JPH066559A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To send status information of the facsimile equipment main body or picture information of an original or the like from a called party to a caller on the request of the called party. CONSTITUTION:When there is status information or picture information of an original to be sent from a called party 1, after a communication line is connected by a call from a caller 2, a transmission request signal generated from a transmission request signal generating means 14 of the called party 1 is sent to the caller 2. A transmission request signal detection means 22 of the caller 2 detects the received transmission request signal. Then a transmission enable signal generating means 23 generates a transmission enable signal and the signal is sent to the called party 1. The status information or the picture information to be sent is transmitted from the called party 1 receiving the transmission enable signal. That is, the information is sent from the called party 1 upon the request of the called party 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting status information, image information and the like from a called party to a calling party at the request of the called party.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a facsimile machine, when some trouble occurs in the main body of the facsimile machine while receiving image information on the called side, for example, when the memory is full while receiving the memory, or when the received image information is received. If the recording paper becomes jammed while it is being printed out directly on the recording paper, the called side unilaterally disconnects the communication line.

On the other hand, in a facsimile machine, it is usual for the calling side to decide from which the image information is transmitted. This is not only normal communication in which the calling side serves as the sending side to send image information, but also polling communication in which the called side sends image information, and after sending image information from the calling side,
The same applies to the turnaround polling communication in which image information is continuously transmitted from the called side.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, when the called side suddenly disconnects the communication line while the calling side is transmitting image information, The calling side knows that the transmitted image information has not been normally received, but since the cause is unknown, it is common to retransmit the same image information. However, in this case, if the jammed state of the recording paper is not released on the called side, the communication line is still unilaterally disconnected. Therefore, communication time and communication costs are wasted.

In such a case, if the state of the called side can be notified to the calling side, it is possible to prevent the calling side from retransmitting before the jammed state of the recording paper is released. Become. Further, it is convenient if not only the status information but also image information such as a document can be transmitted at the request of the called side.

Therefore, the present invention has solved the above-mentioned problems. In the present invention, status information, image information, etc. of the called side are transmitted from the called side at the request of the called side, and this is transmitted by the calling side. It proposes a receivable facsimile machine.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the first aspect of the present invention, the called side generates a transmission request signal indicating that there is information to be transmitted, and a transmission request signal is transmitted. The calling side includes a receiving means for receiving a transmission request signal and a transmission request signal detecting means for detecting the transmission request signal, and the calling side changes from the called side to the calling side at the request of the called side. It is characterized in that information can be transmitted.

In the second aspect of the invention, the called side generates a transmission request signal indicating that there is information to be transmitted, a transmission means for transmitting the transmission request signal, and the recognition of the receiving side. Recognition number detecting means for detecting a number,
The identification number registration means for registering the identification number and the identification number determination means for determining whether or not the received identification number is registered in the identification number registration means are provided, and the calling side receives the transmission request signal. Means, a transmission request signal detecting means for detecting a transmission request signal, an identification number generating means for generating an identification number, and a transmitting means for transmitting the identification number, and the identification number received from the calling side is transmitted to the called side. It is characterized in that information can be transmitted from the called side to the calling side at the request of the called side only when it is registered.

In the first invention or the second invention, the information transmitted from the called side can be used as status information indicating the state of the facsimile apparatus main body, and this status information can be coded.

[0010]

In the first aspect of the present invention, in FIG. 1, when there is status information or document image information to be transmitted from the called side 1, the transmission request is made after the communication line is connected by the calling side 2. The signal generation means 14 generates a transmission request signal, in this example, an SMCF signal (FIG. 4), which is the calling side 2.
Sent to.

On the calling side 2, the received transmission request signal is detected by the transmission request signal detecting means 22. by this,
A transmission permission signal, in this example, an SNSC signal (FIG. 7) is generated from the transmission permission signal generating means 23, and this is transmitted to the called side 1. In response to this, the called side 1 transmits the status information or the image information of the document to be transmitted. That is, it becomes possible for the called party 1 to send information to the calling party 2 at the request of the called party 1.

In the second aspect of the invention, an identification number is generated by the identification number generating means 21 of the calling side 2 before the above-mentioned communication procedure, and this is transmitted to the called side 1. On the called side 1, the identification number detecting means 15 detects this, and the identification number judging means 1
At 7, it is determined whether or not this identification number is registered in the identification number registration means 16. Then, only when this is registered, information to be transmitted is transmitted and received in the same manner as described above. Therefore, according to the second aspect of the invention, the called party 1 can transmit the confidential information and the like only to a specific party.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows functional blocks of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 indicates the called party,
2 indicates the calling party. On the called side 1, 11 is a state detecting means for detecting a trouble or the like occurring in each part of the facsimile apparatus main body. For example, in the case of memory reception, it is detected whether or not the memory is full, and in the case of directly printing out the received image information on the recording paper, a jam of the recording paper or the like is detected.

Reference numeral 12 denotes status information generating means, which converts the status detected by the status detecting means 11, that is, status information, into code information. This status information can be stored in the memory as image information. 1
An image reading unit 3 reads image information written on a document. Reference numeral 14 denotes a transmission request signal generating means, which outputs the status information or the image information of the original when the status information generating means 12 generates the status information or when the original to be transmitted is set in the image reading means 13. A transmission request signal for requesting the transmission to the calling side 2 is generated.

Reference numeral 15 is an identification number detecting means, which is a calling side 2
The identification number received from is detected. Reference numeral 16 is an identification number registration means for registering the identification number of the other party to whom the called side 1 is going to send information. Reference numeral 17 is an identification number determination means, which determines whether or not the identification number detected by the identification number detection means 15 is registered in the identification number registration means 16.
When it is determined that the transmission request signal 14 is registered, an operation permission signal is sent to the transmission request signal generating means 14, and the transmission request signal 14 becomes operable. Reference numeral 18 denotes a transmitting / receiving means, which is connected to a communication line and transmits / receives the various signals and information described above.

On the calling side 2, reference numeral 21 is an identification number generating means, which generates a preset identification number (ID number). Reference numeral 22 denotes a transmission request signal detecting means, which detects a transmission request signal transmitted from the called side 1. Reference numeral 23 is a transmission permission signal generating means, which generates a transmission permission signal for permitting the transmission to the other side when the transmission request signal is detected.

A recording means 24 prints out status information or image information transmitted from the called side 1. Reference numeral 25 is a display means for displaying the received status information on an LCD (liquid crystal display device) or the like when it is coded. Reference numeral 26 denotes a transmission / reception means, which is connected to a communication line and transmits / receives the above-mentioned various signals and image information to / from the called side 1.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a facsimile apparatus having the functions of the called side 1 and the calling side 2 described above. In the figure, 31 is a CPU that manages transmission / reception control, and 32 is an RO in which various control programs such as transmission / reception programs are stored.
M and 33 are RAMs storing image information to be transmitted
Is. The image information read by the document reading unit 34 is
After being stored in the RAM 33 via the interface 35 or directly, the data is supplied to a modem and a network control circuit (NCU) 36 functioning as transmitting / receiving means.

The image information input from the communication line is
The data is stored in the RAM 33 via the modem and the NCU 36, or directly supplied to the recording unit 38 functioning as a printer via the interface 37 to record the contents. The telephone number of the transmission destination is displayed by being supplied to the display unit 40 via the interface 39. The operation unit 41 is provided with a plurality of keys (not shown), and when these keys are operated, the contents thereof are taken into the CPU 31 via the interface 42. This facsimile machine is provided with the above-mentioned state detecting means 11.

FIG. 3 shows a communication procedure between the called side 1 and the calling side 2 using this facsimile apparatus, in the case of transmitting information from the called side 1 to the calling side 2 at the request of the called side 1. Here are the steps:

First, when the calling side 2 dials, a CNG signal (calling tone signal) is transmitted. When the communication line is connected, the CED signal (called station identification signal, tonal), NSF signal (non-standard device signal), CSI signal (called station identification signal, binary), DI from the called side 1 is connected.
The S signal (digital identification signal) is transmitted.

In response to this, the calling side 2 sends an NSS signal (non-standard device setting signal), a TSI signal (transmitting station identification signal),
A TCF signal (training check signal) is transmitted. The NSS signal can include a character ID number (recognition number) arbitrarily set by the calling side 2.
Further, the TSI signal includes an ID number unique to the facsimile machine of the calling side 2. These character ID numbers or unique ID numbers are detected by the called side 1 and it is judged whether or not these are registered. Only when these ID numbers are registered, it is possible to set a mode in which information is transmitted from the called side 1 to the calling side 2.

Next, the called side 1 sends a CFR signal (reception preparation confirmation signal), and the calling side 2 sends image information in response to this. When a trouble occurs on the called side 1 during the reception of the image information, for example, when the recording paper is jammed, the DCN signal is not sent and the device stands by. As a result, when the image information is continuously sent from the calling side 2 and the image information for one page is sent, the EOP signal (procedure end signal) is sent.

In response to this, the called side 1 sends out the SMCF signal (special message confirmation signal) as the above-mentioned transmission request signal. This SMCF signal is a standard MC
Information indicating the presence / absence of image information to be transmitted from the called side 1 by a modification of the F signal (message confirmation signal), as described later,
Contains coded status information.

FIG. 4 shows the format of the SMCF signal. The flag sequence F indicates the beginning and end of the frame. The address field A indicates facsimile transmission, and the control field C is used for commands and responses for controlling the data link. The next facsimile control field FCF contains information representing the SMCF signal.

Here, the SMC is used as the transmission request signal.
Although the F signal is set, it is also possible to set an SRTP signal which is a modification of the standard RTP signal (retraining affirmative signal) or a SRTN signal which is a modification of the standard RTN signal (retraining negative signal). .

In the facsimile information field FIF, a facsimile control
Additional information for further clarifying the SMCF signal indicated by the field FCF is stored. In this example, this F
The called side command and the called side error code are stored in the IF. The command on the called side indicates the presence or absence of image information to be transmitted. When the least significant bit is "0", it indicates that there is no image information to be transmitted, and when it is "1", it indicates that it is present. When the ID number of the calling side is not registered, this called side command may be set to "0" and nothing may be transmitted regardless of the presence or absence of information to be transmitted. In this example, it is assumed that the ID number is registered.

Note that various types of image information to be transmitted can be set. Here, the status information, that is, the full state of the memory and the jammed state of the recording paper are documented and transmitted as image information. In addition to this, it is possible to transmit the content set as shown in FIG. 5 as image information as a document set in the document reading unit 34 or a fixed message to be transmitted only to a specific partner, for example, a partner who regularly communicates. is there. Here, since the status information indicating the jammed state of the recording paper is transmitted as the image information of the sentence, "1" is set to the least significant bit of the command on the called side.

The called side status shown in FIG. 4 contains the above status information coded (error code). As this error code, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the error code “0
"0", "01", "02" ... Are set. Then, when these troubles occur in the main body of the facsimile apparatus, the error code is stored in the called party status column. In this case, since the recording paper is jammed, "02" is entered in the called party status field.

The status information can be transmitted as both the image information and the code, or either one of them can be transmitted. Here, a case where both are transmitted will be described. The frame checking sequence FCS is for checking the transmission error on the receiving side. When the calling side 2 receives this SMCF signal, an error code "02" is detected, and this is displayed on the display unit 40 of the calling side 2. This allows the calling side 2 to recognize that the recording side is jammed on the called side 1.

In response to the SMCF signal, the calling side 2 transmits the SNSC signal (special
A non-standard device command signal) is sent. This SNSC signal is also a modification of the standard NSC signal (non-standard device command signal),
As will be described below, it includes information indicating whether or not the called party 1 is allowed to transmit information.

FIG. 7 shows the format of the SNSC signal. The flag sequence F, address field A, and control field C have the same contents as in FIG. FC
Information indicating an SNSC signal is stored in F. The FIF contains various information and calling side commands for supplementing the contents of the FCF. This calling side command indicates whether or not the called side 1 is allowed to transmit information, and in this example, when the least significant bit is set to "1", it indicates that the information transmission is permitted. If "0" is set, it means that the permission is not granted. Here, since it is possible for the calling side 2 to receive, transmission is permitted, and "1" is set in the least significant bit of the calling side command.

In FIG. 3, when the called side 1 receives the SNSC signal, it becomes the transmitting side thereafter, and the NSS signal, the TSI signal, and the TCF signal are transmitted in the same manner as the transmitting side 2 previously transmitted. In response to this, the calling side 2 sends a CFR signal. Now, the called side 1 becomes the transmitting side and the calling side 2 becomes the receiving side, and the image information is ready to be transmitted and received.

Then, the called side 1 transmits the image information indicating that the recording paper is jammed, and this is called by the calling side 2.
Received and printed out. As a result, the calling side 2 can recognize that the recording paper is jammed in the facsimile device of the called side 1 and that the image information transmitted from the calling side 2 is not normally received.
Therefore, it becomes possible to retransmit the image information after confirming to the called side 1 whether the jammed state has been released by a telephone or the like, and waste communication time and communication cost as in the past. It becomes preventable.

When transmission / reception of image information or status information is completed in this manner, the called side 1 transmits an EOP signal, and the calling side 2 transmits an MCF signal in response to this. Next, the called side 1 transmits a DCN signal, which disconnects the communication line and terminates communication. It should be noted that the same communication procedure as described above applies when the image information of the document is transmitted from the called side 1 instead of the status information.

FIG. 8 shows a communication procedure for transmitting only coded status information when a trouble occurs on the called side 1. Also in this case, when the calling side 2 dials as in FIG. 3, a CNG signal is transmitted, thereby connecting the communication line. Next, the control signal is transmitted and received, and the calling side 2 transmits the image information.

If a jam of the recording paper occurs on the called side 1 during the transmission of the image information, the DCN signal is not transmitted and the system stands by as it is. As a result, the calling side 2 sends all the image information for one page, for example. Next, EO from calling side 2
The P signal is transmitted, and in response to this, the called side 1 sends the SMCF
The signal is sent out. Since there is no image information to be transmitted here, the least significant bit of the called command of the SMCF signal is "0". Further, "002" indicating the jammed state of the recording paper is entered as the called side status. This is calling party 2
Is displayed on the display unit 40.

Since the least significant bit of the command on the called side of the SMCF signal in FIG. 8 is "0", the DCN signal is sent from the calling side 2 which receives the command, and the communication line is disconnected and communication is performed. finish. Also in this case, the calling side 2 recognizes that the recording side jam occurred on the called side 1 and the image information was not received cleanly. Therefore, the image information is retransmitted before the trouble is resolved. It becomes possible to prevent such a thing.

In the above embodiment, the case where the called party 1 transmits the image information only to the partner whose ID number is registered has been described. However, the identification number judgment mode is not set and all the image information is transmitted. The image information may be transmitted from the called party 1 to the other party. In this case, the content of the image information to be transmitted may be such that there is no problem even if it is transmitted to an unspecified partner.

[0041]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, status information or image information or the like is transmitted from the called side at the request of the called side, and the calling side can receive the status information or image information.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, when the called side receives the memory, the memory becomes full, or the received image information is directly printed on the recording paper. Even when a trouble occurs on the called side during communication such as when the recording paper becomes jammed, the calling side can recognize the cause. As a result, it is possible to prevent the calling side from retransmitting the image information until the cause is eliminated, and thus it is possible to prevent waste of communication time and communication cost.

In the second aspect of the invention, status information or image information can be transmitted from the called party only to the party having the identification number registered in the called party. Therefore, according to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the transmission of secret information or the like to an unrelated party, for example.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a communication procedure when image information and status information are transmitted from a called side.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a format of an SMCF signal.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a fixed text transmitted from a called side.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an error code.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a format of an SNSC signal.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a communication procedure when only the coded status information is transmitted from the called side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Called side 2 Calling side 11 State detection means 12 Status information generation means 13 Image reading means 14 Transmission request signal generation means 15 Recognition number detection means 16 Recognition number registration means 17 Recognition number determination means 18 Transmission / reception means 21 Recognition number generation means 22 transmission request signal detection means 23 transmission permission signal generation means 24 recording means 25 display means 26 transmission / reception means 31 CPU 32 ROM 33 RAM 34 document reading section 36 modem and NCU 38 recording section 40 display section 41 operation section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. The called side comprises means for generating a transmission request signal indicating that there is information to be transmitted, and transmitting means for transmitting the transmission request signal, and the calling side has the transmission request signal. And a transmission request signal detecting means for detecting the transmission request signal, wherein information can be transmitted from the called side to the calling side at the request of the called side. Facsimile machine. 2. On the called side, means for generating a transmission request signal indicating that there is information to be transmitted, transmission means for transmitting the transmission request signal, and recognition for detecting the identification number of the other party received The calling side is provided with a number detection means, an identification number registration means for registering the identification number, and an identification number determination means for determining whether or not the received identification number is registered in the identification number registration means. A reception means for receiving the transmission request signal, a transmission request signal detection means for detecting the transmission request signal, an identification number generation means for generating the identification number, and a transmission means for transmitting the identification number, A fax machine characterized by enabling information to be transmitted from the called party to the calling party at the request of the called party only when the identification number transmitted by the calling party is registered in the called party. Apparatus. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is status information of the facsimile apparatus main body, and the status information is coded.