as shown in Figure 8, octet 4 of this user information field is used as a file number storage field, and octet 5 is used as an audio file confirmation field.When sending each file, the file number is specified. The audio file and the image file can be considered to be the same when the isle numbers of the user information of each 5ETUP message when communicating the audio file and the image file match. Similarly, when the respective file numbers are different, the files can be identified by not considering them as the same file. Note that octet 5 is an area used to notify the audio file reception confirmation from the audio file receiving side to the audio file sending side using the D channel protocol described later, and the value of the audio file confirmation field is “ooooo
oooo”, audio file reception has not been confirmed, “0
0000001" indicates that the audio file reception has been confirmed, and other values are kept as backup. This allows the sending side to notify the audio file confirmation.
You can confirm the transfer of important audio files. Furthermore, as another method for identifying whether image files/audio files are the same file or not, N
There is a method using SC (non-standard terminal function). below,
NSC (non-standard terminal function) in this 64 protocol
Explain how to use. When using this method, the order in which the image file is transmitted first and then the audio file is maintained. For example, in the 04 protocol when transmitting the first image file shown in Fig. 6, the control signal CSS of the session layer is N
By adding a parameter to the SC that indicates that subsequent audio files are considered to be the same file, it can be determined whether the image file and the audio file are the same. That is, by analyzing the NSC of the CSS on the receiving side and determining whether there is a parameter specifying the same file, it becomes possible to distinguish between a normal phone call and a voice file communication. FIG. 9 shows an example of the format of the NSC of the CSS. In Figure 9, for example, if the file identification code in octet 7 is "oooooooooo", it means that the subsequent audio files are not the same, and if the file identification code is "00000001", the subsequent audio files are the same. This indicates that it is a file. Note that if the file identification code is any other value, it is kept as a backup. Furthermore, it is possible to switch whether the audio file is output from the transmitter (or speaker 8) of the handset 7 or stored as a file in the DAT memory 12 using the information element of the 5ETUP (call setup) message. For example, HLC, which is an information element of the 5ETUP message,
An example of switching based on (higher layer compatibility) will be explained. HLC encoding is specified in CCITT Recommendation Q931. The HLC encoding regulations are shown in FIG. 10, and the details of the high layer special identification in octet 4 in FIG. 10 are shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, when outputting an audio file input from the handset, it is only necessary to set HLC to the telephone (higher layer characteristic identification in octet 4 '00f)0001'').On the other hand, when outputting to the DAT memory 12, HLC is set to Preliminarily (higher layer characteristic identification in octet 4 is set to “100”)
0010''), and when this setting is used, an arrangement is made so that the incoming audio file is stored in the DAT memory 12, and when this higher layer characteristic identification comes, the received audio file is stored in the DAT memory 12. In this way, it is possible to switch between outputting to the handset and outputting to the DAT memory 12 according to the contents of the HLC.As mentioned above, what is communicated is an audio file, and the 5ETUP B and C (communication ability) in the message are 5
peach (voice) or 3, I KHz Au
di. All you have to do is set . In addition, switching between outputting the audio file from the transmitter (or speaker 8) of the handset 7 or storing it as a file in the DAT memory 12 is performed using user-user information, which is an information element of the 5ETUP message. It is possible to do this in the same way. Furthermore, using the D channel protocol described above,
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the control for transmitting an audio file reception confirmation response from the receiving side to the transmitting side of the audio file will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. The information allows the receiving side to notify the sending side of an acknowledgment of receipt of the audio file. In this case, by storing audio file confirmation or audio file unconfirmation in the audio file confirmation field of octet 5 of the user/user information and transmitting it, the sending device can send the corresponding audio file to the other party's device. You can know for sure whether it is true or not. In this case, upon completion of normal reception of the audio file, the receiving side sets the value of the audio file confirmation field to "00000001" using the D channel protocol described below in octet 5. On the other hand, if the audio file with the corresponding audio file number has not been received yet, the value of the audio file confirmation field is set to ``oooooooooo''.Then, by sending the audio file to the sending device according to the procedure shown in Figure 12, the sending device Then, confirm that the audio file sent before the audio file number whose audio file confirmation field value is set to "00000001" has been received, and that the audio file with the audio file number after that has not been received by the other party yet. As a result, even if an image file and an audio file are simultaneously transmitted using two B channels, it is possible to know which file number has been sent to the other party's device. By controlling in this manner, it is possible to know which audio file has been sent to the other party's device without fail, and when the receiver receives an acknowledgment of receipt of this audio file, the receiver transfers the received audio file to the DAT memory 12. Compared to simply erasing the transmitted audio file from the DAT memory 12 immediately after transmitting the audio file,
It is possible to prevent data from being accidentally deleted from the DAT memory 12 even though normal communication is not possible. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent important or confidential audio files from being accidentally deleted. At this time, it is sufficient to simply change the erasing timing from the DAT memory 12 and communicate a response confirming receipt of the audio file. As explained above, according to this embodiment, the DAT memory 1
By equipping an inexpensive external storage device suitable for voice storage with a large storage capacity of IG bytes or more, as in 2, it is possible to store voice messages that require a large file capacity, and to record voice messages. A service called file communication can be provided. Furthermore, a voice message can be added and sent at the same time as an image message, without reducing the communication speed (and a wider variety of communication services can be provided. [Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention According to the system, it is possible to provide a composite service that combines voice and image communication.It is also possible to send input voice messages.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing voice storage processing of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing image storage processing of this embodiment. Flowchart, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing image/audio file transmission processing in this embodiment, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing image/audio message reception control and retrieval processing in this embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing image/audio message reception processing and retrieval processing in this embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the communication sequence of an image file using the 64 protocol, Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the communication sequence of an audio file in this embodiment, and Figure 8 is a diagram showing the format of user-user information used in this embodiment. 9 is a diagram showing the format of HLC (higher layer compatibility) used in this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the detailed format of high layer characteristic identification of HLC shown in FIG. 9. The figure shows the format of the NSC used in this embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the sequence of audio file confirmation notifications in this embodiment. 13... Communication control unit, 21... l5DN line,
50...l5DN. Patent Applicant: Canon Co., Ltd. In the figure, 1... Main controller (CPU), 2.
...RAM, 3...Scanner, 4...Printer, 5
...Image codec, 6...Image buffer, 7...
-Handset, 8...Speaker, 9...Audio codec, 10...Audio buffer, 11...Operation unit, 12
...DAT memo ψ here] of] of ω Painting East/Thinking Phi 1 Shibutsu 1 Luxury Painting 111 Voice Memo/Soup Listening to Clothes No, Seishihito Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Hit 8 Fig. 10 Figure height 1 and 5 degrees j (mukufuchi 7 and 4)

Claims (8)

[Claims] (1) An image input/output means for inputting/outputting image information, an audio input/output means for inputting/outputting audio information, and an image information and audio information inputted by the audio input/output means and the image input/output means, respectively. A facsimile apparatus comprising a storage means for storing files and audio files, and a transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving the image files and audio files stored in the storage means. (2) The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting/receiving means is capable of continuously transmitting a plurality of audio files and a plurality of image files to the same destination. (3) In the facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, the transmitting/receiving means is connectable to an ISDN, and includes a first method for identifying consecutive image files and audio files as the same file by a call setup message on the D channel of the ISDN. A facsimile device comprising identification means. (4) In the facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, the transmitting/receiving means is connectable to ISDN and transmits continuous image files and audio files according to CCITT Recommendation T. 1. A facsimile apparatus comprising second identification means for identifying the same file based on NSC (non-standard terminal capability) of a control signal CSS of a session layer (62). (5) In the facsimile device according to claim 1, the transmitting/receiving means is connectable to ISDN, and when receiving an audio file, it is determined whether to output it to the audio input/output means or to store it as a file in the storage means. A facsimile device characterized in that the above is performed by a call setting message. (6) The facsimile device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitting/receiving means is connectable to ISDN, and simultaneously uses two B channels, which are basic services of ISDN, to transmit and receive image files and audio files at the same time. facsimile machine. (7) The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting/receiving means is connectable to an ISDN, and the reception confirmation response for the voice file is performed by a call setup message on the D channel of the ISDN. (8) In the facsimile apparatus according to claim 7, in the case of the sending side of the audio file, when a voice file reception confirmation response is received by a call setup message on the D channel, the transmitted audio file is deleted from the storage means. A facsimile machine characterized by comprising erasing means for erasing.