JPH05130218A - Facsimile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the facsimile communication between third parties by providing a computer to a center, monitoring the communication of each facsimile terminal equipment, calculating a communication charge and displaying the charge visually onto each terminal adaptor. CONSTITUTION:A BOX number is open and a bulletin board is open. A BOX number is a number valid for a contract period decided by a registration party. A contract person enters the BOX number and a password. Then an original is entered. The original is stored by the overwrite system and the preceding original is deleted by registering the succeeding original. The user noticed of the BOX number from the contract person enters the BOX number. An original is extracted by inputting the BOX number from a telephone network 5. The original is extracted for many number of times within the storage time. Furthermore, both the registration person and the extract person are charged. Thus, facsimile communication between third parties is easily implemented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile communication system in which facsimile terminals are connected by a telephone network, and in particular, an image storage device is provided at the center to store and read images from each facsimile terminal and to charge the communication charge. The present invention relates to a facsimile communication system that is visually displayed on a terminal adapter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the use of facsimile has rapidly increased, and a large facsimile network has been constructed. In such a network, a facsimile terminal is connected to a telephone network and a facsimile storage / conversion device is provided to broadcast the same message from one facsimile terminal to a large number of facsimile terminals at a specified time, or one facsimile terminal is required to perform a predetermined transmission. Many usages have been developed, such as a mailbox communication in which a telegram is registered in the storage / conversion device by using the ID number and the telegram registered using the same ID number is fetched from another facsimile terminal.

[0003]

By the way, when such a communication system is used, the fee is paid monthly when each terminal is used by a fixed person or a corporation. However, when an unspecified person uses each facsimile terminal, it is necessary to pay the communication fee for each communication.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-226249 discloses a technology of a system in which a user purchases a membership card in advance, inserts the membership card in a facsimile terminal, and sends and receives the fee to pay the fee. ing. However, in this case, the card method may be inconvenient, for example, when trying to send many originals when the remaining usable number of the membership card is low.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a facsimile communication system that facilitates payment of communication charges by visually displaying the usage charges when an unspecified person uses a facsimile terminal. The purpose is to do.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a computer is provided at the center to monitor the communication of each facsimile terminal, calculate the communication charge, and visually display it on each terminal adapter. In the facsimile communication system, a facsimile terminal and a storage device are connected by a telephone network, a terminal adapter is interposed between the facsimile terminal and the telephone network, and a voice response device is interposed between the telephone network and the storage device. A facsimile communication system in which the voice response device and the storage device are respectively connected to a control device, wherein the terminal adapter has a dial function for the facsimile terminal to access the telephone network and the voice response device, and the facsimile. It has a function to inquire the communication fee of the terminal to the control device and record the answer, and the voice response device A facsimile terminal, the terminal adapter, the storage device, a communication intermediary function with the control device, a function of replying an instruction from the control device to the facsimile terminal by voice, and a response of the facsimile terminal to this voice response is predetermined. When the conditions are satisfied, the facsimile terminal and the storage device have a function of connecting the line and disconnecting after the facsimile communication is completed, and the storage device has a function of storing a message from the facsimile terminal or the control device. Then, the control device stores and manages the electronic message stored in the storage device based on the BOX number unique to each electronic message, and transmits the stored electronic message to the storage device in response to the electronic message read request from the facsimile terminal. And a function of calculating the communication charge, and a function of controlling communication with the storage device and the voice response device, The BOX is opened in advance, and the storage device temporarily stores the first identifier including the BOX number input from the facsimile terminal and a telegram, and then transmits and stores the first identifier to the control device. Based on the second identifier including the BOX number, when the reading of the registered electronic message is requested, the electronic message stored in the control device is read and transmitted to the facsimile terminal that has issued the read request.

Further, the BOX number and password are used as the first identification object, and the BOX number is used as the second identification object.
Use the X number.

Further, the BOX number is used as the first identification body, and the BOX number and password are used as the second identification body.

Further, a mark sheet is used as a message sheet input from the facsimile terminal.

Further, the storage device uses a RAM as a storage device for storing a message sent from the control device so as to respond to a read request from the facsimile terminal in real time.

Further, a general facsimile terminal, a second storage device which is connected to the general facsimile terminal via a telephone network and stores a message from the general facsimile terminal or the control device, the second storage device and the telephone. A second voice response device interposed between networks is provided, and the second storage device and the second voice response device are connected to the control device, and the second voice response device is the general facsimile terminal, the second voice response device. 2 a storage device, a function of mediating communication with the control device, a function of replying an instruction from the control device to the general facsimile terminal by voice, and a response of the general facsimile terminal to the voice response satisfies predetermined requirements, The general facsimile terminal has a function of connecting the line between the general facsimile terminal and the second storage device and disconnecting the line after the end of facsimile communication. The enabling communication telegram facsimile terminal and communication charges of the general facsimile terminal is to be charged by operating the engine of the telephone network.

Further, a push-button type telephone set and a third voice response unit connected to the telephone set via a telephone network are provided, and the third voice response unit and the control unit are connected to each other.
The third voice response device has a communication intermediary function between the push button type telephone and the control device, and a function of replying an instruction from the control device to the push button type telephone by voice. It is possible to inquire whether or not a message having a BOX number unique to the message is stored.

[0013]

With the above configuration, when the communication start signal is output from the facsimile terminal, the terminal adapter connects the facsimile terminal and the telephone network, and communicates with the control device via the voice response device about the content requested by the facsimile terminal. When the predetermined requirements are met, the voice response device gives guidance on the input / output data to the facsimile terminal. According to this guidance, the facsimile terminal notifies the data including the BOX number peculiar to the message which is input and output from the facsimile terminal, and when the predetermined requirements are satisfied, the voice response device connects the facsimile terminal and the storage device, and the facsimile terminal stores the data. A message is transmitted to the device or a message is read from the storage device, and when the process is completed, the line between the facsimile terminal and the storage device is disconnected. Then, the inquiry about the communication fee is transmitted from the terminal adapter to the control device via the voice response device.

The control device monitors the communication between the facsimile terminal and the storage device and calculates the communication charge. Further, the electronic message once stored in the storage device and the BOX number unique to the electronic message are read out, stored and managed, and when the terminal adapter issues a read request for the electronic message, the stored electronic message is transmitted to the storage device. In addition, the communication fee is transmitted according to the request from the terminal adapter. The terminal adapter records and outputs the transmitted communication fee.

A BOX is opened in advance in the control device, and the storage device stores, in its own memory, the first identifier and the electronic message including the BOX number input from the facsimile terminal.
It is transmitted to the control device and registered, and the BO is sent from the facsimile terminal.
When it is requested to read out the registered telegram based on the second identifier including the X number, the telegram is read from the control device and transmitted to the requesting facsimile terminal.

The BOX number and the password are used as the first identification body, and only the BOX number is used as the second identification body.
As a result, only the person who has the password can register from the facsimile terminal, and the person who knows only the BOX number can read the registered electronic message from the facsimile terminal, so that it can be used as a bulletin board.

By using the BOX number as the first identifying object and the BOX number and password as the second identifying object, people who know the BOX number can register their electronic messages from the facsimile terminal, and the BOX number can be registered. A specific person who has a password can read the registered electronic message and use it as a post office box.

In this case, by using the mark sheet as the paper input from the facsimile terminal, it is possible to collect a large amount of information such as questionnaires, request reception, mail order orders, and the like.

Further, since the storage device is provided with a RAM as a storage device and the electronic message registered in the control device is read and stored in the RAM, even a plurality of electronic messages can be transmitted in real time to the facsimile terminal which is the source of the read request. ..

Further, the general facsimile terminal not connected to the terminal adapter is connected to the second storage device via the telephone network by the second voice response device, and the second storage device and the second storage device are connected to each other.
The voice response device is connected to the control device, and the general facsimile terminal stores a message in the second storage device or reads a message from the second storage device.

The telegram once stored in the second storage device is transmitted to and managed by the control device. Therefore, when the general facsimile terminal requests reading of a message stored in the control device (including a message registered from the facsimile terminal), it can be transmitted to the second storage device and read. Note that since there is no terminal adapter, the operator of the telephone network charges for the registration of the electronic message from the general facsimile terminal and the settlement of the communication fee for reading.

Further, the push button type telephone and the third voice response device are connected via a telephone network, and the third voice response device is further connected to the control device, and the telephone follows the guidance of the third voice response device. It is possible to inquire whether or not a message having a BOX number unique to the message is stored in the control device.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a main control processor (hereinafter referred to as MCP) that controls the entire system and stores images, calculates charges, collects charges, and collects statistics. Reference numeral 2 denotes a FAX terminal that stores a message sent from the FAX terminal and the MCP1 and has a function of recognizing a PB tone (tone of a push button type telephone) and stores a message sent from the FAX terminal according to an instruction from the MCP1. The storage device 3 that functions as a FAX server for transmitting the stored electronic message to the P3 stores various instruction information from the FAX terminal to the MCP 1.
Recognize by B tone, notify MCP1, convert the instruction from MCP1 to PB tone and send it to the FAX terminal, and voice instruction to FAX operator disconnects the storage device 2 from the FAX terminal. It is a voice response device (hereinafter referred to as VRU) to be controlled.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an intelligent modem, and thereafter ITDM (Intelligence Time Division Multiplexer)
Called. 5 is a public telephone network, 6 is a succeeding facsimile (hereinafter referred to as FAX) 7 is a telephone network 5 and a voice response device (V
RU) 3 dial function and FAX7
This is a terminal adapter (hereinafter referred to as ADP) that prints out the charge for notification of the communication from MCP1. Unlike the FAX 7, 8 is a general FAX that communicates by directly connecting to the VRU 3 through the telephone network 5 without using the ADP 6, and 9 is a push button type telephone (hereinafter referred to as PB telephone) that communicates with the VRU through the telephone network 5. is there. The above-mentioned FAX terminals are ADP6, FAX7, general F
It represents the generic name of AX8.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the voice response device. The VRU 3 is composed of a communication management system and a voice response system, and the communication management system is controlled by the exchange control CPU 31.
A station line circuit 32 connected to the telephone network 5, an extension circuit 33 connected to the storage device 2, a call circuit switch 34 connecting or disconnecting the station line circuit 32 and the extension circuit 33, and an R connected to the MCP1.
It consists of the S-232C interface 35.

The voice response system is controlled by the voice control CPU 36 and the MCP 1 input from the RS-232C interface 35.
The voice stored in the voice response ROM 37 according to an instruction from the FAX is transmitted through the station line circuit 32 and the telephone network 5 to the FAX 7, the general FAX.
No. 8 or PB telephone 9. The voice processing PB tone processing unit 38 communicates with the FAX 7 using PB tones (numbers 0-9, #, *, and signals consisting of letters A to D).
This conversion process is performed because the PB tone and the ASCII code need to be converted because the communication with the CP1 is performed by the ASCII code. The voice processing PB tone processing unit 38 is provided with four lines.

The VRU 3 also performs the following operation. After sending the voice guidance, the interval of each PB tone sent from the FAX 7 side is monitored with a constant timer value, and if the next PB tone is not detected within this timer value, MC
Notify P1 of the error and follow the instructions. This timer value can be set to a predetermined value. Also, VRU3 and MC
When the communication with the MCP1 is disconnected due to the disconnection of the line between the P1s or when the normal processing is not possible due to the instruction from the MCP1, a message indicating that the communication system is currently unavailable is output.

Further, when there is a request for reading out a registered electronic message from the FAX terminal, music is sent to the FAX terminal when the preparation for sending this electronic message is made. This voice response is MC
When VRU3 receives the next command from P1, it automatically stops.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the adapter (ADP) 6, and FIG. 4 is a detailed explanatory diagram of FIG. In FIG. 3, the communication unit 62 communicates with the VRU 3 via the FAX 7 and the telephone network 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication unit 62 has a dial editing function and an incoming call processing function. The dial editing function performs the next dial operation according to the contents of the dial sent from the FAX 7.

Registering a message in the storage device 2 or reading a message from the storage device 2 Dial transmission restriction Sending an ID (identification symbol) of the FAX 7 Direct communication in which the FAX 7 directly communicates with another FAX 7 or a general FAX 8 Has a FAX start button.
7 and ADP6 are connected.

With respect to the incoming call processing function, the ADP 6 is through for an incoming call from the telephone network 5, and no processing is performed. However, the incoming call is ignored when the ADP6 is in use and the power is cut off.

As shown in FIG. 4, the charge management unit 63 has a function of requesting the use charge calculation to the MCP 1 and receiving the result, a direct communication charge calculating function, and a use charge collecting function.
After the FAX 7 registers a message in the storage device 2 or reads out the registered message, the FAX 7 requests the MCP 1 to calculate the usage charge via the VRU 3, receives the usage charge and the usage time from the MCP 1, and displays the usage charge on the LCD ( Liquid Ctystal Displa
y) Display on 66, and print out the usage fee and usage time payment statement from the recording unit 65.

Further, FAX 7 is another FAX 7 or general F
In the case of direct communication with the AX8, after receiving the direct communication command, the communication time is monitored, the charge is calculated, and the same display and printout by the LCD 66 as described above are performed. In addition, for a specified period, from what time to what time, or for one day,
It has a function of totaling usage charges for months and the like, prints out from the recording unit 65, and transmits totalized data for a predetermined period (for example, one month) to the MCP 1.

When printing out the usage fee, not only the fee is indicated by a numeral but also a bar code is displayed. The barcode includes an item indicating the place where the FAX 7 is installed, an item indicating the FAX communication, a communication charge, and the like. As a result, when the FAX 7 is installed in a superstore or the like, the usage fee can be processed by the bar code reader together with the payment of the purchased product.

As shown in FIG. 4, the error management unit 64 has a power loss, a recording paper jam processing function, a communication error charge processing function, and an error totaling function. When the power is cut off due to a power failure or disconnection of the outlet, the FAX 7 and the telephone network 5 are disconnected. In addition, even when there is no recording paper in the recording unit 65, the paper cut-out is detected and the cut state is maintained. Also, it recognizes an error command notified from the VRU 3 with a PB tone and outputs an error report.

An error report is also output when the error command is not received and the process ends abnormally, or when the FAX 7 side leaves the receiver during the procedure. Also, when a communication error occurs during direct communication, an error report is output and free payment is performed. These error reports are totaled in a predetermined period and printed out from the recording unit 65.

From the keyboard 67, an instruction such as printout of a fee for a predetermined period is input. Further, the control unit 61 controls each of the above devices.

FIG. 5 shows F, which is the first usage pattern of this embodiment.
It is a figure explaining an AX bulletin board. Private circle information exchange and IP (Information Presentation)
By opening a BOX in advance for the purpose of providing corporate information, it is possible to register a BOX number that is valid for the contract period. The registrant registers the manuscript using this BOX number and password as a key, and the extractor uses the BOX. Take out the original by number.

In FIG. 5, a BOX is opened and a bulletin board is opened. The BOX number is a number that is valid for the contract period determined by the registrant. The contractor inputs the BOX number and password. Next, input the original. The original is stored by the overwrite method, and the previous original is deleted when the next original is registered. The user who is notified of the BOX number by the contractor inputs the BOX number. The original can be taken out by entering the BOX number.
You can take out the document as many times as you like within the storage time.
Both registrant and extractor will be charged.

FIG. 6 is a second usage pattern F of this embodiment.
It is a figure explaining AX post office box. By opening the BOX in advance, the BOX number that is valid for the contract period will be the center
You can register in 1). The registrant registers the original with this BOX number as a key, and the takeout person takes out the original with the BOX number and password.

In FIG. 6, the PO Box is opened by opening the BOX. At this time, the BOX number is determined and the BOX number is notified to the manuscript input person in the post office box. The BOX number is valid for the contract period determined by the extractor. The registrant who inputs the manuscript inputs the BOX number and then the manuscript. Multiple manuscripts can be registered by multiple registrants. The extractor inputs the BOX number and password, and then extracts all registered documents. Depending on the setting, the original may be taken out only once, or may be taken out any number of times until the accumulation time expires.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a mark sheet post office box which is the third mode of use of this embodiment. A BOX number valid for the contract period can be registered by setting the BOX for the purpose of collecting a large amount of information such as collecting questionnaires, receiving requests, and ordering mail order. The BOX number is notified to the user from the BOX contractor, and the user uses this B
The manuscript is registered using the OX number as a key, and the takeout person (BOX contractor) takes out the manuscript using the BOX number and password.
Only OMR (Optical Mark Reader) manuscripts can be used as manuscripts. OMR manuscripts are subjected to image recognition, the recognition results are converted to bit data, and the OMR files are registered and OMR
The original is stored in a normal image file as image data.

In FIG. 7, first, a mark sheet PO Box is opened, the BOX number is determined, and the user is notified. The user inputs the OMR original document marked on the mark sheet together with the BOX number. The BOX number and OMR sheet format No. Have a one-to-one correspondence. The storage of the image file of the transmitted OMR original document is set to one week as a standard, and other values can be set. The extractor inputs the BOX number and password, and extracts the data converted into bit data and registered in the OMR file or the data stored in the image file as image data.

FIG. 8 shows a sample OMR sheet. 1
The second line is a system line used in the storage device (UX-4800), the number of columns and the number of lines are defined, and the second line is a system line used in this facsimile system. The 3rd to 40th lines are used as user data lines.

[0046]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a computer is provided in the center to input and output a telegram from each facsimile terminal, the communication of each facsimile terminal is monitored, and the communication charge is calculated. By providing voice guidance, it is possible to provide a facsimile communication system that functions as a bulletin board and a post office box.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a voice response device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an adapter.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram when the present embodiment is used as a bulletin board.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when this embodiment is used as a post office box.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when the present embodiment is used as a mark sheet post office box.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a mark sheet used for a mark sheet post office box.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Main Control Processor (MCP) 2 Storage Device 3 Voice Response Unit (VRU) 4 Intelligent Modem (ITDM) 5 Telephone Network 6 Adaptation (ADP) 7 Facsimile (FAX) 8 General Facsimile (General FAX) 9 PB Telephone

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04N 1/00 104 Z 4226-5C

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile terminal and a storage device are connected by a telephone network, a terminal adapter is provided between the facsimile terminal and the telephone network, and a voice response device is provided between the telephone network and the storage device. A facsimile communication system in which the voice response device and the storage device are respectively connected to a control device, wherein the terminal adapter has a dial function for the facsimile terminal to access the telephone network and the voice response device, and the facsimile. From the control device, the voice response device has a function of inquiring the communication fee of the terminal to the control device and recording the answer, and the voice response device is a function of mediating communication with the facsimile terminal, the terminal adapter, the storage device, and the control device. Function to reply to the facsimile terminal by voice and the response of the facsimile terminal to this voice response. Has a function of connecting the line between the facsimile terminal and the storage device and disconnecting after the end of the facsimile communication when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the storage device stores a message from the facsimile terminal or the control device. The control device stores and manages a message stored in the storage device based on a BOX number unique to each message, and stores the stored message in response to a message read request from the facsimile terminal. And a communication control function for the storage device and the voice response device.
After the OX is opened, the storage device temporarily stores the first identifier including the BOX number input from the facsimile terminal and a telegram, and then transmits and stores it to the control device to register the BOX number from the facsimile terminal. When a read of the registered electronic message is requested based on the second identification object including the facsimile, the electronic message stored in the control device is read and transmitted to the facsimile terminal that has issued the read request. Communications system. 2. The facsimile communication system according to claim 1, wherein the BOX number and password are used as the first identifying body, and the BOX number is used as the second identifying body. 3. The facsimile communication system according to claim 1, wherein the BOX number is used as the first identification body, and the BOX number and password are used as the second identification body. 4. A mark sheet is used as a message sheet input from the facsimile terminal.
The described facsimile communication system. 5. The RAM according to claim 1, wherein the storage device uses a RAM as a storage device for storing a message from the control device, and responds to a read request from the facsimile terminal in real time. The facsimile communication system according to any one. 6. A general facsimile terminal, a second storage device connected to the general facsimile terminal via a telephone network and storing a message from the general facsimile terminal or the control device, the second storage device and the telephone. A second voice response device interposed between networks is provided, the second storage device and the second voice response device are connected to the control device, and the second voice response device is connected to the control device.
A voice response device has a function of mediating communication with the general facsimile terminal, the second storage device, and the control device, a function of giving an audio response to an instruction from the control device to the general facsimile terminal, and the general facsimile terminal for the voice response. Has a function of connecting the line between the general facsimile terminal and the second storage device and disconnecting the line after the end of the facsimile communication, when the response of the above-mentioned response satisfies the predetermined requirement. The facsimile communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication fee of the general facsimile terminal is billed by an operating organization of the telephone network. 7. A push-button type telephone set and a third voice response device connected to the telephone set via a telephone network are provided, the third voice response device and the control device are connected to each other, and the third voice response device is connected to the control unit. The voice response device has a communication intermediary function between the push button type telephone and the control device and a function of replying an instruction from the control device to the push button type telephone by voice, and the telegram specific from the telephone. 7. The facsimile communication system according to claim 1, wherein it is possible to inquire whether or not the electronic message having the BOX number is stored.