JPH08340402A - Facsimile communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a facsimile communication equipment which can eliminate the need for a pager. CONSTITUTION: This facsimile communication equipment is equipped with a facsimile reception information device 11 which is connected to a public telephone line 3 through a private branch exchange 2 and informs an adapter device 5 connected to the corresponding extension of the reception of facsimile information by a center device 7 when called by the center device 7 and receiving the information of the reception of the facsimile information addressed to the facsimile equipment corresponding to the specific extension. The adapter device 5 once informed of the reception of the facsimile information by the facsimile reception information device 11 calls the center device 7 to send discrimination information on its device and connects the facsimile equipment 4 connected to its device to the center device 7 by the line to receive the facsimile information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile communication device for providing a facsimile transmission / reception service to users of facilities such as hotels temporarily used by many users.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, private branch exchanges (PBs) in hotels
When connecting a facsimile machine to the extension of (X), there is no problem in making a call (calling) to the public line network (external line), but unless a dial-in number (contract) is set for each extension port, the call from the public line network Incoming calls are not directly connected to each extension port. That is, there is a problem in that a facsimile document cannot be sent to a PBX extension facsimile device. Setting up a dial-in contract for the extension of each guest room at a hotel or the like is very expensive for the hotel side.

As a facsimile communication device that solves this problem, a hotel facsimile system developed based on the "communication network" described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 501501/1993 has already been implemented.

An example of such a hotel facsimile system will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

In FIG. 9, a private branch exchange 2 installed in a hotel 1 which is one of facilities used by many users is connected to a public network 3 of NTT. Each of the guest rooms R1 to Rm in the hotel 1 has an extension facsimile machine F1 to an extension facsimile machine F1 including a facsimile machine 4 and an adapter 5 interposed between the facsimile machine 4 and the private branch exchange 2. Fm is arranged. Each adapter device 5 has a pocket bell receiver (also called a pager for calling only) 5a built therein and is connected to an extension of the private branch exchange device 2. Further, the private branch exchange 2 monitors the usage of the extension facsimile machine in each guest room and manages the billing data for each guest room.
Is connected. By the way, in general, the pager receiver 5a is designed to emit an LED or ring a buzzer when called, and in this system, a light emitting signal of the LED of the pager receiver 5a is transmitted by a phototransistor or the like. The adapter device 5 is activated by receiving the light and converting it into an electric signal.

The center device 7 is connected to the public line network 3 by a plurality of physical lines, and a large number of dial-in contracts exceeding the number of physical lines are set, and the dial-in number held is assigned as a facsimile number. When
While the mailboxes M1 to Mn, which are facsimile information storage units corresponding to the respective items, are created, a correspondence table 7a such as pager numbers and adapter codes described later is stored.

The pager originating station 8 generates a calling signal including a pager number notified from the center device 7 and sends it out by radio.

The adapter device 5 in each guest room is preset with an adapter ID code, a guest room number, a hotel number, etc., which is identification information for the center device 7 to identify them. A pager number for the center device 7 to selectively call them via the pager transmitting station 8 is assigned in advance 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 passenger room.

To the guest who is a temporary user of the hotel 1, a specific guest room is assigned by the hotel 1, and a specific extension facsimile device is assigned. The guest assigned with the particular extension facsimile machine, prior to starting the use of the extension facsimile machine, obtains the facsimile number for the external communication partner to identify the extension facsimile machine. 4 by operating the adapter device 5
The center device 7 is called through to request a facsimile number allocation. After the call, the adapter device 5 notifies the center device 7 by sending identification information including its own adapter code on a predetermined protocol by a PB signal (DTMF signal) and sending it.

The center device 7 compares the sent adapter code with the correspondence table 7a, assigns an unassigned facsimile number to the adapter code in the correspondence table 7a that is the same as the sent adapter code, and assigns it to this. Correspondingly, the mailboxes M1 to Mn are created. As described above, each of the mailboxes M1 to Mn corresponds to a specific facsimile number, so that the transmitted adapter code is associated with a specific facsimile number. Further, since the adapter code and the pager number correspond to the mailbox and the corresponding facsimile number, it also corresponds to the corresponding pager number.

The above-mentioned facsimile number requesting operation before the guest starts using the extension facsimile machine 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 individually performed 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 informs the intended communication partner of the facsimile number described in the instruction manual received by the extension facsimile device, using the extension facsimile device, or by a telephone (not shown) or the like. .

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 has a guest C staying in the room m and no guest in the other rooms. By being assigned to each guest room, those guests are indirectly associated with the correspondence table 7a.

Each guest carries out the check-in operation, and the center device 7 uses the adapter code
A facsimile number that is not yet associated with another extension facsimile device is assigned and a corresponding mailbox is created.

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 Lc.

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 provided 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".

The center device 7 receives the facsimile information transmitted from the facsimile device 9 and temporarily stores it in the mailbox M1 corresponding to "FAX number 1". Then, the "page number 2" corresponding to the "adapter code 2" to which the "mail box M1" is assigned is notified to the pager originating station 8, and the pager originating station 8 calls the pager number including the notified pager number. A signal is generated and wirelessly transmitted.

The extension facsimile apparatus corresponding to the transmitted "Bell number 2", that is, the pocket bell receiver 5a built in the adapter apparatus 5 constituting the extension facsimile apparatus F2 responds and the LED emits light. Is received by the phototransistor and converted into an electric signal to activate the adapter device 5. Activated adapter device 5
Sends a call to the center apparatus 7 via the private branch exchange apparatus 2 and notifies the identification information including its own adapter code by carrying it on a PB (push button) signal. 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.

For the transmission from the extension facsimile machine of the hotel to the external facsimile machine, the facsimile machine 4 in the hotel directly dials the facsimile number of the transmission destination to automatically send the facsimile machine to the head of the facsimile number by the adapter machine 5. Then, "0" is added to the outgoing line and the external line is transmitted, and the same process as the normal facsimile transmission can be performed.

The toll-free number of the center device 7 is set in the adapter device 5, and the extension facsimile device makes a call to the center device 7 using the toll-free number. Therefore, the line usage fee for receiving the facsimile information from the outside is not a burden on the hotel and its guests, but is paid by the administrator of the center apparatus 7, and the administrator of the center apparatus 7 uses the facsimile. Service charges for sending and receiving information will be collected from hotels and guests.

As described above, according to the above-mentioned facsimile communication device, the hotel side does not have to provide dial-in lines with the public line network 3 by the number of guest rooms, and the number of external lines is much smaller than that. Facsimile information can be directly transmitted from the facsimile device to the extension facsimile device in each passenger room. For this reason, the hotel side can significantly reduce the line contract fee, and can save the trouble of handing over the facsimile reception document received from the outside of the hotel to the guest, and by mistake, another It is possible to avoid handing over to the guest, and it is possible to provide a highly convenient facsimile communication service to the guest.

[0026]

However, such a conventional facsimile communication apparatus has the following problems.

First, since a pager called by radio is used, it cannot be used in an extreme case where the radio wave becomes extremely weak due to the influence of the structure and location of the hotel.

There are regional types of pagers such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, etc., and wide area types that cover all of them, but even if the regional type is the cheapest, the contract fee is Another monthly fee of 190
You have to pay a rental fee of about 0 yen, which is even higher for wide area types. Also, in the Kansai and Chubu regions, the pager company is different, so it cannot be used unless it is different. In this way, a pager that corresponds to the location of the hotel is required, and therefore various adapter devices are required, which is uneconomical, and the number of adapter devices (pagers) delivered to the hotel, contract fee and monthly Rental cost is required.

Further, since the pager is not completely opened (liberalized, sold out, etc.), it is rented from the pager company and cannot be modified.
Therefore, in order to detect a pager call, it is necessary to convert the light of the LED or the sound of the speaker into an electric signal.
This detection is very difficult and unstable. For example, LE
Even if the light of D is detected, it is difficult to align the LED and the phototransistor, and it is only necessary to visually confirm the light emission of the LED, so that the variation of the light is very large.

Further, in the above-mentioned system in which a facsimile document is externally stored in the center device and the facsimile document is automatically taken out from the destination facsimile device, when the user goes out in the automatic reception mode, the document is received while he is out. There is a case where the facsimile document is lost due to cleaning of the room, and the facsimile document is received during the meeting in the room and the contents thereof are leaked to the outside.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and it is possible to eliminate the need for pagers (including contracts with pager companies) in which the above problems occur. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile communication device that can be used.

Further, the automatic reception mode and the manual reception mode can be set, and in the manual reception mode, it is possible to easily know that the sender device has received the facsimile information, and the facsimile document is lost or the contents thereof are lost. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile communication device capable of preventing leakage.

[0033]

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 is connected to an extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users to identify them. Identification information is set, each of a plurality of adapter device that can be temporarily assigned to a specific user,
A facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, connected to the private branch exchange device via a public line network,
In response to a facsimile number allocation request accompanied by identification information from the adapter device, an unallocated facsimile number is allocated among the possessed facsimile numbers, and a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the allocated facsimile number is created while When the facsimile information is received by any of the facsimile numbers, the center device that stores the facsimile information in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number and the public line via the private branch exchange device Upon receiving a notification of reception of facsimile information addressed to a facsimile device corresponding to a specific extension of the private branch exchange device, which is connected to a network and called from the center device,
A facsimile reception notification device for notifying the adapter device connected to the corresponding extension of the reception of the facsimile information to the center device, wherein the adapter device receives the notification of the reception of the facsimile information from the facsimile reception notification device, The center device is called to notify the identification information of the own device, and the facsimile device connected to the own device is connected to the center device by line to receive the facsimile information.

The invention described in claim 2 is likewise
Connected to the extension of the private branch exchange installed in the facility used by multiple users, the identification information for identifying them is set, and each can be temporarily assigned to a specific user. A plurality of adapter devices, a facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, a private branch exchange device and a public line network are connected, and in response to a facsimile number assignment request accompanied by identification information from the adapter device. , While assigning an unassigned facsimile number among the possessed facsimile numbers and creating a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the assigned facsimile number, when the facsimile information arrives at any of the assigned facsimile numbers, The fax information is stored in the fax information storage section corresponding to the fax number that received the call. A central device for accumulating wireless communication information, and a facsimile information which is connected to a public line network through the private branch exchange device and is called from the central device and addressed to a facsimile device corresponding to a specific extension of the private branch exchange device. And a facsimile reception notification device for notifying the adapter device connected to the corresponding extension of the reception of the facsimile information to the center device, the adapter device having an automatic reception mode that can be set by the user. In the automatic reception mode, it has a manual reception mode, and when it receives a notification of reception of facsimile information from the facsimile reception notification device, it calls the center device to notify the identification information of its own device and is connected to its own device. Connect the facsimile device to the center device to connect the facsimile information. When receiving and outputting and receiving notification of reception of facsimile information from the facsimile reception notification device in the manual reception mode, the fact is notified to the user by predetermined audible sound information, and the center device is operated by a manual reception operation from the user. Is called to notify the identification information of the own device, and the facsimile device connected to the own device is connected to the center device by line to receive and output the facsimile information.

The invention described in claim 3 is likewise
Connected to the extension of the private branch exchange installed in the facility used by multiple users, the identification information for identifying them is set, and each can be temporarily assigned to a specific user. A plurality of adapter devices, a facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, a private branch exchange device and a public line network are connected, and in response to a facsimile number assignment request accompanied by identification information from the adapter device. , While assigning an unassigned facsimile number among the possessed facsimile numbers and creating a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the assigned facsimile number, when the facsimile information arrives at any of the assigned facsimile numbers, The fax information is stored in the fax information storage section corresponding to the fax number that received the call. A central device for accumulating wireless communication information, and a facsimile information which is connected to a public line network through the private branch exchange device and is called from the central device and addressed to a facsimile device corresponding to a specific extension of the private branch exchange device. And a facsimile reception notification device for notifying the adapter device connected to the corresponding extension of the reception of the facsimile information to the center device, the adapter device having an automatic reception mode that can be set by the user. In the automatic reception mode, it has a manual reception mode, and when it receives a notification of reception of facsimile information from the facsimile reception notification device, it calls the center device to notify the identification information of its own device and is connected to its own device. Connect the facsimile device to the center device to connect the facsimile information. When receiving and outputting and receiving a notification of reception of facsimile information from the facsimile reception notification device in the manual reception mode, the fact is notified to the user by predetermined light emission information, and the center device is operated by the manual reception operation from the user. In addition to calling and notifying the identification information of the own device, the facsimile device connected to the own device is connected to the center device through a line to receive and output the facsimile information.

[0036]

According to the structure of the first aspect, the identification information for the center device to identify them is set in advance in each of the adapter devices. The adapter device requests the facsimile number allocation by calling the center device based on the user's facsimile number request operation and transmitting the identification information set therein. When there is a facsimile number assignment request from the adapter device, the center device assigns a specific facsimile number from unassigned facsimile numbers corresponding to the identification information sent together with the request, and assigns the assigned facsimile number. A facsimile information storage unit is created in correspondence with. The user who has been assigned the facsimile number informs the external party who is supposed to send the facsimile information of the facsimile number. Thus, when the external facsimile device transmits the facsimile information to the facsimile device connected to the specific adapter device, the external facsimile device calls the facsimile number assigned to the adapter device.
When the facsimile information is received by any of the facsimile numbers, the center device stores the received facsimile information in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number. And
The facsimile reception notification device is called via the public line network and the private branch exchange device, and the facsimile reception notification device is notified that the facsimile information is received together with the identification information (extension number etc.) corresponding to the facsimile information storage section. . The facsimile reception notification device calls the extension number based on the identification information notified from the center device via the private branch exchange device, calls the adapter device corresponding to the extension number, and receives the facsimile information to the center device. Notify that there was. Upon receiving the notification, the adapter device calls the center device to notify the identification information of itself and calls the facsimile device connected to itself. As a result, the center apparatus and the facsimile apparatus are line-connected, and the center apparatus transmits the facsimile information stored in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the identification information notified from the adapter apparatus to the line-connected facsimile apparatus. To do. This allows
Even if a pocket bell is not used to notify the adapter device of the arrival of the facsimile information from the external facsimile device to the center device, the facsimile information transmitted from the external facsimile device can be used in the same manner as in the conventional case. It can be received by a facsimile machine.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the same operation as that of the first aspect is achieved, and the user can arbitrarily set the automatic reception mode and the manual reception mode. Since it is possible to easily know that the facsimile information has been received by the audible sound information indicating that, it is possible to receive the facsimile information that has reached the center apparatus by the manual reception operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the facsimile document from being lost or its contents leaking when going out or having a meeting.

According to the configuration of claim 3, the same operation as in claim 1 is achieved, and the user can arbitrarily set the automatic reception mode and the manual reception mode. Since it is possible to easily know that the facsimile information has been received by the light emitting information indicating that, it is possible to receive the facsimile information that has reached the center apparatus by a manual receiving operation.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the facsimile document from being lost or its contents leaking when going out or having a meeting.
In addition, unlike the audible sound information, the user does not feel annoyance or mistakenly believe that it is another warning sound.

[0039]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 9 showing the configuration of the conventional facsimile communication apparatus are designated by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a facsimile communication apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, 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 line network 3. Each guest room from the guest room R1 to the guest room Rm in the hotel 1 is composed of an adapter device 5 which is extension-connected to the private branch exchange device 2, and a facsimile device 4 and a telephone device 10 which are connected to the adapter device 5. Extension terminal devices T1 to Tm
Is arranged. Each adapter device 5 does not include a conventional pager receiver. Further, the private branch exchange device 2 is connected to a charge management device 6a for monitoring the usage status of the extension terminal device in each guest room and managing the billing data for each guest room. Further, the private branch exchange device 2 is connected to a facsimile reception notification device 11 which is connected to the public line network 3 by dial-in.
This facsimile reception notifying device 11 is a center device 7
When a facsimile document arrives at, the center device 1 receives a notification of which facsimile device in the hotel 1 the document is addressed to, and the adapter device 5 to which the facsimile device is connected sends the facsimile document to the center device. It is newly provided to notify that it has arrived.

On the other hand, the center device 7 is connected to the public line network 3 by a plurality of physical lines as in the conventional case, and a large number of dial-in contracts exceeding the number of physical lines are set, and the dial-in number to be held is set. When assigned as a facsimile number, the mailboxes M1 to Mn corresponding to the respective facsimile information storage units are created, while the correspondence information between the identification information of the extension terminal device including the adapter code and the mailbox and the facsimile number is registered. The correspondence table 7b is stored. In addition,
In the present invention, since the pager is unnecessary, the conventional correspondence with the pager number shown in FIG. 10 becomes unnecessary, and instead, the extension page is associated with it as shown in FIG. The correspondence table 7b is provided for each hotel managed by the center device 7.

Further, in the adapter device 5 of each guest room, identification information such as an adapter code, a guest room number (extension number), a hotel number and the like is set in advance so that the center device 7 can identify them.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the adapter device 5.
In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a microcomputer which controls each part of the apparatus, and is internally provided with a microprocessor, a timer / counter, a ROM, a RAM and the like (not shown). The ROM stores a control program and control data, and the RAM is used as a work area when the control program is executed. As the ROM, an EEPROM that is an electrically writable / erasable ROM is also provided, and the identification information described above and information such as an automatic reception mode and a manual reception mode described later are set to be rewritable. It has become so.

The incoming call detection circuit 51 detects a calling signal from the private branch exchange 2 and notifies the microcomputer 50 of the signal. The tone dialer 52 sends a PB signal corresponding to a predetermined extension number or external number designated by the microcomputer 50 to the private branch exchange 2 via the extension line.

The 16 Hz generating circuit 53 is provided with a switch S1 which will be described later based on a command from the microcomputer 50.
This is for sending a 16 Hz calling signal to the facsimile device 4 or the telephone device 10 connected to and calling them.

The switch S2 is the microcomputer 5
It is controlled by 0, and is for connecting the extension line to the facsimile device 4 or the telephone device 10. The switch S1 selectively switches the output of the extension line or the 16 Hz generation circuit 53 to the facsimile device 4 or the telephone device 10, and is controlled by the microcomputer 50.

The voice IC 54 receives, for example, a monotonic signal such as a buzzer sound and "for example, a facsimile document has arrived".
The voice waveform signal such as
The waveform signal is read out selectively by 0, and the read out waveform signal is output to the speaker 55.

By the way, the hotel 1 side allocates a specific guest room to a guest who is a temporary user of the hotel 1, and thus a specific extension terminal device is allocated.
The guest assigned the particular extension terminal device, prior to starting the use of the extension terminal device, performs a check-in operation to obtain a facsimile number for the external communication partner to identify the extension terminal device. do.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a series of flow in which a guest at the hotel 1 uses the facsimile device 4 in the room and checks in to the center device 7 to receive a facsimile document from the outside.

Normally, the facsimile document cannot be directly received from the outside in the room as it is. In order to enable the facsimile device 4 installed in the room to receive a facsimile document, a special number assigned for that purpose is input from the operation unit of the facsimile device 4 in the idle state (process 101). As a specific example of the above special number, "* 01" or "* 03"
"* 01" is the one in which the assigned facsimile number is embedded in the instruction manual in English, which is a predetermined format, and is output, and "* 03" is a Japanese document, which is also a predetermined format. The assigned facsimile number is embedded in the user's manual and is output.

The input data is sent from the facsimile device 4 to the adapter device 5, and when the adapter device 5 receives it, it dials the center device 7 using the public line network 3 (process 102). When the line is connected (process 103), a predetermined protocol based on the PB signal is performed, and identification information of the facsimile device (adapter device) (information such as in which room of which hotel the facsimile device is installed, the adapter code is used). Data is also exchanged (including 103) (process 103) and a request for facsimile number allocation is made.

When the protocol / data exchange is completed (decision 105), the data information of the facsimile is updated inside the center device 7 (process 106). afterwards,
The center device 7 allocates an unallocated facsimile number to the checked-in facsimile device (process 107) and creates a mailbox corresponding to the allocated facsimile number. Then, on the side of the facsimile device to which the facsimile number has been assigned, the data (message and the assigned facsimile number) received from the center device 7 is recorded and output as an instruction manual, and the idle state is entered.

As a result, the guest informs the planned communication partner of the outside of the assigned facsimile number,
By sending the facsimile document to the facsimile number, the guest can directly receive the facsimile document.

Further, whether to set the facsimile document reception to the automatic reception mode or the manual (manual) reception mode is written in the instruction manual received from the center apparatus 7, and from the facsimile apparatus 4 at that time. Make an input. The input setting information is sent to the adapter device 5 and stored in a predetermined memory of the microcomputer 50. As a result, when a facsimile document reception notification from the facsimile reception notification device 11 is received, the user can set according to the setting (automatic reception or manual reception, in the case of manual reception, notification by sound, notification by voice message, or light emitting element Notification by lighting or blinking).

The check-in operation according to the above procedure is carried out individually for each guest, but in that case, the adapter code of the adapter device 5 assigned to the guest of each guest room of the hotel 1 and the inside of the hotel 1 An example of the correspondence between the extension number for calling the adapter device 5 via the private branch exchange device 2, the mailbox of the center device 7 and the corresponding facsimile number will be described with reference to FIG.

In the figure, the table Tg shows the allocation of guests to each guest room yesterday and today. As described above, the correspondence table 7b is stored in the center device 7, and is used by the facsimile reception notification device 11 to call the adapter device 5 via the adapter code of the adapter device 5 and the private branch exchange device 2. It is a table in which extension numbers are associated with each other. By referring to this table, the center device 7 can notify the facsimile reception notification device 11 of the extension number of the extension terminal device to which the facsimile information should be transmitted.

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 extension number of b correspond to each other one-to-one as described above. In the table Tg, the guest D stays in the guest room 1 and the guest E stays in the guest room 3 yesterday, and there is no guest in the other guest rooms, while the guest A stays in the guest room 2 today.
However, it is assumed that the guest B stays in the guest room 3 and the guest C stays in the guest room m, and there is no guest in the other guest rooms. By being assigned to each guest room, those guests are indirectly associated with the correspondence table 7b.

As described above, each guest individually performs the check-in operation, and the center device 7 assigns a vacant facsimile number that is not associated with another extension terminal device to the adapter code. At the same time, create a mailbox corresponding to it.

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

As described above, for example, for the guest A among the guests A, B, and C to which the mailbox and the facsimile number are assigned via the adapter code in “Today”, as shown in FIG. When attempting to send facsimile information from the facsimile device 9 which is an external communication partner, the guest A gives the operator of the facsimile device 9 the facsimile number notified from the center device 7 by the check-in operation in advance. contact. Then, when the operator of the facsimile device 9 who has received the communication attempts to transmit the facsimile information to the guest A, the operator receives the facsimile number, that is, "FAX".
Make a call to number 1. "

As described above, when the facsimile information is transmitted to the guest at the hotel 1, the external facsimile device 9 transmits the facsimile information to the center device 7 as in the conventional case. In this embodiment, the center device 7 receives the facsimile information and notifies the facsimile reception notification device 11 in the hotel 1 of the extension number associated with the mailbox that stores the received facsimile information. The facsimile reception notification device 11 notifies the adapter device 5 corresponding to the notified extension number that the facsimile information addressed to the adapter device has arrived at the center device, so that the center device 7 receives the facsimile information addressed to itself. The adapter device 5 that has received the incoming call sends a call to the center device 7, and the facsimile information is transmitted from the center device 7 to the facsimile device 4 connected to the adapter device 5.

On the other hand, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a series of flow when the hotel guest sends a facsimile document from the hotel 1 to an external facsimile device. The transmission of the facsimile document can be performed regardless of the above-described check-in operation in the facsimile delivery service.

That is, the guest sends the facsimile document to the hotel 1 by the same operation as that for sending a normal facsimile document.
It is possible to transmit from the internal facsimile device 4 to the external facsimile device. The facsimile document is set in the facsimile apparatus 4, the facsimile number of the other party is input, and the start button is pressed (process 201). The adapter device 5 receives the number from the facsimile device 4, adds "0" to the head of the number, and connects the outside line to make a call (process 202). When the line is connected (Process 20)
3) Then, the counter built in the microcomputer 50 in the adapter device 5 starts counting the usage time (process 204). Then, the facsimile device 4 performs a predetermined protocol with the destination facsimile device to transmit the facsimile document data (process 205). When the data transmission is completed (decision 206), the public line is disconnected (process 207), the counter of the adapter device 5 finishes counting the usage time (process 208), and the count data is stored in the memory (process 209). ), Return to idle state. The usage time counter data is retained until the guest checks out.

6 and 7 are flow charts showing a series of flow when the guest receives the facsimile document from the outside to the facsimile device 4 installed in the room of the hotel 1.

In facsimile reception, a facsimile document is transmitted from the outside to the facsimile number assigned when the check-in operation is performed on the center device 7 (process 301). The center device 7 receives the facsimile document as a proxy and temporarily stores it in the mailbox corresponding to the incoming facsimile number until it comes out of the facsimile device of the hotel 1 (process 302). The center device 7 searches for data corresponding to the corresponding facsimile number (information data such as which room of which hotel) using the correspondence table 7b (process 303), and the center device 7 receives the facsimile of the corresponding hotel 1. Notification device 1
1 is called (process 304). Then, the protocol and data (the extension number of the destination, the notification of the facsimile reception, the number of received items, etc.) are exchanged (process 305), and when the process is completed (decision 306), the facsimile reception notification device 11 sets the extension number to the above-mentioned extension number. A call is made and the fact that the facsimile document has reached the center device 7 is notified to the corresponding adapter device 5 by a predetermined PB (DTMF) signal or the like (process 307). Adapter device 5 that has detected the notification signal
After checking whether the guest has set the facsimile document automatic reception mode or the manual reception mode (decision 308), if the automatic reception mode is set, the center device 7 is called and connected. The facsimile apparatus 4 is also activated (process 309). It should be noted that the distinction between the call from the facsimile reception notification device 11 and the call from another telephone device can be made by the presence or absence of a predetermined PB signal. When the predetermined PB signal is present, the microcomputer 50 is present. Is detected, the switch S1 is switched to the side of the facsimile device 4, the 16 Hz generation circuit 53 is driven, and the facsimile device 4 is called.
Further, the switch S2 is closed and the line is connected. If the predetermined PB signal is not detected, the switch S1 is switched to the telephone device 10 side, and the line connection is made in the same manner as described below to enable the telephone conversation with the telephone device on the calling side.

After the line connection (process 310), the adapter device 5 drives the counter and starts counting the connection time (process 311). Then, the protocol and data are exchanged (process 312), and after the protocol and data transmission / reception is completed (decision 313), the line is disconnected (process 31).
4) Then, the count of the counter is finished (process 315).
The adapter device 5 saves the value of the counter in the memory (process 316) and returns to the idle state.

On the other hand, when the manual document reception mode is set instead of the facsimile document automatic reception mode (No in judgment 308), it is checked whether the facsimile document reception is notified by a sound such as a buzzer (decision 31).
7) If the notification setting is a sound, the microcomputer 50 in the adapter device 5 controls the voice IC 54 to output a buzzer sound or the like, and outputs a buzzer sound or the like from the speaker 55 (process 318) to the guest. Notice.

If the voice message notification is set (decision 319), the voice IC 54 is controlled by the microcomputer 50 in the adapter device 5 to output a voice message such as "Facsimile document has arrived" to the speaker. 55 (process 320) to notify the guest that the facsimile document has arrived.

If the notification by the light emitting element (for example, LED) is set (decision 321), the adapter device 5 sends a signal to the facsimile device 4 (process 322), and the facsimile device 4 is built-in. The light emitting element of is turned on or blinks (process 323), and the guest including the number of received facsimile documents is notified.

The guest can know the reception of the facsimile document by any of the notifications and can retrieve the facsimile document from the center device 7 by the manual reception operation of the facsimile device 4 (decision 324 → process 309 to process 31).
6). Note that the facsimile document reception notification method can be easily changed each time.

Finally, FIG. 8 shows a series of flow of check-out processing performed for the center device 7 when the guest leaves the hotel 1 (checks out the hotel 1) and stops the facsimile delivery service. It is a flowchart shown.

When the guest performs a check-out operation of inputting a special number similar to that at the time of check-in from the facsimile device 4 (process 401), the adapter device 5 receives it and issues it to the center device. Call (process 40)
2) Then, the line is connected (process 403) and data is exchanged with the protocol (process 404). When data exchange with this protocol is completed (decision 40
5) The data information regarding the facsimile device 4 in the center device 7 is updated (process 406). And
When the line is disconnected (process 407) and check-out is completed (decision 408), the adapter device 5 calls the charge management device 6a of the hotel 1 connected to the private branch exchange device 2 (process 409), and the adapter device The usage charge information data stored in 5 is transmitted (process 410), and the data of the charge management device 6a is updated (process 411).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pager which has been conventionally required is not required and the radio waves are not used. Therefore, there is no influence of the structure or place of the hotel or the like, and the pager cannot be used. There are no cases where In addition, by eliminating the need for pagers, contract fees and
Even if you do not use facsimile communication, you will not have to pay the monthly rental fee, and you do not need to prepare various adapter devices that support different pagers depending on the location of the hotel, etc. It is economical and easy to manage. further,
Since it is not necessary to make difficult settings for converting a pager signal such as light or sound into an electric signal, unstable parts in operation can be eliminated and stable operation can be performed.

Also, the guest can arbitrarily set the automatic reception mode and the manual reception mode, and the fact that the center device 7 has received the facsimile information in the manual reception mode
Since it can be easily known by a buzzer sound or the like indicating that, it is possible to receive the facsimile information reaching the center device 7 by a manual reception operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent the facsimile document from being lost or its contents leaking when going out or having a meeting.

Further, in the notification by the buzzer sound or the like, there is a possibility that some people may make a problem such as making a phone call to the front desk because they may be annoyed or misunderstood as a warning sound. In the example, it is possible to reliably notify the receipt of the facsimile document by voice message,
You can use it with confidence.

In addition, since the user may feel that the voice is noisy, in this embodiment, the facsimile document is delivered by turning on or blinking the light emitting element built in the facsimile device 4 or the adapter device 5. , It is possible to inform the user how many facsimile documents have arrived.

Since the user can arbitrarily select these notification methods, it is possible to flexibly respond to the user's request.

In the facsimile communication device described above, a hotel is used as an example of a facility used by a large number of guests, but other than that, a hotel, a university laboratory, a dormitory, and other facilities are also available. The same applies to facilities.

[0082]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the identification for connecting to the extension of the private branch exchange installed in the facility used by a plurality of users and for identifying them. Information is set, a plurality of adapter devices, each of which can be temporarily assigned to a specific user, a facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, the private branch exchange device, and the public line network. In response to a facsimile number allocation request that is connected and includes identification information from the adapter device, an unallocated facsimile number is allocated from among the possessed facsimile numbers, and a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the allocated facsimile number is created. On the other hand, when the facsimile information arrives at any of the assigned facsimile numbers,
A center device that stores the facsimile information in a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number and a private line network connected via the private branch exchange device, and the private branch exchange device is called by the center device. And a facsimile reception notification device for notifying the adapter device connected to the corresponding extension of the reception of the facsimile information to the center device when receiving the notification of the reception of the facsimile information addressed to the facsimile device of the specified extension. When the notification of the reception of the facsimile information is received from the facsimile reception notification device, the adapter device calls the center device to notify the identification information of the own device, and also the facsimile device connected to the own device to the center device. Connect to the line to receive the fax information Since, the conventionally required pager in order to receive the facsimile information transmitted from the external facsimile device to the facsimile device of interest is not required. Therefore, since radio waves are not used, there is no influence of the structure or place of a hotel or the like, and the use of the hotel is prevented. In addition, by eliminating the need for a pager, contract fees and monthly rental costs will not be incurred, and there will be no need to prepare various adapter devices for locations such as hotels, and only one type will suffice. It is economical and easy to manage. Further, since pager signals such as light and sound are not converted into electric signals, unstable parts in operation are eliminated, and stable operation can be performed.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the adapter device has an automatic reception mode and a manual reception mode which can be set by the user, and the facsimile information is transmitted from the facsimile reception notification device in the automatic reception mode. When receiving the notification of receipt of the information, the center device is called to notify the identification information of the own device, and the facsimile device connected to the own device is connected to the center device through a line to receive and output the facsimile information, and When a notification of reception of facsimile information is received from the facsimile reception notification device in the reception mode, the fact is notified to the user by predetermined audible sound information, and the center device is called by a manual reception operation from the user to call the own device. Notifying the identification information of the Since the facsimile information is received and output by connecting to the line, the same effect as in claim 1 can be obtained, and the user can arbitrarily set the automatic reception mode and the manual reception mode. At times, it is possible to easily know that the center apparatus has received the facsimile information by the audible sound information indicating that, so that the facsimile information that has reached the center apparatus can be received by the manual reception operation. As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the loss of the facsimile document and the leakage of the content thereof when going out or having a meeting.

Similarly, according to the third aspect of the invention, the adapter device has an automatic reception mode and a manual reception mode which can be set by the user, and the facsimile reception notification device sends a facsimile from the facsimile reception notification device in the automatic reception mode. Upon receiving the notification of the reception of the information, the center device is called to notify the identification information of the own device, and the facsimile device connected to the own device is line-connected to the center device to receive and output the facsimile information, When a notification of the reception of facsimile information is received from the facsimile reception notification device in the manual reception mode, the fact is notified to the user by predetermined light emission information, and the center device is called by a manual reception operation from the user to call the own device. Notifying the identification information of the Since the facsimile information is received and output by connecting to the line, the same effect as in claim 1 can be obtained, and the user can arbitrarily set the automatic reception mode and the manual reception mode. Sometimes, it is possible to easily know that the center device has received the facsimile information by the light emission information indicating that, so that the facsimile information that has reached the center device can be received by the manual reception operation. This allows
There is an effect that the facsimile document can be prevented from being lost and the contents thereof can be prevented from leaking when going out or having a meeting. In addition, unlike the audible sound information, the user does not feel annoyance or mistakenly believe that it is another warning sound.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an adapter device in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a check-in operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a facsimile number assigning operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a facsimile transmission operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first half part of the facsimile receiving operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the facsimile receiving operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a checkout operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional facsimile communication device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a facsimile number assigning operation in the above conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Hotel 2 Private branch exchange 3 Public network 4 Facsimile device 5 Adapter device 5a Pager receiver 6 Facsimile management device 6a Charge management device 7 Center device 7a, 7b Correspondence table 8 Pager originating station 9 Facsimile device 10 Telephone device 50 Microcomputer 51 incoming call detection circuit 52 tone dialer 53 16Hz generation circuit 54 voice IC 55 speaker S1, S2 switch T1-Tm extension terminal device R1-Rm guest room M1-Mn mailbox

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location H04M 3/50 H04Q 3/58 101 11/00 303 9466-5K H04L 11/20 101B H04Q 3/58 101

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users, identification information for identifying them is set, and each is temporarily assigned to a specific user. A plurality of adapter devices that can be assigned to each of the adapter devices, a facsimile device that is connected to each of the adapter devices, a private branch exchange device and a public line network, and a facsimile number assignment that includes identification information from the adapter device. In response to a request, an unallocated facsimile number is assigned among the possessed facsimile numbers, and a fax information storage unit corresponding to the assigned fax number is created, while fax information is received at any of the assigned fax numbers. When the call is received, the fax information corresponding to the received fax number is stored. A center device that stores the facsimile information in a section, and a facsimile device that is connected to a public line network through the private branch exchange device and is called from the center device and addressed to a facsimile device corresponding to a specific extension of the private branch exchange device. Upon receipt of the notification of the reception of the information, a facsimile reception notification device for notifying the adapter device connected to the corresponding extension of the reception of the facsimile information to the center device is provided, and the adapter device transmits the facsimile reception notification device to the facsimile device. Upon receiving the notification of the reception of the information, the center device is called to notify the identification information of the own device, and the facsimile device connected to the own device is connected to the center device through a line to receive the facsimile information. Characteristic facsimile communication device. 2. An extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users, identification information for identifying them is set, and each is temporarily assigned to a specific user. A plurality of adapter devices that can be assigned to each of the adapter devices, a facsimile device that is connected to each of the adapter devices, a private branch exchange device and a public line network, and a facsimile number assignment that includes identification information from the adapter device. In response to a request, an unassigned facsimile number is assigned from the possessed fax numbers, and a fax information storage unit corresponding to the assigned fax number is created, while fax information arrives at one of the assigned fax numbers. When the call is received, the fax information corresponding to the received fax number is stored. A central device that stores the facsimile information in a section, and a facsimile device that is connected to a public line network through the private branch exchange device and is called from the center device and addressed to a facsimile device corresponding to a specific extension of the private branch exchange device. Upon receiving a notification of the reception of information, the adapter device connected to the corresponding extension is provided with a facsimile reception notification device for notifying the reception of the facsimile information to the center device, and the adapter device is an automatic device that can be set by the user. Having a reception mode and a manual reception mode, when receiving notification of reception of facsimile information from the facsimile reception notification device in the automatic reception mode, the center device is called to notify the identification information of the own device and to the own device. Connect the connected fax machine to the center device by line When receiving the notification of the facsimile information reception from the facsimile reception notifying device in the manual reception mode when receiving and outputting the facsimile information, the fact is notified to the user by predetermined audible sound information, and the manual reception operation from the user is performed. A facsimile communication apparatus for calling the center device to notify the identification information of the own device, and for connecting a facsimile device connected to the own device to the center device by line to receive and output the facsimile information. 3. An extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users, identification information for identifying them is set, and each is temporarily assigned to a specific user. A plurality of adapter devices that can be assigned to each of the adapter devices, a facsimile device that is connected to each of the adapter devices, a private branch exchange device and a public line network, and a facsimile number assignment that includes identification information from the adapter device. In response to a request, an unallocated facsimile number is assigned among the possessed facsimile numbers, and a fax information storage unit corresponding to the assigned fax number is created, while fax information is received at any of the assigned fax numbers. When the call is received, the fax information corresponding to the received fax number is stored. A central device that stores the facsimile information in a section, and a facsimile device that is connected to a public line network through the private branch exchange device and is called from the center device and addressed to a facsimile device corresponding to a specific extension of the private branch exchange device. Upon receiving a notification of the reception of information, the adapter device connected to the corresponding extension is provided with a facsimile reception notification device for notifying the reception of the facsimile information to the center device, and the adapter device is an automatic device that can be set by the user. Having a reception mode and a manual reception mode, when receiving notification of reception of facsimile information from the facsimile reception notification device in the automatic reception mode, the center device is called to notify the identification information of the own device and to the own device. Connect the connected fax machine to the center device by line When receiving the notification of facsimile information reception from the facsimile reception notification device in the manual reception mode, the user is notified by predetermined light emission information, and the manual reception operation from the user causes the facsimile information to be output. A facsimile communication apparatus for calling a center apparatus to notify the identification information of the own apparatus, and connecting a facsimile apparatus connected to the own apparatus to the center apparatus by line to receive and output the facsimile information.