JPH06152807A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the processing time of a text with high processing priority by grouping the texts received based on sorting information identified from facsimile information by a processing priority level and recording the grouped texts onto a recording medium. CONSTITUTION:Texts sent externally are received through a reception means 10. Then sorting information sent separately from the texts at the reception is identified by a sorting information identification means 20 and a means 30 recording texts by a sort group records the texts onto a recording medium based on the identified information. Through the constitution above, even when lots of texts are received, they are grouped automatically by processing priority set by a recipient and recorded, then the processing time of the text is reduced with high processing priority. Furthermore, an ID of a transmitter, the telephone number, a name of a sender, a name of a recipient and transmission purpose information are used for the sorting information and the sorting information is preferably recorded on the recording medium by the transmission purpose.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile machine with a sorting function for sorting transmission messages by priority.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the conventional apparatus, when the automatic reception mode is set as described in the CCITT recommendation relating to the group 3 facsimile apparatus, all the electronic messages from the facsimile transmitting apparatus are automatically received. Alternatively, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-169163, only a telegram from a facsimile transmitter having a transmitter identification signal preset in the receiver is received.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned prior art, when a large amount of electronic messages are sent, they are recorded in the recording medium in the order in which they are sent. For this reason, there is a problem that the recipients take a long time to process a message with a high processing priority due to a mixture of messages that are not so important and a message with a high processing priority.

[0004]

The above-mentioned object can be achieved by grouping electronic messages based on the above-mentioned transmission device identification signal (for example, telephone number) and electronic message sorting information (for example, sender name). .

[0005]

The facsimile receiving device groups the attached electronic messages with the processing priority order set by the receiver based on the identification signal and electronic message sorting information signal sent from the facsimile transmitting device, and groups them in the recording medium. Record. This has the following effects.

(1) Even if a large number of messages are sent, the messages are automatically sorted.

(2) It becomes easy for the receiver to search for a necessary electronic message.

(3) Since it is not necessary to output all the received electronic messages on paper, paper is saved.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a basic conceptual diagram of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 is a receiving means, 20 is a sorting information identifying means, and 30 is a means for recording by sorting group.

The message sent from the outside is received by the receiving means 10.
Be received through. When the information is received, the sorting information that is attached separately from the electronic message is recognized by the sorting information identifying unit 20. Based on the information identified by the means 20, the information is recorded on the recording medium by the means for recording each sorting group.

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of FIG. 1
When it is received at 0, the sorting information is recognized at 20. At 30, sorting is performed based on the sorting information, recording is performed in each group of 40 and 50 in the recording medium, and the processing is completed.

FIG. 3 shows the hardware structure of the facsimile receiving apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 is an NCU for connecting a telephone line and a facsimile machine, and 20 is a modem. Three
Reference numeral 0 is a procedure control means, 31 is a decryption means, 32 is a classification information recognition means, and 33 is a comparison means, which is usually composed of a microcomputer and software. Reference numeral 40 denotes a permanent recording means such as a rewritable optical disk, a magneto-optical disk,
It consists of a floppy disk and hard disk. Reference numeral 50 denotes an image temporary recording means and a registered sorting information identification signal temporary recording means, which are constituted by, for example, electrically backed-up non-volatile or volatile RAM (Ramdom Access Memory). Reference numeral 60 denotes a message output unit, which is constituted by, for example, a printer. Reference numeral 70 denotes a sorting work automatic manual switching means. Reference numeral 80 denotes an image display means, which is constituted by a display, for example. Reference numeral 90 denotes an input means, which is composed of, for example, a keyboard, 10 keys, a mouse, a pen input device, and the like. 100 is a telephone. Reference numeral 110 denotes an image input unit, which is composed of, for example, a scanner. Reference numeral 120 denotes an external electronic device connection means, which connects to an external computer or the like via a LAN, for example.

Next, the operation will be described. When a call is received from the facsimile transmission device when the facsimile reception device is set to the automatic reception, the signal from the transmission device is transmitted to the procedure control means 30 via the NCU 10 and the modem 20.
to go into. The procedure control means 30 executes the procedure of CCITT standard T.30 and means for sorting the electronic messages of the present invention. The sorting information recognition means 32 executes a procedure for recognizing sorting information from the image signal. For example, the sorting information recognizing means 32 recognizes the coded sorting information directly on the image signal by the facsimile transmitting device and decodes it by the facsimile receiving device. Alternatively, the facsimile transmission apparatus transmits the coded sorting information (for example, a barcode or OCR) directly on the image, the decoding section 31 decodes it, and the sorting information recognition section 32 recognizes it. The image signals before and after the decoding are recorded in the temporary recording means 50 in order to shorten the working time. The transmission device identification signal and the sorting information registered in the permanent recording means 40 are recorded in the temporary recording means recording 50 when the power of the facsimile apparatus is turned on, and the comparison means 33 uses the information to record the processing priority level number in the electronic message. The permanent recording means 40 records. The automatic / manual reception switching means allows the receiver to directly sort the message on the image display means 80 or directly by looking at the transmission device identification signal or the sorting information code-converted. For a new electronic message that is not registered by the receiving device, the recipient can directly view and register the sorting information. By using the input means 90, registration information necessary for sorting (for example, facsimile transmission device number, sender / receiver name, transmission purpose information, urgent and due date designation request, circulation request, etc.) can be registered, and the group contents of the electronic message can be changed. In addition, for the message of circulation and reply request,
A reply is added to a telegram sent using the image display means 80 and the input means 90, an image input using the image input means 110 and a document newly created on the image display means 80, and the modem 20 and the NCU 10 are added. Can be transferred to another electronic device via the external electronic device connecting means. After the recipient processes the message, the procedure control unit 30 can automatically or manually change the recording state (for example, the processing priority number or the recorded group). The received or recorded electronic message can be automatically or manually transferred from the external electronic device connecting means 120 to another electronic device. On the contrary, it is also possible to automatically or manually receive a message from another electronic device and record it in a recording medium or send it to the outside through an NCU.

FIG. 4 is a functional diagram in the sorting process in FIG. At decision 10, it is determined whether the sorting information is attached. If not, it is recorded according to processing 150.
If there is a work content confirmation request from the transmission device in determination 20,
In process 30, the transmitter is answered. In determination 40, if the recording state change request is issued from the transmitting device, the recording state of a part of the sorting information registered in the transmitting device can be changed in process 50. In the determination 60, it is determined whether the receiver (device) has registered the sorting information of the transmission device. Judgment 7
At 0, if the sender (apparatus) is excluded, it is recorded according to the processing 130. The classified messages are judged 80, 100, and if there is an urgent or reply request from the transmitter, processing 90, 140 is performed.
Is displayed at. It is then recorded by means 110, 120. The means 160 replies to the sender (device), and the means 17
When 0, the remaining amount of the recording medium is displayed, and the process ends.

[0015]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Based on an identification signal and a message classification information signal sent from a facsimile transmitting device, a facsimile receiving device groups the received electronic messages according to processing priority levels set by the receiver to form a recording medium. Record. This has the following effects. (1) Even if a large number of messages are sent, it automatically sorts the messages.

(2) It becomes easy for the recipient to search for a necessary electronic message.

(3) Since it is not necessary to output all the received electronic messages on paper, paper is saved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic conceptual diagram in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile device with a sorting function according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sorting procedure in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how electronic messages sorted by FIG. 4 are grouped in a storage medium.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Receiving means, 20 ... Sorting information identifying means, 30 ... Recording means for each sorting group.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Mariko Watanabe Inventor Mariko Watanabe 7-1-1 Omika-cho, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki Hitachi Ltd. Hitachi Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Toshiaki Nakamura 7-chome, Omika-cho, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki No. 1 Hitachi Ltd. Hitachi Research Laboratory

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A means for receiving facsimile information from a transmitting device, a means for identifying sorting information from the facsimile information, and a means for grouping electronic messages received based on the sorting information and recording them on a recording medium. Fax machine. 2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ID record of the transmitting device is used as sorting information and recorded on a recording medium for each transmission purpose. 3. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the telephone number of the transmitter is used as sorting information and recorded in a recording medium for each transmission purpose. 4. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sender name is used as sorting information and recorded on a recording medium for each transmission purpose. 5. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recipient name is used as sorting information and recorded on a recording medium for each transmission purpose. 6. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus is used as transmission purpose information sorting information and is recorded on a recording medium for each transmission purpose. 7. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining a priority level from a reply request from the sender with a deadline and grouping the priority levels. 8. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining a priority level from a sender's name and grouping by priority level. 9. A facsimile machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining a priority level based on the number of transmitted messages and grouping the priority levels. 10. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising request display means for reply request. 11. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising automatic or manual reply means for reply request.