JPH0451770A - Facsimile device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable facsimile equipment to select the optimum channel for facsimile transmission by providing a selecting means which selects one communication network out of a plurality of communication networks according to a prescribed rule correspondingly to an inputted selection number and delicacy and a connection control means which connects the selected communication channel to a picture processing section. CONSTITUTION: When a destination selection number is inputted, a facsimile control section 26 transmits the number data to an automatic line wire selecting section 30. The section 30 selects the optimum line wire according to a prescribed rule, for example, a minimum charge rule, a best quality rule, a shortest waiting time rule, etc., correspondingly to the number data. In addition, the section 30 makes a channel switching circuit 13 connect the selected line wire to a switch box 21 so as to start transmission by transmitting a control signal to the circuit 13. Thereafter, the same operations as those performed for normal facsimile transmission are performed.

Description

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

The present invention relates to a facsimile device.

[Conventional technology]

(1) As communication lines, not only general public telephone lines, but also dedicated communication lines, facsimile networks, and other communication lines are being provided in recent years. (2) Have multiple line interfaces and manually
Or, L CR (Least Co5t Rout
ing lowest rate network), a mechanism is provided to switch and select the most suitable line.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In view of the fact that a wide variety of communication lines are being provided, it is now possible to select the most suitable line for facsimile transmission, depending on the fee required for transmission, or the transmission speed and quality required for the transmission. There is a request to do so. For example, when sending original drawings to a recipient, you may want to select a line that provides high-quality transmission even if the fee is a little high, or when sending to a recipient in a remote location. is a request to select a line with low charges. The present invention has been made to meet the above requirements.

[Tashima's means of solving problems]

The present invention provides an image processing unit that records an image on paper based on facsimile data and generates facsimile data based on scanning an original image, a line interface means having connection terminals with a plurality of communication lines, and a transmission destination. an operation input means for inputting a selection number, an operation input means for inputting a selection of image sensitivity, and a plurality of communication lines according to a predetermined rule according to the input selection number and sensitivity. A facsimile machine having a selection means for selecting one communication line or one communication line network from a plurality of communication line networks, and a connection control means for connecting the selected one communication line and an image processing section. be. In the above, the operation input means may be constituted by, for example, a key switch and a memory set by shortening the selection number of the transmission destination, in addition to the numeric keypad for numerical input. Further, the predetermined rule may be, for example, a rule that requires a minimum charge;
These include rules that maximize quality and rules that minimize waiting time.

[Effect]

This is an algorithm that adds evaluation means for image quality to the conventional LCR algorithm. The image quality evaluation means is linked to the image sensitivity selection key on the operation panel, and is programmed in advance or based on past data (for example, frequency of retransmission requests or evaluation by other evaluation means). ) is used as one selection criterion for selecting one line network from among the prioritized line networks. At this time, the final selection depends on the usage status of the line (e.g.
Busy) or lowest rate network selection (LCR) may be taken into consideration. Mr. Kami's solution is to select a line network (common carrier), but Fax with multiple line interfaces
It can also be used as a mechanism for selecting one line.

【Example】

Examples of the present invention will be described below. (1> Operation Panel First, the operation panel of the facsimile machine according to the embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. Key switch group (depending on operation input,
Office line 1 to office line 4. Key switch group for specifying any of Dedicated Line 1 to Dedicated Line 2 > 28B to 28G1 LED element group 28b to 28g for lighting and displaying the selected outside line Automatic selection for instructing the setting of the automatic selection mode of the outside line The key switch 28H lights up to display the setting status of the automatic selection mode, and the ED element 28h displays the abbreviated number inputted to the FAX key switch 28, which is used to command the start of facsimile transmission, to a predetermined key switch (28R). (any of)
Registration key switch 28M1 for registering in memory in association with 28M1 Clear/stop key switch 28N1 for instructing to clear number data that is being input, cancel registration of abbreviated number data, cancel facsimile transmission, etc. A numeric key switch group 28Q for inputting numerical values, an abbreviated number key switch group 28R1, a message display section 28A for displaying various messages, etc. are arranged. Further, an image delicacy key switch 300 for specifying the delicacy of an image in steps, and a display section 301 that lights up and displays the delicacy specified by the key 300 are arranged. (2) Case of automatic selection mode Next, referring to FIG. 1, regarding the case of setting the automatic selection mode of the outside line with the key switch 28H and transmitting,
explain. When the automatic communication line selection mode is commanded by the key switch 28H on the operation panel 28, the operation input signal is transmitted to the facsimile control section 26 via the facsimile transmission/reception section 25. As a result, the facsimile control unit 26 transmits a control signal to the converter 21 to connect the line interface circuit 22 and the path switch circuit 31 side, and also causes the LED element to indicate the setting state of the automatic selection mode. 28
Turn on h. Next, the Fakunmiri system! The 11 section 26 enters a waiting state for inputting a selection number. When a transmission destination selection number is input using either the numeric key switch group 28Q or the abbreviation key switch group 28R, and the FAX key switch 28K is further operated, the facsimile control unit 26 converts the selection number data into
Send to outside line automatic selection 830. Note that the selection number data is temporarily stored in a memory (not shown). On the other hand, the automatic outside line selection section 30 selects an outside line according to a predetermined rule according to the number data. For example, the above-mentioned

Select the outside line as explained in the [Operation] section. Furthermore, a control signal is transmitted to the communication path switch circuit 13 to connect the selected outside line to the converter 21 side. Thereafter, the facsimile control unit 26 is notified of the completion of the connection. When notified of the completion of the connection, the facsimile control unit 26 activates the DTMF transmitter 27 to start transmitting the stored selection number. That is, the above selection number is
2-Converter 21-Call path switch circuit 31→selected outside line'' route to the local office. After that, the same operation as in normal facsimile transmission is performed. (3) If you specify an outside line, then use any of the key switches 28B to 28G to
The case where any outside line is specified will be explained. For example, by using the key switch 28B, the central line 1 is selected as an outside line.
When the input signal is input, the input signal is transmitted to the facsimile control unit 26 via the facsimile transmitting/receiving unit 25. As a result, the facsimile control unit 26 transmits a control signal to the converter 21 to connect the line interface circuit 22 and the path switch circuit 31 side, and also causes the LED element 28b to indicate the designated state of the central office line 1. lights up. Furthermore, the facsimile control section I 26 notifies the outside line automatic selection section 30 of the designated state of the central office line 1 in response to the signal specifying the central office lineman. When notified of the designated state of central office line 1, external line automatic selection section 30
transmits a control signal to the communication path switch circuit 13 to connect the station 111 and the converter 21 side. Thereafter, a signal is sent to the facsimile control unit 26 to permit input of the selection number. In response, the facsimile control section 26, for example, sends the message to the message display section 2 via the facsimile transmission/reception section 25.
Display that image on 8A. In response to this, for example, when the selection number of the destination facsimile device is input using the numeric keypad switch group 28R, and the FAX key switch 28K is further operated,
The input signal is transmitted to the facsimile control section 26 via the facsimile transmitting/receiving section 25. As a result, the facsimile control unit 26 activates the DTMF transmitter 27 to start transmitting the selection number corresponding to the input signal. That is, the self-selected number is transmitted to the local office via the route ``R line interface circuit 22 - converter 21 -> call path switch circuit 31 - selected outside line''. After that, the same operation as in normal facsimile transmission is performed.

【Effect of the invention】

In a facsimile machine having a normal LCR and a plurality of line interfaces, for example, a dedicated line with the lowest charge is selected for facsimile transmission from a sales office to a head office. At this time, the line quality of the dedicated line may be worse than that of the general line. Under such circumstances, if you want to send delicate images, it may be preferable to use a general line. According to this invention, by specifying high sensitivity using the image sensitivity designation key on the panel, a general line with good line quality can be automatically selected.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel of the facsimile machine.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An image processing unit that records an image on paper based on facsimile data and generates facsimile data based on scanning the original image; and line interface means having connection terminals for connecting to a plurality of communication lines. , an operation input means for inputting a selection number of a transmission destination, an operation input means for inputting a selection of image sensitivity, and a predetermined rule according to the input selection number and image sensitivity. a selection means for selecting one communication line from a plurality of communication lines or selecting one communication line network from a plurality of communication line networks according to the above, and selecting the selected one communication line and an image processing section; A facsimile device comprising: a connection control means for connecting; and a facsimile device.