JPH04269070A - Facsimile equipment and facsimile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure polling communication by urging setting of a polling transmission original to a called communication terminal equipment in the polling communication. CONSTITUTION:When a polling transmission request comes from an opposite communication terminal equipment, An original detection means 5 checks whether or not a polling transmission original is set, and when no polling transmission original is set, an alarm driving means drives an alarm means 16 to raise the attention to the operator that no polling transmission original is set. Furthermore, when a receiver side communication terminal equipment makes a polling transmission request and no polling transmission original is set to the sender side communication terminal equipment, the receiver side communication terminal equipment sends a voice message urging the setting of the polling transmission original to the sender side communication terminal equipment by using a microphone 14. Moreover, when the original is set by the voice message, polling communication is succeedingly implemented.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine and a facsimile communication system, and more particularly to a facsimile machine and a facsimile communication system that perform polling communication.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, facsimile machines are connected to the PSTN (public telephone network) and send and receive image information to and from the other party's facsimile machine. sends the image information, and the communication cost is borne by the facsimile device on the calling side that sends the image information.

However, as facsimile machines have become more widespread, their functions have become more sophisticated, and facsimile machines equipped with so-called polling functions have appeared. In a facsimile machine equipped with this polling function, the receiving facsimile machine calls the sending facsimile machine to issue a polling transmission request, and the facsimile machine that receives the call takes an image of the document set in the scanner. information,
Alternatively, the image information stored in the image memory is transmitted to the calling facsimile machine. In this polling communication, it is necessary that the facsimile machine transmitting polling is in a standby state for polling transmission, and the facsimile machine receiving polling knows that the facsimile machine transmitting polling is in a standby state for polling transmission. There is a need.

However, conventional facsimile machines do not have a function to notify that they are in a polling transmission standby state, and even if the receiving facsimile machine calls the transmitting facsimile machine to request polling transmission. , if no original is set on the sender's facsimile machine, polling communication cannot be performed, and the sender's (
(Called side) The facsimile device outputs a line disconnection request (DCN signal) and ends the process without performing polling communication process.

Therefore, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-94776, a call detecting means for detecting a call signal from a calling party and a determining means for determining the presence or absence of a document for polling communication have been proposed. , the time from when the calling signal detecting means detects the calling signal until it closes the line with the calling party is different depending on whether the determining means determines that there is a document or not. A facsimile machine has been proposed which is equipped with a line closing means.

According to this facsimile device, the receiving side (
(Calling side) When there is a request to send a document from the facsimile machine,
The transmitting side (called side) facsimile device uses its determining means to determine the presence or absence of a document for polling communication, and notifies the line closing means of the result, and the line closing means determines that the document is present by the determining means. Control is performed so that the time from when the calling signal detecting means detects the calling signal to when the line with the calling side is closed is made different between when it is determined that there is no document and when it is determined that there is no document. Therefore, the operator on the calling side can determine whether there is a document for polling communication based on the length of the ringback tone that is returned until the line is closed.

[0007]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such conventional facsimile devices, in polling communication, when the sending (called) facsimile device receives a polling transmission request, Since the closing time of the line was only different depending on the presence or absence of a document, the operator of the receiving (calling) facsimile machine could determine whether the document was set on the sending facsimile machine depending on the length of the ringback tone that was sent back. However, it is not possible to inform the operator of the sending facsimile machine that the original for polling transmission has not been set, and it is not possible to prompt the sending operator to set the original to be sent. . Therefore, in order to reliably set the original for polling transmission, the operator of the receiving facsimile machine must again request the sending operator to set the original over the phone, which poses the problem of poor usability of polling communication. there were.

[0008]

[Means for solving the problem] The invention according to claim 1 includes:
In a facsimile machine that executes a standard protocol and performs polling communication in which the image information of the polling transmission document set in response to a polling transmission request from the other party's communication terminal is read and sent to the other party's communication terminal, an original detection means for detecting the presence of an original for polling; an alarm means for outputting an alarm to alert the operator that no original for polling transmission is set; and an original detection means for polling when receiving a control signal indicating a polling transmission request. Alarm drive means is provided which drives the alarm means when it is detected that the original for transmission is not set, and when the original for polling transmission is not set at the time of a polling transmission request, the alarm driving means is actuated to prevent communication with the other party. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the operator is prompted to set a polling transmission document in preparation for a re-call from the terminal, and when a receiving communication terminal issues a polling transmission request,
In a facsimile communication system that performs polling communication in which a sending communication terminal reads the image information of a document for polling transmission set and transmits it to a receiving communication terminal, the sending communication terminal communicates with a built-in or external telephone and performs polling. A document detection means detects the presence or absence of a document for transmission, and when the document detection means detects that the document for polling transmission is not set when receiving a control signal indicating a polling transmission request, outputs a line disconnection request signal for a certain period of time. a standby means for waiting for a call, and a telephone call means for making a call to a built-in or external telephone when a conversation request is received from a receiving communication terminal within the waiting time, and enabling a telephone conversation when the telephone is off-hook. and a voice output means for transmitting a voice message prompting the transmitting side communication terminal to set a document for polling transmission, and a voice output means for transmitting a control signal indicating a polling transmission request to the transmitting side communication terminal. waiting means for waiting for reception of an NSS signal from a terminal for a predetermined period of time; conversation requesting means for transmitting a control signal indicating a conversation request if the NSS signal is not received from the transmitting communication terminal within the waiting time; voice driving means for driving the voice output means to output a voice message to the transmitting side communication terminal prompting the setting of a document for polling transmission when a control signal indicating a call enabled state is transmitted from the side communication terminal; is characterized in that when a polling transmission document is not set at the time of a polling transmission request, after waiting for a predetermined period of time, the receiving side communication terminal sends a voice message to the sending side communication terminal to urge the sending side communication terminal to set the polling transmission document. According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a receiving communication terminal issues a polling transmission request, the transmitting communication terminal reads the image information of the set polling transmission document and transmits it to the receiving communication terminal. In the facsimile communication system, the sending side communication terminal includes a built-in or external telephone, a document detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a document for polling transmission, an alarm means for outputting an alarm to alert an operator, and a polling transmission request. standby means for waiting for output of a line disconnection request signal for a certain period of time when the document detecting means detects that the document for polling transmission is not set when receiving a control signal indicating the request; An alarm driving means that drives the alarm means when a control signal for an operator call is received, and a built-in or external A communication means that enables a telephone call to be made using a telephone, and after the stop button is pressed, the document detection means detects that a document for polling transmission is set, and when the start button is pressed, a normal polling communication procedure is executed. communication starting means for starting polling transmission by the receiving side communication terminal, voice outputting means for transmitting a voice message prompting the sending side communication terminal to set a document for polling transmission, and a voice output means for indicating a polling transmission request. A standby means waits for disconnection of the line for a predetermined time after transmitting the control signal, and if the polling communication procedure is not started from the transmitting communication terminal within the waiting time, transmitting a control signal requesting an operator call to the transmitting communication terminal. Operator call means waits for a predetermined call standby time to receive a control signal indicating a callable state from the transmitting communication terminal, and when the control signal indicating a callable state is transmitted within the call standby time, the voice driving means for driving the output means to output a voice message to the transmitting side communication terminal prompting the setting of a document for polling transmission; and communication starting means for starting polling reception, and after waiting for a predetermined time when a polling transmission document is not set at the time of polling transmission request,
The receiving side communication terminal sends a voice message to the sending side communication terminal to prompt the setting of a document for polling transmission, and when the document for polling transmission is set, polling communication is performed.

[0009]

[Operation] In the invention as claimed in claim 1, the polling communication executes a standard protocol, reads the image information of the polling transmission document set in response to the polling transmission request from the other communication terminal, and transmits it to the other communication terminal. When a polling transmission request is received in the facsimile machine which performs this, a document detecting means checks whether a document for polling transmission is set, and when a document for polling transmission is not set, an alarm driving means drives an alarm means. When activated, the alarm means alerts the operator that no document for polling transmission is set.

[0010] Therefore, the operator of the transmitting side communication terminal can know from the alarm of the alarm means that the original for polling transmission is not set, and sets the original for polling transmission in preparation for a re-call from the other party's communication terminal. can do. As a result, the operator of the receiving side communication terminal can save the trouble of requesting the setting of the original for polling transmission by telephone, etc., and can reliably carry out polling communication when calling again, improving the usability of polling communication. , the usability of the facsimile device can be improved.

The invention according to claim 2 provides polling communication in which, when a polling transmission request is made from a receiving side communication terminal, the sending side communication terminal reads the image information of the set polling transmission document and transmits it to the receiving side communication terminal. In a facsimile communication system that performs polling transmission, when the sending communication terminal receives a control signal indicating a polling transmission request, it checks whether or not an original for polling transmission is set using an original detection means, and determines whether or not an original for polling transmission is set. Sometimes, it waits for a line disconnection request signal to be sent for a predetermined period of time, and checks whether a conversation request is received from the receiving communication terminal within the waiting period.

On the other hand, after transmitting a control signal indicating a polling transmission request, the receiving communication terminal waits for a predetermined time to see if it receives an NSS signal, and if it does not receive an NSS signal from the transmitting communication terminal within the waiting time, , the conversation requesting means sends a control signal indicating a conversation request to the transmitting communication terminal. When the sending communication terminal receives the conversation request within the waiting time, it uses the communication means to make a call to a built-in or external telephone, and when the telephone is off-hook, it becomes possible to make a telephone conversation.

[0013] When the receiving side communication terminal receives a control signal indicating a call ready state from the sending side communication terminal within the above waiting time, the receiving side communication terminal drives the audio output means by the audio driving means,
A voice message is sent to the sending communication terminal to prompt it to set a document for polling transmission. Therefore, during polling communication, if the original for polling transmission is not set on the sending communication terminal, the receiving communication terminal prompts the sending communication terminal to set the original for polling transmission without immediately disconnecting the line. It is possible to send a voice message, saving the operator of the receiving communication terminal from having to call the operator of the sending communication terminal again and requesting the setting of the original for polling transmission, while ensuring that the polling communication is carried out reliably when the call is made again. This makes it possible to improve the usability of polling communication and improve the usability of facsimile machines.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when a polling transmission request is made from a receiving communication terminal, the sending communication terminal reads the image information of the polling transmission document set and transmits it to the receiving communication terminal. In a facsimile communication system that performs polling transmission, when the sending communication terminal receives a control signal indicating a polling transmission request, it checks whether or not an original for polling transmission is set using an original detection means, and determines whether or not an original for polling transmission is set. Sometimes, it waits for a line disconnection request signal to be sent for a predetermined period of time, and checks whether a conversation request is received from the receiving communication terminal within the waiting period.

On the other hand, after transmitting a control signal indicating a polling transmission request, the receiving communication terminal waits for a predetermined time to see if it receives an NSS signal, and if it does not receive an NSS signal from the transmitting communication terminal within the waiting time, , sends a control signal indicating an operator call to the transmitting side communication terminal, and waits for a predetermined call standby time to receive a control signal indicating a call enabled state from the transmitting side communication terminal. The conversation requesting means sends a control signal indicating a conversation request to the transmitting communication terminal.

[0016] When the transmitting communication terminal receives a control signal indicating an operator call within the waiting time, it drives an alarm means to alert the operator. When the operator responds to the operator call and presses the stop key within a predetermined time, a control signal indicating that the call is available is sent to the receiving communication terminal, and the voice output means is driven to set the document for polling transmission. Sends a prompting voice message to the receiving communication terminal and waits for a predetermined period of time.

At the receiving side communication terminal, the operator can listen to the voice message from the sending side communication terminal by off-hooking the built-in or external telephone in response to the operator call, and the operator can poll in response to this voice message. When the original to be sent is set and the start button is pressed, the normal polling communication procedure is executed and polling transmission starts.

[0018] The receiving side communication terminal starts polling reception when the polling communication procedure is started by the sending side communication terminal within a predetermined time after sending the voice message. Therefore, during polling communication, if the original for polling transmission is not set on the sending side communication terminal, the receiving side communication terminal makes an operator call without immediately disconnecting the line, and the sending side communicates in response to the operator call. When the operator of the terminal takes the telephone off-hook, a voice message can be sent to the sending communication terminal prompting the operator to set the document for polling transmission, and the operator of the receiving communication terminal can call the operator of the sending communication terminal again. You can request the operator of the sending communication terminal to set the original for polling transmission without requesting the setting of the original for polling transmission, and the operator of the sending communication terminal can also set the original for polling transmission in response to this request to set the original. Once the trusted original is set, polling communication can be performed immediately without having to call again. the result,
Polling communication can be performed reliably and quickly, and the usability of polling communication can be further improved, thereby further improving the usability of the facsimile machine.

[0019]

[Example] The following is a detailed explanation based on an example. 1 to 5 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a facsimile device and a facsimile communication system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile device 1 to which the facsimile device and facsimile communication system of the inventions of the present application are applied.
The facsimile machine 1 has a CPU (Central Pr.
cessing Unit) 2, ROM (Read
Only Memory) 3, RAM (Random
Access Memory) 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, image memory 7, encoding/decoding section 8, communication control section 9, operation display section 10, audio recording RAM 11, modem 1
2, a network control section 13, and the like. These parts of the facsimile machine 1 are connected by a bus 14,
Although not shown, the facsimile machine 1 is provided with a buzzer device for operator calls.

The ROM 3 stores the basic program for the facsimile device 1 and the polling communication processing program of the various inventions of the present application, etc., and the RAM 4 stores various data necessary for controlling the facsimile device 1, and also stores the various data necessary for controlling the facsimile device 1 and the programs of the various inventions of the present application. Various data necessary for polling communication processing, such as the own calling number, the other party's originating number sent from the other party during communication, the other party's originating number registered in advance as the other party of polling communication, and the polling transmission request. This information is stored.

[0021] The CPU 2 executes the program in the ROM 3 and the R
Each part of the facsimile machine 1 is controlled based on the data in the AM4, and the sequence of the facsimile machine 1 is executed, and the polling communication process of each invention of the present application is executed. During polling communication, if the polling transmission document is not set, the CPU 2 sounds a buzzer for an operator call to alert the operator that the polling transmission document is not set. Therefore, the buzzer for calling the operator constitutes an alarm means for outputting an alarm to alert the operator that no document is set. Note that this warning means is not limited to a buzzer for the operator, but may also be a lamp that indicates that no polling transmission document is set, a display on the operation display unit 10, etc. You may display a message to that effect.

As the scanner 5, for example, a CCD (C
An image scanner using a harge coupled device is used, and the scanner 5 scans the original and reads image information of the original. Although not shown, the scanner 5 is provided with a document detecting means for detecting whether or not a transmission document is set.
The detection result is output to CPU2.

As the plotter 6, for example, a thermal recording device using a thermal element is used, and the plotter 6 records an image directly on thermal recording paper or indirectly on ordinary recording paper via an ink sheet. do. The image memory 7 is composed of a large-capacity nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk, and stores image data for transmission and image data for reception.

The encoding/decoding section 8 encodes the image information according to a predetermined encoding method, and also decodes the encoded image information into raw data. The communication control unit 9 exchanges facsimile control signals with the other party's facsimile device and executes facsimile communication procedures. In the operation display section 10,
A numeric keypad, one-touch keys, a start key (start button), a stop key (stop button), and other operation keys are provided, as well as a display section. Various key operations necessary for facsimile communication are performed, as well as various key operations necessary for polling processing according to each invention of the present application. Further, the display section displays commands input by key operations and various information notified to the operator from the facsimile machine 1.

The audio recording RAM 11 is a memory for recording audio, and specifically stores a message requesting the setting of a transmission document in the polling communication process of each invention of the present application. The voice data is input to the voice recording RAM 11 by a microphone 14, which may be a microphone directly connected to the facsimile device 1, or a telephone built into the facsimile device 1 or externally attached. It may also be a telephone transmitter. In addition, RA for audio recording
The audio data stored in M11 is amplified and outputted by a speaker 15, and the speaker 15 may be a speaker provided in the facsimile machine 1, or a telephone receiver built into the facsimile machine 1 or attached externally. It may be. The output of the audio data stored in the audio recording RAM 11 is controlled by the CPU 2. During polling communication, if the polling transmission document is not set in the other party's facsimile device, the CPU 2 outputs the audio data stored in the audio recording RAM 11. A message requesting the setting of a transmission document stored in the RAM 11 is read out and outputted to the other party's facsimile machine via the communication control unit 9, modem 12, and network control unit 13. Therefore, the voice recording RAM 11, the communication control section 9, the modem 12, and the network control section 13 constitute voice output means for sending out a voice message urging the sending terminal to set a document for polling transmission, and the CPU 2 At this time, when a control signal indicating a call enabled state is transmitted from the transmitting terminal after a conversation request, the voice driving means is configured to drive the voice output means and output a voice message to the transmitting terminal prompting the setting of a transmission document. There is. When the facsimile device 1 functions as a polling sending side facsimile device, it outputs voice data prompting the operator to set the polling transmission document in the voice recording RAM 11 through the speaker 15 or the like, thereby prompting the operator to set the polling transmission document. It can also be used as a warning means to call attention to things that have not been done.

The modem 12 modulates the transmitted signal and demodulates the received signal. The network control unit 13 is a so-called AA-NCU, and a line L (for example, a telephone line) is connected to the network control unit 13. The network control unit 13 automatically receives a call from the line L, and also performs automatic call origination processing to the line L. The facsimile device 1 sends a transmission document set on the scanner 5 to the scanner 5.
The image is read by the encoder/decoder 8, encoded by a predetermined encoding method, and once stored in the image memory 7,
Or send it as is to the other party's facsimile machine.

Furthermore, at the time of reception, the facsimile device 1 temporarily stores the image data received via the network control section 13, modem 12, and communication control section 9 in the image memory 7, reads it from the image memory 7, and encodes it. - Decoded by the decoding unit 8 and transferred to the plotter 6. The plotter 6 records and outputs the transferred image data onto recording paper. Next, the effect will be explained.

The inventions of the present application are characterized in that they improve the usability of polling communication. This polling communication process will be explained below. First, the polling communication process according to claim 1 will be explained. Assuming that the facsimile machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is the called facsimile machine, the facsimile machine 1 receives a call from the calling facsimile machine as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As in normal facsimile communication, a CED signal (called terminal identification signal) is sent (step S1), and an NS
The F signal (non-standard function identification signal) and the DIS signal (digital identification signal) are sent out (step S2). After that, the calling facsimile machine sends an NSS signal (non-standard function setting signal) or a DTC signal (digital transmission command signal).
is sent (steps S3, S4)
).

When the NSS signal is received in step S3, it is determined that it is a normal facsimile reception request, and normal facsimile reception processing is performed and the process is terminated (step S5). If the DTC signal is received in step S4 without receiving the NSS signal in step S3, it is determined that this is a polling transmission request, and it is checked whether a document for polling transmission is set (step S6). This document for polling transmission is normally set in the scanner 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the image data thereof may be stored in the image memory 7 as the document for polling transmission.

In step S6, if the original for polling transmission is set, the set original for polling transmission is transmitted to the other party's facsimile machine by normal polling transmission processing, and the process ends (step S7). If the document for polling transmission is not set in step S6, an operator call is generated to alert the operator that the document for polling transmission is not set (step S8). After that, D.C.
An N signal (cutting command signal) is sent, and the process ends (step S9).

Therefore, conventionally, when the document for polling transmission is not set, the called side (sending side)
The facsimile machine disconnected the line without doing anything, but in the invention according to claim 1, it is possible to generate an alarm (operator call) to warn that the document for polling transmission is not set. During polling communication, if no document for polling transmission is set in the sending facsimile machine 1, the alarm means is activated.
It is possible to alert the operator on the sending side that the original for polling transmission is not set. the result,
The original for polling transmission can be reliably set before the calling side (receiving side) calls again, and polling communication can be reliably made possible. Therefore, the usability of polling communication can be improved, and the usability of the facsimile device 1 can be improved.

Next, the polling communication processing according to the second and third aspects of the invention will be explained based on FIGS. 4 to 6. It is now assumed that the facsimile machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is installed on both the calling side (receiving side) and the called side (sending side). When the calling facsimile machine 1 makes a call, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the called facsimile machine 1 sends out a CED signal, an NSF signal, and a DIS signal when there is an incoming call (step T1). ,NSS signal,
It is checked whether a DCS signal or a DTC signal is received (steps T2 and T3).

On the other hand, when the calling side facsimile machine 1 detects the CED signal, NSF signal, and DIS signal after making the call (step P1), it sends out the NSC signal and the DTC signal (step P2), and within a predetermined time, For example, D within 1 second
It is checked whether a CN signal or an NSS signal is detected (steps P3, P4, P5). When the called facsimile device 1 receives the NSS signal and the DCS signal in step T2, it determines that it is a normal reception request and performs normal reception processing (step T4). After sending the signal and disconnecting the line, the process ends (steps T5 and T6). When the called facsimile machine 1 receives the DTC signal in step T3, it determines that it is a polling transmission request, and checks whether a document for polling transmission is set (step T7). When a document for polling transmission is set, it is determined that polling transmission is possible, and an NSS signal is sent (step T8), and when a CFR signal (reception preparation confirmation signal) from the calling side is detected,
Perform polling transmission processing (steps T9 and T10)
. When the polling transmission process is completed, a DCN signal is sent, the line is disconnected, and the process ends (steps T5 and T6).
).

When the calling side facsimile machine 1 detects the DCN signal within a predetermined time, it performs line disconnection processing and ends the processing (step P6). In the case where the DCN signal is returned in this way, the other party's facsimile device does not have the polling processing function described in claims 2 and 3, and the polling is performed because the document for polling transmission is not set. If the sending process cannot be performed,
There are cases where the machine is not in a state where facsimile communication processing can be performed. When the NSS signal is received in step P4, it is determined that the document for polling transmission is set in the called facsimile machine 1 and ready for transmission, and the CFR signal is sent (step P7), and the polling reception process is executed. do(
Step P8). When polling reception processing is completed, M
Sends CF signal (message confirmation signal) (step P
9), disconnect the line and end the process (step P6)
. When the calling facsimile machine 1 does not receive either the DCN signal or the NSS signal within a predetermined time (within 1 second), it determines that the called facsimile machine 1 is not set with a document for polling transmission, and sends the PRI- Sends Q signal (
Step P10), after making a conversation request, a PIP/PIN signal or DCN signal is sent within a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds).
Waits to see if a signal is received (steps P11, P
12, P13).

When the called facsimile machine 1 does not have a document for polling transmission, it does not immediately send the DCN signal, but instead sends the PRI-
Waiting to see if a Q signal is received (step T11,
Step T12). If the PRI-Q signal is not received within a predetermined period of time, it is determined that the other party's facsimile device does not have the polling processing function of the invention described in claims 2 and 3, and a DCN signal is sent (step T5), and the line is disconnected. The process is terminated by cutting (step T6). Step T12
When the PRI-Q signal is detected, an operator call is made to alert the operator that no document for polling transmission is set (step T13), and the stop key is pressed for a predetermined period of time (for example, 6 seconds). It waits to see if it is pressed (steps T14, T15). If the stop key is not pressed within a predetermined time, it is determined that the document for polling transmission cannot be set because the operator is absent, etc., and a DCN signal is sent (step T5).
The line is disconnected and the process ends (step T6). If the stop key is pressed within a predetermined period of time and the built-in or external telephone goes off-hook, P will be displayed indicating that a call is possible.
Sends IP/PIN (procedure interruption affirmation/denial signal) (
Step T16).

[0036] The calling side facsimile machine 1 performs step T.
When the PIP/PIN signal is received at step P11, a voice message requesting the setting of a document for polling transmission is read from the voice recording RAM 11 and transmitted to the called facsimile machine 1 (step P14). As shown in FIG. 5, the voice message may be, for example, "This is XX. Polling reception will be performed, so please set the document and press the start button." After transmitting the voice message, the calling facsimile machine 1 does not disconnect the line immediately, but waits for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10
seconds) CED signal, NSF signal, DIS signal, i.e.
Waits to see if a signal indicating the start of polling communication or a DCN signal is received (steps P15, P16, P
17).

[0037] The facsimile machine 1 on the called side uses PIP/P
When a voice message is received after receiving an IN signal, the received voice message is output to a built-in or external telephone, and the operator who has taken the telephone off-hook can hear a voice message from the telephone requesting to set a document for polling transmission. It is possible (step T17). After that, the called side facsimile machine 1 checks whether the original is set or the start button is pressed (steps T18, T19), and if the original is not set and the start button is not pressed, polling is performed. After determining that it is not in the transmitting state and sending out the DCN signal, the line is disconnected and the process is terminated (steps T5 and T6). In steps T18 and T19, when the polling transmission document is set and the start button is pressed, step T1
Returning to , the CED signal, NSF signal, and DIS signal are sent, and the facsimile communication procedure is executed from the beginning (steps T1, T2, and T3). When the DTC signal is detected in step T3, the process moves to step T7 to check whether or not a document is set.
Since the original has already been set, the process moves to step T8, where the NSS signal is sent out and the process moves to polling transmission mode. When a CFR signal is transmitted from the calling facsimile machine 1, polling transmission processing is started (step T10).
), when the transmission of the set original for polling transmission is completed, the DCN signal is sent, and the line is then disconnected to end the process (steps T5 and T6).

When the calling side facsimile machine 1 receives the DCN signal within the above-mentioned standby time, or when the standby time elapses without receiving any signal, it disconnects the line and ends the process (step P6). When the CED signal, NSF signal, and DIS signal are received within the standby time, the process returns to step P2 and starts execution of the normal facsimile communication procedure (steps P2, P3, P4, and P5). In step P4, NSS
When the signal is received, it is determined that polling reception is possible, and a CFR signal is sent out (step P7), and polling reception processing is performed (step P8). When the polling reception process is completed, the MCF signal is sent, the line is disconnected, and the process ends (steps P9 and P6).

Therefore, during polling communication, the called side (
When the original for polling transmission is not set in the facsimile machine 1 on the sending side, a voice message can be sent from the facsimile machine 1 on the calling side to the facsimile machine 1 on the called side, prompting the facsimile machine 1 on the calling side to set the original for polling transmission. This voice message allows the operator of the facsimile machine 1 on the called side to know that the original for polling transmission is not set, so that the operator of the facsimile machine 1 on the called side can reliably set the original for polling transmission. As a result, when the polling communication is called again, the original for polling transmission can be reliably set, and the polling communication can be performed quickly and reliably. Therefore, the usability of polling communication can be improved, and the usability of the facsimile device 1 can be improved.

Further, during polling communication, if the document for polling transmission is not set in the facsimile machine 1 on the called side (sending side), the calling side facsimile machine 1 sends a voice message prompting the user to set the document for polling transmission. The message can be sent to the called facsimile machine 1, and when the called facsimile machine 1 sets the document for polling transmission in response to this voice message,
Polling communication can continue without disconnecting the line, making polling communication even faster.
And it can be done reliably. Therefore, the usability of polling communication can be further improved, and the usability of the facsimile device 1 can be further improved.

[0041]

According to the invention set forth in claim 1, a standard protocol is executed, image information of a polling transmission document set in response to a polling transmission request from a communication terminal is read, and the image information is transmitted to the communication terminal of the communication terminal. When a polling transmission request is made on a facsimile machine that performs polling communication, if the document for polling transmission is not set,
Since the alarm means can be activated to alert the operator that no document for polling transmission is set, the operator of the transmitting side communication terminal can alert the operator of the alarm means that no document for polling transmission is set. This allows you to set the original for polling transmission in preparation for a re-call from the other party's terminal. As a result, the operator of the receiving side communication terminal can save the trouble of requesting the setting of the original for polling transmission by telephone, etc., and can reliably carry out polling communication when calling again, improving the usability of polling communication. , the usability of the facsimile device can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when a polling transmission request is made from the receiving side communication terminal, the sending side communication terminal reads the image information of the set polling transmission document and transmits it to the receiving side communication terminal. In a facsimile communication method that performs polling communication, if a document for polling transmission is not set on the sending communication terminal during polling communication, the receiving communication terminal will transfer the polling transmission from the receiving communication terminal to the sending communication terminal without immediately disconnecting the line. Since it is possible to send a voice message prompting the setting of the original, during polling communication, if the original for polling transmission is not set on the sending communication terminal, the receiving communication terminal can send a voice message without immediately disconnecting the line. The sending side communication terminal can be prompted to set the original for polling transmission by a voice message, saving the receiving side operator the trouble of calling the sending operator again and requesting the setting of the original for polling transmission, and when re-calling. , it is possible to ensure that the original for polling transmission is set. As a result, polling communication can be performed more reliably at the time of re-calling, and the usability of polling communication can be improved, thereby improving the usability of the facsimile machine.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the receiving communication terminal issues a polling transmission request, the transmitting communication terminal reads the image information of the set polling transmission document and transmits it to the receiving communication terminal. In a facsimile communication method that performs polling communication, if a document for polling transmission is not set on the sending communication terminal during polling communication, the receiving communication terminal will transfer the polling transmission from the receiving communication terminal to the sending communication terminal without immediately disconnecting the line. In addition to sending out a voice message prompting the setting of the original, once the original for polling transmission is set on the sending communication terminal and polling communication becomes possible, polling communication can be performed continuously. If the original for polling transmission is not set on the terminal, the receiving communication terminal prompts the sending communication terminal to set the original for polling transmission without immediately disconnecting the line, and the original for polling transmission is set on the terminal. Once set, polling communication can be performed as is, saving the operator on the receiving side the trouble of calling the operator on the sending side again and requesting the setting of the original for polling transmission, and the time of calling again for polling communication. Tsutsu,
Polling communication can be performed quickly and more reliably. As a result, the usability of polling communication can be further improved, and the usability of the facsimile apparatus can be further improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a facsimile device to which a facsimile device and a facsimile communication system according to the present invention are applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing polling processing of a facsimile machine according to the invention as set forth in claim 1;

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram during polling communication of the facsimile device according to the invention as claimed in claim 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing polling processing in a called facsimile device of the facsimile communication system according to the invention as claimed in claims 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram during polling communication of the facsimile communication system according to the invention according to claims 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing polling processing in a calling side facsimile device of the facsimile communication system according to the invention as set forth in claims 2 and 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Facsimile machine 2 CPU 3 ROM 4 RAM 5 Scanner 6 Plotter 7 Image memory 8 Encoding/decoding section 9 Communication control section 10 Operation display section 11 RAM for audio recording 12 Modem 13 Network control unit 14 Bus 15 Microphone 16 Speaker

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile device that executes a standard protocol and performs polling communication in which image information of a polling transmission document set in response to a polling transmission request from a communication terminal is read and transmitted to the communication terminal of the communication terminal. a document detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a document for polling transmission; an alarm means for outputting an alarm to alert an operator that no document for polling transmission is set;
Alarm driving means for driving an alarm means when the document detecting means detects that the document for polling transmission is not set when receiving a control signal indicating a polling transmission request; is not set, activates the alarm means,
A facsimile machine characterized by prompting an operator to set a document for polling transmission in preparation for a re-call from the other party's communication terminal. [Claim 2] In a facsimile communication system that performs polling communication in which, when a polling transmission request is made from a receiving communication terminal, the sending communication terminal reads the image information of the set polling transmission document and transmits it to the receiving communication terminal. ,
The transmitting side communication terminal is a built-in or external telephone,
A document detection means detects the presence or absence of a document for polling transmission, and when the document detection means detects that the document for polling transmission is not set when receiving a control signal indicating a polling transmission request, it outputs a line disconnection request signal for a certain period of time. A standby means for waiting for an output, and when a conversation request is received from a receiving communication terminal within the waiting time, a call is made to a built-in or external telephone, and when the telephone is off-hook, a telephone call is made possible using the telephone. means, wherein the receiving side communication terminal transmits an audio message prompting the sending side communication terminal to set a document for polling transmission, and after transmitting a control signal indicating a polling transmission request, the sending side a waiting means for waiting for reception of an NSS signal from a communication terminal for a predetermined period of time; a conversation requesting means for transmitting a control signal indicating a conversation request if the NSS signal is not received from the transmitting side communication terminal within the waiting time; a voice driving means for driving the voice output means to output a voice message to the transmitting side communication terminal prompting the setting of a document for polling transmission when a control signal indicating a call enabled state is transmitted from the transmitting side communication terminal; The present invention is characterized in that when a polling transmission document is not set at the time of a polling transmission request, after waiting for a predetermined period of time, the receiving side communication terminal sends a voice message to the sending side communication terminal to prompt the sending side communication terminal to set the polling transmission document. facsimile communication method. [Claim 3] In a facsimile communication system that performs polling communication in which, when a polling transmission request is made from a receiving communication terminal, the sending communication terminal reads the image information of the set polling transmission document and transmits it to the receiving communication terminal. ,
The transmitting side communication terminal is a built-in or external telephone,
a document detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a document for polling transmission; an alarm means for outputting an alarm to alert an operator;
When the original detecting means detects that no original for polling transmission is set when receiving a control signal indicating a polling transmission request, a waiting means waits for output of a line disconnection request signal for a certain period of time; An alarm drive means that drives the alarm means when a control signal for an operator call is received from a communication terminal, and a built-in alarm drive means that sends out a control signal indicating that a call is possible when a stop button is pressed while the alarm means is being driven. Alternatively, if the call means that enables a call using an external telephone and the stop button is pressed, the document detection means detects that a document for polling transmission has been set, and the start button is pressed, normal polling communication is performed. communication starting means for executing a procedure to start polling transmission; voice output means for causing the receiving communication terminal to send a voice message prompting the transmitting communication terminal to set a document for polling transmission; and polling transmission. A waiting means waits for the line to be disconnected for a predetermined period of time after transmitting a control signal indicating a request, and if a polling communication procedure is not started from the transmitting side communication terminal within the waiting time, a control signal requesting an operator call is sent to the transmitting side communication terminal. Operator call means sends a control signal to the terminal and waits for reception of a control signal indicating a call enabled state from the transmitting communication terminal for a predetermined call standby time, and the control signal indicating a call enabled state is transmitted within the call standby time. a voice driving means for driving the voice output means to output a voice message to the transmitting side communication terminal prompting the setting of a document for polling transmission; and a polling communication procedure from the transmitting side communication terminal within a predetermined time after sending the voice message. communication starting means that starts polling reception when the polling transmission is started, and after waiting for a predetermined period of time when a polling transmission document is not set at the time of a polling transmission request, the receiving communication terminal communicates with the transmitting communication terminal. A facsimile communication method characterized in that a voice message is sent to prompt the user to set an original for polling transmission, and when the original for polling transmission is set, polling communication is performed.