JPH0443754A - Transmission control method for facsimile network - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain deputy reception even when a capacity of a picture storage function is small by utilizing a picture storage function for a center device by a terminal equipment. CONSTITUTION:A terminal equipment calls a center equipment to make a virtual storage request when the residual capacity of a picture storage function is less than a prescribed value with picture information stored through deputy reception and sends picture information received through the deputy reception to the center equipment and the center equipment stores tentatively the picture information received at the virtual storage request. Then the terminal equipment calls the center equipment at the state of picture recording enable state to make polling transmission request for the picture information subject to virtual storage request, and when polling transmission request comes from the terminal equipment, the center equipment sends the picture information stored at the virtual storage request to the terminal equipment and the terminal equipment prints out the picture of the picture information received from the center equipment. Thus, the terminal equipment uses the picture storage function of the center equipment and the deputy reception is properly executed even when the capacity of the required picture storage function is reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a transmission control method for a facsimile network comprising one center device having an image information storage function and at least one terminal device.

[Prior Art] Usually, facsimile machines equipped with a single image storage function store image information received after that when a problem such as a jam or paper cut occurs in the plotter that records the image and the image cannot be recorded. do.

It has a so-called proxy reception function that records and outputs received images when the plotter is cleared of trouble.

It also has a time-specific transmission function that specifies the transmission time. In this case, the transmission image information is stored once, and the system waits until a designated time is reached. When the designated time is reached, a call is made to the designated destination and the stored transmission image information is transmitted.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such a conventional device, when the capacity of the image storage function is small, the following inconvenience occurs.

In other words, for example, when receiving a large amount of image information at night, if a problem occurs in the plotter and it enters a substitute reception state, and the capacity of the image storage function is used up by accumulating a large amount of image information, then the In this case, even if there is a request to receive image information, the operator cannot respond to the request, which causes the inconvenience of not being able to receive image information until the next morning when the operator clears the problem with the plotter and the plotter becomes ready for image recording. arise.

In addition, when sending image information to a remote location or overseas, time-specific transmission may be set at night when communication charges are low, but the image information sent by such time-specific transmission is not transmitted until the specified time. Because the information is stored, there may be an inconvenience in that it is not possible to perform proxy reception during that time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a transmission control method for a facsimile network that can effectively utilize the image storage function.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a transmission control method for a facsimile network consisting of one center device having an image information storage function and at least one terminal device, in which the terminal device receives data on behalf of and stores information. When the remaining capacity of the image storage function becomes less than a predetermined value due to image information, a call is made to the center device to request virtual storage, and the center device receives the image information by proxy and transmits the accumulated image information to the center device, and the center device The terminal device temporarily stores the image information received at the time of the virtual storage request, and when the terminal device becomes ready for image recording, calls the center device and requests polling transmission of the image information for which the virtual storage was requested, and the center device receives the image information from the terminal device. When a polling transmission request is made, the image information accumulated at the time of the virtual storage request is transmitted to the terminal device, and the terminal device records and outputs the image of the image information received from the center device.

Alternatively, in a transmission control method for a facsimile network consisting of one center device equipped with a single-picture information storage function and at least one terminal device, the terminal device can reduce the remaining capacity of the image storage function according to the pixel information stored during time-specified transmission. When the number is less than a predetermined value, a call is made to the center device to request virtual storage, and the stored image information is sent to the center device, and the center device temporarily stores the image information received at the time of the virtual storage request. At the time corresponding to the specified time, the terminal device calls the center device and requests polling transmission of the image information requested for virtual storage, and when the terminal device requests polling transmission, the center device calls the center device to send the image information stored at the time of the virtual storage request. Image information is transmitted to the terminal device, and the terminal device stores the image information received from the center device and performs a time-specified transmission operation.

[Operation] Therefore, the terminal device can utilize the image storage function of the center device, so even if the capacity of the image storage function required for the terminal device is reduced, it is possible to appropriately perform 0-proxy reception, time-specified transmission, etc. [Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a Group 3 facsimile machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a control unit 1 performs control processing of each part of the facsimile machine and facsimile transmission control procedure processing, and a system memory 2 stores control processing programs and processing programs executed by the control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 is used to store various types of data required when executing the fax machine, and constitutes the work area of the control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 is used to store various types of information specific to this group 3 facsimile machine. It is.

The scanner 4 is for reading original images at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 5 is for recording and outputting images at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display section 6 is for operating this facsimile device. It consists of various operation keys and various displays.

The encoding/decoding unit 7 encodes and compresses the image signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal, and the image storage device 8 encodes and compresses the encoded and compressed image information. This is for storing a large amount of image information in a different state.

The group 3 facsimile modem 9 is for realizing the group 3 facsimile modem function, and has a low-speed modem function (V, 2) for exchanging transmission procedure signals.
1 modem) and a high-speed modem function (V, 29 modem, V, 27ter modem) mainly for exchanging image information.

Network control device! ! Reference numeral 10 is for connecting this facsimile machine to a public telephone line network, and is equipped with an automatic call making and receiving function.

These control unit 1, system memory 2. Parameter memory 3, scanner 4. Plotter 5, operation display section 6, encoding/decoding section 7, image storage device 8. Group 3 facsimile modem 9 and network control device 10 are connected to system bus 11, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via system bus 11.

Further, data is exchanged directly between the network controller WIO and the group 3 facsimile modem 9.

Further, in this embodiment, when transmitting image information or receiving image information is stored in the image storage device 8, a job file for managing each image information is created as shown in FIG. 2(a).

This job file has file number information for identifying each job file, mode information for storing the mode of its image information, polling identification signal information for storing the polling identification signal, and virtual storage mode set. A virtual storage mode flag that indicates that the image information is being stored, page number information that indicates the number of pages of image information, and
It consists of first page management information identification information for storing identification information of page management information that manages the storage state of the image information of the first page.

Here, the mode information is the image information.

Information is set to distinguish the transmission/reception mode, whether it is related to substitute reception, time-specified transmission, or confidential reception. In addition, in the case of time specified transmission mode, the specified time and destination information are also stored.

As shown in FIG. 3(b), the page management information includes identification information for identifying the page management information, start address information indicating the start address occupied by the image information of the page in the image storage device M8, and data amount. It consists of hail data amount information and next page management information identification information for storing identification information of page management information that manages the storage state of image information of the next page.

Note that data indicating the last page is stored in the next page management information identification information of the page management information corresponding to the last page of one piece of image information.

Now, as shown in Figure 3, m facsimile machines F
A facsimile network is constructed from XI to FX■ and the center device FC. Here, each facsimile device FX1 to FX+a and center device FC
The basic configuration is the same as the facsimile machine shown in FIG. However, the center device FC is equipped with a large-capacity, non-volatile storage device, such as a magnetic disk device, as the image storage device 8, and also has a facsimile device! FXI～F
As a service provided to Xm, there is a virtual storage function (described later).
It also has a relay function.

In such a facsimile network, facsimile devices FXI to FXm are connected to other facsimile devices in the facsimile network! In addition to transmitting image information with FXI to FX Otori and the center device FC, facsimile equipment other than the facsimile network! (not shown) also performs image information transmission.

Here, for example, the plotter 5 of the facsimile machine FXI
When a failure occurs in the plotter 5, the facsimile machine FXI receives image information using a substitute reception function until the failure in the plotter 5 is cleared.

That is, in this case, the received image information is sequentially stored in the image storage device 8 to form the above-mentioned job file as appropriate.

Then, when the period in which the substitute reception function is used becomes long and the free capacity of the image storage device 8 becomes less than a predetermined value, a request for the virtual storage function is made to the center device FC as follows. . Note that in this case, the number of pages of image information is one.

That is, first, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the facsimile machine FXI makes a call to the center group NFC, and the center group WFC then informs the called party that the own terminal is a non-voice terminal. A station identification signal CED, a non-standard function identification signal S to notify the non-standard device functions installed in the own terminal, and a digital identification signal to notify the standard device functions installed in the own terminal. Send signal DIS.

The facsimile machine FXI uses the non-standard function identification signal NSF.
When receiving the digital identification signal DIS, it sets the transmission function to be used at that time, generates a random number, sets it as a polling identification signal, and stores it in the job file. Then, it forms a non-standard function setting signal NSS that includes a polling identification signal and information specifying the virtual storage mode and notifies the set transmission function, and sends it to the center device FC at the modem speed set at that time. The training check signal TCP is sent out.

When the virtual storage mode is specified, the center group NFC checks whether an image information file in which a polling identification signal with the same content as the notified polling identification signal has been set is already stored, and stores such an image. If there is no information file, a training check signal CF is received, and if the reception result is good, a reception preparation confirmation signal CFR is sent.

When the facsimile machine FXI receives the reception preparation confirmation signal CFR, it transmits the image information PIX, and after the transmission, it transmits a procedure end signal EOP.

When the center device FC receives the image information PIX normally, it sends out a message confirmation signal MCF, and when the facsimile machine IFX1 receives the message confirmation signal MCF, it sends out a disconnection command signal DCN to restore the line. Furthermore, upon receiving the disconnection command signal DCN, the center device FC restores the line.

After that, when the fault in the plotter 5 of the facsimile device 11FX1 is resolved and the image can be recorded, the facsimile device FXI makes a polling transmission request to the center device FC for the image information that has been requested to be virtually stored, and then sends the image information to the center device FC. It is received and recorded and output from the plotter 5.

In other words, the facsimile device 31FX] is the center device F.
C, and as a result, the center device FC detects the called station identification signal CED, non-vibration 4! A function identification signal DIS and a digital identification signal DIS are sent out.

The facsimile machine FXI is non'! S$ function identification signal N
When SF and digital identification signal DIS are received, the transmission function to be used at that time is set, and the polling transmission request mode non-standard function command signal NSC is sent with the polling identification signal of the job file of the image information to be received specified. Send out.

The center group MFC checks whether an image information file in which a polling identification signal with the same content as the notified polling identification signal is stored is stored, and if so, at that time. Set the transmission function to use,
Non-standard 4 to notify the set transmission function! ! A function setting signal NSS is formed and sent to the facsimile machine FX1, and a training check signal TCP is sent at the modem speed set at that time.

The facsimile machine FXI receives the training check signal TCP, and if the reception result is good, it sends out the reception preparation confirmation signal CFR.6 When the center apparatus Fc receives the reception preparation confirmation signal CFR, it sends the image information PIX. After the transmission, a procedure end signal EOP is sent. Furthermore, when the transmission is completed, the image information file of the image information PIX is deleted from the image storage device 8 of the own terminal.

When the facsimile device 1FX1 receives the image information PIX, it decodes it into the original image signal in the encoding/decoding section 7, transfers the image signal to the plotter 5, and records and outputs the image of the image information PIχ from the plotter 5. . Then, the procedure end signal EO
When P is received, if the image information PIX is normally received, a message confirmation signal MCF is sent out. Upon receiving the message confirmation signal MCF, the center device FC sends out a disconnection command signal DCN to restore the line. Furthermore, upon receiving the disconnection command signal DCN, the facsimile machine FXI restores the line.

In this way, when the remaining capacity of the image storage device 8 becomes low due to proxy reception, the facsimile device FXI requests the center device FC to virtually store the image information files stored in the image storage device 8. The image information file is stored in the center device iFc.

Then, when the image recordable state is restored, the image information file accumulated in the center device FC is taken up from the center device FC, and the image of the image information is recorded and outputted from the plotter 5.

Thereby, the facsimile machine FXI can effectively utilize the proxy reception function even when the capacity of the image storage device 8 is small.

In addition, such a virtual storage function is used when a large number of image information files for which one-time specified transmission is set is accumulated, and the remaining capacity of the image storage device 8 becomes less than a predetermined value, and the specified time of the image information file is It is also executed when there is sufficient time until the sending time.

Therefore, facsimile devices FX1 to FxI11 are
Since the large-capacity image storage device 8 included in the center device FC can be used as the virtual image storage device 8 of the own terminal, the usability of the facsimile devices FX] to FXm is significantly improved.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show an example of a process that the facsimile machines MFX1 to FX+e start executing at predetermined time intervals during standby.

First, check the memory contents of the image storage device w8 (determination 101).
), determine whether there is an accumulated file or not 102
), when the result of decision 102 is YES, the contents of the job file are examined to see if it is in the substitute reception mode (decision 103).

When the result of judgment 103 is YES, the plotter 5
to check whether image recording is possible (decision 104).
).

When the result of judgment 104 is NO, it is checked whether the virtual memory flag of the job file is set (Judgement 105), and when the result of judgment 105 is NO, the remaining capacity of the image storage device 8 is determined. It is checked whether it is larger than the value (determinations 105 and 106).

When the result of judgment 105 is YES, and judgment 1
When the result of judgment 106 is YES, immediately end this process.6 When the result of judgment 106 is NO, generate a random number, set the value in the polling identification signal, and store it in the job file (process 107). .

Then, the center device FC is called (process 108), and the non-standard function identification signal NSF is responded from the center device FC.
, and process 10 to properly receive the digital identification signal DIS.
8) Set the transmission function to be used at that time.

Next, a non-standard function identification signal NSS containing virtual storage mode information and a polling identification signal is formed to notify the set transmission function and is sent to the center group NFC.10) A modem training procedure is performed ( Processing l]1
).

Here, the center group NFC executes the modem training procedure and checks whether it has completed normally (decision 11).
2) When the result of judgment 112 is YES, the image information managed in that job file is sent to the center group WF.
After transmitting the image information, execute the post-transmission procedure (process 114) and restore the line (process 11).
5).

Then, the image information transmitted at that time is deleted from the image storage device N8, the first page management information identification information of the job file and the contents of the corresponding page management information are reset (116), and the virtual storage flag of the job file is reset. Set (process 117).

Furthermore, when the result of the first judgment 112 is NO, it means that the same polling identification signal has already been stored in the center device iFc, so the line is restored once (processing 118).
, returns to process 107, generates a polling identification signal again, and repeats the subsequent processes.

Also, the plotter 5 is in a state where images can be recorded, and judgment 1
When the result of step 04 is YES, it is checked whether the virtual accumulation flag of the job file is set (decision 119).

If the result of Step 9 is YES, this means that the center device FC has stored the image information file of the substitute reception requested for virtual storage. A non-standard function identification signal NSF and a digital identification signal DIS are received (process 121).

Then, while setting the transmission function to be used at that time and specifying the polling identification signal of the job file of the image information to be received, a non-standard function command signal NSC in the polling transmission request mode is sent out (processing 122).

Next, a non-standard function setting signal NSS is sent from the center installed MFC.
(Process 123), a predetermined modem training procedure is executed. Process 124) receives the image information transmitted from the center device FC, and as described above, records the image of the received image information from the plotter 5. Output (processing I2
5). After receiving image information, perform the post-transmission procedure (
Process 126), and the line is restored (Process 127).

In this way, when the fault in the plotter 5 is cleared, the image information file of the proxy reception that was requested to be virtually stored to the center device FC is retrieved from the center device FC, and the image of the image information is recorded and output.

Furthermore, when the result of size #Y119 is No, the image information file received by proxy is stored in the image storage device 8, so the image information is sequentially read out by referring to the job file and recorded and output from the plotter 5. Processing 128
), this process ends.

Further, if the accumulated file is not in the substitute reception mode and the result of judgment 103 is NO, it is checked whether the stored file is in the time-specified transmission mode (judgment 129).

When the result of decision 129 is YES, it is checked whether the virtual accumulation flag for the job file is set (decision 130).

When the result of judgment 130 is No, check the specified transmission time of the job file and determine whether there is a certain amount of time or more until that time (Judge 131); when the result of judgment 131 is YES, the image storage device 8 Check whether the remaining capacity of is larger than the specified value (determination 132)
, when the result of judgment 131 is YES, and when the result of judgment 132 is YES, this process is immediately terminated.

When the result of judgment 132 is NO, a random number is generated, its value is set in the polling identification signal, and is stored in the job file (process 133).

Then, the center device FC is called (processing 134), and the non-standard function identification signal NSF is responded from the center device FC.
, and process 13 to receive the digital identification signal IS.
5) Set the transmission function to be used at that time.

Next, a process 136) of forming a non-standard function setting signal NSS, which includes virtual storage mode information and a polling identification signal and for notifying the set transmission function, is sent to the center device FC, and a modem training procedure is performed (processing 136). 137
).

Here, the center MFC executes the modem training procedure and checks whether it has completed normally (decision 13).
8) When the result of judgment 138 is YES, the image information managed in that job file is transferred to the center device F.
39) After sending the image information, execute the post-transmission procedure (process 140) and restore the line (process 14).
1).

Then, the image information transmitted at that time is deleted from the image storage device 8, the first page management information identification information of the job file and the contents of the corresponding page management information are reset (142), and the virtual storage flag of the job file is reset. Set (process 143).

In this way, you have enough time until the designated time and the image storage device! If the remaining capacity of 8 is low, the center device! A virtual storage request is made to the FC for the image information file transmitted at a specified time to increase the free capacity of the image storage device w8.

Furthermore, when the result of judgment 138 is No, it means that the same polling identification signal has already been stored in the center device FC, so the line is restored once (processing 144).
Returning to process 133, the polling identification signal is generated again, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

Further, when the virtual flag of the job file is set and the result of judgment 130 is YES, it is checked whether there is a predetermined period of time or more before the call is made (judgment 145).

When the result of judgment 145 is YES, the senta family W
Since the image information file for proxy reception requested for virtual storage is stored in the FC, the center group NFC is called (146), and the non-standard function identification signal NSF and digital identification signal DIS are received from the center device FC. (Process 147).

Then, while setting the transmission function to be used at that time and specifying the polling identification signal of the job file of the image information to be received, a non-standard function command signal NSC in the polling transmission request mode is sent out (process 148).

Next, the Senta tribe! Non-standard function setting signal NSS from FC
When receiving (process 149), a predetermined modem training procedure is executed (process 150), and image information transmitted from the center device FC is received and stored (process 151).
. When the image information reception is finished, the post-transmission procedure is performed (process 152), the line is restored (process 153), and the virtual storage flag of the job file is reset (process 154).
, this process ends.

In this way, as the designated transmission time approaches, the center group N
By sucking up the image information of time-specified transmission stored in the FC,
The image is stored again in the image storage device 8 and preparations are made for time-specified transmission.

Further, when the result of the determination 129 is NO, for example, a mode other than the substitute reception mode and the time-specified transmission mode, such as the confidential reception mode, is set;
Immediately end this process.

FIG. 6 shows an example of processing executed by the center device iFc when an incoming call is detected.

When an incoming call is detected, a called station identification signal CED is sent (process 201), a non-standard function identification signal NSF and a digital identification signal DIS are sequentially sent (process 202), and a command signal from the calling terminal is received (process 202). Processing 203).

It is checked whether the command signal received at that time is the non-standard command signal NSC in the polling transmission request mode or the non-standard function setting signal NSS in the virtual storage request mode (determinations 204 and 205).

When the result of judgment 205 is YES, it is checked whether the received polling identification signal is stored in the already stored job file (process 206), and if there is no identical one (result of judgment 207) (No), the modem training procedure is executed (process 208), and image information is received and stored in the image storage device M8 (process 209).
.

When the image information reception is finished, a post-transmission procedure is executed (process 210), and the line is restored (process 211).

Also, if there are identical polling identification signals, judgment 2
When the result of 07 becomes YES, at that point, the process 8!
211, the line is restored, and the image information receiving operation is interrupted.

On the other hand, if a polling transmission request is made, judgment 204
When the result is YES, it is checked whether there is a job file in which the polling identification signal with the same value as the notified polling identification signal is set (processing 21).
2) If such a job file exists (result of judgment 213 is YES), after sending a non-standard function identification signal NSS that notifies the transmission function to be used at that time (processing 2),
14) Perform a modem training procedure (process 215)
.

Next, the image information file is transmitted by referring to the Jimibu Fi (process 216), and the post-transmission procedure is executed (process 2).
17), restore the line (processing 2] 9).

Furthermore, if there is no job file for the notified polling identification signal and the result of determination 213 is No, the process moves to process 219 and the line is immediately restored at that point.

Furthermore, if the content of the command received in process 203 is neither the non-standard command signal NSC in polling transmission request mode nor the non-standard function setting signal NSS in virtual storage request mode, and the result of judgment 205 is NO, then Execute the processing of the transmission mode specified in .

In this way, when the virtual accumulation mode is requested, the center device tFC ignores the virtual accumulation request if the designated polling identification signal is already in use. Further, when the designated polling identification signal is not already in use, the transmission procedure is advanced to accumulate the image information requested for virtual accumulation and form a job file.

Furthermore, when a polling transmission request is made and there is a job file in which the designated polling identification signal is stored, the image information managed by that job file is transmitted to the calling side. Furthermore, if there is no job file in which the specified polling identification signal is stored, the polling transmission request is ignored.

In the above-described embodiment, the polling identification signal specified when requesting virtual storage is obtained by random number generation, but other methods may be used to set the polling identification signal.

Further, in the embodiments described above, the present invention is applied to a closed facsimile network, but the present invention can be similarly applied to an open facsimile network.

Further, the present invention can be applied in the same manner even when including a Group 4 facsimile device that uses an 15DN as a transmission path. For example, such a Group 4 facsimile device may be used as the center device.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the terminal device can utilize the image storage function of the center device.
Even if the capacity of the image storage function required for the terminal device is reduced,
The effect is that proxy reception, time-specified transmission, etc. can be appropriately executed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a Group 3 facsimile device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a job file, and FIG. 2(b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of page management information. Schematic diagram: FIG. 3 is a model diagram showing an example of a facsimile network. FIG. 4(a) is a time chart showing an example of the transmission procedure when requesting virtual storage, FIG. 4(b) is a time chart showing an example of the transmission procedure when requesting polling transmission, and FIG. 5(a)
, (b) is a flowchart showing an example of a part of the process when the terminal device is on standby, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a part of the process when the center device detects an incoming call. Figure 1

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a transmission control method for a facsimile network consisting of one center device with an image information storage function and at least one terminal device, the terminal device uses the image information it has received and stored on its behalf to fill up the remaining capacity of the image storage function. When the number is less than a predetermined value, the center device is called and a virtual storage request is made, and the image information that has been received and stored on behalf of the center device is sent to the center device, and the center device temporarily stores the image information received at the time of the virtual storage request. When the terminal device becomes ready for image recording, it calls the center device and requests a polling transmission of the image information requested for virtual storage. 1. A transmission control method for a facsimile network, characterized in that accumulated image information is transmitted to the terminal device, and the terminal device records and outputs an image of the image information received from a center device. (2) In a transmission control method for a facsimile network consisting of one center device equipped with an image information storage function and at least one terminal device, the terminal device uses the image information accumulated at the time of time-specified transmission to reduce the remaining capacity of the image storage function. When the number is less than a predetermined value, a call is made to the center device to request virtual storage, and the stored image information is sent to the center device, and the center device temporarily stores the image information received at the time of the virtual storage request. At the time corresponding to the specified time, the terminal device calls the center device and requests polling transmission of the image information requested for virtual storage, and when the terminal device requests polling transmission, the center device calls the center device to send the image information stored at the time of the virtual storage request. 1. A transmission control method for a facsimile network, characterized in that image information is transmitted to the terminal device, and the terminal device stores the image information received from the center device and performs a time-specified transmission operation.