JPH11215341A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily retry communication which reached a radial timeout. SOLUTION: At the occurrence of a radial timeout, a revival job generating means 1b generates management information that makes a destination telephone number in cross reference with image data and stores the information to a revival job generating means 3b. When a correction instruction of a destination telephone number stored in the revival job table 3b is made by a keyboard 8, a dial information update means updates the destination telephone number corresponding to the instruction. When the transmission of image data reaching the radial timeout is designated and the corrected destination telephone number corresponds to the image data, a revival job execution means 1e uses the corrected destination telephone umber to make the dialing and to try the transmission of the image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a redial function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a facsimile apparatus calls a call destination designated by a user, and if the call destination responds to the call and the call destination can receive an image. For example, an image obtained by reading the set document is transmitted to the call destination.

Many of such facsimile apparatuses have a redial function, and when a callee does not answer in response to an initial call, a predetermined time interval (for example, three times) is set for a predetermined time interval. Is called repeatedly.

In a conventional facsimile machine having a redial function, if an image cannot be sent after redialing a predetermined number of times, that is, if a so-called redial timeout occurs, a job relating to the communication is reset. It is something to do.

For this reason, when a redial timeout occurs, the user can set a document, specify various modes,
Alternatively, a series of operations such as designation of a dial number of a call destination had to be performed again.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, with respect to the communication in which the redial time-out has occurred, the user can set the original, specify various modes, or specify the dial number of the call destination. A series of operations must be performed again, and there is a problem that the user's work is troublesome.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus that can easily redo a communication that has caused a redial timeout.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method in which a callee answers a call to a designated callee and the callee can receive the call. A facsimile apparatus having a redial means for redialing up to a predetermined number of times if a given image is transmitted to the call destination and if the image cannot be transmitted; When the image cannot be transmitted even after redialing has been performed a predetermined number of times, dial information of the call destination is stored in association with the image, for example, from a resurrection job generation unit and a resurrection job table. A non-transmission destination storage means, and a dial stored in the non-transmission destination storage means in response to an instruction to correct the dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage means. And a retransmission execution unit such as a resurrection job execution unit. The transmission of an image that could not be transmitted even after a predetermined number of redials was performed by the redial unit is designated. In response to this, if the dial information updated by the dial information updating means is associated with the image in the non-transmission destination storage means, the retransmission execution means issues a call using the dial information. A call was made to attempt to transmit the image.

[0009] By adopting such means, even if transmission cannot be performed even after redialing has been performed a predetermined number of times, an instruction to modify the dial information of the originally designated call destination is given after the redial is made. If retransmission is specified, a call is made using the modified dial information, and an attempt is made to transmit an image that could not be transmitted. Therefore, the user's operation for designating the retransmission of the image for which the redial timeout has occurred can be only a dial information correction instruction or a transmission instruction, and the operation can be simplified.

The present invention further comprises dial information display means comprising, for example, a liquid crystal display and a resurrection job content display means, wherein the dial information update means receives a dial information correction instruction stored in the non-transmission destination storage means. At this time, the dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage means is displayed by the dial information display means.

[0011] This allows the user to recognize the dial information originally specified, and to easily and accurately instruct the dial information to be corrected.

The present invention further comprises an unupdated dial information call permitting means such as an uncorrected job execution permitting means.
When a predetermined non-update instruction is given, even if the dial information associated with the image specified to be transmitted has not been updated by the dial information updating means, the call using the dial information is retransmitted. The non-updated dial information calling permission means is permitted to execute by the execution means.

As a result of taking such a measure, for an image which could not be transmitted even after redialing has been performed a predetermined number of times, an instruction to correct the dial information of the call destination originally specified in principle is given after instruction is made. If retransmission is specified, retransmission is attempted, but if a predetermined non-update instruction is given, even if the dial information correction instruction is not given, the call destination of the initially specified dial information Will be attempted.

Therefore, it is possible to cope with the image transmission to the other party who cannot use the other dial information, and furthermore, the user has to give a predetermined non-update instruction. Confirmation can be prompted to the user.

Further, according to the present invention, when the dial information updating means is instructed to correct the dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage means, the dial information updating means stores the dial information in the non-transmission destination storage means in response to the correction instruction. The original dial information is updated to generate updated dial information, and this updated dial information is stored in the non-transmission destination storage means together with the original dial information, and the retransmission execution means is updated by the dial information updating means. Outgoing call using the dialed information
When the transmission of the image has been specified at least once, an instruction to select one of the updated dial information and the original dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage means is received, and the dial information selected by the selection instruction is used. I made a call.

[0016] By adopting such means, it is possible to redo the call using the originally designated original dial information even after the call is once made with the corrected dial information.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, a scanner 4, a printer 5, a modem 6, a network control circuit (NCU) 7,
A keyboard 8 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 9 are connected to each other via a system bus 10.

The CPU 1 realizes an operation as a facsimile apparatus by performing control processing for comprehensively controlling each part of the facsimile apparatus based on a control program stored in the ROM 2.

The ROM 2 stores a control program for the CPU 1 and the like.

The RAM 3 is for storing various kinds of information necessary for the CPU 1 to perform various kinds of processing. A part of the storage area includes an image memory 3a, a normal job table 3b, This is set in the resurrection job table 3c.

Here, the image memory 3a stores image data generated by the scanner 4 and image data received by the modem 8. The normal job table 3b stores management information relating to a communication job (referred to as a normal job) for which redial timeout has not yet occurred. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state of the normal job table 3b when three normal jobs exist. The resurrection job table 3c stores management information relating to a communication job for which a redial timeout has occurred (referred to as a resurrection job). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of the resurrection job table 3c when three resurrection jobs exist.

The scanner 4 generates image data by performing reading, digitization, various kinds of correction processing such as shading correction and darkness correction, or redundancy compression encoding processing.

The printer 5 prints an image represented by image data on a recording sheet.

The modem 6 modulates image data and control data to generate a facsimile transmission signal and a control signal to be transmitted to the communication line C. Modem 6
Is a device for demodulating a facsimile transmission signal and a control signal arriving via the communication line C to reproduce image data and control data.

The network control circuit 7 monitors the status of the communication line C and performs processing for making a call to the network.

The keyboard 8 is for receiving various instruction inputs to the CPU 1 by the user.

The liquid crystal display 9 is for displaying various information to be notified to the user.

FIG. 4 shows a keyboard 8 and a liquid crystal display 9.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of an operation panel on which is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard 8 includes various keys such as a ten-key 8a, a cursor key 8b, a start key 8c, a stop key 8d, and a mode key 8e, which are included in a general keyboard mounted on a facsimile apparatus. And a resend transmission key 8f for designating execution of a resurrection job.

The control means realized by the CPU 1 operating based on the control program stored in the ROM 2 includes redial means 1a and resurrection job generation means 1 in addition to well-known general means in a facsimile apparatus.
b, a restoration job content display unit 1c, a dial information updating unit 1d, a restoration job execution unit 1e, and an unmodified job execution permission unit 1f.

Here, the redial means 1a executes redial processing up to a predetermined number of times. The resurrection job generation unit 1b sets a job whose redial processing by the redial unit 1a has been completed due to a redial timeout as a resurrection job. The resurrection job contents display means 1c performs a process of displaying the contents of the resurrection job on the liquid crystal display 7 in order to notify the user.
The dial information updating unit 1d performs a process of updating the dial information of the call destination in the resurrection job according to a user's instruction. The resurrection job executing means 1e executes a resurrection job specified to be executed by the user. Then, the uncorrected job execution permitting unit 1f checks that the resuming job executing unit 1e executes the resuming job in which the dial information of the call destination is uncorrected only when a predetermined uncorrected confirmation operation is performed by the user. Permit.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus configured as described above will be described.

First, when a document is newly set on the scanner 4 and a destination telephone number is specified and the start key 8c is pressed, the CPU 1 causes the scanner 4 to read the document and generates the document. The stored image data is stored in the image memory 3a. And the CPU 1
A new normal job is generated by generating management information in which a predetermined reception number, a designated destination telephone number, and an address storing image data are associated with each other, and storing this in the normal job table 3b.

Then, the CPU 1 executes a normal job execution process as shown in FIG. 5 for a normal job immediately after newly generated or a normal job for which a predetermined redial wait time has elapsed.

In the normal job execution processing, the CPU 1
First, the destination telephone number included in the management information of the normal job is read from the normal job table 3b,
By causing the network control circuit 7 to transmit a dial signal corresponding to the destination telephone number, a call for the destination telephone number is made (step ST1). Then, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the call destination responds to the call and whether or not the call destination can receive image data (steps ST2 and ST3).

Here, if the call destination responds and the call destination can receive image data, C
The PU 1 performs an image signal transmission process according to, for example, a well-known general procedure (step ST4). When the transmission processing is completed, the CPU 1 deletes the management information of the normal job from the normal job table 3b to delete the job (step ST5), and ends the normal job execution processing.

On the other hand, if the callee has not responded to the call, or if the responding callee cannot receive the image data, the CPU 1 determines the number of times the normal job has been executed. (Set to "0" when newly generated) is incremented by 1 (step ST6), and it is determined whether or not the number of executions is equal to or more than a predetermined value n (step ST7). . Note that, since the predetermined value n is one larger than the number of times of redialing (for example, three times), it is determined here whether a redial timeout has occurred.

If the normal job execution process for the normal job has not been executed n times and the redial timeout has not occurred, the CPU 1 terminates the normal job execution process while leaving the normal job. As a result, the normal job execution process for the job is performed again after the elapse of the redial wait time, and the redial process is realized.

However, if the number of executions is equal to or more than the predetermined value n, that is, if the redial time-out has occurred, the CPU 1 uses the resurrection job generating means 1b to manage the resurrection job based on the management information of the normal job. Information is newly generated and stored in the resurrection job table 3c, and management information of the normal job is deleted from the normal job table 3b, thereby changing the currently executed normal job to a resurrection job (step ST8). Then, after this, the CPU 1 ends the normal job execution processing.

When the management information of the resurrection job is stored in the resurrection job table 3c, it is convenient for the user if a display for notifying the user of the presence of the resurrection job is performed.

When the resend transmission key 8f is depressed when a resurrection job exists, the CPU responds accordingly.
1 executes a restoration job execution process as shown in FIG.

In this resuming job execution process, the CPU 1
First, in the standby state, for example, the display on the liquid crystal display 9 is switched to a menu screen as shown in FIG. 7B in the state shown in FIG. 7A (step ST11). Then, with the menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 9 in this manner, the CPU 1 performs any one of the resuming job search operation, the call destination number correction operation, the predetermined non-correction confirmation operation, and the call instruction operation. It waits for the operation with the keyboard 8 (steps ST12 to ST15).

In this state, for example, when the user performs a search operation using the cursor key 8b, the CPU 1 changes the resurrection job as a processing candidate in accordance with the search operation. Then, the CPU 1 displays the resurrection job contents display means 1c.
Thus, the management information of the resurrection job which is the current processing candidate is displayed on the liquid crystal display 9 as a screen as shown in FIG. 7C, for example (step ST16).

Now, when the management information of the resurrection job is displayed as shown in FIG. 7C, the user can change the destination telephone number to one digit by the cursor operation using the cursor keys 8b and the numerical input using the ten keys 8a. It can be modified every time. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 7C, after selecting a restoration job in which a destination telephone number “03-1234-5678” is set, the destination telephone number is changed to “03-1234-678”.
5656 ". In this case, the user
By placing the cursor at the ninth digit of the destination telephone number as shown in (d) and pressing the "5" key of the numeric keypad 8a, "03-1234-" is displayed as shown in FIG. 565
8 ". Furthermore, the destination telephone number 10
The cursor is positioned at the digit, and the key "6" of the numeric keypad 8a is pressed to correct the number to "03-1234-5656".

When such a number correction operation is performed, the CPU 1 determines whether or not a pre-correction telephone number has already been registered for the restoration job (step ST1).
7) If not registered, first, the original destination telephone number is registered as a pre-correction telephone number in the management information of the resurrection job (step ST18), and thereafter, the dial information updating means 1d accepts a number correction operation. (Step S)
T19). However, if the telephone number before correction has already been registered, since the telephone number corrected in the past is a correction again, the CPU 1 performs step ST19 without performing step ST18. Keep the number at its original phone number.

On the other hand, steps ST12 through ST
In the standby state of No. 15, for example, the start key 8c
If a call instructing operation such as pressing down is performed, the CPU 1
Determines whether or not the destination telephone number set for the resurrection job that was a processing candidate at that time has been corrected (step ST20). It returns to a state (step ST12 to step ST15).

On the other hand, if the destination telephone number set in the resurrection job which was a processing candidate when the call instruction operation was performed has been corrected, the CPU 1 will execute the rescheduling job after the correction in the resurrection job. It is determined whether or not there is a call history during the restoration job execution process using the telephone number, that is, the currently set destination telephone number (step ST21). The determination as to whether or not there is a call history is made, for example, by preparing a flag in the management information of the resurrection job (not shown) and making a call using the corrected telephone number. If this flag is set, it can be easily performed by checking this flag.

Here, if there is no call history during the resuming job execution process using the currently set destination telephone number, the CPU 1 unconditionally determines the destination telephone number as the call destination. Restore the corresponding destination telephone number to the job table 3c.
And a dial signal corresponding to the destination telephone number is transmitted by the network control circuit 7, thereby calling the destination telephone number (step ST22). Then, CPU 1 determines whether or not the call destination responds to the call and whether or not the call destination can receive image data (step ST23 and step S23).
T24).

Here, if the calling party answers and the calling party can receive image data, C
The PU 1 performs an image signal transmission process according to, for example, a well-known general procedure (step ST25). FIG. 7E shows the state of the liquid crystal display 9 at the time of communication initiated by making a call by executing a resurrection job to the destination telephone number “03-1234-5656” corrected as described above. 9 shows an example of a display screen.

When the transmission process is completed, the CPU
Reference numeral 1 denotes a normal job table 3
b to delete the job (step S
T26) Then, the resuming job execution process ends.

On the other hand, if the call destination did not respond to the call in step ST22, or if the responding call destination was able to receive image data, CPU 1 The resurrection job execution process ends with the resurrection job remaining.

Note that the processing of steps ST21 to ST26 is performed by the restoration job executing means 1e.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a job whose redial time-out has occurred is held as a resurrection job, and if a destination telephone number is corrected and a call is specified, the resurrection job is executed. Because it is executed using the corrected destination telephone number, even if the redial timeout occurs, a series of operations such as setting the original, specifying various modes, or specifying the dial number of the call destination are performed Without correcting, the user can retry communication only by performing a very simple operation of correcting the destination telephone number.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the destination telephone number set in the resurrection job is displayed on the liquid crystal display 9, so that the user can confirm the destination telephone number, and the destination telephone number can be confirmed. Can be easily corrected.

By the way, if the reason for the redial timeout is that the call destination is busy, there is a high possibility that the same call destination will be immediately followed even if the same call destination is called. Therefore, if there is another available facsimile terminal near the call destination where the redial timeout has occurred, it is effective to attempt communication with that facsimile terminal as the call destination.

If the reason for the redial timeout is due to an incorrect designation of the destination telephone number of the call destination, the call to the correct call destination should be made using the correct destination telephone number. is there. Particularly, in this case, it is not preferable to repeatedly call the same call destination because a wrong call is repeated.

In consideration of such circumstances, as described above, in the present embodiment, the calling based on the resurrection job is basically restricted to the case where the destination telephone number is corrected.

On the other hand, since there is another available facsimile terminal near the call destination where the redial timeout has occurred, the destination telephone number is corrected to the telephone number for calling the facsimile terminal. When the image data cannot be transmitted to the facsimile terminal even after the call is made, it is convenient to be able to call the original call destination again.

In particular, the facsimile terminal having the corrected telephone number is, for example, located in the same company as the transmission destination, but is located in a different department, and is stopped despite that it should not be used originally. In the case where the destination is not completed, if the facsimile terminal is also in use, it is preferable to call back to the original call destination.

In step ST21, if it is determined that there is a call history during the resuming job execution process using the currently set destination telephone number,
The PU 1 displays on the liquid crystal display 9 a selection request image for requesting the user to select one of the destination telephone number and the telephone number before correction (step ST27), and accepts the selection designation by the user in accordance with the selection request image. And CPU1
Determines whether the destination telephone number has been selected and designated (step ST28). If the destination telephone number has been selected, the destination telephone number is called in step ST22, and the telephone number before correction is selected. If so, the corresponding telephone number before correction is read from the resurrection job table 3c, and a dial signal corresponding to the telephone number before correction is transmitted to the network control circuit 7, thereby calling the telephone number before correction. (Step ST29).

For this reason, it is possible to call back to the original call destination as described above.

By the way, in this embodiment, outgoing calls based on the resurrection job are basically limited to the case where the destination telephone number is corrected as described above. There may not be another facsimile terminal available near the call destination that has timed out, in which case it is not possible to modify the destination telephone number.

Therefore, if a non-correction confirmation operation such as input of a predetermined special number is performed at the time of waiting for a user operation (steps ST12 to ST15), the CPU 1
Accepts this instruction by the unmodified job execution permitting means 1f. Then, at this time, the CPU 1 determines whether the pre-correction telephone number has already been registered for the resurrection job (step ST30). If the pre-correction telephone number has not been registered, that is, the destination telephone number has been corrected at least once. If the job is not a resurrection job, step ST2
The second and subsequent processes are performed in the same manner as described above. As a result, a call is made again using the uncorrected destination telephone number with the redial timeout. If the uncorrected telephone number has already been registered, that is, if an uncorrected confirmation operation has been performed when a resurrection job in which the telephone number has already been corrected has been selected, the CPU 1 determines By performing the processing after step ST29 in the same manner as described above, a recall is performed using the telephone number before correction.

If the destination telephone number is wrong, there is a possibility that the wrong call is made again by the above operation as described above, but it is necessary for the user to perform a specific uncorrected confirmation operation. Therefore, it is possible to call attention to the user. In addition, in response to the uncorrected confirmation operation being performed, a message prompting the user to confirm that the destination telephone number is correct is displayed, and a call is made using the uncorrected destination telephone number only when a finalization instruction is given. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably prevent a mistaken call from being repeated.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the call made by the resurrection job is made only once, but the redial processing may also be performed at this time. In this case, the number of redials for the call by the normal job and the number of redials for the call by the resurrection job may be made different from each other, for example, by increasing the number of redials for the call by the normal job.

Further, when redialing is performed for a call made by a resurrection job, the number of redials is different between the case of calling a destination telephone number and the case of calling a telephone number before correction.
For example, the number of cases of calling the telephone number before correction may be made different, for example.

In the above embodiment, the image data is stored in the image memory 3a. However, the image data may be obtained by reading the original after the transmission is possible.

In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0071]

According to the present invention, a callee responds to a call to a designated callee, and if the callee is receivable, a predetermined image is generated. In the facsimile apparatus having a redial means for redialing up to a predetermined number of times, if the image cannot be transmitted, the redialing may be performed a predetermined number of times by the redialing means. An unsent destination storage means for storing dial information of the call destination in association with the image when the image cannot be transmitted, and a modification of the dial information stored in the unsent destination storage means A dial information updating unit for updating dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage unit in response to the correction instruction when the instruction is issued; and a retransmission execution unit. In response to the designation of transmission of an image that could not be transmitted even though the number of redials has been performed, retransmission execution means stores the dial information updated by the dial information update means in the image in the non-transmission destination storage. If they are associated with each other, a call is made using the dial information, and the transmission of the image is attempted. Become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of a normal job table 3b when three normal jobs exist.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of a resurrection job table 3c when three resurrection jobs exist.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the appearance of an operation panel on which a keyboard 8 and a liquid crystal display 9 are mounted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU 1 in a normal job execution process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a CPU 1 in a resurrection job execution process.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a display screen on the liquid crystal display 9 during execution of a restoration job execution process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU 1a ... Redial means 1b ... Resurrection job generation means 1c ... Resurrection job content display means 1d ... Dial information updating means 1e ... Resurrection job execution means 1f ... Uncorrected job execution permission means 2 ... ROM 3 ... RAM 3a ... Image memory 3b ... Normal job table 3c ... Resurrection job table 4 ... Scanner 5 ... Printer 6 ... Modem 7 ... Network control circuit (NCU) 8 ... Keyboard 9 ... Liquid crystal display (LCD) 10 ... System bus

Claims (4)

[Claims] An apparatus for transmitting a predetermined image to a designated call destination if the call destination responds to the call to the designated call destination and the call destination is receivable. If the image cannot be transmitted, in a facsimile apparatus having redial means for redialing up to a predetermined number of times, the image can be transmitted even if redialing is performed a predetermined number of times by the redialing means. If there is no such information, the non-transmission destination storage means for storing the dialing information of the call destination in association with the image, and a correction instruction of the dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage means is issued. Dial information updating means for updating dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage means in response to the correction instruction; and transmission is possible even if redialing is performed a predetermined number of times by the redial means. If the transmission of the missing image is specified and the dial information updated by the dial information updating means is associated with the image in the non-transmission destination storage means, the dial information is used. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a retransmission execution unit that makes all the calls and attempts to transmit the image. And a dial information display unit for displaying the dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage unit when the dial information update unit receives a correction instruction of the dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage unit. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. When a predetermined non-update instruction is given,
Unupdated dial information that permits the retransmission execution unit to make a call using the dial information even if the dial information associated with the image specified to be transmitted has not been updated by the dial information update unit. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a call permission unit. 4. The dial information updating means, when an instruction to correct the dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage means is issued, in response to the correction instruction, the original dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage means. Is updated to generate updated dial information, and the updated dial information is stored together with the original dial information in the non-transmission destination storage means, and the retransmission executing means includes the dial information updated by the dial information updating means. At the time of specifying transmission of an image that has been made at least once by using a call, a selection instruction of any one of the updated dial information and the original dial information stored in the non-transmission destination storage means is received. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a call is made using the selected dial information.