JPH08307581A - Facsimile communicating method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a facsimile communicating method by which the line usage charge of a center device can be remarkably reduced. CONSTITUTION: A center device 7 is provided with a facsimile information storage part (hard disk device 24) corresponding to each of box numbers of 1 or more and a box number discrimination part (communication control part 22) discriminating the box number which is transmissively transmitted from a transmission origin facsimile equipment. When the facsimile information from the transmission origin facsimile equipment is received, the transmissively transmitted box number is discriminated and the facsimile information is stored in the facsimile information storage part corresponding to the box number.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile communication method in which an extension facsimile machine installed in a facility used by a large number of users such as hotels performs facsimile communication with a communication partner via a center device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a conventional facsimile communication method will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 9, a private branch exchange 2 installed in a hotel 1, which is one of the facilities used by many users, is connected to a public network 3. Room 1 in hotel 1
In each of the guest rooms from to room m, there are arranged extension facsimile machines F1 to Fm each composed of a facsimile machine 4 and an adapter machine 5 interposed between the facsimile machine 4 and the private branch exchange 2. . In addition,
Each adapter device 5 has a pocket bell receiver 5a.
And is connected to the private branch exchange 2.
Further, the private branch exchange device 2 is connected to a facsimile management device 6 for monitoring the usage status of the extension facsimile device in each guest room and managing billing data for each guest room.

The center device 7 is connected to the public network 3 and corresponds to each of one or more facsimile numbers. The mailbox M is a facsimile information storage unit.
1 to Mn, a pager number-adapter correspondence table 7a described later is stored.

Pager transmission station 8 which is a calling signal transmission device
Is for generating and transmitting a calling signal including the pager number notified from the center device 7.

An adapter code, which is an identification code for the center device 7 to identify them, is pre-assigned to the adapter device 5 in each guest room, and the adapter device 5 in each guest room is assigned.
A pager number, which is a calling code for the center device 7 to selectively call them via the pager transmitting station, is previously assigned to the pocket bell receiver 5a built in.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the center device 7 stores in advance a correspondence table 7a of adapter codes and pager numbers corresponding to the extension facsimile devices of each guest room.

The guest who is a temporary user of the hotel 1 is assigned a specific extension facsimile apparatus by being assigned a specific guest room by the hotel 1. The guest to whom the specific extension facsimile device is assigned has the following: prior to starting the use of the extension facsimile device, an external communication partner obtains a facsimile number for identifying the extension facsimile device,
By operating the facsimile apparatus 4, the center apparatus 7 is called through the adapter apparatus 5 and a facsimile number allocation request is made. After calling, the adapter device 5 notifies the center device 7 by sending its own adapter code on the PB signal and sending it out.

The center device 7 collates the transmitted adapter code with the correspondence table 7a, and sets the adapter code in the correspondence table 7a which is the same as the transmitted adapter code to one of the mailboxes M1 to Mn.
Make one correspond. Since the mailboxes M1 to Mn respectively correspond to the specific facsimile numbers, the transmitted adapter code is also associated with the specific facsimile number. Also,
Since the adapter code and the pager number correspond to the mailbox and the facsimile number corresponding to the mailbox, it also corresponds to the pager number.

The above-mentioned facsimile number request operation before the guest starts using the extension facsimile apparatus will be referred to as a check-in operation hereinafter. In addition, after the check-in operation, contrary to the check-in operation,
A checkout operation, which is an operation for canceling the association between the adapter code and the facsimile number, can be performed by the guest or hotel.

The check-in operation is performed individually for each guest. After the check-in operation, the center device 7 transmits a usage instruction including a facsimile number associated with an adapter code that identifies the extension facsimile device, to the extension facsimile device.
The guest uses the extension facsimile machine to send the facsimile number described in the instruction manual received by the extension facsimile machine to the intended communication partner.
Alternatively, contact by phone.

Hotel 1 by the above check-in operation
10 shows an example of the correspondence between the extension facsimile machine assigned to the guest in each guest room, the mailbox of the center apparatus 7 and the corresponding facsimile number.
Will be described with reference to.

In the figure, a table Tg shows the allocation of guests to each guest room yesterday and today. As described above, the correspondence table 7a shows the correspondence between the adapter code and the pager number. The table Tm shows the mailboxes provided in the center apparatus 7 and the corresponding facsimile numbers.

Each guest room of the table Tg and the corresponding table 7
The adapter code and the pager number of a correspond to each other as described above. In the table Tg, guest D stays in guest room 1 and guest E stays in guest room 3 yesterday, and there is no guest in the other guest rooms, while guest A stays in guest room 2 and guest guest in guest room 3 today. It is assumed that B stays at guest C in guest room m and has no guest at other guest rooms. By being assigned to each guest room, those guests are indirectly associated with the correspondence table 7a.

Each guest individually carries out the check-in operation, and the center device 7 uses the adapter code
Allocate one of the vacant mailboxes that are not associated with other extension facsimile machines.

As for the assignment of this adapter code to the mailbox, "Yesterday", the code 1 is associated with the mailbox M2 as indicated by the link Ld, and the code 3 is assigned as indicated by the link Le. It is associated with the mailbox M1.

On the other hand, in "Today", the link Ld and the link Le associated with yesterday are released by the check-out operation, while the code 2 is associated with the mailbox M1 as indicated by the link La. , The code 3 is associated with the mailbox M2 as indicated by the link Lb, and the code m is associated with the mailbox M3 as indicated by the link Le.

As described above, in "Today", for example, among the guests A, B, and C to which the mailbox (facsimile number) is assigned via the adapter code, for example, the facsimile information is given to the guest A. The external communication partner (facsimile device 9 shown in FIG. 9) that is trying to send the
That is, the facsimile information is transmitted by calling "FAX number 1". From the viewpoint of the facsimile device 9 which is the communication partner, the transmission operation for the guest A is completed by transmitting the facsimile information for “FAX number 1”.

However, in reality, the transmission of the facsimile information for "FAX number 1" is to the center apparatus 7, and the center apparatus 7 corresponds the facsimile information transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 9 to "FAX number 1". While temporarily accumulating in the mailbox M1, the "page number 1" corresponding to the "code 1" corresponding to the "mailbox M1" is notified to the pager originating station 8, and the pager originating station 8 is notified of the notification. A call signal including a pager number is generated and transmitted.

The extension facsimile apparatus corresponding to the transmitted "belt number 1", that is, the pocket bell receiver 5a incorporated in the adapter apparatus 5 constituting the extension facsimile apparatus F2 responds, and the normal pocket bell receiver 5a responds. In the case of a call, the adapter device 5 is activated by a signal that sounds a bell, and the activated adapter device 5 calls the center device 7 through the private branch exchange device 2 and puts it on the PB signal to provide its own adapter. Notify the code. Center device 7
Sends the facsimile information stored in the mailbox corresponding to the notified adapter code, that is, the mailbox M1 to the calling extension facsimile device F2, and the extension facsimile device F2 receives the facsimile information. And print it out. This allows
The facsimile information transmitted by the facsimile device 9 reaches the guest A.

As described above, according to the conventional facsimile communication method, a dial-in line is not provided between the public network 3 and the private branch exchange 2 by the number of guest rooms, and the number of dial-in lines is much smaller than that. Since it is possible to directly send the facsimile information from the external facsimile machine to the extension facsimile machine in each guest room, the hotel side can significantly reduce the line contract fee and receive the call from outside the hotel. Since it is possible to save the trouble of handing the fax reception document addressed to the hotel guest to the hotel guest, the fax reception document may be delayed in reaching the hotel guest or may be accidentally given to another hotel guest. Therefore, high-quality facsimile communication service can be provided to the guest.

In the conventional facsimile communication method described above, a hotel is used as an example of a facility used by a large number of users, but other than that, inns, university laboratories, dormitories, The same applies to other facilities.

[0023]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile communication method, it is necessary to allocate the facsimile numbers corresponding to the number of mailboxes in order to allow the external facsimile device to specify the mailbox provided in the center device. There is. Even if a so-called dial-in line is used, in which the number of physical lines between the public network and the center device is smaller than the number of mailboxes and then a facsimile number is assigned to each mailbox, the facsimile numbers used in the public network are A predetermined line usage fee is required for each facsimile number because it will be monopolized. On the other hand, the number of dial-in lines must be provided to meet the expected communication demand, that is, the number of mailboxes.

Therefore, in the center device, there is a problem that the line usage fee of at least the number of mail boxes for the dial-in line is required, and the operating cost is increased accordingly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile communication method capable of significantly reducing the line usage fee of the center apparatus.

[0026]

In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile communication method according to a first aspect of the present invention is transparent from a facsimile information storage unit and a transmission source facsimile apparatus corresponding to each of one or more box numbers. A center device provided with a box number identification section for identifying a box number to be transmitted, a call signal transmitting device for transmitting a call signal including the call code when the center device notifies the call code, and a large number of uses A plurality of extension facsimile machines, each of which is connected to a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a person and can be temporarily assigned to a specific user, and each of the extension facsimile machines has the above-mentioned A call code for the center device to selectively call them and a knowledge for the center device to identify them. While assigning codes in advance, the center device stores in advance a correspondence table of calling codes and identification codes assigned to the extension facsimile devices, and the extension facsimile device assigns a box number to the center device. When there is a request, the identification code sent together with the request is collated with the correspondence table, and the identification code in the correspondence table that matches the sent identification code is set to one of the facsimile information storage units. Correspondingly, a specific box number is assigned to the extension facsimile device, and when the center device receives the facsimile information from the transmission facsimile device, the center device identifies the box number transmitted transparently and Facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the number While storing the facsimile information, the calling signal transmitting apparatus is notified of the calling code corresponding to the identification code corresponding to the facsimile information storage unit, and the calling signal transmitting apparatus transmits the calling signal including the notified calling code. The extension facsimile device corresponding to the transmitted calling code responds to call the center device through the private branch exchange device and notifies the center device of the identification code, and the center device,
The facsimile information stored in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the notified identification code is transmitted to the extension facsimile apparatus that has called.

A facsimile communication method according to claim 2 is
2. The facsimile communication method according to claim 1, wherein the box number transparently transmitted from the transmission source facsimile device is transmitted as a sub address on the G3 facsimile protocol.

The facsimile communication method according to claim 3 is
2. The facsimile communication method according to claim 1, wherein the box number transparently transmitted from the transmission source facsimile device is transmitted as a sub address on the G4 facsimile protocol.

[0029]

According to the facsimile communication method of the present invention, the source facsimile machine, when making a call to the center machine, has a public line different from the calling number for calling the center machine via the line network. A predetermined box number that is not used in the network is transparently transmitted to the center device. The center apparatus identifies the transmitted box number by the box number identification section, searches the corresponding facsimile information storage section, and stores the facsimile information transmitted from the source facsimile apparatus in the corresponding facsimile information storage section. To do. Therefore, even if at least one call number for calling the center device and one or more physical lines corresponding to the call number are provided only for the number of lines corresponding to the communication demand for the center device, the facsimile information A box number is made to correspond to each storage section, and the facsimile information transmitted from the source facsimile machine is stored in a specific facsimile information storage section only by designating the box number.

According to the second aspect of the facsimile communication method, the box number transparently transmitted from the transmission source facsimile apparatus is transmitted as a sub address on the G3 facsimile protocol. That is, even when the line network accommodating the center device is a telephone network, the box number is transparently transmitted from the calling side device to the called side device in the pre-message procedure on the G3 facsimile protocol. The sub-address frame is transmitted transparently from the source facsimile machine to the center machine. The center device extracts the box number from the transmitted sub-address frame, identifies it with the box number identification unit, and searches the corresponding facsimile information storage unit,
The corresponding facsimile information storage unit stores the facsimile information transmitted from the transmission source facsimile device.

According to the facsimile communication method of the third aspect, the box number transparently transmitted from the transmission source facsimile apparatus is transmitted as a sub address on the G4 facsimile protocol. That is, even when the line network accommodating the center device is ISDN, the box number is used as a subaddress as an information element of the SETUP message in the call setup message on the G4 facsimile protocol, from the source facsimile device to the center device. Transparently. The center device extracts the subaddress that is the box number from the transmitted SETUP message, identifies it by the box number identification unit, searches the corresponding facsimile information storage unit, and stores it in the corresponding facsimile information storage unit. The facsimile information transmitted from the device is stored.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Since the communication system to which the embodiment of the facsimile communication method according to the present invention described below is applied has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 9 referred to in the description of the example of the conventional facsimile communication method,
In the following description, FIG. 9 will be referred to as appropriate, and the detailed description of FIG. 9 will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of a center device 7 according to the present invention which constitutes the communication system shown in FIG. In the figure, the system control unit 21
RO that is a microcomputer that controls each part of the device
The control operation similar to the conventional one and the control operation according to the present invention are executed in accordance with a program or control data describing a control procedure stored in M21a.

Each communication control unit 22 is provided by the number of physical lines connecting the public network 3 and the center device 7, is connected to the public network 3 via the line interface unit 23, and performs predetermined communication with the public network 3. A call control procedure and a predetermined transmission control procedure are executed. Further, each communication control unit 22 functions as a box number identification unit and extracts a box number from the subaddress transparently transmitted from the sender facsimile machine.

In this case, when the public network 3 is a telephone network, each communication control unit 22 is transparently transmitted from the calling side device to the called side device in the pre-message procedure on the G3 facsimile protocol. The box number is extracted from the subaddress in the subaddress frame.

When the public network 3 is ISDN,
Each communication control unit 22 extracts the box number from the ISDN subaddress as an information element of the SETUP message in the call setup message on the G4 facsimile protocol. As shown in FIG. 2, this ISDN sub-address can use a maximum 40-digit number, and maximum 15
Construct an ISDN address, along with a digit international ISDN number. The international ISDN number is used to connect the calling terminal and the called terminal in the ISDN, while the ISDN subaddress is not used in the ISDN and is transparently transmitted in the network.

The hard disk device 24 stores a part of the processing program of the system control unit 21, transmission / reception facsimile information, other data, and the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the hard disk device 24 stores a correspondence table 7a between adapter codes corresponding to the extension facsimile devices provided in the guest rooms of the hotel 1 and pager numbers corresponding to the adapter codes. Has been done.
The adapter code is notified from each extension facsimile machine by the installation procedure described later.

Further, the hard disk device 24 has a structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, mailboxes M1 to Mn, which are facsimile information storage units, are provided corresponding to one or more box numbers, respectively.

In the RAM 25, the system control unit 21 is the RO
It serves as a work area when operating according to the processing program stored in the M21a, and temporarily stores image data and various programs. The encoding / decoding unit 2 compresses image data by a predetermined encoding method to generate compressed image data, and expands the compressed image data to restore the original image data.

The image processing unit 27 performs image processing such as resolution conversion of image data and millimeter / inch conversion.
The input unit 28 is a keyboard including operation keys such as a ten-key pad and a start key, and various commands are input by a key operation by an operator. The display 29 displays the image file data, the contents input from the input unit 28, and various information transmitted to the operator through a display control unit (not shown).

The procedure of the facsimile communication method according to the present invention, which is carried out in the facsimile communication system shown in FIG. 9 including the center device 7 having the above-described structure, will be described step by step below.

First, a procedure for registering the adapter code of the adapter device 5 constituting the extension facsimile device of each guest room in the center device 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The registration procedure is performed by a service engineer or the like before the guest of the hotel 1 starts using the communication system.

In the figure, the adapter device 5 of each extension facsimile device makes a call to the center device 7 (process 1).
01). At this time, the calling number for calling the center device 7 is, for example, "03-9876-2345". It is assumed that this number is the only number for any facsimile device to call the center device via the public network 3. Therefore, the extension facsimile machine transparently transmits the sub address "0000" to the center device 7 because the call to that number merely calls the center device 7. The sub-address “0000” is a sub-address dedicated to reception from each adapter device 5. This sub-address “0000” is extracted by the communication control unit 22, and the center device 7 knows that it is an incoming call from the adapter device 5.

The adapter device 5 notifies the center device of its own adapter code by the PB signal (process 10).
2). In addition to that, the hotel ID, the room number, and the like are also notified by the PB signal. The center device 7 registers the notified adapter code in the hard disk device 24 (process 103), and based on this, creates a correspondence table 7a of the adapter code and pager number for each extension facsimile device shown in FIG. To generate. Thereby, the center device 7 can identify the extension facsimile device provided in each guest room of the hotel 1 by the adapter code. In addition, in the present embodiment, the hotel that the center device 7 is responsible for is only the hotel 1, but it goes without saying that a plurality of hotels can be responsible.

In this way, after the registration of the adapter code is completed, the guest assigned to each guest room of the hotel 1 operates the extension facsimile device of the guest room to assign a specific box number to the center. Call the device and perform an install operation. The installation procedure will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, the extension facsimile machine activated by a guest calls the center apparatus 7 (step 201) to request a box number allocation, and sends its own adapter code by a PB signal. Center device 7
Identifies the adapter code by collating the transmitted adapter code with the correspondence table 7a in the hard disk device 24 and assigning the matching adapter code to the vacant one of the mailboxes M1 to Mn. Assign to the box number of. This allows
The extension facsimile machine for which the check-in operation has been performed is assigned to a specific box number.

The center device 7 secures a facsimile information storage area for the mailbox in the hard disk device 24 (process 203). Then, the center device 7 transmits the instruction manual to the extension facsimile device to which the specific box number is assigned (process 20).
4). The extension facsimile machine receives, records and outputs the facsimile information of the instruction manual. In the instruction manual, a call number for calling the center device and a box number assigned to the extension facsimile device are described together with a description of use of the extension facsimile device. The guest notifies the intended communication partner of the stated calling number and box number by an extension facsimile device or a telephone in the guest room.

As a result of the above check-in operation, as shown in FIG. 3, customers A, B, and C who are "today's customers".
Guest room 2, guest room 3 and guest room m each of which is assigned
Are respectively associated with corresponding adapter codes and pager numbers in the table 7a, and those adapter codes and pager numbers are linked to the links La, Lb, and L.
As shown in c, it is assumed that the particular mailbox and the corresponding box number are associated.

Suppose now that the external sender facsimile machine 9 connected to the public network 3 shown in FIG. 9 wants to send facsimile information to the guest A. For the operator of the sender facsimile machine 9,
From the call number "03-98" of the center device 7 in advance.
76-2345 ”and the box number“ 0001 ”assigned to the extension facsimile machine in the room.

Now, in order to transmit the facsimile information from the source facsimile device 9 to the guest A, the source facsimile device 9 transmits the facsimile information to the center device 7 and the extension facsimile of the guest room 2. A two-step procedure for making a call for fetching facsimile information from the apparatus to the center apparatus is required. First, the former procedure will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, the sender facsimile machine 9
Is the call number of the center device 7 "03-9876-23
45 ”. Further, the box number "0001" is transparently transmitted as a subaddress on the G3 or G4 protocol, and the facsimile information is transmitted, and the subaddress and the facsimile information are received by the center device 7 (process 301).

The communication control unit 22 of the center device 7 extracts the box number from the received sub-address and identifies the box number as "0001" (process 30).
2). The system control unit 21 displays the box number “00
The received facsimile information is stored in the mailbox M1 corresponding to "01" (process 303), and the corresponding pager number, that is, "page number 2" is notified to the pager transmitting station 8 which is the calling signal transmitting device. (Process 30
4). Pager originating station 8 notified of "page number 2"
Sends out a ringing signal including "page number 2" (30
5).

Next, the procedure of calling from the extension facsimile machine in the passenger compartment 2 to the facsimile machine for fetching facsimile information will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, the pager 5a provided in the adapter device 5 of the extension facsimile device F2 in the passenger compartment 2 responds to the "page number 2" transmitted from the pager originating station 8 to activate the adapter device 5 concerned. Let The activated adapter device 5 calls the call number "03-9876-2345" of the center device 7 and sends out the sub address "0000" (process 401). Further, the adapter device 5 notifies the center device 7 of its own adapter code “code 2” by the PB signal. The center device 7 searches the mailbox M1 corresponding to the notified "code 2" (process 402), and transmits the facsimile information stored in the mailbox M1 to the extension facsimile device F2 that has called. (Process 403).

By the above procedure, the facsimile information transmitted from the source facsimile machine 9 reaches the guest 1 of the hotel 1. Further, in that case, even if the number of physical lines between the public network 3 and the center device 7 is only one, the facsimile communication system according to the present invention can be established, so that the line contract fee can be greatly reduced. Of course, it is of course possible to change the number of physical lines to the number according to the communication demand, and even in that case, the calling number used in the public network 3 is used as an indicator for externally identifying each mailbox. Since there is no monopoly, the line contract fee can be kept to the minimum necessary.

Finally, the procedure of the check-out operation for canceling the association between the extension facsimile machine and the box number will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, the extension facsimile machine is
A call is made to the center device 7 to make a checkout request (process 501). In response to the request, the center device 7 cancels the allocation of the corresponding box number (process 50).
2) Delete the storage area provided in the hard disk device 24 for the corresponding mailbox (process 50).
3). As a result, the unassigned box number can be assigned to the new extension facsimile apparatus that has requested the box number assignment.

[0058]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least one calling number for calling the center device and one or more physical lines corresponding to the calling number are provided to meet the communication demand for the center device. Even if you provide only the number of lines that matches, you can make the fax information sent from the source fax machine by associating a box number with each fax information storage unit and specifying the box number. Since it is stored in a specific facsimile information storage unit, it is not necessary to assign a facsimile number to each facsimile information storage unit. Therefore, the line usage fee of the center device can be significantly reduced, and the operation cost of the center device can be significantly reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, even when the line network accommodating the center apparatus is the telephone network, the box number transparently transmitted from the source facsimile apparatus is the G3 facsimile protocol. Since it is transmitted as the upper sub-address, the line usage fee of the center device can be greatly reduced as in the invention according to claim 1, and the operation cost of the center device can be significantly reduced.

According to the invention of claim 3, even when the line network accommodating the center device is ISDN,
The box number is transparently transmitted from the source facsimile apparatus to the center apparatus as a subaddress as an information element of the SETUP message in the call setup message on the G4 facsimile protocol. Therefore, the center apparatus is the same as the invention according to claim 1. It is possible to drastically reduce the line usage fee and to significantly reduce the operation cost of the center device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a center device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between an international ISDN number and an ISDN subaddress.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a correspondence table of adapter codes, pager numbers and the like.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an installation procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a check-in procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an incoming call from an external facsimile apparatus to the center apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for taking out facsimile information from the center apparatus of the extension facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a checkout procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a communication system to which a conventional facsimile communication method is applied.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a conventional facsimile communication method together with FIG. 9.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Hotel 2 Private branch exchange device 3 Public network 4 Facsimile device 5 Adapter device 5a Pocket bell receiver 6 Facsimile management device 7 Center device 7a Correspondence table 8 Pager originating station 9 Facsimile device 21 System control unit 21a ROM 22 Communication control unit 23 Line Interface unit 24 Hard disk device 25 RAM 26 Encoding / decoding unit 27 Image processing unit 28 Input unit 29 Display F1, F2, Fm Extension facsimile devices M1, M2, Mn mailbox R1, R2, Rm Guest room

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A center apparatus comprising a facsimile information storage section corresponding to each of one or more box numbers and a box number identification section for identifying a box number transparently transmitted from a source facsimile apparatus, and the center apparatus. Connected to a call signal sending device that sends a call signal containing the call code when the call code is notified from the center device, and a private branch exchange device installed in the facility used by many users, each specified A plurality of extension facsimile machines that can be temporarily assigned to each user, and for each of the extension facsimile machines, a call code for the center apparatus to selectively call them and the center apparatus identify them. While the identification code for the extension is assigned in advance, the center device is connected to the extension facsimile device. The correspondence table of the calling code and the identification code assigned to each is stored in advance,
When there is a box number allocation request from the extension facsimile apparatus to the center apparatus, the identification code sent together with the request is compared with the correspondence table, and the correspondence table in the correspondence table that matches the sent identification code is stored. A specific box number is assigned to the extension facsimile device by associating one of the facsimile information storage units with an identification code, and the center device receives the facsimile information from the transmission source facsimile device. The box number transmitted transparently is identified and the facsimile information is stored in the facsimile information storage section corresponding to the box number, while the calling code corresponding to the identification code corresponding to the facsimile information storage section is sent out as the calling signal. The call signal sending device notifies the device. A calling signal including the notified calling code is transmitted, and an extension facsimile device corresponding to the transmitted calling code responds to call the center device through the private branch exchange device and notifies the identification code, The facsimile communication method, wherein the center device transmits the facsimile information accumulated in the facsimile information accumulating portion corresponding to the notified identification code to the extension facsimile device that originated the call. 2. The facsimile communication method according to claim 1, wherein the box number transparently transmitted from the transmission source facsimile apparatus is transmitted as a sub address on the G3 facsimile protocol. 3. The facsimile communication method according to claim 1, wherein the box number transparently transmitted from the transmission source facsimile apparatus is transmitted as a sub address on the G4 facsimile protocol.