JPH09294203A - Facsimile communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the communication charge by providing a same password to a plurality of sets of image information, storing the result, and checking matching of all passwords in the case of polling transmission so as to execute confidential communication thereby improving the operability of confidential communication. SOLUTION: In the case of receiving a polling transmission request from a facsimile equipment 280, a control section 201 discriminates whether or not a confidential ID included in a control signal of a pre-procedure is coincident with any of confidential IDs. In the case of coincidence, an instruction is sent to a compression/decoding section 213, one page of an image file is read from a file section 211 and given to a line control section 231. That is, in the case of receiving a confidential polling transmission request, all files corresponding to the sent confidential ID are read sequentially from the file section 211. Thus, the operator reserves a plurality of files corresponding to the same confidential ID to save trouble and the files are sent altogether, then the communication charge is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile communication method used in a facsimile machine having an image memory and capable of accumulating image information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a known facsimile machine,
Since it is possible to transmit image information such as graphics and photographs to a distant place using a communication line, a facsimile machine is widely used in the OA. In general, since a facsimile apparatus transmits image information via a line, it is difficult for a transmission source to grasp the situation of a transmission destination. Therefore, confidential polling communication is one of the methods for limiting the recipients in order to prevent the transmitted important manuscript from being seen by an unspecified person and the important manuscript from being sent to the wrong destination.

In confidential polling communication, first, an original is set in the reading section of a facsimile apparatus on the image information transmitting side, or the image information of the read original is stored as an image file in an internal memory or the like. deep. It should be noted that in the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side, the confidential ID is registered together with the setting of the document (or the storage of the image information in the memory). The image information transmission destination facsimile apparatus sends a control signal for polling including a confidential ID for giving a transmission permission to the transmitting facsimile apparatus, and the facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side is set when the confidential IDs match. Then, the image information of the document is read (or the image information stored in the memory is read) and the image is transmitted. It will not respond (transmit image information) to a control signal sent by a third party who does not know the confidential ID.

[0004]

By the way, in a facsimile apparatus capable of storing image information of a document as an image file in an internal memory when making a confidential polling transmission reservation, one image file for one confidential ID. Only registration is allowed. Therefore, if a confidential polling transmission reservation is made with an existing confidential ID, the same confidential I
Even if a document desired to be reserved occurs in D, reservation cannot be made until the already reserved document has been transmitted. Therefore, if there are a plurality of originals to be transmitted and reservations are made with the same confidential ID, the operator must make a transmission reservation each time while checking the transmission status of each original, which is troublesome. was there. In addition, there is a problem that a communication fee is increased because originals are transmitted one by one. The present invention was created in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile communication method capable of reducing the operator's operation and reducing the communication charge.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention stores an image file for polling transmission in an image information storage means and stores a password corresponding to the transmission image file in the password storage means. After that, when there is a polling transmission request for the transmission image file, a password is acquired from the receiver, the received password is compared with the password stored in the password storage means, and the received password is matched. All the transmission image files corresponding to the password are continuously transmitted in the same call. The password means a confidential ID, and is a telephone number of a destination or a four-digit personal identification number. The image file and the password are stored in the image information storage means and the password storage means, respectively. This password storing means can be arranged in the same area as the image information storing means, but if it is a part of the predetermined management information area like other management information,
Various controls become easy. Further, the comparison / match check of the transmitted / received passwords is performed by searching all the passwords in the password storage means. In this way, instead of adopting the method of setting a password in a predetermined register, the same password is given to multiple image information and then saved, and all passwords are searched and collated at the time of polling transmission and the receiver By performing a confidential communication by checking the match with the password, the operator reserves confidential transmission for a specific party regardless of polling transmission or normal transmission without paying particular attention to the reservation status of the confidential ID. By simply doing this, multiple messages with the same confidential ID can be sent collectively with the same call.
The operability of confidential communication is significantly improved, and the communication charge can be reduced.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a facsimile apparatus for carrying out the facsimile communication method of the present invention.

(1) Correspondence between Embodiment and FIG. 1 Here, the correspondence between the embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 1 will be shown. The secret code storage means 111 is provided in the image file section 21.
Equivalent to 1. The image information storage unit 113 corresponds to the image file unit 211. Confidential polling communication means 115
Is a control unit 201, a line control unit 231, a network control unit 233.
Is equivalent to Assuming that there is a correspondence relationship as described above,
The following description will be given.

(2) Configuration of the Embodiment In FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 200, which is the transmission source of image information, is connected to the facsimile apparatus 280 via a line. Facsimile device 200 includes a control unit 201 that controls the entire facsimile device 200, a reading unit 217 that reads image information of a transmission document, a recording unit 215 that prints image information of a reception document, and a reading unit 217. A compression / decompression unit 213 for compressing the data read in and decompression of the received compressed data, and an image file unit 211 for storing data such as transmission data, reception data, and confidential ID. Facsimile apparatus 200 also includes network control section 233 for controlling an external line, automatic oscillation circuit section 235 for automatically calling from facsimile apparatus 200 to an external line, and automatic transmission / reception of signals and image information. A line control unit 231 for controlling the oscillator circuit unit 235 and the network control unit 233, an operation panel 203 for inputting instructions and data by an operator, and a telephone number storage unit for storing telephone number data of a callee. 241 and a communication information storage unit 243 that stores the communication result in the facsimile apparatus 200. The control unit 201 includes an operation panel 203, a telephone number storage unit 241, a communication information storage unit 243, and a compression / decompression unit 2.
13 and the line control unit 231. Furthermore,
The compression / decompression unit 213 is connected to the image file unit 211, the recording unit 215, the reading unit 217, and the line control unit 231. When a call is made from the facsimile device 200 to the facsimile device 280, a destination telephone number is input from the operation panel 203, and the telephone number storage unit 241 stores the telephone number under the control of the control unit 201. Further, the control unit 201 inputs the telephone number to the automatic oscillation circuit unit 235 via the line control unit 231. The automatic oscillation circuit unit 235 makes a call to the facsimile device 280 via the network control unit 233 and the external line. Normally, when transmitting image information from the facsimile device 200 to the facsimile device 280, the image information of the document is read by the reading unit 217, the image information is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 213 and stored in the image file unit 211. Next, the compressed data stored in the image file unit 211 is read out by the control of the compression / decompression unit 213 and transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 280 via the line control unit 231 and the network control unit 233. When the image information sent from the facsimile device 280 is received by the facsimile device 200, the image information is received via the network control unit 233 and the line control unit 231, and the compression / decompression unit 21 is received.
The image information is stored in the image file unit 211 under the control of 3. Next, the compression / decompression unit 213 reads out the image information, decompresses it, and outputs it from the recording unit 215. The facsimile device 280 includes a control unit 281, an operation panel 283, an image file unit 291, a compression / decompression unit 293, and a recording unit 295. As
Description is omitted.

(3) Operation of the Embodiment Next, the operation of the above-mentioned facsimile machine will be described. FIG. 3 shows a procedure for confidential polling transmission reservation in the facsimile machine on the transmission side. FIG. 4 shows an operation procedure of confidential polling transmission in the facsimile machine on the transmission side. FIG. 5 shows an operation procedure of confidential polling reception in the facsimile machine on the receiving side. FIG. 6 shows a communication control procedure in polling communication. Now, it is assumed that the facsimile apparatus 200 receives the request for confidential polling transmission from the facsimile apparatus 280 and transmits the image file of the document. Hereinafter, FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 will be referred to.

Polling transmission reservation operation The transmission operation in the facsimile apparatus 200 on the image information transmitting side will be described. First, a procedure for making a confidential polling transmission reservation will be described. First, the operator sets a document on a document table (included in the reading unit 217) (step 311) and inputs a confidential ID using the operation panel 203 (step 312). Next, the operator inputs an image information reading instruction from the operation panel 203, and the document set on the platen is read (step 313). The control unit 201 has an operation panel 2
The confidential ID input from 03 is stored in the image file unit 211 by the compression / decompression unit 213. In addition, when an instruction to read image information is input from the operation panel 203 (for example, pressing the “P” key to read an original for polling communication), the control unit 201 sends an instruction to the compression / decompression unit 213. Compression / decompression unit 2
13 sequentially reads the image information of the document set in the reading unit 217, compresses the image information, and stores it in the image file unit 211. When entering the confidential ID,
Confidential IDs that have already been registered are also permitted.
Therefore, a plurality of image files having the same confidential ID can be stored. In this way, the image file section 21
In 1, a confidential ID and image information corresponding to the confidential ID are stored as an image file.

Transmission Operation Next, an operation procedure when the transmission reservation is made in the above-mentioned “(1) Polling transmission reservation operation” and the facsimile apparatus 200 receives a request for confidential polling transmission from the facsimile apparatus 280 will be described. Facsimile device 200
Is waiting for a call from another facsimile machine. First, when the control unit 201 of the facsimile apparatus 200 receives a 16-Hz calling signal from the facsimile apparatus 280, it establishes a line connection. next,
From the control signal in the pre-procedure of the facsimile communication, it is determined whether or not the request is for confidential polling transmission (step 411). If it is not a request for confidential polling transmission, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to another process (step 41).
2). When a request for confidential polling transmission is received from the facsimile device 280, the control unit 201 of the facsimile device 200 makes an affirmative determination and includes one of the confidential IDs stored in the image file unit 211 and the control signal in the previous procedure. It is determined whether the incoming confidential IDs match (step 413). If none of the confidential IDs match, a negative determination is made, polling transmission is not performed, and the line is disconnected and the processing ends. If the confidential ID sent from the facsimile device 280 matches any of the confidential IDs stored in the image file unit 211, an affirmative decision is made, and then the control unit 201 opens the image file with the matching confidential ID. (Step 414). The control unit 201 sends an instruction to the compression / decompression unit 213, and in response to the instruction, the compression / decompression unit 213 reads one page of the image file from the image file unit 211 and inputs it to the line control unit 231.
The image information input to the line control unit 231 is the network control unit 23.
3 and an external line, the facsimile apparatus 280
(Step 415). Next, the control unit 201
It is determined whether all pages of the image file have been transmitted (step 416). In the case of negative determination in step 416, the process returns to step 415, and the next page is continuously transmitted. If an affirmative decision is made in step 416, the transmitted image file is closed (step 4
17). Next, the control unit 201 searches for another image file having the same confidential ID (step 4).
18). If another image file with the same confidential ID exists (affirmative determination), the process returns to step 414 and the same image file transmission process is performed. If no other image file having the same confidential ID exists (negative determination), the line is disconnected and the operation is ended.

Receiving Operation Next, the receiving operation in the facsimile apparatus 280 on the image information receiving side will be described. First, the operator on the image information receiving side inputs a confidential ID from the operation panel 283 (step 511) and makes a call to the facsimile apparatus 200 for a polling transmission request (step 512). Next, the facsimile device 280 is operated by the facsimile device 20.
It is determined whether the image information corresponding to the first page of the image file has been sent from 0 (step 513). When the image information is not sent from the facsimile device 200 (negative determination), the line is disconnected from the facsimile device 200 and the operation is ended. When the image information is sent from the facsimile device 200 (affirmative determination), the image information for one page received is compressed / decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 29.
3 and restores and outputs from the recording unit 295 (step 5).
14). Next, the control unit 281 determines whether or not all pages have been received in the image file (step 515), and if a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 514 to receive the next page. If all pages of the image file have been received, an affirmative decision is made and the facsimile device 20
When the line is disconnected from 0, the operation ends.

Communication Control Procedure A communication control procedure in transmitting and receiving image information between the transmitting side facsimile apparatus 200 and the receiving side facsimile apparatus 280 will be described. In the communication control procedure of FIG. 6, when the receiving side sends a 16-Hz calling signal, the sending side returns a control signal CED to the calling signal. Next, the control signals in the pre-procedure are exchanged, and at that time, the receiving side returns the control signal NSC indicating the polling to the control signal NSF from the transmitting side. When the pre-procedure is completed, the control signal for training (TC
(F, CFR), and then image information is transmitted and received. When the transmission / reception of the first page is completed, the transmitting side transmits the control signal EOM, while the receiving side returns the control signal MCF. At this time, the connection between the pages in transmitting and receiving the image information is performed by receiving the control signal MCF from the receiving side and returning the control signal NSS from the transmitting side. Thereby, the second page is continuously transmitted and received.
The first image file has 2 pages, so 1
Transmission and reception of two image files is completed. Here, when another image file having the same confidential ID exists on the transmitting side, the control signal NSF is continuously transmitted from the receiving side about 6 seconds after the control signal MCF finally transmitted from the receiving side, On the other hand, the transmitting side returns the control signal NSS. Through such exchange, the connection between the files in the transmission of the image information is established. By the way, although the time required for transmitting the control signal NSF is about 3 seconds, the control signal MC
The image file is opened and closed within 9 seconds, which is 6 seconds after F plus 3 seconds. After that, the second image file (2 pages)
Is similarly transmitted and received. However, the transmitting side transmits the control signal EOP instead of the control signal EOM after transmitting the last image information. Then, the control signal M from the receiving side
When CF is returned, transmission / reception of all image information ends, and the transmission side transmits a control signal DCN to disconnect the line.

(4) Summary In this way, at the time of reservation for confidential polling transmission, the image file section 211 stores a plurality of image files corresponding to the same confidential ID. When a confidentiality polling transmission request is received from the facsimile device 280, all image files corresponding to the confidential ID transmitted at that time are sequentially read from the image file unit 211 and transmitted. Therefore, when making a confidential polling transmission reservation, the operator must use the same confidential ID.
By reserving a plurality of image files corresponding to, the labor is saved, and by transmitting the image files collectively, the communication charge can be reduced.

(5) Modification of the Invention In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, both the image information and the confidential ID are stored in the image file section 211, but they may be stored in separate storage sections. . Further, although the facsimile device 200 and the facsimile device 280 have the same configuration in the embodiment, the facsimile device 280 may be any configuration of a facsimile device as long as it is a facsimile device capable of confidential polling communication. Good. Furthermore,
Although the correspondence relationship between the present invention and the embodiment has been described in “(1). Correspondence between embodiment and FIG. 1”, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications of the present invention are possible. A person skilled in the art can easily infer that there are aspects.

[0016]

As is apparent from the above description, the method of setting the password in the predetermined register is not adopted,
Save after adding the same password to multiple image information,
By checking all passwords for coincidence during polling transmission and executing confidential communication, the operator can set the previous confidential ID regardless of polling transmission or normal transmission.
By simply making a reservation for confidential transmission to a specific party without paying particular attention to the reservation status of, multiple telegrams with the same confidential ID can be collectively sent with the same call, which greatly improves the operability of confidential communication. In addition, it is possible to reduce the communication charge.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of a facsimile apparatus for carrying out the facsimile communication method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus for carrying out the facsimile communication method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for confidential polling transmission reservation in the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation procedure of confidential polling transmission in the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation procedure of confidential polling reception in the facsimile apparatus on the reception side of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a communication control procedure in polling communication of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 111 secret code storage means 113 image information storage means 115 confidential polling communication means 200,280 facsimile apparatus 201,281 control section 203,283 operation panel 211,291 image file section 213,293 compression / decompression section 215,295 recording section 217 reading Part 231 Line control part 233 Network control part 235 Automatic oscillation circuit part 241 Telephone number storage part 243 Communication information storage part

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image file for polling transmission is stored in an image information storage means, a password corresponding to the transmission image file is stored in the password storage means, and then a polling transmission request is made to the transmission image file. In this case, a password is obtained from the receiver, the received password is compared with the password stored in the password storage means, and all the transmission image files corresponding to the password that matches the received password are stored in the same call. A facsimile communication method characterized by continuous transmission.