JPH08223379A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To utilize a line effectively by allowing a transmission controller to transmit transmission information together with other information altogether at a designated transmission time when the same destination is designated for the transmission of other image information and a prescribed transmission time is designated. CONSTITUTION: A FAX control section 50 analyzes a received destination FAX number and a retrieval section 51 retrieves whether or not the same destination (same FAX number) is designated and whether or not an image signal with a designated transmission time is in existence in image signals having been already stored in an image storage section 20. When the image information with the same designated destination and a designated transmission time is not in existence in the stored image signals, a scanner section 30 is used to read image information of a transmission original and the read image information is stored in the image information storage section 20. Succeedingly a line control section 70 reserves a line 80 and a coding/decoding section 60 encodes the image information stored in the storage section 20 and the coded information is sent through the line 80. In this case, the image information is integrated with the image information of the same destination having been already stored in the storage section 20.

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 temporarily storing transmission image information in a storage means and then transmitting the information by using a function such as designation of transmission time.
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus improved so that the transmission image information accumulated in the accumulating means can be efficiently transmitted to the other party.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, there is known a facsimile apparatus having a so-called memory transmission function of temporarily storing transmission image information in a storage means such as a memory and then transmitting the transmission image information.

By the way, in the above-mentioned facsimile apparatus having the memory transmission function, the transmission image information is stored in the memory as separate image information and is transmitted to the destination as separate image information. Even when a plurality of pieces of image information are stored in the memory, when sending the plurality of pieces of image information, the line of the destination is secured for each piece of image information, and the lines are sent to the destination as separate communications. As a result, it cannot be said that the line is effectively used and there is a problem that the communication cost increases.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-41873 and a facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-130354 have been proposed.

Here, the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-41873 stores management information including destination information when a document image is stored, and a transmission disclosure state is set every time a predetermined time elapses. When the transmission start state is set, the document images having the same destination are collectively transmitted to the other party based on the management information.

Further, the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-130354 stores management information including the amount of stored data of original image information and the destination address information in the management table when storing the original image information. When the total accumulated data amount of the same destination managed by this management table exceeds a preset fixed amount, the document image information of the same destination is collectively transmitted to the other party.

[0007]

However, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei.
In the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 41873, since the original image having the same destination is searched every time a predetermined time elapses and is collectively transmitted to the other party, the user specifies it. The original image cannot be transmitted at an arbitrary time, and the transmitted original is not transmitted until a fixed time elapses. Therefore, the original image cannot be transmitted in real time.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-130354, when the total accumulated data amount of the same destination exceeds a preset fixed amount, the original image information of the same destination is sent to the other party. Since it is configured to send all at once, the original image cannot be sent at any time designated by the user even with this facsimile apparatus, and the user is not able to send the original image information to the other party at any time. I didn't know if it would be done. Furthermore, even with this facsimile apparatus, it was not possible to transmit the document image in real time.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting image information in real time or at any time designated by the user or in real time, and enabling effective use of the line. .

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the invention is to temporarily store transmission image information (2).
In the facsimile device having a function of storing in 0) and then transmitting, when storing the transmission image information in the storage means 820), the same destination as the transmission image information is designated and a predetermined transmission time is designated. A search means (51) for searching whether or not other image information is already stored in the storage means (20), and the same destination as the transmitted image information is designated by the search means (51), and a predetermined address is specified. The other image information for which the transmission time is designated is the storage means (20).
In the case where the image information has already been stored in, the transmission image information is provided together with transmission control means (50) that collectively transmits the transmission image information together with the other image information at the designated transmission time.

A second aspect of the present invention is a facsimile apparatus having a function of temporarily storing transmission image information in the storage means (20) and then transmitting the same, when storing the transmission image information in the storage means (20). Setting means (10) for setting whether or not to immediately transmit the transmission image information, and when accumulating the transmission image information in the accumulating means (20), the same destination as the transmission image information is designated and predetermined. Retrieval means (51) for retrieving whether or not other image information for which the transmission time is designated has already been accumulated in the accumulation means (20).
And that the setting means (10) is set to immediately transmit the transmission image information, the search means (51) designates the same destination as the transmission image information, and designates a predetermined transmission time. Image information of the storage means (2
When the image data is already stored in 0), it is characterized by comprising a transmission control means (50) for immediately transmitting the transmission image information together with the other image information.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the transmission image information is stored in the storage means, another image information to which the same destination as the transmission image information is designated and a predetermined transmission time is designated is stored in the storage means. If the same destination as the transmission image information is designated and other image information for which the predetermined transmission time is designated is already accumulated in the accumulation means, the transmission means searches for whether or not it is already accumulated. The control means collectively transmits the transmission image information together with the other image information at the designated transmission time.

As a result, the image information can be transmitted to the other party at the designated time pointed out by the user, and moreover,
In this case, since the image information of the same destination is simultaneously transmitted at the same time, the line can be effectively used and the communication cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the transmission image information is stored in the storage means, whether or not the transmission image information is immediately transmitted is set by the setting means, and the same destination as the transmission image information is set. Is specified, and the search means searches for whether or not other image information for which a predetermined transmission time has been specified is already accumulated in the accumulation means, and the setting means is set to immediately transmit the transmitted image information, Further, when the same destination as the transmission image information is designated by the searching means and other image information for which a predetermined transmission time is designated is already accumulated in the accumulating means, the transmission controlling means immediately transmits the transmission image information as described above. Send together with other image information.

Here, the transmission control means, when immediately transmitting the transmission image information together with the other image information for which the transmission time is designated, transmits the transmission header including the time information relating to the transmission time designation. You may comprise so that the header addition means to add may be provided.

As a result, the image information can be transmitted to the other party in real time, and in this case, the other image information of the same destination is also transmitted at the same time, so that the line can be effectively used. Communication costs can be reduced.

When other image information for which the transmission time is designated is collectively transmitted in real time, if a transmission header including the time information of the other image information is added by the header adding means, the other image information is transmitted. It becomes possible for the receiving side to recognize the designated transmission time of the image information.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

In FIG. 1, this facsimile machine is
A telephone number of the other party, a key input unit 10 for inputting information indicating whether or not to transmit image information in real time, an image information storage unit 20 for storing image information, a scanner unit 30 for reading image information from a transmission document, A printer unit 40 that prints out the received image information and the like as a hard copy, a facsimile control unit (FAX control unit) 50 that controls transmission and reception of the image information stored in the image information storage unit 20, encoding of the transmitted and received image information, and An encoding / decoding unit 60 for decoding and a line control unit 70 for controlling the line 80 are provided.

Further, the FAX control unit 50 includes the image storage unit 2
In the image information already stored in 0, the same destination (same F
Search unit 51 and key input unit 1 for searching for image information for which the AX number) is specified and the transmission time is specified.
It comprises a real-time transmission discriminating section 52 for discriminating whether or not a real-time transmission request for transmitting image information from 0 has been input, and a header adding section 53 for adding a desired header to a transmission document. It

By the way, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment has a memory transmission function by time designation.

That is, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is configured to temporarily store the image information in the image information storage unit 20 and then transmit the image information stored in the image information storage unit 20 to the other party. When storing the image information in the image information storage unit 20, if the transmission designated time information of the image information is input together with the image information, the image information indicates the destination telephone number indicating the destination (the destination telephone number). Destination FAX number) and the designated transmission time information, and when the designated time indicated by the designated transmission time information arrives, the image information accumulated automatically together with the designated transmission time information is sent to the destination indicated by the destination FAX number. Is configured to automatically send to.

If the designated transmission time information is not input, the accumulated image information is immediately (in real time).
It is sent to the other party, or after a certain period of time elapses, or when the amount of image information accumulated in the image information accumulating section 20 reaches a predetermined amount, an automatic call is made to be transmitted to the other party.

Next, the operation peculiar to the present invention in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

First, the user inputs the destination telephone number (destination FAX number) from the key input unit 10. The destination FAX number input by the user from the key input unit 10 is fetched by the facsimile control unit (FAX control unit) 50 (step 101).

The FAX control unit 50 analyzes the fetched FAX number of the destination, specifies the same destination (same FAX number) in the image information already stored in the image storage unit 20, and specifies the transmission time. The searching unit 51 searches for the existence of the image information that has been subjected to the process (step 10).
2).

According to this search result, the same destination (same fax
No.) is specified and the image information for which the transmission time is specified does not exist (NO in step 103), the image information of the transmission original is read through the scanner unit 30, and the read image information is stored in the image information. It is stored in the unit 20 (step 104).

Subsequently, the line control unit 70 secures the line 80 (step 105), the image information stored in the image information storage unit 20 in step 104 is encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 60, and is encoded. The image information is transmitted to the other party via the line 80 (step 106).

When the transmission of the image information to the other party is completed, the line 80 secured in step 105 is released (step 107) and this process is completed.

In step 103, the same destination (same F
If it is determined that the image information for which the AX number) is specified and the transmission time is specified exists (YES in step 103), the image information of the transmission original is read through the scanner unit 30, and the read image information is read. Is stored after the image information for which the same destination already stored in the image storage unit 20 searched in step 102 has been designated and the transmission time has been designated (step 108).

In this case, this image information is integrated with the image information of the same destination already stored in the image storage unit 20, and is treated as the image information with the same transmission time designation as the image information of the same destination. .

That is, the image information integrated with the image information of the same destination already stored in the image storage unit 20 is
When the designated time of the image information of the same destination is reached using the memory transmission function by the above-mentioned time designation, the image information of the same destination and the image information of the same destination are collectively transmitted to the other party.

In the above description, the operation from step 104 to step 107 shows the case where the image information accumulated in the image information accumulating section 20 is transmitted to the other party in real time, but in step 104 the image information from the scanner section 30 is transmitted. When the designated transmission time information of the image information is input when the image is accumulated in the image information accumulating unit 20, it is automatically transmitted to the other party after waiting until the designated time indicated by the designated transmission time information.

Further, when the automatic transmission function of automatically calling and transmitting to the other party is set after a lapse of a certain time or when the amount of the image information accumulated in the image information accumulating section 20 reaches a predetermined amount. After a certain time has passed, or the image information storage unit 20
When the amount of the image information stored in (1) reaches a predetermined amount, an automatic call is made and transmitted to the other party.

In the above embodiment, the image storage unit 2
0 is configured so that the image information from the scanner unit 30 is stored as it is, and at the time of transmission, the image information stored in the image information storage unit 20 is encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 60 and transmitted to the line 80. However, the image information from the scanner unit 30 may be encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 60 and stored in the image storage unit 20. With this configuration, the memory capacity of the image storage unit 20 can be reduced, and the transmission can be performed without using the encoding / decoding unit 60 during transmission.

In the above embodiment, the scanner unit 3
If the image information of the same destination as the image information read from 0 is already stored in the image storage unit 20, the image information and the image information of the same destination are collectively transmitted together with the image information at the transmission time designation. Although it is configured to make effective use of the line and reduce the communication cost, there is image information to be transmitted to the other party immediately (in real time) in the transmitted image information.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of the present invention which can cope with such a situation.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the user inputs information indicating whether or not the request is a real-time transmission request, so that the image information can be transmitted to the other party in real time and the line can be effectively used. This is so that it can be planned.

In this embodiment, first, the user inputs the other party's telephone number (the other party's FAX number) from the key input unit 10. The destination FAX number input by the user from the key input unit 10 is the facsimile control unit (FAX control unit) 5
It is taken into 0 (step 201).

Further, the user inputs information indicating whether or not the image information related to this transmission is transmitted in real time from the key input unit 10.

The FAX control unit 50 first determines by the real-time transmission determination unit 52 whether it is a real-time transmission request (step 202). If it is not a real-time transmission request (NO in step 202), the fax is transmitted via the scanner unit 30. The image information of the original is read, and the read image information is stored in the image information storage unit 20 (step 203).

The image information stored in the image information storage section 20 is stored in the image information storage unit 20 using the above-mentioned time-specified memory transmission function.
Alternatively, by using the above-described automatic transmission function, an automatic call is made and transmitted to the other party after a predetermined time has elapsed or when the amount of image information accumulated in the image information accumulating unit 20 reaches a predetermined amount.

If it is determined in step 202 that the request is a real-time transmission request (YES in step 202).
S), the destination FAX that has been imported by the FAX control unit 50
The number is analyzed, and it is searched whether or not the image information already stored in the image storage unit 20 has the same destination (same FAX number) and the transmission time is designated (step). 204).

Based on this search result, the same destination (same fax
Number) is specified and the image information for which the transmission time is specified does not exist (NO in step 205), the image information of the transmission original is read through the scanner unit 30, and the read image information is stored in the image information. It is stored in the unit 20 (step 206).

Then, the rear line control unit 70 secures the line 80 (step 207), the image information stored in the image information storage unit 20 in step 206 is encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 60, and this encoding is performed. The transmitted image information is transmitted to the other party via the line 80 (step 20).
8).

When the transmission of the image information to the other party is completed, the line 80 secured in step 105 is released and this process is completed (step 209).

In step 205, the same destination (same F
If it is determined that the image information for which the AX number) is specified and the transmission time is specified exists (YES in step 205), the image information of the transmission original is read through the scanner unit 30, and the read image information is read. Is stored in the image storage unit 20 (step 210), and then the line control unit 70 connects the line 8
0 is secured (step 211), and the image information is stored in the image storage unit 2.
Image information of the same destination already stored in 0 and step 2
The image information stored in 10 is collectively transmitted to the other party, and the same destination image information is collectively transmitted (step 21).
2).

When the transmission of the image information to the other party is completed, the line 80 secured in step 105 is released (step 213) and this process is completed.

By the way, in this embodiment, the FAX
By the control of the header adding unit 53 of the control unit 50, the transmission image information is added with a header including the sender name, the sender FAX number, the communication time, and the page number of the transmission image information as shown in FIG. Is configured.

However, in the case of the control of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, there is a real-time transmission request, the same destination (same FAX number) is designated in the image information already stored in the image storage unit 20, and When there is other image information for which the transmission time is designated, the other image information is collectively transmitted together with the image information for which the real-time transmission request is made. It will be sent to the other party at a different time.

In this case, the other party erroneously recognizes the image information to be transmitted at the originally specified designated transmission time as the image information transmitted at the same designated time as the image information for which the real-time transmission request is made. There is a risk.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in the control of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, there is a real-time transmission request, and the same destination (the same FAX number) is included in the image information already stored in the image storage unit 20. If there is other image information that has been designated and the transmission time has been designated, and if this other image information is to be sent together with the image information that has been requested to be transmitted in real time, the other image information that has this transmission time designated To make the other party recognize the specified time for sending the information, press F
The header addition unit 53 of the AX control unit 50 adds a header as shown in FIG. 5 and transmits the image information to the other party.

That is, in the header shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the sender name, sender FAX number, communication time, and number of pages of transmission image information shown in FIG. The specified transmission time of the image information, that is, the transmission reservation time is included.

By adding such a header to the transmission image information, there is a real-time transmission request in the control of the flowchart shown in FIG.
The same destination (same FA) in the image information already stored in
(X number) is specified, and when there is other image information for which the transmission time is specified and the other image information is collectively transmitted together with the image information for which the real-time transmission request is made, it is also collectively transmitted. It becomes possible for the destination to recognize the actual designated transmission time of the Noga information, and as shown in the flow chart shown in FIG. 3, other image information for which the transmission time is designated is collected together with the image information for which the real-time transmission request is made. Even if it is transmitted, the inconvenience caused by this does not occur.

[0057]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, 1) When storing transmission image information in the storage means, the same destination as the transmission image information is designated and a predetermined transmission time is designated. Other image information that has already been accumulated in the accumulating means is searched by the retrieving means, and other image information in which the same destination as the transmitted image information is designated and a predetermined transmission time is designated is stored in the accumulating means. If the transmission image information is already accumulated, the transmission image information is collectively transmitted together with the other image information at the designated transmission time by the transmission control unit. 2) When the transmission image information is accumulated in the accumulation unit, the transmission image information Is set by the setting means, whether the same destination as the transmission image information is designated and other image information for which a predetermined transmission time is designated is already accumulated in the accumulation means. Inspect Other image information which is searched by the means, is set to immediately transmit the transmission image information by the setting means, the same destination as the transmission image information is designated by the retrieval means, and the predetermined transmission time is designated. If the image information is already stored in the image data, the transmission control means immediately transmits the image information together with the other image information. Therefore, the image information is transmitted at any time specified by the user or in real time. It is also possible to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of effectively using the line, and further, the transmission control means immediately combines the transmission image information together with other image information for which the transmission time is designated. In the case of transmission by transmitting the transmission time, the header addition means for adding the transmission header including the time information related to the transmission time designation is provided, thereby It is possible to recognize the designated transmission time of the image information on the receiving side.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of another embodiment of the present invention in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a header added in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing another example of a header added in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Key input section, 20 ... Image information storage section, 30 ... Scanner section, 40 ... Printer section, 50 ... FAX control section, 51 ...
Search unit, 52 ... Real-time transmission discriminating unit, 53 ... Header adding unit, 60 ... Encoding / decoding unit, 70 ... Line control unit,
80 ... Line

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having a function of temporarily storing transmission image information in storage means and then transmitting the same, when storing the transmission image information in the storage means, the same destination as the transmission image information is designated, and Search means for searching whether or not other image information for which a predetermined transmission time has been designated is already stored in the storage means, and the same destination as the transmission image information is designated by the search means, and predetermined transmission When other image information whose time is designated is already accumulated in the accumulating means, it is provided with transmission control means for collectively transmitting the transmitted image information together with the other image information at the designated transmission time. A facsimile device characterized by the above. 2. A facsimile apparatus having a function of temporarily storing transmission image information in storage means and then transmitting the accumulated transmission information, when storing the transmission image information in the storage means, whether or not to immediately transmit the transmission image information. When setting the setting means for setting and the storage means for storing the transmission image information, other image information for which the same destination as the transmission image information is designated and a predetermined transmission time is designated is already accumulated in the accumulation means. Search means for searching whether or not the transmission image information is immediately transmitted by the setting means, the same destination as the transmission image information is designated by the retrieval means, and a predetermined transmission time is designated. If the other image information is already stored in the storage means, the transmission control means for immediately transmitting the transmission image information together with the other image information in a lump. Facsimile machine characterized by: