JPS60236352A - Relay communication system of facsimile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate an easy relay multiple address by converting an input address into facsimile picture signals of a prescribed format and transmitting these picture signals. CONSTITUTION:A operator sets an original DS and gives a multiple address indication through an operation panel 14. Then a facsimile FA1 transmits addresses equivalent to a page in the form of picture signals in addition to an ordinary original for request of multiple address. A relay multiple address facsimile FB1 identifies the extra address pictures and extracts an address to perform the automatic transmission to the address. Thus it is possible to carry out the relay multiple address even with the communication that has a system control means limited.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention transmits a transmission image signal to a relay communication device, stores it in the image memory of the relay communication device, and then transmits the image signal from the relay communication device to a destination facsimile. The present invention relates to a facsimile relay communication system for transmission, and particularly to a facsimile relay communication system that facilitates operations on the sending side.

[Technology background]

In recent years, facsimiles have become widespread and are being used for a variety of purposes. In this kind of facsimile,
The same document can be sent to one destination (or multiple destinations (factory,
There is an increase in the number of cases in which information is sent to offices, trading companies, etc.).

[Conventional technology and problems]

In order to simultaneously transmit to multiple destinations (hereinafter referred to as broadcasting), conventionally, as shown in Figure 1, facsimile FAI communicates with all of the coaxial destinations facsimiles FBI to FBn and sends image signals of the same original. Was. For example, to perform facsimile broadcast communication from an office in Tokyo to offices in the Kansai region, use the Tokyo facsimile FAI.
It is necessary to sequentially perform facsimile communication to each of the facsimile services FBI to FBn in the Kansai area via the exchange EXA, the telephone line installation, and the exchange EXB. For this reason, long-distance communication is performed for each destination, resulting in high communication charges.

In order to reduce this communication fee, a relay broadcast system has been proposed. In this method, for example, a facsimile FBI is equipped with a relay broadcast function, and when the facsimile FAI transmits a facsimile image signal to the relay broadcast facsimile FBI via the exchange EXA, telephone line installation, and exchange EXB,
The same facsimile image signal is transmitted from the relay broadcast facsimile FBI to the other broadcast destination facsimiles FB2 to FBn via the exchange EXB. In this method, long-distance communication is carried out from facsimile FAI to facsimile F.
Since only one BI call is required and short distance communication is sufficient from the facsimile FBI to the facsimile FB2 to FBn, the charges for broadcast communication can be significantly reduced. For this purpose, it is necessary to create a special control procedure that includes the broadcast destinations FB2 to FBn as a control signal between the facsimile FAI and FBI.

On the other hand, in recent years, in order to reduce long-distance communication charges, STOC (F
acsimile Storage and Conv
A telephone line network is provided separately from the telephone line network.

As shown in Fig. 2, the <5TOC network consists of a 5TO-C station STA connected to an exchange
It is connected to TOC station STB by a high-speed digital line H'DL. Facsimile FAI to Facsimile F
To make a facsimile communication using 5TO (Jll) to BI, dial in the 5TOC network identification number (currently 162) from the facsimile FAT and the facsimile FBI subscriber (telephone) number.
OC station STA is called and facsimile FAI is sT.

After transmitting the image signal to the C station STA and accumulating it at the 5TOC station STA, the 5TOC station STA transmits the image signal to the high-speed digital line HDI.
, to the 5TOC station STB, and the 5TOC station STB
This is done by transmitting an image signal to the facsimile FBI via the exchange EXB.

In such a 5TOC network, communication charges are not based on the conventional call time and distance charge system, but are basically based on a charge system of 1 yen per page (currently 50 yen), regardless of distance.
It has an advantageous fee structure for long-distance communications.

The 5TOC network also has a broadcast communication function in the network, and the facsimile FAI can send broadcast destinations FBI to FB.
When you dial in the subscriber number of n, 5TOC station ST
From B to each broadcast destination facsimile FB via exchange EXB
Broadcast communication can be performed from I to FBn using the dotted line a) in the figure.

However, the charges in this case are for each destination facsimile F.
A fee for using the 5 TOC network is charged for each of BI to FBn, and in the end, the fee for one communication is n times higher. In order to avoid this, the user uses the 5TOC network to perform facsimile communication only to facsimile FBI via route b, and from facsimile FBI to facsimile FB2.
〜FBn It is sufficient to perform short-distance communication using a telephone line as in FIG. 1, but the broadcast destination F according to control procedure 1 with the 5TOC network
Since B2 to FBn cannot be transmitted to the facsimile FBI, there is a problem in that the facsimile FBI cannot be relayed and broadcast.

[Purpose of the invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile relay communication system that can easily perform relay broadcasting even in communications where such control procedures are restricted.

[Structure of the invention]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a facsimile device that reads a document, converts the contents of the document into a facsimile image signal, and transmits the facsimile image signal; the facsimile device converts the destination input from the destination specifying means into a facsimile image signal in a predetermined format, adds it to the factor/millimeter image signal of the original document, and transmits the facsimile image signal to the facsimile image signal of the document. The relay communication device extracts the destination from the facsimile image signal in the predetermined format and transmits the facsimile image signal of the document to the extracted destination.

Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the relay communication device calls the extracted destination and transmits a facsimile image signal of the original document stored in the image storage means to the called destination. . Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the relay communication device is a facsimile device having a relay communication function, and in another embodiment of the present invention, the facsimile device is characterized in that the The present invention is characterized in that the destination is converted into a facsimile image signal in OMR format.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to Examples.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the originating facsimile device FAI used in the present invention, and shows a facsimile of a transmitting and receiving type. In the figure, 10 is a transmitting mechanism section,
10a is the document hopper, into which the document DS to be sent is sent; 10b is the feed roller, which sends the documents one by one from the document hopper 10a to a stacker to be described later; IOC is the drive roller thereof. , the feed roller 10 is rotated by a motor and is passed through the feed belt 10d.
10e is a document irradiation lamp for irradiating the document sent by the feed roller 10b, and 10f is a stacker for storing the document sent and read by the feed roller 10b. . 1
1 is a reading unit, lla is its optical lens,
Ramp 1 from the document fed by feed roller 10b
llb is the photoelectric conversion element that collects the reflected light from the irradiation of 0e, for example, COD (Charge
Coupled Device) etc., which scans the image of one line of the original and converts it into an electric signal (image signal), 11c is its sensor amplifier,
It amplifies the output image signal of the photoelectric conversion element 11b and also controls the reading operation of the photoelectric conversion element 11b. 12 is a control circuit, 12a is its main processor,
A device consisting of a microprocessor and controlling the entire device by executing a program; 12b is its slave processor; a device consisting of a microprocessor and mainly performing data compression and restoration of image signals by executing a program; 12c; is its shared memory, which consists of random access memory (RAM) and is shared by both processors 1 and 1.
12 that operates as the main memory of 2a and 12b;
d is its Aviles data bus, and both processors 1
2a, 12b and the main memory 12C,
Reference numeral 12e denotes a mechanical driver, which drives each mechanical section of the apparatus (the transmitting mechanism section 10, the receiving mechanism section, the recording section, and the operation panel). 13 is a line control unit, 13a is a line control unit (NCU) that performs incoming and outgoing processing for the line, and 13b is a modem (modulator/demodulator) that modulates the transmitted signal and modulates the received signal. The demodulator 13c is an automatic transmitter that performs automatic transmission operation. Reference numeral 14 denotes an operation panel, which includes a transmitter, a transmission mode designation button, a shade designation button, a numeric keypad, and the like.

15 is a receiving mechanism section, 15a is a sending section thereof, which accommodates unrecorded recording paper; 15b is a recording unit, for example, one consisting of a thermal recording head;
5C is a first feed roller that faces the recording unit 15b and feeds the recording paper; 15d is a cutter that cuts the recorded recording paper into a predetermined length; 15e is a second feed roller; This roller feeds the recorded recording paper cut by the cutter 15d to the stacker 15f. 1
6 is a recording unit, which has a recording drive circuit that drives the recording unit 15b; 17 is a power supply, which supplies power voltage to each part of the apparatus and also operates the mechanical system according to the on/off of the power switch on the operation panel 14; The device 18 is turned on/off by the driver 12e, and is connected to the line control unit 13a.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configuration in FIG. 3 will be explained with reference to the destination formant explanatory diagram in FIG. 5 and the operation flow diagram in FIG. 6.

(al) First, the operator sends the document DS to be transmitted to the hopper 10a and gives a broadcast instruction from the operation panel 14.Then, the operator sends the relay source FBI and the broadcast destination F
B2 to FBn are input in sequence using the numeric keys on the operation panel 14. In this case, an actual subscriber number such as a telephone number may be input, or if an abbreviated number is set, an abbreviated number may be input. This input content is CPU1
2a and stored in the RAM 12c.

(b) The CPU 12a converts the input destination into a facsimile image signal in order to transmit it as a facsimile image signal in the same way as a document.

During this conversion, the relay source FBI converts the facsimile image signal into a facsimile image signal for the original in a special format so that it can be distinguished from the facsimile image signal for the general original.

Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the manuscript of this special formant,
Generally, in facsimile, O is used as a control sheet (original).
Since an MR (optical mark league) sheet is used, the relay source FBI uses that format to distinguish the information.

In this formant, the top of the OMR sheet has two lines written in advance on both sides, and an OM R8M separate area C3-! with a notch in the center. is provided, followed by a destination area C3-2, and a destination area C3-2 is provided.
3-2 is configured such that necessary broadcast destinations are entered by marking.

Therefore, the CPU 12a edits and generates the same image signal as that read from the OMR sheet in which the input broadcast destinations are written in marks in the formant destination area of FIG. 5, and stores the image signals in the destination format in the RAM 12c. Store it as . This image signal corresponds to one page of the original.

Ic1 Next, the CPU 12a reads the relay source FBI from the RAM 12C, and stores the identification number (162
), the automatic transmitter 13C is started, and a call is made and dial-in is made to the exchange EXA (Fig. 2) via the NCU 13a. As a result, 5TOC station STA from exchange EXA
is called and the connection is completed. By completing this connection, the NC
U13a switches to connection with modem 13b.

[dl Next, the CPU 12a sends the image signal of the destination format in the RAM 12c to the CPU 12b, and performs compression processing using a predetermined data compression method, that is, the MH (Modified Hoffman)/MR (Modified Read) method for a 0111 machine, and converts it into a facsimile image. It is converted into a signal, sent to the line control section 13, modulated by the modem 13b, and sent to the NC.
5TOC station S'T via exchange EXA from UI3a
Send to A.

(e) When the transmission of the facsimile image signal to this destination is completed, the CPU 12a starts the operation of transmitting the transmission document DS loaded into the hopper 10a.

That is, the CPU 12a turns on the lamp 10e via the mechanical driver 12e, and drives the drive roller 10'c to feed out the documents DS that have been sent to the hopper 10a one by one by the feed roller 10b at a predetermined sub-scanning speed. , and feed it into the stacker 10f. Optical lens 11a reflects light reflected from the document corresponding to the irradiation position of lamp 10e.
The image of each line of the document is output as an image signal to the sensor amplifier IIC, amplified by the sensor amplifier 11C, and input to the CPU 12b. The CPU 12a) compresses this image signal using a predetermined data compression method, ie, the MH (Modified Hoffman)/MR (Modified Read) method for a GIII machine, and converts it into a facsimile image signal.

The CPU 2b performs compression processing using the RAM 12c. The compressed facsimile image signal is sent to the line control unit 13 via the CPU 12a, modulated by the modem 13b, and then transmitted to the line from the NCU 13a. In this way, the original is sequentially read and scanned, and when the image signal of the first page of the original is transmitted, the second page of the original is sent out by the feed roller 10b, and the image of the original is read in the same way. The image signal of the second page of the original is transmitted, and thereafter the originals set in the hopper 10a in the same manner, that is, n sheets of transmitted originals DS
The content of is transmitted as an image signal to 5TOC station S via exchange EXA.
It is sent to the TA, and the sending operation ends. In this way, an image signal with one destination bone page added to n pages of the transmission document is transmitted. Then, the 5TOC station STA accumulates the image signals of the received destinations and transmission documents, and uses the high-speed digital line H
DL to 5TOC station STB, and 5TOC station S
TB transfers the facsimile FBI, which is the relay source, to the exchange center EXB.
to send these image signals.

In the receiving operation, a received signal from the line is received by the NCU 13a, demodulated by the modem 13b, stored in the RAM 12c via the CPU 12a, and further restored by the CPU 12b to convert the compressed image signal into an image signal. Thereafter, the received image signal is sent to the recording section 16, and the recording unit 15b records the received image signal while the mechanical driver 12e drives the receiving mechanism section 15 to feed the recording paper at a predetermined sub-scanning speed according to a command from the CPU 12a.

In the above example, the destination is specified using the numeric keys on the operation panel 14, but if a magnetic card reader is provided, a magnetic card with the destination magnetically recorded thereon may be read and input using the card reader. Further, the relay source subscriber number etc. may be directly dialed in using the telephone set 18.

Next, a relay facsimile FBI that receives such image signals and performs relay communication operations will be described.

Figure 4 shows a facsimile F for relay communication used in the present invention.
This is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of BI, using as an example a relay broadcast facsimile capable of transmission and reception. In the figure, 30 is a transmission mechanism section, 30a is a document hopper, into which the document to be sent is sent, and 30b is a feed roller, which transfers documents one by one from the document hopper 30a to a stacker, which will be described later. 30C is a drive roller of the conveyor, which is rotated by a motor and drives the feed roller 30b via the feed belt 30d; 30e is the document irradiation lamp, which irradiates the document sent by the feed roller 30b; 30f is the stacker, and the feed roller 30
This is to store the originals sent and read by b. 31 is a reading unit, 31a is an optical lens for condensing the reflected light from the document sent by the feed roller 30b, which is irradiated by the lamp 30e, and 31b is a photoelectric conversion element, for example, a COD (Charge)
Coupled Device) etc.
31C is a sensor amplifier that scans the image of one line of the original and converts it into an electric signal (image signal), which amplifies the output image signal of the photoelectric conversion element 31b and also controls the reading operation of the photoelectric conversion element 31b. It is something to control. 32 is a control circuit, 32a is its main processor, and 32b is its slave processor, which is composed of a microprocessor and controls the entire device by executing a program. 32C is a shared memory for both processors 32 and 32C, which compresses and restores image signal data by executing a program.
a, one that operates as the main memory of 32b, 32d
is its address/data bus, and both processors 32
connection between a, 32b and main memory 32c, 3
2e is a mechanical driver that drives each mechanical section of the apparatus (transmission mechanism section 30, reception mechanism section, recording section, and operation panel). 33 is a line control unit, 33a is a line control unit (NCU), which performs incoming and outgoing processing for the line, and 33b is a modem (modulator/demodulator), which modulates the transmitted signal and modulates the received signal. What demodulates,
33C is an automatic transmitter, which performs an automatic transmission operation. Reference numeral 34 denotes an operation panel, which includes a transmitter, a transmission mode designation button, a gray scale designation button, a numeric keypad, and the like. 3
5 is a receiving mechanism section, 35a is a sending section thereof,
35b is a recording unit that accommodates unrecorded recording paper, and 35c is composed of a thermal recording head, for example.
35d is a first feed roller that faces the recording unit 35b and feeds the recording paper, 35d is a canter that cuts the recorded recording paper into a predetermined length, and 35e is a second roller.
This feed roller feeds the recorded recording paper cut by the cutter 35d to the stacker 15f. 36 is a recording unit, which has a recording drive circuit that drives the recording unit 35b, and 37 is a power supply, which supplies power voltage to each part of the device and also operates the mechanical system according to the on/off of the power switch on the operation panel 34. The device 38 is turned on/off by the driver 32e, and is connected to the line control unit 33a. The configuration up to this point is almost the same as that in FIG. 39 is an image memory, which stores the above-mentioned received image signal;
9a is its expansion interface circuit, and bus 32
d is an interface circuit for connecting a floppy disk device which will be described later, and 39b is a floppy disk device which stores received image signals on a Frembie disk and reads out received image signals from the floppy disk.

Next, the relay broadcasting operation in the embodiment configuration of FIG. 4 will be explained with reference to the processing flow diagram of FIG. 7.

■ As mentioned above < 5TOC station STB to facsimile F
When the FAX image signal from the AI is received by the NCU 33a, an automatic reception operation is performed and the reception FAX signal is sent by the modem 33b.
The AX image signal is demodulated and returned to FAX image data, and the CP
Given to U32a. The CPU 32a sequentially sends this FAX image data to the expansion interface circuit 39a via the bus 32d, and stores it on the floppy disk of the floppy disk device 39b. This ends the receiving operation.

- Next, under the control of the CPU 32a, the FAX image data stored from the floppy disk is read out one page at a time by the floppy disk device 39b, and sent to the C, PU 3 via the expansion interface circuit 39a and the bus 32d.
given to 2b. The CPU 32b uses the RAM 32C to restore the FAX image data, and the restored image data is stored in the RAM 32c.

■ Next, the CPU 32b transfers both restored data to the RAM.
32C, and it is determined whether the restored image data corresponding to the first page has OMR identification (specific formant) characteristics. That is, it is determined whether or not the pattern of OM R1ljili area C'S-1 in FIG. 5 exists, and if so, it is determined that it is an OMR sheet and that there is a request for relay broadcasting.

(2) On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not an OMR sheet, it is determined that the -th page is a general manuscript C8, and that the transmission was only addressed to itself, and that no broadcast request has been made, and a reception recording operation is performed. That is, while giving the restored image data in the RAM 32C to the recording unit 36, the CPU 32a sends the mechanical driver 3 according to the command.
2e to drive the receiving mechanism section 35 to scan the recording paper at a predetermined sub-scanning speed.

While sending the restored image data to the recording unit 35.
b records.

As a result, the received image signals of each part are recorded on the recording paper, and the recorded recording paper (received paper) is sent to the stacker 35f.

This completes the reception recording operation.

■ On the other hand, when the CPU 32a determines that there is a relay broadcast request, it further analyzes the image data in the RAM 32C, detects the mark position in the destination area C3-2, and extracts the destination information (address abbreviation number). .

Then, the CPU 32a supplies the extracted destination information as management data for the image data to the floppy disk device 39b via the bus 32d and expansion interface circuit 39a, and stores it on the floppy disk.

■Next, the CPU 32a sends the second and subsequent pages of the restored image data in the RAM 32C to the recording unit 36 in the same way as in step ■.
Enable reception recording.

■ Next, the CPU 32a starts the broadcast operation, so
1. Destination information, which is management data, from the floppy disk
The number is read out via the disk device 39b and the expansion interface circuit 39a, converted into a pre-registered telephone number, and sent to the line control section 33. The automatic transmitter 33C of the line control unit 33 then automatically dials the telephone number, calls the destination facsimile via the NCU 33a, connects to the destination facsimile, and informs the CPU 32a that the connection is complete.
to notify. The CPU 32a controls the expansion interface circuit 39a, drives the floppy disk device 39b, and reads the transmission document DS(7)FA from the floppy disk.
Reads the X image data (i.e., after the second page of the received image signal),
It is sent to the modem 33b, modulated, sent out to the line via the NCU 33a, and transmitted to the destination facsimile. C.P.
U32a repeats this for the number of pages of the general 5 original DS, and completes the communication when all the pages have been transmitted.

Upon completion of this communication, the CPU 3'la sends the destination to which the transmission has been completed and the transmission status (transmission completed or incomplete) as completion information to the floppy disk device 39b via the expansion interface circuit 39a, and stores it in the floppy disk.

■ Next, the CPU 32a is the expansion interface circuit 39.
The management data of the Fremby disk is indexed by the floppy disk device 39b via the floppy disk device 39b, and the presence or absence of the next destination information is checked.If the destination information is present, the next destination information is read out, and steps (2) and (2) are repeated.

When the broadcast transmission of all designated destination bones is completed in this way, the relay broadcast operation is completed.

As mentioned above, in order to request a broadcast, the facsimile FAI sends an extra page of the destination as an image signal in addition to the general original, and the relay broadcast facsimile FBI identifies this extra destination image signal. Then, the destination is extracted and an automatic transmission operation is performed to the destination.

In the above embodiment, a relay broadcast facsimile was used as an example of the relay broadcast device, but the transmission mechanism section 30, the reading section 32
, a receiving mechanism section 35, and a recording section 36.Also, although a floppy disk was used as the image memory in the explanation, it may also be configured with a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

Further, although the description has been made using a numeric keypad and a magnetic card as the destination specifying means, other input means such as a one-touch key may also be used.

Although the present invention has been described above using one embodiment, the present invention can be modified in various ways according to the gist of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the present invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a facsimile device that reads a document, converts the contents of the document into a facsimile image signal, and transmits the facsimile image signal. the facsimile device converts the destination input from the destination specifying means into a facsimile image signal in a predetermined format, attaches it to the facsimile image signal of the document, and transmits the signal to the facsimile image signal of the original document, The relay communication device extracts the destination from the facsimile image signal in the predetermined format and transmits the facsimile image signal of the document to the extracted destination. This has the effect that relay broadcasting can be performed even in facsimile communication where procedures are restricted, and the operation is easy because it is only necessary to input the broadcast destination from the designation means. Furthermore, since the destination is converted into a facsimile image signal in a predetermined format and transmitted, the relay communication device can easily distinguish it from the original image signal, which is extremely useful in practice.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of broadcast operation using telephone lines, Figure 2 is 5T
3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the requesting facsimile of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the relay communication device of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an operational flow diagram of the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is an operational flow diagram of the configuration shown in FIG. 4. In the figure, F A 1--requesting facsimile, FBI-relay facsimile, DS-manuscript, 10, 30-transmission mechanism section, 11.31-reading section, I2.32--control section, 14
- Operation panel (destination designation means), 39- Image memory. Patent Applicant: Fujitsu Ltd. Representative Patent Attorney Akira Yamatani 6 Eiki Otsu Saeha

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A facsimile device that reads a document, converts the contents of the document into a facsimile image signal, and transmits it; and a relay communication device that stores the received facsimile image signal in an image storage means and then transmits it to a specified destination. , the facsimile device converts the destination input from the destination specifying means into a facsimile image signal in a predetermined format, and transmits it to the relay communication device along with the facsimile image signal of the document, and the relay communication device A facsimile relay communication system characterized in that the destination is extracted from the facsimile image signal in the predetermined format, and the facsimile image signal of the document is transmitted to the extracted destination. (2) The relay communication device calls the extracted destination and transmits a facsimile image signal of the original document stored in the image storage means to the called destination. The facsimile relay communication method described in ). (3) A facsimile relay communication system according to claim (1) or (2), wherein the relay communication device is a facsimile device having a relay communication function. (4) The facsimile device converts the input destination into a facsimile image signal in OMR format.
or the facsimile relay communication method described in paragraph (3).