JPH09224100A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use facsimile equipment while automatically setting various optimum conditions at the time of facsimile communication by providing a retrieving means for retrieving a one-action/abbreviated number and a means for using an attribute parameter registered in the abbreviated number for transmission. SOLUTION: When a TR 29 interpreter 19 receives the AT command of a PC 2, that command is assembled into information having meaning and sent to a destination number retrieval part 20. When the received AT command is an ATD command, at the retrieval part 20, dial information in that command is extracted and this information is reported to a destination information managing part 21. At the managing part 21, the one-action/abbreviated number having the reported destination dial number is retrieved from a RAM and the attribute parameter registered in that number is delivered to the retrieval part 20. At the retrieval part 20, the received attribute parameter is sent to a G3 protocol control part 22. At the G3 protocol control part 22, the protocol of facsimile transmission is controlled based on the received attribute parameter.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

This invention relates to a PC-FAX,
The present invention relates to a facsimile machine used in a multi-function such as LAN-FAX.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, personal computers (PCs)
A facsimile device that connects a terminal device such as the above or a LAN server and performs facsimile communication based on a transmission request from the terminal device or the LAN server (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-2
(See JP 2505, JP 5-300301 A)
was there.

[0003]

However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, although the facsimile transmission is performed based on the attribute parameter as requested by the terminal device and the LAN server, the setting conditions such as the compression mode according to the transmission partner are set. In order to set various conditions at the time of facsimile communication such as optimum transmission conditions such as a modem rate according to the situation of the communication line and the communication line, it is necessary to drastically change the control programs on the terminal device and the LAN server side. There was a problem that it was very troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and sets a compression mode or the like according to a transmission partner stored in a facsimile machine without maintaining control programs on the terminal unit and the LAN server side. It is an object of the present invention to automatically set optimum conditions for facsimile communication such as a modem rate according to the conditions and the state of the communication line so that they can be used.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention connects a terminal device such as a personal computer or a LAN server, and performs facsimile communication based on a transmission request from the terminal device or the LAN server. In the device, when there is a transmission request from the terminal device or the LAN server, a search means for searching for a one-touch / abbreviated number in which the same number as the calling number of the transmission destination is registered, and one-touch searched by the means / A means for using the attribute parameter registered in the abbreviated number for transmission is provided.

Further, it is preferable that the attribute parameter is a destination individual parameter such as a compression mode and a call origination timer.
Further, the attribute parameter may be learning information such as a modem rate.

A terminal device such as a personal computer or a LAN server is connected to the terminal device or LAN.
In a facsimile machine that performs facsimile communication based on a transmission request from a server, when the terminal device or LAN server is connected to multiple types of communication lines and a transmission request is made, the same number as the calling number of the destination is registered. If one of the plurality of types of communication lines is selected based on the search means for searching the one-touch / abbreviated number that is stored and the line selection information registered in the one-touch / abbreviated number searched by the means. Good.

Furthermore, it is preferable to provide means for not accepting a control command sent from the terminal device or LAN server when the one-touch / abbreviated number in which the same number is registered is retrieved by the retrieval means. .

When the terminal device or the LAN server requests transmission, the facsimile device according to the present invention searches for a one-touch / abbreviated number in which the same number as the calling number of the transmission destination is registered, and the one-touch / abbreviated number is obtained. Since the attribute parameter registered in the number is used for transmission, the modem according to the setting conditions such as the compression mode according to the transmission partner and the condition of the communication line without maintaining the control program on the terminal device and the LAN server side. It is possible to automatically use optimum conditions such as rate during facsimile communication.

If the destination individual parameters such as the compression mode, the calling timer, the inch / mm designation, and the echo countermeasure are used as the above-mentioned attribute parameters, the facsimile communication trouble for each destination stored in the facsimile apparatus can be avoided. It is possible to automatically and effectively use the setting conditions for doing so. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform error-free communication without giving detailed instructions from the terminal device and the LAN server, and it is possible to avoid wasteful communication time and increase billing.

Further, if learning information such as a modem rate is used as the above-mentioned attribute parameter, an optimum transmission condition such as a modem rate according to the status of the communication line stored in the facsimile machine is automatically calculated. Set to and can communicate. Therefore, the communication time at the time of facsimile transmission can be shortened without giving detailed instructions from the terminal device and the LAN server.

Also, when a connection request is made from a terminal device or a LAN server by connecting to a plurality of types of communication lines, a one-touch / abbreviated number in which the same number as the calling number of the destination is registered is searched, If any one of the plurality of types of communication lines is selected based on the line selection information registered in the one-touch / abbreviated number, the destination can be sent to the destination without giving detailed instructions from the terminal device and the LAN server. The optimum communication line can be automatically selected to perform facsimile transmission. Therefore, the user of the terminal device and the LAN server can safely carry out the facsimile transmission work without hesitation in selecting the communication line corresponding to the transmission destination at the time of facsimile transmission, and the operability can be improved.

Furthermore, when the one-touch / abbreviated number in which the same number is registered is searched, the control command sent from the terminal device or the LAN server is not accepted so that the attribute parameter at the time of setting is set. Processing is not complicated, and processing during facsimile transmission can be performed efficiently.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are views showing the configuration of a communication system using a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the communication system shown in FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 1 is connected to a personal computer (PC) 2 which is a terminal device via a cable 3 such as RS232C,
Facsimile communication based on the transmission request from the PC 2 is performed via the public telephone network (PSTN) 4 or the integrated digital communication network (ISDN) 5 which are a plurality of communication lines.

In the communication system shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 is connected to the LAN server 6 via the LAN cable 8, the LAN server 6 is connected to the PC 2 via the LAN cable 7, and the PC 2 or the LAN server is connected. Facsimile communication based on the transmission request from 6 is performed via a public telephone network (PSTN) 4 or an integrated digital communication network (ISDN) 5 which is a plurality of communication lines.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the facsimile apparatus. The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a CPU 10 of a microcomputer that controls the entire facsimile apparatus, a scanner 11 that optically reads an image of an original, a printer such as a laser printer or an inkjet printer that prints an image received by facsimile on a recording sheet. It has twelve.

A PC interface 13 for data exchange with the PC 2, a LAN interface 14 for data exchange with the LAN server 6, and an operation unit 15 for inputting various operation information regarding facsimile communication.
It also has. The operation unit 15 is provided with a display unit such as an LCD for displaying various guidance and messages.

Further, a modem 17 for modulating / demodulating data at the time of facsimile communication, a control program for this facsimile and a processing program according to the present invention, and a ROM / memory which is used as a work area at the time of facsimile communication. The RAM 18 is provided.

Furthermore, as functions relating to processing during facsimile communication according to the present invention, a network control unit (NCU) 16 and a TR29 interpreter 1 are provided.
9, destination number search unit 20, destination information management unit 21, and G
A 3 protocol control unit 22 is provided. These units are connected by a bus 23 so that data can be exchanged.

In other words, when the destination number search unit 20 and the destination information management unit 21 receive a transmission request from the PC 2 or the LAN server 6, the one-touch / shortening in which the same number as the transmission number of the transmission destination is registered. It functions as a search means for searching for numbers. Further, the G3 protocol control unit 22 functions as a means for using the attribute parameter registered in the retrieved one-touch / abbreviated number for transmission.

Further, the RAM of the ROM / RAM 18
Are the above-mentioned attribute parameters, such as compression mode, call origination timer, inch / mm designation, individual destination parameters such as echo countermeasures, learning information such as modem rate, and PSTN and IS.
It has a function of accumulating line selection information for selecting any one of the DNs. A means for the NCU 16 to select either the PSTN 4 or ISDN 5 communication line based on the line selection information registered in the one-touch / abbreviated number searched by the destination number search unit 20 and the destination information management unit 21. Fulfill the function of.

Furthermore, the TR29 interpreter 1 described above
9 is the destination number search unit 20 and the destination information management unit 21.
When the one-touch / abbreviated number in which the same number is registered is searched by, the function of a unit for preventing the control command sent from the PC 2 or the LAN server 6 from being accepted is fulfilled.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the destination individual parameters, learning information, and line selection information when there is a transmission request from the PC 2. TR29 interpreter 19
Via a cable 3 such as RS232C (or L
When the AT command of the PC 2 is received via the AN server 6 (from the LAN cable 8), the AT command is assembled into meaningful information and the destination number search unit 2 which is a lower module is assembled.
Send to 0.

The destination number search unit 20 determines whether the AT command received from the TR29 interpreter 19 is an ATD command. If the AT command is not an ATD command, no particular process is executed. The dial number) is retrieved and this information is notified to the destination information management unit 21.

The destination information management unit 21 searches the RAM for a one-touch / abbreviated number having the destination dial number notified from the destination number retrieving unit 20, and the attribute parameter (registered in the retrieved one-touch / abbreviated number). The individual address parameters, learning information, and line selection information) are passed to the destination number search unit 20 as return values. The RAM stores and stores optimum destination individual parameters, learning information, and line selection information for each destination set by facsimile transmission before this transmission request.

At this time, the TR29 interpreter 19
When the one-touch / abbreviated number in which the same number is registered is searched by the destination information management unit 21, the AT command (control command) of the PC 2 is not accepted. The destination number search unit 20 uses the attribute parameters received from the destination information management unit 21 as the G3 protocol control unit 22.
Send to

The G3 protocol control section 22 controls the facsimile transmission protocol based on the attribute parameter received from the destination number search section 20. In other words, compression mode according to the destination, call origination timer, inch / millimeter specification
Set echo countermeasures. Also, a modem rate corresponding to the destination is set for the modem 17. Furthermore, NCU1
6, either PSTN4 or ISDN5 corresponding to the destination is selected and connected. Then, the G3 protocol control unit 22 starts the T.S.T. The facsimile transmission by 30 is executed.

Of course, if the attribute parameter does not exist, a DCS / NSS frame is created based on the attribute parameter of the AT command received after the ATD command,
T. Facsimile transmission processing by 30 is executed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing when there is a transmission request from the PC 2 in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. This processing is performed in steps (“S” in the figure)
In (1), the destination number search unit 20 determines whether or not it is an ATD command, and if it is not an ATD command, it returns. If it is an ATD command, the destination dial number in the ATD command is taken out in step 2, and the destination information in step 3. The management unit 21 searches the RAM for a one-touch / abbreviated number having the retrieved destination dial number.

In step 4, it is judged whether or not the one-touch / abbreviated number of the same number exists, and if it does not exist, the process proceeds to step 9 and the destination number search unit 20 notifies the G3 protocol control unit 22 that there is no attribute parameter. Then, in step 10, the G3 protocol control unit 22 sets the AT command sent from the PC 2 to execute transmission, and waits for reception of a normal AT command.

On the other hand, if the one-touch / abbreviated number of the same number exists in step 4, the process proceeds to step 5 and TR29.
AT sent from PC2 by interpreter 19
Do not accept commands (control commands).
This returns a normal response to PC2, and P
In C2, when the normal response is received from the facsimile machine, the process proceeds to the data transmission process. Step 6
Then, the destination information management unit 21 takes out the attribute parameters (destination individual parameters, learning information, and line selection information) registered in the one-touch / abbreviated number and sends them to the destination number search unit 20.

In step 7, the destination number searching unit 20 notifies the G3 protocol control unit 22 of the presence of the attribute parameter, its destination individual parameter, learning information, and line selection information. In step 8, the G3 protocol control unit 22 sets the compression mode by the destination individual parameter, the calling timer, the inch / mm designation, the echo countermeasure, etc., causes the modem 17 to set the modem rate by the learning information, and causes the NCU 16 to set. PSTN4 by line selection information
Or select either ISDN5 to connect, PC2
From the destination to the destination for which the transmission is requested, and waits for reception of a normal AT command.

In the search processing in step 3, it is preferable to use a known technique such as full comparison of destination dial numbers or comparison by calculating CRC. The attribute parameters are stored in the backed up RAM.
This attribute parameter is registered in the RAM in association with the one-touch / abbreviated number.

In this way, when a transmission request is issued from the PC 2 or the LAN server 6, an error is unlikely to occur by using the destination individual parameter for avoiding the communication failure with the transmission destination stored in the facsimile apparatus 1. You can send by fax. Further, by using the learning information when the facsimile device 1 transmits by facsimile, the facsimile transmission time can be shortened by the optimum modem rate for each destination. Further, using the line selection information for each destination stored in the facsimile apparatus 1, the PST
Either N or ISDN can be automatically selected.

[0036]

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the compression mode corresponding to the transmission partner stored in the facsimile apparatus is maintained without maintaining the control programs of the terminal device and the LAN server. It is possible to automatically set and use various optimum conditions during facsimile communication such as a modem rate according to setting conditions such as the above and the situation of the communication line.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a communication system using a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of individual destination parameters, learning information, and line selection information when there is a transmission request from the PC 2 in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a process when a transmission request is issued from PC 2 in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Facsimile device 2: Personal computer (PC) 3: Cable 4: Public telephone network (PSTN) 5: Integrated digital communication network (ISDN) 6: LAN server 7, 8: LAN cable 10: CPU 11: Scanner 12: Printer 13: PC interface 14: LAN interface 15: Operation unit 16: Network control unit (NCU) 17: Modem 18: ROM / RAM 19: TR29 interpreter 20: Destination number search unit 21: Destination information management unit 22: G3 protocol control unit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile device, which is connected to a terminal device such as a personal computer or a LAN server and performs facsimile communication based on a transmission request from the terminal device or the LAN server, wherein a transmission request is made from the terminal device or the LAN server. At this time, the searching means for searching the one-touch / abbreviated number in which the same number as the transmission number of the transmission destination is registered and the attribute parameter registered in the one-touch / abbreviated number searched by the means are used for transmission. And a means for providing a facsimile machine. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute parameter is a destination individual parameter such as a compression mode and a call origination timer. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute parameter is learning information such as a modem rate. 4. A terminal device such as a personal computer or a LAN server is connected, and in a facsimile device for performing facsimile communication based on a transmission request from the terminal device or LAN server, the terminal device is connected to a plurality of types of communication lines. Or LAN
When there is a transmission request from the server, a search means for searching for a one-touch / abbreviated number in which the same number as the calling number of the destination is registered, and a one-touch / abbreviated number searched by the means are registered. And a means for selecting one of the plurality of types of communication lines based on line selection information. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the one-touch / abbreviated number in which the same number is registered is retrieved by the retrieval unit, the terminal device or LAN server. A facsimile machine provided with means for not accepting a control command sent from the facsimile machine.