JPH07336518A - Facsimile communication system and facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save the communication cost for a facsimile equipment connecting only to a public line by utilizing effectively a private line. CONSTITUTION:In the system configuration where plural facsimile equipments A-C are interconnected by a private line 14, let the facsimile equipment A be a sender facsimile equipment, a facsimile equipment (a) be a destination facsimile equipment connecting to a public line 13, then the facsimile equipment B located closer to the facsimile equipment (a) is selected as a relay facsimile equipment. Then the sender facsimile equipment A sends data to the relay facsimile equipment B through the private line 14 and the relay facsimile equipment B transfers the data to the destination facsimile equipment (a) through the public line 13 to process most of the communication by using the inexpensive private line 14.

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 and a facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in facsimile communication, a destination facsimile number is dialed by a source facsimile device to connect the destination facsimile device and the facsimile line through a public line, and the source facsimile device reads them. The document image information is transmitted to the destination facsimile machine.

By the way, at a major company in which branches, branch offices, factories, etc. are scattered all over the country, a contract is made as a "dedicated line" by purchasing a part of the public line, and the head office (for example, Tokyo) -branch There is a communication system in which the communication business in the company can be performed at a low price by mutually connecting (for example, Hokkaido, Kyushu, etc.) with a dedicated line.

[0004]

However, even in a company that uses such a dedicated line, when trying to communicate by facsimile with a partner who is not connected to the dedicated line, such as a customer, the public is normally used. There is no choice but to make use of the low price of the communication by the dedicated line because the communication can only be done through the line.

[0005]

A facsimile communication system according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile communication system comprises a plurality of facsimile devices connected to a common dedicated line, the facsimile device being connected to a public line. Registration storing means for storing in advance a destination facsimile number for the destination facsimile device together with a relay facsimile number for one of the facsimile devices connected to the dedicated line, and a transmission operation by the stored destination facsimile number. A source facsimile device having a transmission processing means for selecting the dedicated line and transmitting image information to the facsimile device having the relay facsimile number together with the destination facsimile number, and a destination facsimile number other than itself through the dedicated line. When receiving the image information attached, the memory receiving processing means for receiving the image in the memory and storing the image information and the destination facsimile number, and the public line after selecting the public line after receiving the memory, the purpose of the destination facsimile number. A relay facsimile apparatus including transfer processing means for transmitting the stored image information to the facsimile apparatus, and transfer end processing means for transmitting the transfer end signal to the transmission source facsimile apparatus through the dedicated line after the transfer and transmission are completed. And are provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus in which connection to a private line / public line can be switched, when receiving image information accompanied by a facsimile number of a destination other than itself through a private line, a memory reception is performed. Memory reception processing means for storing the image information and the destination facsimile number, and a public line is selected after the memory reception is completed and the image information stored by the destination facsimile number is transmitted to the target facsimile device. And a transfer end processing means for sending a transfer end signal to the source facsimile machine through the dedicated line after the transfer and transmission are completed.

[0007]

When transmitting to the target facsimile machine connected to the public line, if the destination facsimile number of the target facsimile machine stored in advance with the relay facsimile number is input, the transmission process of the source facsimile machine is performed. The destination facsimile number and the image information are transmitted to the relay facsimile apparatus by the means through the dedicated line. In the relay facsimile apparatus that has received such a transmission, the memory reception processing means determines that it is a transfer reception because the transmission destination facsimile number is attached, and receives this information in the memory, and when the reception is completed, the transfer processing is performed. The means transfers and transmits the image information received in the memory as a communication state with the target facsimile apparatus by the destination facsimile number through the public line. Therefore, even when trying to perform facsimile communication with the other party who is not connected to the leased line, by using the nearest facsimile machine connected to the leased line as the relay facsimile machine,
Most of them can be communicated using a dedicated line, which saves the communication cost as a whole. When considered as an individual facsimile machine, the above function is ensured by having a transfer function like the facsimile machine according to the second aspect.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an outline of a configuration example of an electrical system of a facsimile machine which can be connected to a dedicated line to which the present invention is applied.
M3, RAM 4, memory such as image memory 5, image compression unit 6 for transmission, image signal processing unit such as image restoration unit 7 for reception, image input unit including image reading unit (scanner unit) 8, image printing unit ( An image output unit such as a printer unit 9, a keyboard 10, an operation panel unit such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) 11 and a clock circuit 12 are connected. Further, the system bus 2 is provided with this facsimile device as a communication line,
For example, a facsimile modem 15 for connecting to the public line 13 or the dedicated line 14 is connected. The modem 15 has a connection selection unit 16 for selectively switching between the public line 13 and the private line 14. The C
PU1 is a transmission processing unit, a memory reception processing unit, which will be described later.
It also handles the operation control of the transfer processing means, the transfer end processing means, and the like. The ROM 3 fixedly stores programs and other information. The RAM 4 constitutes a registration storage means together with the CPU 1,
Although various kinds of information are appropriately stored, in this embodiment,
In particular, the destination facsimile number for the target facsimile machine connected only to the public line 13 is stored in advance together with the relay facsimile number for the facsimile machine closest to the target facsimile machine in the facsimile machines connected to the dedicated line 14. It is also something to do. The keyboard 10 is provided with a ten-key pad and other necessary keys, and is operated at the time of dial operation of a facsimile number, setting registration operation and the like.

In the present embodiment, any of the facsimile machines having such a configuration can be a source facsimile machine or a relay facsimile machine, and a plurality of facsimile machines, for example, three machines as shown in FIG. Facsimile device A,
B and C are prepared and connected to each other through a common dedicated line 14 to construct a facsimile communication system for its own use. Here, for example, the facsimile apparatus A is installed in the Tokyo head office, the facsimile apparatus B is installed in the Sapporo branch of Hokkaido, and the facsimile apparatus C is installed in the Fukuoka branch of Kyushu.

In such a system configuration, for example, the facsimile machine A at the Tokyo head office is the sender facsimile machine, and the facsimile machine a installed in Sapporo, Hokkaido, or anywhere in Hokkaido is the target facsimile machine. Consider the case of trying to send by facsimile. This facsimile machine a can be connected only to the public line 13 regardless of the private line 14.

In such a case, the facsimile machines A to C
Among them, B is selected as the nearest facsimile machine to the facsimile machine a, and this is used as a relay facsimile machine. Then, in the source facsimile device A, the facsimile number of the target facsimile device a (to be the destination facsimile number) and the facsimile number of the relay facsimile device B (to be the relay facsimile number) are stored in advance in the RAM 4 by operating the keyboard 10. Settings are registered (this kind of setting registration may be performed in the same way for other public line facsimile machines conforming to the facsimile machine a). Such setting registration is executed by the registration storage means including the CPU 1 and the RAM 4.

Under such a premise, an example of facsimile communication processing control will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 7A shows an example of communication processing control in the source facsimile apparatus A, and FIG. 9B shows an example of communication processing control in the relay facsimile apparatus B. First, when the facsimile number is input through the keyboard 10 or the like in the source facsimile apparatus A (step S1), it is checked whether it is for a dedicated station connected to the dedicated line 14 (step S2). If so, the connection selection unit 16 is switched to select the dedicated line 14 (step S
3). This corresponds to the case where the facsimile number for the facsimile device B or C is input. If it is not for a dedicated station, it is checked whether or not it is a facsimile number registered in the RAM 4 (step S4). If it is not a registered facsimile number, the connection selector 16 is selected to select the public line 13. Switch (step S
5). This is because the self (source facsimile machine A) is the closest to the target facsimile machine, and the leased line 1
This corresponds to the case where it is not necessary to use 4. In these cases, there is a difference between the leased line 14 and the public line 13, but as usual, the facsimile line connection process (step S6) and the image information transmission process (step S6).
After S7, S8), the facsimile line is disconnected (step S9) to end the facsimile communication.

On the other hand, when the destination facsimile number for the destination facsimile machine a is entered in step S1, the dedicated line 14 is selected because it is not for the dedicated station and is the number registered in the RAM 4. To switch the connection selection unit 16 (step S10) so that the CPU 1 is a RAM.
The relay facsimile number registered as a pair from 4 is read out, and the relay facsimile apparatus B and the facsimile line are connected by the dedicated line 14 (step S11). Then, the image information transmission process is performed until the image transmission to the relay facsimile apparatus B is completed (steps S12 and S13). At this time, the destination facsimile number for the destination facsimile machine a is also transmitted to the relay facsimile machine B. These steps S
4, processing of S10, S11, S12, and S13 is performed by the CPU
It is executed by the transmission processing means under the control of 1.

When the relay facsimile apparatus B receives the image information through the dedicated line 14 (step S15), it checks whether or not the destination facsimile number is attached (step S16). Step S3
In the case of receiving a dedicated line after passing through, etc., the relay facsimile apparatus B has its own destination facsimile number and has no associated destination facsimile number.
The reception recording process is performed as a normal reception through the process (step S17), and the process ends.

On the other hand, when the destination facsimile number is attached in the check in step S16, the relay facsimile apparatus B transmits the image information transmitted from the source facsimile apparatus A through the dedicated line 14 in the memory reception mode. It is sequentially stored in the image memory 5 together with the destination facsimile number (step S18). The processing of step S18 is executed by the memory reception processing means under the control of the CPU 1. When the memory reception process is completed, the relay facsimile machine B sends the public line 13
The connection selection unit 16 is switched to select, and the destination facsimile number stored in the memory reception is automatically dialed, and the image information stored in the image memory 5 is transmitted to the target facsimile machine a through the public line 13 (step S19, S20). This step S19, S
The processing of 20 is executed by the transfer processing means under the control of the CPU 1. When the transfer and transmission from the relay facsimile device B to the target facsimile device a is completed, the relay facsimile device B transmits a report indicating a transfer end signal to the source facsimile device A through the dedicated line 14 (step S20), and the relay is performed. Facsimile device B
Ends its role as. The processing of step S20 is executed by the transfer end processing means under the control of the CPU 1.

Upon receiving the report indicating the transfer end signal from the relay facsimile machine B, the sender facsimile machine A judges that the transfer by the relay station is completed (step S
14), disconnect the facsimile line (step S9),
A series of facsimile transmission processing ends. The processing of these steps S14 and S9 is executed by the transmission end processing means under the control of the CPU 1.

Therefore, in FIG. 1, when an attempt is made to send from the sender facsimile machine A at the Tokyo head office to the destination facsimile machine a in Hokkaido which is not included in the leased line system, the nearest Sapporo station is installed at the Sapporo branch. By using the relay facsimile device B, communication can be performed through the dedicated line 14, and thereafter, by transferring from the relay facsimile device B to the target facsimile device a through the public line 13, the communication can be performed, and most of the leased line 1 is used.
4, the communication cost can be saved as compared with the case where the transmission source facsimile apparatus A communicates with the target facsimile apparatus a using only the public line 13. By the way, the facsimile device A once transmits to the facsimile device B through the dedicated line 14, and the employee of the branch where the facsimile device B is installed retransmits the received original document from the facsimile device B to the target facsimile device a. Although it may be possible to get them, it will be necessary to rely on human resources, which may hinder the efficiency of office work. In this respect, according to the system configuration or the facsimile configuration of the present embodiment, the relay facsimile apparatus can be provided with an automatic transfer function, and the transmission can be automatically transmitted only by the operation instruction from the sender facsimile apparatus side. The relay facsimile apparatus requires no special operation and is highly efficient.

In the above description, the facsimile device A among the facsimile devices A to C is described as the transmission source facsimile device, and the facsimile device B is described as the relay facsimile device.
Which is the relay facsimile apparatus is relative and arbitrary. Further, in this embodiment, an example of a dedicated line system configuration with three facsimile devices and a single purpose facsimile device dedicated to a public line is shown for simplification of description, but in reality, it is complicated by many facsimile devices. It can be easily understood that it can be configured into.

[0019]

According to the facsimile communication system of the present invention, in the facsimile communication system having a plurality of facsimile devices connected to a common dedicated line, the facsimile device is connected to a public line. Registration storing means for storing in advance a destination facsimile number for the destination facsimile device together with a relay facsimile number for one of the facsimile devices connected to the dedicated line, and a transmission operation by the stored destination facsimile number. A source facsimile device having a transmission processing means for selecting the dedicated line and transmitting image information to the facsimile device having the relay facsimile number together with the destination facsimile number, and a destination facsimile number other than itself through the dedicated line. But Memory reception processing means for receiving the received image information in a memory and storing the image information and the destination facsimile number; and a purpose of the destination facsimile number by selecting a public line after the memory reception is completed. A relay facsimile apparatus including transfer processing means for transmitting the stored image information to the facsimile apparatus, and transfer end processing means for transmitting the transfer end signal to the transmission source facsimile apparatus through the dedicated line after the transfer and transmission are completed. Since the above is provided, even if you try to send to a target facsimile machine that is not connected to a dedicated line but is connected to a public line, use the nearest facsimile machine that is connected to the dedicated line as a relay facsimile machine. By transferring and transmitting the data, most of them can communicate using the dedicated line, and the dedicated line is effective. The use, can save the communication cost as a whole, and becomes capable of realizing without requiring human intervention operation to the relay facsimile machine.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus capable of switching the connection to the private line / public line, the image information with the destination facsimile number other than itself is received through the private line. A memory receiving processing means for receiving the image information and storing the image information and the destination facsimile number at the time, and a public line after completion of the memory reception for selecting a public line and storing the destination facsimile number to the destination facsimile device. Since the transfer processing means for transmitting the image information and the transfer end processing means for sending the transfer end signal to the transmission source facsimile apparatus through the dedicated line after the transfer and transmission are completed, the individual facsimile apparatuses connected to the dedicated line are provided. Considering this, by providing such a transfer function, the above effect can be secured. Can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a system configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of one facsimile device.

FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing an example of communication control processing in a source facsimile machine, and FIG. 3B is a flowchart showing an example of communication control processing in a relay facsimile machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 storage means 13 public line 14 private line A source facsimile machine B relay facsimile machine a purpose facsimile machine

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile communication system comprising a plurality of facsimile devices connected to a common leased line, wherein, as the facsimile device, a destination facsimile number for a destination facsimile device connected to a public line is connected to the leased line. Registration storage means for storing together with a relay facsimile number for one of the existing facsimile machines, and a facsimile machine having the relay facsimile number by selecting the dedicated line during a transmission operation by the stored destination facsimile number. A transmission source facsimile device having a transmission processing means for transmitting image information together with the transmission destination facsimile number, and a memory reception when receiving image information with a transmission destination facsimile number other than its own through the dedicated line. The image Memory reception processing means for storing information and the destination facsimile number; and transfer for transmitting the image information stored to the destination facsimile device having the destination facsimile number by selecting a public line after receiving the memory. A facsimile communication system comprising: a processing unit; and a relay facsimile device including a transfer end processing unit that sends the transfer end signal to the transmission source facsimile device through the dedicated line after the transfer and transmission are completed. 2. In a facsimile apparatus capable of switching connection to a private line / public line, when image information with a destination facsimile number other than its own is received through a dedicated line, the image information and the transmission are received by a memory. A memory reception processing means for storing a destination facsimile number; a transfer processing means for selecting a public line after receiving the memory and transmitting the stored image information to a target facsimile device according to the destination facsimile number; And a transfer end processing means for transmitting a transfer end signal to the transmission source facsimile device through the dedicated line after the transmission is completed.