JPH07288619A - Facsimile server - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the communication cost by discriminating whether or not received data sent in multiple address communication requests a reply from the multiple address communication destination, storing information to be replied and sending the replies from the multiple address communication destination to the multiple address communication sender altogether. CONSTITUTION:The facsimile server 100 is connected to a domestic terminal equipment and a USA terminal equipment via respectively a control network and a private channel. The server 100 uses a database 102 and a CPU 103 to discriminate whether or not received data sent in multiple address communication requests a reply from the multiple address communication destination. When the reply is requested, replies from each multiple address communication destination are stored in a storage device 104 and the replies are sent altogether to the multiple address communication sender. Thus, the communication cost is reduced more in comparison with the case that each multiple address communication destination makes a reply to the multiple address communication sender individually.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile server having a broadcasting function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device called a facsimile server has been installed in remote locations such as Japan and the United States, and a dedicated line connects between them. By sharing the facsimile server installed in each terminal with multiple terminals and distributing the facsimile communication from Japanese users to the United States by using the dedicated line between the facsimile servers, Communication costs can be reduced compared to the case where US terminals directly communicate.

Further, when there is a broadcast request from the user, if the user sends the document only once to the server, the server delivers the document to each broadcast destination, so that the communication cost can be reduced. it can. If the user does not use the broadcast function of the server for 10 broadcasts, the user's terminal must transmit to 10 destinations, and the communication cost and terminal usage time are It costs a lot.

[0004] Normally, the operation mode of the facsimile server is to provide the above-mentioned services to users who are registered in advance, and take a charge system according to the use.
Therefore, not all terminals can use the service.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the facsimile server having the broadcast function as described above, when the user requests the reply from the broadcast destination with the broadcast transmission (for example, confirmation of attendance at a conference). Had the following problems.

[0006] When the terminal of the broadcast source (terminal requesting the broadcast) waits for a reply from the recipient of the broadcast, it usually does not perform processing such as not accepting documents other than the reply May receive regular documents. Further, the reply from the broadcast destination is transferred at random regardless of the convenience of the broadcast source. Therefore, the broadcast source terminal is likely to receive a mixed reply document and a normal document.

Therefore, the broadcast source user has to determine from the image information received by the terminal whether or not the document is a reply document. Furthermore, since the replies are sent at random, the discrimination work and the totaling work are difficult.

Further, considering that the broadcast destination is overseas or the like and the communication cost is high, when the broadcast destination returns to the broadcast source,
If the broadcast destination is not stored in the server, the facsimile server cannot normally be accessed. Therefore, when the broadcast destination returns to the broadcast source, direct international communication must be performed, which imposes an economic burden on the broadcast destination.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in a facsimile server having a broadcast function, means for judging whether or not a received communication is a broadcast transmission and requires a reply from the broadcast destination. And a means for judging whether the received information is a reply to the broadcast request source, a means for accumulating the reply information to the broadcast request source, and a reply information from a plurality of accumulated broadcast destinations. By providing a means for transmitting to the broadcast request source, the broadcast request source can collectively obtain reply information from each broadcast destination for the broadcast transmission, and When the communication cost is high, the service provided by the server can be used to reduce the communication cost.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This system is, for example, a facsimile server 100-1 installed in Japan, a facsimile server 100-2 installed in the United States, a private line 110 connecting between the facsimile servers, a public network 120-1 and a public network 120-1. 120-2, dialer 130, and facsimile terminal 14 housed in facsimile server 100-1
0 and facsimile terminals 150-1, 1 installed in Japan that are not accommodated in the facsimile server
50-2, 150-n and, for example, facsimile terminals 160-1, 160-2, 16 installed in the United States.
It is composed of 0-m.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this facsimile server.

The facsimile server 100 (collectively referred to as 100-1 and 100-2) includes a database 102,
Central processing unit 103, storage device 104, facsimile interface 105, communication interface 1
It is composed of 06.

The database 102 has information of users accommodated in the facsimile server, a broadcast list set by each user, and a routing table.

The central processing unit 103 manages a distribution schedule, executes a distribution execution command, and executes a broadcast.

The storage device 104 stores image information from the user and holds the usage status of the user.

The facsimile interface 105 is
Incoming calls from users accommodated in the facsimile server, reception of image information, and destination facsimiles 150-1 to 150-1
50-n is called and image information is transmitted.

The communication interface 106 communicates with another facsimile server via a dedicated line.

The facsimile terminal 140 is housed in the facsimile server 100-1 and has a dialer 130.
It is possible to connect to the facsimile server 100-2 via the communication network 120-1 via the. Dialer 130
Has a dialer identifier and a user ID.

For example, the facsimile terminal 140 uses the service of the facsimile server 100-1 to make a call to the facsimile terminal 150-1 (destination number "044-44").
4-4444 ”), the facsimile terminal 140 sends“ 191-044-44-4444 ”.
To call. The dialer 130 uses the first three digits "19
1 "is determined to be the dialer identifier code, and first, the facsimile server 100-1 is called, and the user ID and the destination number are transmitted to the facsimile server 100-1.
After that, the image information is sent to the facsimile server 1 by the normal procedure.
00-1. Facsimile server 100-1
If the destination number “044-444-4444” is domestic (within the service area), the facsimile server 1 determines from the routing table of the database 102.
00-1 to a destination (facsimile terminal 150-
Send to 1). The called number is destined for the United States (in another service area) (for example, the facsimile terminal 160).
In the case of -1), the leased line 1 from the communication interface 106 is set by the routing table of the database 102.
The control information, the destination number, the image information, and the like are transferred to the facsimile server 100-2 via 10 and transmitted to the designated destination (facsimile terminal 160-1) using the facsimile server 100-2.

Further, the facsimile terminal 140 does not use the dialer identifier "191", but "044-444-"
4444 ", the facsimile server 1
00-1 is not accessed, the facsimile terminal 150-1 is connected via the public network 120-1, and the image information is transferred by a normal procedure.

Next, the operation when the facsimile terminal 140 makes a broadcast request will be described. Facsimile server 10
A broadcast list has already been set in the database 102 of 0-1. For example, in the broadcast list number “1”,
Broadcast destination facsimile terminals 150-1, 150-2 to 15
The numbers of n destinations from 0 to n (for example, within the service area in Japan) are 160-1, 1 in "2".
The number of m destinations of 60-2 to 160-m (for example, addressed to the service area by another facsimile server such as the United States) is 150-1, 150-2 to 1 in "3".
50-n and 160-1, 160-2 to 160-m
It is assumed that n + m destination numbers of are registered respectively. These registrations are arbitrarily registered corresponding to each facsimile terminal according to the service content of each facsimile terminal.

The facsimile terminal 140 calls "191-1" when broadcasting using the broadcast list number "1". When the dialer 130 determines that "191" is the dialer identifier and "1" is the broadcast list number, it transmits the user ID and the broadcast list number to the facsimile server 100-1. After that, the image information is transmitted to the facsimile server 100-1 by a normal procedure. The facsimile server 100-1 sequentially transmits to the broadcast destination according to the broadcast list of the database 102. In the case of the broadcast list number "1", all the recipients are in Japan (within the service area of the facsimile server 100-1), so that the recipient is delivered by the facsimile server 100-1.

For the destination of the broadcast list number "2" (that is, the destination in the United States), the facsimile server 100-1 sends a command (in this case, broadcast and reply) to the facsimile server 100-2. Request, etc.), parameters (list of destinations to be broadcast, etc.) and image information, and request relay broadcast. Facsimile server 1 that received the relay request
00-2 transmits image information to the list of broadcast destinations transferred from the facsimile server 100-1.

Further, in the case of the destination of the broadcast list number "3" (domestic and US mixed), the above-mentioned process of the broadcast list number "1" is performed to the domestic destination.
For the destination in the United States, the above-mentioned broadcast list number "2" is given.

In the facsimile server of the present embodiment, the broadcast list that the user can register is limited to 100, for example. Further, when the broadcast request source makes a broadcast reply request (requests a reply to the broadcast destination), a number obtained by adding "100" to the broadcast list number is called. For example, when broadcasting to the destination of the broadcast list number "1", "19
If you make a call with "1-1" and make a broadcast reply request, please refer to "191-1.
"01" is called. The facsimile server analyzes these numbers to perform broadcast transmission, collection of reply information from the broadcast destination, and transmission of reply information to the broadcast request source.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing in the facsimile server of this embodiment, and the operation of the facsimile server will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Further, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of image information of a broadcast destination from the broadcast reply request user, and FIG. 5 is a flow of image of a broadcast reply from the broadcast destination to the broadcast reply request user. FIG.

When receiving from the facsimile terminal 140 (step S1), the received number and command are analyzed to determine whether this communication requests a broadcast reply (step S2). In this case, if the destination number called by the dialer 130 is "044-444-4444", it is a normal transmission, and if it is "191-1", it is a broadcast to the destination of the broadcast list number "1". If it is 191-101, it means a broadcast transmission to the broadcast list number "1" and a reply request to each broadcast destination. In step S2, if it is not the broadcast transmission,
Normal processing (step S3) is performed and the process ends. Further, in the case of the broadcast transmission, the facsimile server (facsimile server 100-1 in this case) has the ID for the broadcast reply.
To set. For example, the ID is “1234” and the public network number of the facsimile server is “045-555-55”.
In the case of "55", "045-555-5555-12"
34 ”, the facsimile terminal 140
By determining that it is a broadcast reply to, the access from the terminal not accommodated in the facsimile server is permitted. Further, on the first page of the image information (FIG. 431) from the facsimile terminal 140, the information indicating that a reply request is made and the image information showing the method for the broadcast destination to reply (FIG. 432) Is added (step S
4). In this embodiment, “[Facsimile terminal 140] requests a reply. At the time of reply,“ 045-555-
Please dial "555-1234". The image information shown as "" is added. Then, the broadcast transmission is performed (step S5). The broadcast transmission in step S5 is performed sequentially according to the broadcast list.

Next, when an outgoing call is received from a terminal within the service area or from another facsimile server (step S6), the number is checked to determine whether the call is for broadcast reply. (Step S7). For example,
Broadcast destination 150-1 to "045-555-5555-1
234 ”, the facsimile server determines that it is a broadcast reply to the facsimile terminal 140 (broadcast request source) that requested the broadcast reply. If the call is not for broadcast reply in step S7, normal processing is performed (step S8), and a reply from the other party who sent the broadcast is awaited (return to step S6). If the call is for a broadcast reply in step S7, the broadcast reply image information (FIG. 541) and communication information are stored in the server (step S9). Next, the facsimile server determines whether or not the conditions for transmitting the accumulated image information of the broadcast reply to the broadcast reply requester (broadcast request source) are satisfied (step S10). For example, the condition may be that all the broadcast replies have been accumulated, or that a preset time has elapsed since the broadcast transmission to each destination. In this way, as a condition for executing the broadcast reply, not only after waiting for all the replies to be received from each broadcast destination, the broadcast reply is executed after a certain period of time. These processes can be ended without waiting for a reply from each broadcast destination unnecessarily. In addition, when performing a broadcast reply, the facsimile server checks whether or not replies from all broadcast destinations have been received. Then, if there is a broadcast destination that has not received reply information, the information indicating that the broadcast destination has not made a broadcast reply is added to the broadcast reply information and transmitted to the broadcast request source. As a result, the broadcast request source can easily identify from which destination the broadcast reply has been made and from which destination the broadcast reply has not been made. When the condition for executing the transmission of the broadcast reply is not satisfied in step S10, the reception from the terminal is awaited (return to step S6). If the conditions for executing the transmission of the broadcast reply are satisfied in step S10, the accumulated image information of the broadcast reply (41 to 4n in FIG. 5) is collected and sent to the broadcast reply requester ( It is transmitted to the broadcast transmission request source) (step S10). As a result, the transmission terminal T1 can collectively obtain the replies from the broadcast destination.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the broadcast transmission request source broadcasts to the broadcast list number "2", that is, to the US destination (the destination other than the service area of the facsimile server 100-1). When the reply request is made, the facsimile server 100-1 requests the facsimile server 100-2 installed in the United States to store the broadcast and the broadcast reply in step S4. In this case, the public network number “046-666-6” of the facsimile server 100-2 is displayed.
666 ”and the ID for replying to the broadcast is“ 4321 ”,“ 046-666-6666-4321 ”is the facsimile terminal 1 installed in the United States, which is the broadcast destination.
The access numbers are for 60-1, 160-2, and 160-m. The facsimile server 100-2 transfers the image information and communication information of the broadcast reply to the facsimile server 100-1 when the condition for transmitting to the broadcast reply request terminal (requester of the broadcast transmission) is satisfied, and the facsimile server 100-2 100
-1 is transmitted to the facsimile terminal 140 which is the broadcast reply requester (requester for broadcast transmission).

As a result, the facsimile terminal 1 of the broadcast destination
The 60-1, 160-2, 160-m can reply at a lower cost than directly communicating with the facsimile server 100-1 or the user who has made a broadcast reply request.

Further, as described above, when there is a broadcast destination that has not returned the broadcast response, when the facsimile server transmits the image information of the broadcast response to the broadcast transmission request source, the broadcast destination returns the response. Although it has been described that the information indicating whether or not it has been added is added, for example, the image information of the list indicating the presence or absence of a reply from the broadcast destination is added to the first page of the accumulated and summarized image information of the broadcast reply. .

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The broadcast request source can collectively obtain reply information for the broadcast transmission, and can reduce the sorting work and the totaling work. Furthermore, if the communication destination has a high communication cost such as international communication, use the service provided by the server,
The communication cost can be reduced as compared with the case of directly replying to the broadcast request source.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system to which this embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present facsimile server.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of image information of a broadcast destination from a broadcast reply request user.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of an image of a broadcast reply from a broadcast destination to a broadcast reply request user.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Facsimile server 100-1 Facsimile server installed in Japan 100-2 Facsimile server installed in USA 102 Database 103 Central processing unit 104 Storage device 105 Facsimile interface 106 Communication interface 110 Leased line 120-1 Japanese public network 120-2 US public network 130 Dialer 140 Facsimile terminal accommodated in a facsimile server 150-1 Facsimile terminal installed in Japan 150-2 Facsimile terminal installed in Japan 150-n Installed in Japan Facsimile terminal 160-1 Facsimile terminal installed in the United States 160-2 Facsimile terminal installed in the United States 160-m Facsimile terminal installed in the United States

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile server having a broadcast function, means for determining whether or not a received communication is a broadcast transmission and requires a reply from a broadcast destination, and the received information is sent to a broadcast request source. A means for determining whether or not it is a reply, a means for accumulating reply information to the broadcast request source, and a means for transmitting reply information from a plurality of accumulated broadcast destinations to the broadcast request source. A facsimile server characterized by having. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining whether or not a condition for executing transmission of reply information to the broadcast request source is satisfied, and when the condition is satisfied, A facsimile server, wherein the reply information accumulated by the transmitting means is transmitted to the broadcast request source. 3. The facsimile server according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying the broadcast destination of information for making a reply to the broadcast request source via the facsimile server. 4. The facsimile server according to claim 2, wherein the condition is that reply information is received from all the broadcast destinations. 5. The facsimile server according to claim 2, wherein the condition is that a predetermined time has elapsed after the broadcast transmission.