JPH08251378A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To start communication in an early stage by relieving the load of the user attended with registration and update of a line number with respect to one-touch key and reducing number of times of re-dialing. CONSTITUTION: When a facsimile equipment accommodating two lines registers the two line numbers to a one-touch key of a facsimile equipment 11, the facsimile equipment 13 reports plural line numbers stored in its own station number table t1 to the facsimile equipment 11 by using an NSF and the facsimile equipment 11 registers automatically the reported plural line numbers to a one-touch key registration number table t2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine using a one-touch key, and more particularly to registering a plurality of line numbers of a partner station accommodating a plurality of lines in the one-touch key and responding to the input of the one-touch key. Then, the present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus for making a call to the partner station using the plurality of line numbers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile machine, in order to reduce a user's burden of having to specify a frequently used line number each time, a plurality of destination line numbers are set to one-touch keys. Functions are often provided.

In particular, since recent facsimile machines have come to accommodate multiple lines, it is important to reduce the burden on the user for inputting a line number when making a call.

For this reason, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-37879, a plurality of dial numbers are registered in one one-touch dial, and when the called facsimile machine is busy or absent at the time of calling, the line is called. There is disclosed a dial device configured to repeat a calling operation of sequentially registered numbers until the call is connected.

However, in the case of this prior art, it is necessary for the user to register a plurality of line numbers in advance in the one-touch dial (one-touch key), and when the one-touch key is selected, The result is that the calls are sequentially made in the specified order.

That is, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the calling sequence is not always proper, and the burden on the user when registering the line number for each one-touch key is not reduced.

Therefore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-91206, a plurality of line numbers having different communication functions such as G3 or G4 or an extension line or an outside line are registered, and a more advantageous communication function is automatically set when a call is made. There is disclosed a communication device configured to select and, when the other device is busy or absent at the time of calling, automatically select the next advantageous communication function and repeat the calling operation.

[0008]

However, in this prior art, the line numbers are prioritized by focusing only on a plurality of different communication functions, and the congestion status of each line is not taken into consideration. It may not always be possible to shorten the time until the communication can be started.

For example, when a more advantageous communication function is selected and the communication line corresponding to the communication function is extremely crowded, it is a call to confirm busy. Therefore, as a matter of course, the number of re-calls increases and the communication start time is delayed.

Also, according to this prior art, similarly to the above prior art, it is not possible to reduce the burden on the user when registering the line number for each one-touch key.

Particularly, in recent years, the number of one-touch keys themselves has increased along with the widening of the network and the number of lines accommodated, and the number of line numbers assigned to each one-touch key has increased. The burden on the user for registering and updating the line number is increasing.

In view of the above, the present invention solves the above problems, reduces the burden on the user associated with the registration and update of the line number for the one-touch key, and reduces the number of recalls to start facsimile communication early. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile device capable of performing the above.

[0013]

To achieve the above object, a first invention is to register a plurality of line numbers of a partner station accommodating a plurality of lines in a single one-touch key, In a facsimile apparatus that makes a call to the other station by using the plurality of line numbers in response to an input operation, own station number storage means (t1 in FIG. 1) that stores a plurality of line numbers of the own station. A local station number notifying means (p1 in FIG. 1) for notifying a partner station that registers a plurality of line numbers stored in the local station number storage means, and a plurality of line numbers notified by the partner station A registration means for automatically registering the key (p2 in FIG. 1) is provided.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the own station number storage means (t1 in FIG. 1) corresponds to the plurality of lines with incoming call information respectively given to a plurality of line numbers of the own station. And store it in the local station number notifying means (p1 in FIG. 1)
Is characterized in that the notification order for notifying the partner station that registers the plurality of line numbers is determined based on the incoming call information stored in the own station number storage means.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the two facsimile machines having the above-mentioned structure are connected to each other via, for example, a network, and operate as follows. One station is called a registration station, and the other station is called a partner station (notification station). When registering a plurality of line numbers of a partner station accommodating a plurality of lines in the one-touch key, the registration station uses its own station number notifying means that the partner station has in response to a call that means an inquiry, for example. The registration station is notified of the plurality of line numbers stored in the number storage means. In the registration station that has received this notification, the registration means automatically registers, for example, the plurality of line numbers notified from the partner station in the one-touch key. After this registration,
In response to the input operation of the one-touch key, a call is made to the partner station using a plurality of line numbers registered in the one-touch key.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user due to the registration and update of the line number for the one-touch key.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, the own station number storage means of the partner station (notification station) has received the incoming call information for each of a plurality of line numbers of the own station, for example, the number of incoming calls. Is stored in correspondence with the plurality of lines, and the own station number notifying means of the partner station determines the notification order when notifying the plurality of line numbers to the registration station based on the incoming call information.

As a result, the number of re-calls can be reduced and facsimile communication can be started early.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which each facsimile machine transmits and receives facsimile data using the G3 standard communication protocol.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system used in the present invention and the detailed configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, this network system 1 has a configuration in which facsimile devices 11, 12, and 13 are connected to a public network 10. In this example,
Facsimile device 11 accommodates three lines, facsimile device 12 accommodates one line, and facsimile device 13 accommodates two lines.
A case of accommodating a line will be described.

Next, the detailed configuration of the facsimile apparatus 11 will be described.

This facsimile apparatus 11 has a CPU 11
a, a main memory 11b, an image memory 11c, a reading unit 11d, a recording unit 11e, and communication control units 11f to 1
1h and network control units 11i to 11k.

The CPU 11a is a central processing unit for executing various processes relating to the facsimile device 11 by executing various programs stored in the main memory 11b. In the main memory 11b, the own station number notification program p1 and one-touch key registration are carried out. Various programs such as the update program p2 and various tables such as the own station number table t1 and the one-touch key registration number table t2 are held.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that it includes the above-mentioned own station number notification program p1 and own station number table t1, and one-touch key registration update program p2 and one-touch key registration number table t2. The table will be described.

The own station number notification program p1 is a program for transferring a plurality of line numbers of the own station to a destination facsimile machine by taking advantage of normal facsimile communication, and specifically, the own station number. The plurality of line numbers registered in the table t1 are transferred by using the non-standard function of the G3 facsimile communication protocol (hereinafter referred to as "NSF").

One-touch key registration update program p2
Is a program for extracting the line number of the source facsimile device from the NSF transmitted from the source facsimile device and updating the one-touch key registration number table t2 based on the extracted line number.

The image memory 11c is a memory for storing image data to be processed. Specifically, the image memory 11c stores the image data read by the reading unit 11e and the facsimile data received from another facsimile apparatus.

The control panel 11 is an operation unit for inputting and displaying a line number required for facsimile communication, and has a built-in one-touch key unit k1. In the present embodiment, each one-touch key of the one-touch key unit k1 is associated with a destination facsimile device. Therefore, when the destination facsimile device has a plurality of line numbers, the one-touch key is supported by the facsimile device. A plurality of line numbers will be assigned to the attached one-touch key.

The reading section 11e is a processing section for reading the image data to be transferred, and the recording section 11f is a recording section for recording the image data held in the image memory 11c on a sheet, and sequentially outputs the recording results.

Communication controllers 11g to 11i and network controller 1
1j to 11l are processing units that are provided for each communication line and that perform communication control and network control.

In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, only the configuration of the facsimile machine 11 has been described, but the facsimile machines 12 and 13 have the same configuration as the facsimile machine 11.

By using the above configuration, the line number of the transmission destination registered by the user can be reduced and the one-touch key can be automatically registered by taking advantage of facsimile communication.

Next, a procedure for automatically registering a one-touch key between facsimile machines will be described.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an automatic one-touch key registration procedure performed between the facsimile apparatuses shown in FIG. In addition, here, the facsimile machine 11
A case will be described in which the line number of the facsimile device 13 is registered in the one-touch key of the facsimile device 11 by multiplying the transmission of facsimile data from the facsimile device 13 to the facsimile device 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, first, a one-touch key for registering a number is selected from a plurality of one-touch keys provided in the one-touch key section k1, and the one-touch key of the destination facsimile machine is selected. Either line number is registered (step 201).

Next, the registration update mode indicating whether or not the one-touch key section k1 of the own station is updated is turned on (step 202), and the one-touch key section k1 is updated, and then the transmission document is sent. Is set and the one-touch key is pressed down (step 203).

Then, according to the G3 facsimile communication protocol, a calling signal is sent to the facsimile device 13 via the public network 10 (step 204), and the line is connected when the facsimile device 13 goes off-hook (step 205). ).

After that, the facsimile machine 13 makes the CNG
When the (calling tone) is received, the facsimile machine 11 receives the CE
The call is established by receiving D (Called Station Identification).
(Steps 206-207).

Next, the facsimile machine 13 which is the receiving station
Then, the own station number notification program p1 held in the main memory 11b is activated (step 208), each line number of the own station stored in the own station number table t1 is put into the NSF, and the NSF, CSI (calling terminal) (Identification) and DIS (digital identification signal) are sequentially transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 11 (steps 209 to 211).

Then, the facsimile apparatus 11 uses the NSF
If the NSF is received, the NSF is temporarily stored in the main memory 11b (step 212), and the TSI (transmitting terminal identification) and NSS (non-standard function setting) or DCS is stored.
After sending (digital command signal) (step 213-
214), and training is performed to confirm the communication quality (step 215).

If a predetermined communication quality can be ensured, the facsimile machine 11 to the facsimile machine 13
To the DC when the transfer of the facsimile data is started and the transfer of the facsimile data is completed.
Send N (disconnect command) to disconnect the line (step 2
16-218).

After that, the facsimile machine 1 which is the transmitting station
1 starts up the one-touch key registration update program p2 stored in the main memory 11b (step 219), cuts out the line number of the facsimile device 13 from the NSF temporarily stored in the main memory 11b in step 212, and sets the one-touch key registration number table. Store at t2.

2 of the facsimile machine 13
The user confirms whether or not one line number is set to the one-touch key (step 220), and the process is ended.

By performing the series of processes described above, the two line numbers set in the facsimile machine 13 can be registered in the one-touch key registration number table t2 of the facsimile machine 11.

Next, the one-touch key registration / update processing procedure executed by the one-touch key registration / update program p2 in step 219 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the one-touch key registration update processing procedure executed by the one-touch key registration update program p2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the one-touch key registration update program p2 first confirms whether or not the registration contents of the line number for the one-touch key are updated, that is, whether or not the registration update mode is on. (Step 30
1) If the registration update mode is not on, there is no need to perform update registration, so the process ends.

On the other hand, when the registration update mode is ON, the facsimile apparatus 1 set to the NSF temporarily held in the main memory 11b in step 212 above.
The line number 3 is extracted (step 302).

At this time, the facsimile apparatus 13 is added to the NSF.
If the line number is not set, a message indicating that there is no update information is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the control panel 11d (step 304), the registration update mode is turned off (step 310), and the process is terminated. .

On the other hand, when the line number of the facsimile apparatus 13 is set in the NSF, the plurality of line numbers included in the NSF and the line number currently registered in the one-touch key registration number table t2 are set. Collate (step 305).

As a result, if the line number that matches the current registration number does not exist in the plurality of line numbers included in the NSF (step 306), an abnormal display is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the control panel 11d ( Step 30
7) Turn off registration update mode (step 310)
The process ends.

On the other hand, if there is a coincident number, the registration and update of the one-touch key is performed in the order of the numbers set in the NSF (step 308), and the display section (not shown) of the control panel 11d is automatically updated. After the completion is displayed (step 309), the registration update mode is turned off (step 310), and the process ends.

In the above series of processing, the processing in the case where the registration update mode indicating whether or not the registration update of the one-touch key is performed has been described, but the registration update of the one-touch key is always performed when performing the facsimile communication. Can also be processed as follows.

Further, such facsimile machines 11 to 13
Therefore, even when the line number is notified to another facsimile apparatus that does not have the above one-touch key registration / update program, the line number is ignored, so that it does not affect the facsimile communication itself.

Next, the structure of the NSF and the procedure for setting the line number for the NSF will be described.

FIG. 4 shows an N number with n own line numbers set.
It is a figure which shows the structure of SF.

As shown in FIG. 4, this NSF includes a control field cf, a number notification start code ns,
Inter-number code nb and n number fields f1 to fn
And the number notification end code ne and the like.

The control field cf is a field in which various control codes are set, and the number fields f1 to fn are fields for storing the numbers set in the own station number table t1 in a predetermined order.

The number notification start code ns, the number notification end code ne, and the inter-number code respectively indicate the start position of the area in which the line number is set, the code indicating the end position of the area in which the line number is set, and the line. It is a delimiter code between numbers.

Next, an example of the procedure for setting the line number for the NSF will be described.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the own station number table t1,
It is a figure which shows the processing procedure when setting each line number of this own station number table t1 to each number field f1-fn provided in NSF.

When n line numbers as shown in FIG. 5A are provided in the own station number table t1, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The number of line numbers to be set is set to a constant n (step 501), the number notification start code ns is set to NFS (step 502), and then the variable i which means the identifier of the number field is initialized (step 503).

Then, after setting the i-th own station number of the own station number table t1 in the NSF as the number field fi (step 504), the variable i is incremented (step 505).

Then, it is confirmed whether or not the variable i is larger than the number n of the own station line number (step 506). If the variable i is less than or equal to the number n of the own station line number, the inter-number code n
After setting b (step 507), the process proceeds to step 504 and the above process is repeated.

On the other hand, the variable i is the number n of the own station line number.
If it becomes larger than the number, the number communication end code ne
Is added to the NSF (step 508) and the process ends.

By performing the series of processes described above, each line number registered in the own station number table t1 can be set in the NSF.

By the way, when the own station number notification program p1 sets each line number registered in the own station number table t1 in the above procedure to NSF, as described above, each line number is stored in the own station number table. The line numbers registered in t1 are set to the one-touch key of the partner station in the order of the line numbers.

However, in the case of actually designating a line number, since there is often a bias in the frequency of use between the line numbers that are frequently used and the line numbers that are rarely used, there is a high probability that it is an empty line. It is necessary to preferentially use the line number.

That is, when a congested line number is used, the call becomes busy as compared with a case where another line number is used, and there is a high possibility that a recall operation is required. By reducing it as much as possible, the time until the start of communication can be shortened.

Then, the second setting procedure for setting the line number for the NSF will be described next.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of the own station number table t1 and
It is a figure which shows the 2nd process procedure in the case of setting each line number of the own station number table t1 to each number field f1-fn provided in NSF.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the structure of the own station number table t1. Here, unlike the case of FIG. 5A, the number of incoming calls is held for each own station number. ing.

That is, in this setting procedure, the line numbers are set in the NSF in the order in which the number of incoming calls is smaller, rather than simply setting the line numbers in the NSF in the order registered in the own station number table t1. .

FIG. 6B is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for setting the line number of the own station to NSF. First, the number of line numbers accommodated by the own station is set to a constant n (step 601), number notification start code ns
Is set to NFS (step 602), the variable i which means the identifier of the number field is initialized (step 603).

Then, of the line numbers other than the line numbers already set in NFS, the line number with the smallest number of incoming calls is selected (step 604), and the selected line number is set in the NSF as the number field fi. (Step 605).

Then, the variable i is incremented (step 606), and it is confirmed whether or not the variable i is larger than the number n of the own station line number (step 607).

As a result, when the variable i is equal to or less than the number n of the own station's line number, the inter-number code nb is continuously set to NSF (step 608), and then the process proceeds to step 604 to repeat the above process and When i becomes larger than the number n of the own station line number, the number communication end code ne is added to the NSF (step 609) and the process is ended.

By performing the series of processes described above, the line numbers registered in the own station number table t1 can be sequentially set in the NSF in the order of the smallest number of incoming calls. Therefore, the possibility of re-calling operation is reduced. , It becomes possible to send the line number of the own station to the facsimile machine on the other side.

In the above procedure, a case has been described in which the line numbers registered in the own station number table t1 are sequentially set in the NSF in the order of the smallest number of incoming calls.
It is possible to change logically without using the number of incoming calls. For example, when registering three respective line numbers A, B, C in the own station number table t1, A, B, C → B, C, A → C, A, B →
A, B, C → ... Can be logically changed by cyclically changing the order of setting the NSF each time the setting is performed.

Next, a description will be given of a processing procedure in the case of carrying out facsimile communication in the state where a plurality of line numbers are set in each one-touch key in the above series of procedures.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a facsimile communication procedure of the facsimile apparatus 11.

As shown in FIG. 7, when a transmission document is set in accordance with a guideline (not shown) and the one-touch key corresponding to the destination facsimile machine is pressed down (step 701), a plurality of keys assigned to the one-touch key are selected. Of the line numbers, the variable i indicating the line number to be used is initialized (step 702).

Next, the one-touch key registration number table t
The i-th line number is extracted from the plurality of line numbers corresponding to the one-touch key 2 (step 703),
A calling process is performed using the i-th line number (step 705).

Then, it is confirmed whether or not the line is connected (step 706). If the destination facsimile machine cannot be connected because it is busy, the variable i is incremented (step 707). The process proceeds to step 703, and the calling process using the next line number is performed.

In this embodiment, if the i-th line number does not exist, that is, if the line is not connected even if all the line numbers are used, the calling process is terminated (step 704). However, it is also possible to return to the first line number again and repeat the calling process, and set the timeout or the upper limit to the number of times of calling to finish the calling process.

Next, when the destination facsimile machine goes off-hook and the line is connected, the facsimile data is transmitted according to the G3 fax communication protocol (step 708) and the line is disconnected after the transmission of the facsimile data is completed. (Step 709) and the process ends.

When the respective line numbers of the own station are set to NSF in the order of the smallest number of incoming calls shown in FIG. 6, the line numbers of the transmission destination are registered in the one-touch key in the order of the smallest number of incoming calls. Therefore, even in such a case, the recalling operation can be reduced by the above processing procedure.

As described above, in this embodiment, when registering the two line numbers of the facsimile machine 13 accommodating two lines into the one-touch key of the facsimile machine 11, the facsimile machine 13 makes the own station number. Using the NSF, the facsimile device 11 is notified of the plurality of line numbers stored in the table t1.
Since the plurality of notified line numbers are automatically registered in the one-touch key registration number table t2, it is possible to reduce the user's burden of registering and updating the line numbers for the one-touch key.

Further, the facsimile device 13 stores the number of incoming calls made for each line number in the own station number table t1 and notifies the facsimile device 11 of the line numbers in the order of the smallest number of incoming calls. Since it is configured, the number of re-calls can be reduced and the facsimile communication can be started early.

In the present embodiment, the one-touch key update registration is performed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to simply stop the panel display or print out.

[0092]

As described in detail above, in the first invention, when registering a plurality of line numbers of a partner station accommodating a plurality of lines into the one-touch key, the partner station to be notified is the own station number. The one-touch key stored in the storage means is notified to the other station registering one or more line numbers of the own station, and the plurality of line numbers notified from the other station are automatically registered in the one-touch key. It is possible to reduce the burden on the user due to the registration and update of the line number for.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the incoming call information for each of the plurality of line numbers of the own station is stored in the own station number storage means corresponding to the plurality of lines, Since the notification sequence for notifying the partner station registering a plurality of line numbers is determined based on the incoming call information, it is possible to reduce the number of re-calls and start the facsimile communication early. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system used in this embodiment and a detailed configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

2 is a time chart showing a processing procedure for automatically registering the line number of the facsimile device 13 shown in FIG. 1 in the facsimile device 11. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a one-touch key registration update program shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data format of NSF (non-standard function) shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a setting procedure for setting a line number registered in the own station number table shown in FIG. 1 in NSF.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a setting procedure for setting the line number registered in the own station number table shown in FIG. 1 to NSF.

7 is a flowchart showing a transmission processing procedure of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 network system, 10 public network, 11, 1
2, 13 Facsimile device, 11a CPU, 11
b main memory, 11c image memory, 11d control panel, 11e reading unit, 11f recording unit, 11g, 11h, 11i communication control unit, 11j,
11k, 11l network control unit, p1 own station number notification program, p2 one-touch key registration update program, t1
Own number table, t2 one-touch key registration number table

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of line numbers of a partner station accommodating a plurality of lines are registered in a single one-touch key, and the partner station is used by using the plurality of line numbers in response to an input operation of the one-touch key. In a facsimile device that makes a call to a local station number storage unit that stores a plurality of line numbers of the local station and a partner station that registers a plurality of line numbers stored in the local station number storage unit A facsimile apparatus comprising: own-station number notifying means and registration means for registering a plurality of line numbers notified from the partner station in the one-touch key. 2. The own station number storage means stores the incoming call information for each of the plurality of line numbers of the own station corresponding to the plurality of lines, and the own station number notification means , Based on the incoming call information stored in the own station number storage means,
2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a notification order for notifying a partner station that registers the plurality of line numbers is determined.