JPH0591283A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To notify an opponent side of the fact an original is being transmitted without fail by automatically calling another transmission destination and performing transmission to the second called destination when the first called destination is busy. CONSTITUTION:A storage means 10 for plural related telephone numbers is provided, and a means 14 calling a first destination reads the telephone number out of the storage means 10 and calls the first destination. When a means 16 calling another destination confirms that the first destination is busy, reads any telephone number related to the telephone number of the first destination out of the storage means 10. A means 18 transmitting the read facsimile data re-calls the first destination with a means 20 re-calling the first destination by means of the data read out of the storage means 10. At this time, a destination change notirfication means 22 transmits notification data indicating that the facsimile data are transmitted to another destination to the first destination. Thus, the first destination can securely recognize that the original was securely transmitted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine used in a system in which when a destination is busy, another destination is automatically called and facsimile data is transmitted to the destination instead of the original destination. It is a thing.

There is provided a facsimile device which can automatically call another facsimile device installed near the destination facsimile device when the facsimile device is busy for communication or the like to transmit a document.

According to this type of facsimile apparatus, the original can be immediately and easily transmitted to the other party without waiting for the destination facsimile apparatus to communicate.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art In FIG. 7, a main control unit 72 of a facsimile device 70 is provided with a first destination storage unit 74 and a second destination storage unit 76, and a first destination storage unit 74 and a second destination storage unit. The telephone numbers of the facsimile machine 78 and the facsimile machines 80 (two or more machines are possible) installed in the vicinity of the facsimile machine 78 are stored in 76.

These telephone numbers are associated with each other and registered in advance. When the transmission original is set in the reading unit 82 of the facsimile device 70 and the telephone numbers are read from the first destination storage unit 74, the communication of the facsimile device 70 is performed. The control unit 84 calls up the facsimile device 78 via the line network 86.

At this time, if the facsimile device 78 is in a state of being able to communicate, the facsimile device 7
The facsimile data of the original read by the reading unit 82 of 0 is sent from the communication control unit 84 to the line network 86 and received by the communication control unit 88 of the facsimile device 78.

When this receiving operation is started, the main controller 9
When the recording unit 91 is controlled to 0, the document obtained by restoring the data received from the facsimile device 70 is output from the recording unit 91.

When the facsimile device 78 is busy and cannot communicate, the telephone number associated with the telephone number of the facsimile device 78 is read from the second destination storage section 76, Using this, the communication device 84 of the facsimile device 70 calls the facsimile device 80.

As a result, the facsimile data of the original read by the reading section 82 of the facsimile apparatus 70 is sent from the communication control section 84 to the facsimile apparatus 80 and received by the communication control section 92.

Further, the recording section 96 is controlled by the main control section 94, and the facsimile apparatus 70 to the facsimile apparatus 78 are controlled.
In place of the above, the original having the received data as the content is the recording unit 96
Is output from.

[0011]

Facsimile apparatus 70
The user who expected that the transmission document of No. 1 was received by the facsimile device 78 did not notice that it was received by the other facsimile device 80, and often had the inconvenience of waiting for the reception.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of surely notifying a partner that a document has already been transmitted. ..

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is configured as follows, and its configuration is shown in FIG.

In the figure, in the first invention, a destination group storage means 10 for storing a plurality of associated telephone numbers.
And the first destination calling unit 14 that reads the telephone number of the first destination (facsimile device 78) from the destination group storage unit 10 and calls the first destination (facsimile device 78).
When it is confirmed that the first destination (facsimile device 78) is busy, the first destination (facsimile device 7)
Second destination calling means 16 that reads out one of the telephone numbers associated with the telephone number of 8) from the destination group storage means 10 and calls another destination (facsimile device 80).
And a facsimile transmission means 1 for transmitting facsimile data to another called destination (facsimile device 80).
8, the first destination recalling unit 20 that recalls the first destination (facsimile device 78) using the telephone number read from the destination group storage unit 10, and the facsimile data to another destination (facsimile device 80). Redirection change notification means 22 for transmitting the notification data indicating that it has been transmitted to the recalled first destination (facsimile device 78)
Are provided in the facsimile device 70 of the transmission source.

In the second invention, the destination group storage means 10 for storing a plurality of telephone numbers associated with each other, and the telephone number of the first destination (facsimile device 78) are read from the destination group storage means 10 to read the first destination ( One of the telephone numbers of the first destination (facsimile device 78) when the first destination calling unit 14 for calling the facsimile device 78) and the first destination (facsimile device 78) are confirmed to be busy. Second destination calling means 16 that reads out the telephone number of from the destination group storage means 10 to call another destination (facsimile apparatus 80), and a facsimile transmission means that transmits facsimile data to the called other destination (facsimile apparatus 80) 18 and part of the facsimile data transmitted to another destination (facsimile device 80)憶 transmits data portion storing means 24
A first destination recalling means 20 for recalling the first destination (facsimile device 78) using the telephone number read from the destination group storage means 10, and a part of the transmission data from the transmission data partial storage means 24. Read the data and the facsimile data to another destination (facsimile device 8
0) is sent to the recalled first destination (facsimile device 78), and the destination facsimile device 70 is provided with the destination change notification means 22.

Further, in the third invention, the facsimile data and the destination (facsimile device 78) to which the data should be transmitted.
Telephone number (from the sender's facsimile device 70)
The facsimile receiving means 30 for receiving, the destination telephone number storing means 32 for storing the telephone number received by the facsimile receiving means 30, and the telephone number read out from the destination telephone number storing means 32, and the destination of the telephone number (facsimile device 7
8) first destination calling means 34, and proxy reception notifying means for transmitting to the called destination (facsimile device 78) notification data indicating that facsimile data has been received instead of the destination (facsimile device 78). 36
Are provided in the facsimile device 80.

In the fourth invention, the facsimile data and the destination (facsimile device 78) to which the data should be transmitted.
Telephone number (from the sender's facsimile device 70)
Facsimile receiving means 30 for receiving, received data partial storage means 38 for storing a part of the facsimile data received by the facsimile receiving means 30, and destination telephone number storage means for storing the facsimile data telephone number received by the facsimile receiving means 30. 32 and a first destination calling unit 34 that reads a telephone number from the destination telephone number storage unit 32 and calls the destination (facsimile device 78) of the telephone number.
And a part of the received data stored in the received data portion storage means 38 and the notification data indicating that facsimile data has been received instead of the destination (facsimile device 78) to the called destination (facsimile device 78). The substitute reception notifying means 36 for transmitting the message is provided in the facsimile device 80.

[0018]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the facsimile device 70 as the transmission source and the third aspect of the invention from the facsimile device 80 acting as the reception agent have already transmitted the original document to the facsimile device 78 which is the original destination. Be notified.

Further, in the second and fourth aspects of the invention, a part of the transmission original is transmitted from the facsimile devices 70 and 80 to the facsimile device 78 which is the original destination at the time of the above notification.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 2, the structure of the first embodiment is described. The facsimile machines 78 and 80 shown in FIG. 2 have the same structure as in FIG. 7, and are connected to the facsimile machine 70 via the line network 86.

The facsimile device 70 has an image memory 9
8 is provided, and the image memory 98 stores the facsimile data to be transmitted to the first destination facsimile device 78.

Further, the main controller 7 of the facsimile device 70
2 is provided with a second destination transmission flag unit 100,
The value of the busy flag indicating whether or not the facsimile data is transmitted to the second destination facsimile device 80 is stored in the second destination transmission flag unit 100.

In FIG. 3, the operation of the facsimile device 70 in the first embodiment is described with reference to a flow chart. A transmission original is set in the reading portion 82 of the facsimile device 70 and a telephone number is input from the first destination storage portion 74. When read out, the communication control unit 84 of the facsimile device 70 calls the first destination facsimile device 78 (step 300).

At that time, if the facsimile device 78 is in a state of being able to communicate (NO in step 302)
Then, the facsimile data of the original read by the reading unit 82 of the facsimile device 70 is sent from the communication control unit 84 to the network 86 and received by the communication control unit 88 of the facsimile device 78 (steps 304 and 306).

When this receiving operation is started, the main controller 9
When 0, the recording unit 91 is controlled, and the original obtained by restoring the data received from the facsimile device 70 is output from the recording unit 91.

If the facsimile machine 78 is busy and cannot communicate (step 302)
Then, the busy flag is turned on (step 308).

Further, one of the telephone numbers (here, the telephone number of the facsimile device 80) associated with that of the facsimile device 78 is read from the second destination storage section 76 and used to read the facsimile device 70. The facsimile device 80 is called from the communication control unit 84 (step 310).

At this time, if the facsimile device 80 is busy (yes in step 312), the busy flag is turned off (step 316), and thereafter the process of calling the first destination facsimile device 78 (step 3).
00) and the operation of the apparatus is repeated.

If the facsimile device 80 is not busy (NO at step 312), the reading unit 82
The facsimile data of the original read by the communication control unit 84 is sent to the facsimile apparatus 80, and on the other hand, a part of the facsimile data (for example, the first original of the transmission original is transmitted).
The page page is stored in the image memory 98 (step 31).
8, 319, 320).

In the facsimile apparatus 80, the recording section 96 is controlled by the main control section 94, and the restored original of the data received from the facsimile apparatus 70 in place of the facsimile apparatus 78 is output from the recording section 96.

In the facsimile device 70,
When the transmission to the facsimile device 80 is completed, it is confirmed that the busy flag is turned on, and then the process of calling the facsimile device 78 again is performed (steps 322 and 324).

Further, a notification message is created (step 3
26), the created notification message is transmitted to the facsimile device 78 (steps 328 and 320), and finally the busy flag is turned off (step 332).

This notification message contains the fact that the original document to be transmitted to the facsimile device 78 is received by another facsimile device 80. Therefore, it is expected that the original document is received on the facsimile device 78 side. The user can immediately obtain the original document received by the other facsimile device 80 installed in the vicinity thereof.

When transmitting the notification message, a part of the facsimile data stored in the image memory 98 is read out, and the facsimile device 78 is read together with the notification message.
(Steps 326, 327, 328, 33)
0).

Therefore, the user of the facsimile device 78 moves to the side of the facsimile device 80 depending on whether the original document received by the facsimile device 80 should be obtained immediately or whether the original document is unnecessary or urgent. It is possible to check without any.

In FIG. 4, the structure of the second embodiment is described. Although the facsimile machine 70 in the figure has the same structure as that in FIG. 7, a part of the received facsimile data (for example, in the facsimile machine 80) (for example, An image memory 102 for storing the first page of the received document is provided.

The main control unit 94 of the facsimile device 80 is provided with the first destination notifying unit 104, and the first destination notifying unit 104 causes the first destination facsimile unit 78 to send the original document addressed to the facsimile unit 78. Is notified, and the data stored in the image memory 102 is transmitted.

Further, the facsimile machine 70 shown in FIG.
Although it has the same hardware configuration as the above, when the facsimile data is transmitted to the facsimile device 80 instead of the facsimile device 78, as understood from FIG. 5, the telephone number of the facsimile device 78 is the first destination. Is added to the transmission data to indicate that (step 31
8).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the facsimile device 80 serving as the second destination, and when the reception of the facsimile data is started (step 60).
0), it is determined whether or not the received data includes data indicating the first destination (telephone number of the facsimile device 78), and if the data indicating the first destination is not included (no at step 602). ), Only the document restored from the received data is output (step 600), and the communication operation ends (step 604).

If the received data includes data indicating the first destination (yes in step 602),
The data is stored (step 606) and a predetermined flag (the fact that the facsimile data has been received on behalf of the first destination facsimile device 78 is transmitted to the facsimile device 7).
8 is turned on (indicating whether or not notification is made to 8) is turned on (step 60
8) A part of the received facsimile data (for example, the first page of the received document) is stored in the image memory 102 (step 610).

Then, the receiving operation is completed (step 61).
2) and the flag is turned on (yes in step 614), the data indicating the first destination (telephone number of the facsimile device 78) is read out and is used. First destination facsimile machine 78
Is called (step 616).

Further, a notification message containing the content that the facsimile data is received on behalf of the first destination facsimile machine 78 is created (step 618), and the notification message and the received data stored in the image memory 102 are stored. Some of them are transmitted to the called facsimile device 78 (steps 620, 622, 624). Finally, the above flag is turned off.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the fact that the facsimile data is received by the second destination facsimile device 80 in place of the facsimile device 78 is transmitted from the facsimile device 80 to the first destination facsimile device 7.
8 is notified, and at the same time, part of the received data is also transmitted, so that the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the original has already been transmitted from the source facsimile machine or another facsimile machine acting as a receiver to the original destination facsimile machine. Is notified, the user waiting for the original to be received on the side of the destination facsimile machine can immediately confirm that the original has been received by another facsimile machine installed near it. The received original can be immediately obtained from the other facsimile machine that received the data.

In addition, when a part of the received document is transmitted from the source facsimile machine or another facsimile machine acting as a receiver to the destination facsimile machine together with the above notification, the user of the destination facsimile machine uses another facsimile machine. Should the manuscript received by the device be available immediately?
Or, whether this manuscript is unnecessary or urgent, without moving to the side of another facsimile machine,
It is possible to confirm on the spot. ..

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a transmission source device according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a transmission source device according to the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second destination device in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 70 Facsimile device 72 Main control part 74 First destination storage part 76 Second destination storage part 78,80 Facsimile device 82 Reading part 84 Communication control part 86 Line network 88 Communication control part 90 Main control part 91 Recording part 92 Communication control part 94 Main control unit 96 Recording unit 98 Image memory 100 Second destination transmission flag unit 102 Image memory 104 First destination notification unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A destination group storage means (10) for storing a plurality of associated telephone numbers, and a first destination call for reading the telephone number of the first destination from the destination group storage means (10) and calling the first destination. Means (1
4) and, when it is confirmed that the first destination is busy, one of the telephone numbers associated with the telephone number of the first destination is read from the destination group storage means (10) and another destination is called. The second destination calling means (16), the facsimile transmission means (18) for transmitting facsimile data to another called destination, and the telephone number read from the destination group storage means (10) to set the first destination. A first destination recalling means (20) for recalling, and a destination change notifying means (22) for transmitting notification data indicating that the facsimile data has been transmitted to another destination to the recalled first destination. A facsimile machine characterized by the above. 2. A destination group storage means (10) for storing a plurality of associated telephone numbers, and a first destination call for reading the telephone number of the first destination from the destination group storage means (10) and calling the first destination. Means (1
4) and, when it is confirmed that the first destination is busy, one of the telephone numbers associated with the telephone number of the first destination is read from the destination group storage means (10) and another destination is called. (2) Destination calling means (16), facsimile sending means (18) for sending facsimile data to another called destination, and transmission data partial storage means (a part of the facsimile data sent to another destination) ( 24), a first destination recalling unit (20) for recalling the first destination using the telephone number read from the destination group storing unit (10), and a part of the transmission data for the transmission data partial storing unit ( 24) A destination change notification hand that sends the data and the notification data indicating that the facsimile data has been sent to another destination to the recalled first destination. With (22), a facsimile apparatus, characterized in that. 3. Facsimile receiving means (30) for receiving facsimile data and a telephone number of a destination to which the data should be transmitted, and destination telephone number storage means (for storing the telephone number received by the facsimile receiving means (30)). 32) and the first destination calling means (3) for reading the telephone number from the destination telephone number storage means (32) and calling the destination of the telephone number.
4) and a substitute reception notifying means (36) for transmitting notification data indicating that facsimile data has been received in place of the destination to the called destination. 4. A facsimile receiving means (30) for receiving facsimile data and a telephone number of a destination to which the data should be transmitted, and a received data portion for storing a part of the facsimile data received by the facsimile receiving means (30). Storage means (3
8) and destination telephone number storage means (3) for storing the facsimile data telephone number received by the facsimile reception means (30).
2) and the first destination calling means (3) for reading the telephone number from the destination telephone number storage means (32) and calling the destination of the telephone number.
4) and proxy reception for transmitting to the called destination notification data indicating that facsimile data has been received instead of the destination and a part of the reception data stored in the reception data partial storage means (38). A notifying device (36), and a facsimile apparatus comprising: