JPH10191007A - Facsimile answer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate such inconvenience where a user must always dial again when a FAX terminal has no idle line. SOLUTION: A telephone line No 4 is set exclusively for call-back at a control part 47 of a FAX answer device 40. When the line No 4 has an incoming call, a circuit control part 41 and a voice answer part 45 are controlled and the guide voice signals are transmitted to urge transmission of the call-back information. When the call-back information is detected when the detected signal is analyzed at a modem part 42, a function is prepared to notify a host device 50 of the call-back information. Another function is added to perform the control to send the image information on a box number included in the call-back information to a FAX terminal having the FAX terminal number included in the call-back information via other lines No 1 to No 3 after a call request is received from the device 50.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as "FAX") response system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A FAX response system usually comprises a FAX response device for accommodating and connecting a plurality of compatible telephone lines and a host device such as a workstation or a personal computer. The information is processed and stored, and the image information of the box number requested to be transmitted by the user as the remote FAX terminal is transmitted via the telephone line.

In this case, in the conventional FAX response system, a line call is established every time an incoming call is detected, and the request is responded to by the user, as long as the accommodation line of the FAX response device has an available line.

[0004]

However, in such a configuration in which the image information transmission requests of the facsimile terminal are sequentially received and the image information is transmitted to the user each time, the line accommodated by the FAX response device is congested (accommodated). If all the lines are in communication), there is a problem that a new user who requests transmission of image information has to wait for a time when the line is free and redial again.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A facsimile response system according to the present invention comprises a facsimile apparatus accommodating a plurality of compatible telephone lines.
The FAX response system comprises a line control means having an outgoing / incoming call processing function, a facsimile signal modulation / demodulation function, and a facsimile transmission procedure signal. , An image information compressing means for compressing image information received from a higher-level device and providing the compressed information to the modem means, and a control means for controlling the connection between these means and the overall operation.

The facsimile transponder of the present invention provides a box number (hereinafter referred to as BOX) for callback.
Number) and a facsimile terminal number (FAX dial number; hereinafter, referred to as a FAX number). Voice response means for outputting a tone signal).

Further, the control means of the facsimile answering machine of the present invention controls the line control means to set a part of the compatible telephone lines to the exclusive use for the callback and to set the remaining lines to the exclusive line. For sending image information,
When an incoming call to the callback dedicated line is notified from the line control unit, the line control unit and the voice response unit are controlled to transmit the guidance voice band signal from the line, and thereafter,
When the callback information is detected in the analysis of the signal detected by the modem means, the callback information is notified to a higher-level device, and then a call request from the higher-level device is waited for and included in the callback information. Has a function of transmitting image information of a box number to be transmitted to a facsimile terminal of a facsimile terminal number requested for transmission via a transmission line.

Further, the host apparatus of the present invention registers the callback information received from the facsimile responding apparatus in a registration file, and transmits a call request when the callback information is registered in the registration file. It has a function of notifying the device, waiting for transmission permission from the facsimile response device, and sending out the image information of the facsimile terminal number and the box number included in the callback information to the facsimile response device.

As described above, by setting some of the telephone lines accommodated by the FAX response system to be dedicated lines for acquiring callback information, congestion of the telephone lines is reduced, and transmission of image information is requested. This reduces the need for the user to redial.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a first embodiment of a facsimile response system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a plurality of FAX terminals as users, reference numeral 20 denotes a telephone line network, reference numeral 30 denotes a telephone line, and reference numeral 40 denotes a FAX.
A response device 50 is a higher-level device, and the FAX response device 40
Is a line control unit (NCU) 41 for accommodating and connecting four compatible lines No1 to No4, a modem unit 42, an image compression processor unit (CPU) 43, and an image memory unit 4.
4. It comprises a voice response unit 45, an interface unit 46, and a control unit 47.

In FIG. 1, a line control unit 41 accommodates four lines No. 1 to No. 4 and has an outgoing / incoming call processing function. When an incoming call is received, a call signal from the lines No. 1 to No. 4 is detected and sent to the control unit 47. Notify and establish a call instructed by the control unit 47, and when making a call, notify the control unit 47 of an idle line, send a call signal in accordance with the instruction of the control unit 47, and detect a response signal from the line. After that, the destination FAX number (dial number) sent from the control unit 47 is converted into a multi-frequency signal and transmitted to the line, and instructed by the control unit 47, the modem unit 42 and the voice response unit 45 Controls connection with the line.

The modem unit 42 has a function of modulating and demodulating a FAX signal and a function of detecting and transmitting a FAX transmission procedure signal.
The transmission procedure signal received via the lines No1 to No4 and the line control unit 41 is demodulated and detected and notified to the control unit 47. Also, under the control of the control unit 47, the image information supplied from the compression processor unit 43 and The transmission procedure signal supplied from the control unit 47 is modulated and transmitted to the line No. 1 to No. 4 line control unit 41 via the interface unit 46.

The image compression processor unit 43 has a function of compressing the image information in cooperation with the image memory unit 44 which temporarily stores the image information given from the host device 50.

The voice response unit 45 generates a guidance voice signal for prompting transmission of callback information including a BOX number and a FAX number of image information to be called back so that the line can be temporarily disconnected and transmitted later. It has a function to output.

The interface unit 46 cooperates with the control unit 47 to control the connection between the blocks in the FAX response device 40 and to exchange data and control signals between each block and the control unit 47. Has functions.

The control unit 47 has a function of analyzing various signals received from each block in the FAX response device 40 through the interface unit 46 and controlling the operation of each block. Data such as image information and callback information is exchanged between them, and multiplex control of four channels is performed.

Further, the control unit 47 designates the line No. 4 exclusively for callback, and connects the voice response unit 45 to the line only to the line No. 4.

The host device 50 registers the callback information including the BOX number and the FAX number received from the FAX responding device 40 in a registration file, and makes a call when the callback information is registered in the registration file. Request a FA
It has a function of notifying the X response device 40 and sending the FAX number and BOX number image information stored in the registration file to the FAX response device 40 after waiting for transmission permission from the FAX response device 40.

Next, the operation of the FAX response system will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, the line No. 4 is set exclusively for the callback. For the callback information, the FAX information field is set to 25.
HDL same as FAX transmission procedure signal except that it is 6 bytes
C (High-level Data Link Co
ntrol) frame structure, information indicating callback information in the FAX control field, BOX number, FAX number and other callback information in the FAX information field, and callback in the C phase of the FAX transmission procedure. Information is exchanged.

First, when one FAX terminal 10 calls for a request for transmission of desired image information and there is an incoming call on the line No. 1, the FAX response device 40 establishes a call by the line control unit 41. The BOX number of the image information is received by the line control unit 41 and the modem unit 42 according to a predetermined FAX transmission procedure, and the image information of the BOX number requested for transmission is received from the host device 50 and temporarily stored in the image memory unit 44. The data is transmitted to the line No. 1 via the modem unit 42 and the line control unit 41 while being compressed by the compression processor unit 43.

The control unit 47 of the FAX response device 40 performs these controls by four-channel multiplex control via the interface unit 46, and when transmitting image information using the line No. 1, the lines No. 2 and No. 3 When there is an incoming call, the control unit 47 transmits the image information requested to be transmitted to the line Nos.
Control is performed so as to send to o3.

Next, when there is an incoming call on the line No. 4, the line control unit 41 notifies the control unit 47 of the incoming call. In response, the control unit 47 causes the line control unit 41 to establish a call, connects the voice response unit 45 to the line No. 4 via the line control unit 41 and the interface unit 46, and issues an instruction to the voice response unit 45. Then, a callback guidance voice signal is transmitted to line No. 4.

When the call-back guidance voice signal ends,
The control unit 47 controls the line control unit 41 to control the voice response unit 4
5 is disconnected, the line No. 4 is reconnected to the modem unit 42, and the modem unit 42 is set to the low-speed operation mode of the FAX transmission procedure to be on standby.

After that, when the control unit 47 determines that the communication is the callback communication as a result of the analysis of the FAX transmission procedure signal, the control unit 47 sends a reception preparation completion signal to the line No. 4 via the modem unit 42 and the line control unit 41, and The modem unit 42 is set to the high-speed operation mode, and the FAX
It shifts to the C phase of the X transmission procedure and waits.

When the FAX terminal 10 receives the reception preparation completion signal, the FAX terminal 10 puts data indicating information for callback in the FAX control field of the HDLC frame, and sets the FAX number and B in the FAX information field.
The callback information carrying the OX number is transmitted as a high-speed operation mode signal instead of image information, a control return signal is transmitted, and then a procedure end signal is transmitted in the low-speed operation mode of the modem.

Upon confirming that the callback information has been normally received through the modem unit 42, the control unit 47 of the FAX responding device transmits the callback information to the host device 5.
0, and sets the modem unit 42 to the low-speed operation mode, and then sends a message confirmation signal to the line No. 4 via the modem unit 42 and the line control unit 41 to send the FAX terminal 1
After confirming the transmission of the disconnection signal from 0, the line control unit 4
1 to disconnect the connection with the line No4. If the control unit 47 cannot receive the callback information for a long time, the control unit 47 forcibly disconnects the connection with the line No4.

The host device 50 registers the callback information transferred from the FAX response device 40 in a registration file (not shown), and when at least one callback information is registered in this registration file, The call request is notified to the FAX response device 40, and after waiting for transmission permission, the FAX number and the BOX number image information included in the callback information are sent to the FAX response device 40.

The FA receiving the call request from the host device 50
The X response device 40 is configured to transmit image information transmission lines No.
If an empty No. 3 is detected, transmission permission is set to the upper level device 50.
FAX of FAX number received from host device 50
Establishes a call with terminal 10 and receives the BO
The image information of the X number is transmitted via the vacant line of the lines No1 to No3.

When a plurality of pieces of callback information are registered in the registration file of the higher-level device 50, a FAX transmission request is made to the FAX response device 40 with a FAX number whose registration time is earlier.

If the fax terminal 10 of the transmission partner is not responding or busy, the fax transmission is terminated and the host
In the case of re-registering the callback information including the FAX number and the BOX number in the registration file, 0 is registered next to the callback information number last registered in the registration file.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, by using one telephone line for the callback function, when the telephone line is congested, the user can use his own FA.
By transmitting the X number and the BOX number of the image information to be transmitted, desired image information can be received without disconnecting the telephone line and redialing.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a second embodiment of the FAX response system according to the present invention.
Is a plurality of fax terminals as users, 20 is a telephone network,
Reference numeral 30 denotes a telephone line, reference numerals 40A to 40D denote FAX response devices, and reference numeral 50A denotes a higher-level device.
A to 40D are a line control unit (NCU) 41 for accommodating and connecting four compatible lines No1 to No4, a modem unit 42,
An image compression processor unit (CPU) 43, an image memory unit 44, a voice response unit 45, an interface unit 46,
It comprises a control unit 47 and a callback setting unit 48.

The FAX response system of FIG. 2 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.
Is provided so that a telephone line dedicated to callback can be changed.

In this embodiment, four FAX responders 40A to 40D each having four lines are used to accommodate 16 lines No1 to No16. In the callback setting unit 48, by setting the short plug (not shown),
The number of telephone lines dedicated to callback is 4 lines No1 to No4
And the other three fax responders 40B to 40D
Sets the number of telephone lines No5 to No16 for image information transmission without setting the short plug of the callback setting unit 48.

In FIG. 2, information on the setting of the short plug in the callback setting unit 48 is transmitted to the control unit 47 via the interface unit 46, and the control unit 47 receives the information and transmits the image information. Notifying the higher-level device 50 that there is no
No. 4 is set only for callback.

Then, the callback information received from the remote FAX terminal 10 via the FAX response device 40A is registered in the registration file of the host device 50, and the lines No. 5 to No. 16 accommodated by the FAX response devices 40B to 40D.
Is called back using the available line.

In this embodiment, since the number of telephone lines for callback can be changed, in a FAX response system having a large number of telephone lines, such as 16 lines, depending on the congestion of telephone lines. By increasing the number of telephone lines for callback, the need for the user to redial can be reduced.

Although the FAX responding apparatus according to the above embodiment has only a transmission function for image information information, it may have a function of receiving image information.

[0039]

According to the present invention, by using at least one telephone line exclusively for the callback function, when the telephone line is congested, the user can have his / her own fax number transmitted. By transmitting the BOX number of the desired image information to the host device via the voice response device, it becomes possible to receive the image information from the host device without disconnecting the telephone line and redialing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a first embodiment of a facsimile response system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a second embodiment of the FAX response system according to the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 FAX terminal 20 Telephone network 30 Telephone line 40 FAX response device 41 Line control unit 42 Modem unit 43 Image compression processor unit 44 Image memory unit 45 Voice response unit 46 Interface unit 47 Control unit 48 Callback setting unit 50 Host device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A line control means having an outgoing / incoming call processing function, a modem means having a facsimile signal modulation / demodulation function and a facsimile transmission procedure signal detection / transmission function, and compressing image information received from a host device. A facsimile transponder accommodating a plurality of compatible telephone lines, comprising image information compression means for giving to the modem means and control means for controlling connection and overall operation between these means, and image information A facsimile response system that transmits and sends image information requested to be transmitted from a remote facsimile device to the facsimile device, wherein the facsimile response device includes a box number and a facsimile for callback. Call to prompt transmission of predetermined callback information including terminal number A voice response unit for outputting a voice guidance voice band signal, wherein the control unit of the facsimile response device controls the line control unit to specify a specific part of the compatible telephone lines. When the line is set for exclusive use for callback and the remaining line is set for transmitting image information, and when an incoming call to the specific line for exclusive use for callback is notified from the line control unit, the line control unit and the voice Controlling the answering device to transmit the guidance voice band signal from the line, and thereafter, when the callback information is detected in the analysis of the signal detected by the modem means, the callback information is transmitted to the higher-level device. And then waits for a call request from the higher-level device, and transmits the image information of the box number included in the callback information to the transmission line. Has a function of controlling the transmission of the facsimile terminal number to the facsimile terminal, the higher-level device registers the callback information received from the facsimile response device in a registration file, and calls the registration file When the back information is registered, a call request is notified to the facsimile response device, and after waiting for transmission permission from the facsimile response device, the facsimile terminal number included in the callback information and the callback A facsimile response system having a function of transmitting image information of a box number included in the information to the facsimile response device.