JPS6121675A - Facsimile multi-destination equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set flexibly the number of possessed lines by connecting plural facsimile equipments in parallel via a bus line to a storage controller storing picture information and address information. CONSTITUTION:The number of multi-destination lines is changed by changing the number of facsimile equipments connected in parallel to the storage controller SX. Further, in storing a transmission picture information to a picture memory 22, a transmission picture signal received from an external interface circuit 24 is fed to a code companding circuit 23 via an internal bus line 29, converted into transmission picture information subject to code compression at each line, transferred to the picture memory 22 via the internal bus line 29 and stored sequentially. In transferring a picture signal to facsimile equipments FX1-FXn, the picture information stored in the picture memory 22 is read sequentially at each line and transferred to the code companding circuit 23 and the expanded picture signal is transmitted to the outer bus line BO via the internal line 29 and the external interface circuit 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a facsimile broadcasting device, and more particularly to a facsimile broadcasting device that can flexibly set the number of lines on which simultaneous broadcasting can be performed.

[Prior Art] One of the forms of communication using facsimile devices is a facsimile broadcasting method that transmits the same image information to multiple destinations.
Furthermore, this method can be divided into simultaneous broadcasting, which calls multiple destinations at once and transmits image information to each destination at the same time, and sequential broadcasting, which calls each destination in turn and transmits image information each time. ing.

- Conventionally, a broadcast device that performs simultaneous broadcasting has a configuration in which a broadcast control device, which has lines equal to the number of destinations to be called at one time, is connected to a facsimile transmitter, so that calls can be made at once. The number of destinations is fixed.

For this reason, one type of simultaneous broadcasting device cannot be applied to many types of simultaneous broadcasting communication networks with different numbers of destinations, so simultaneous broadcasting devices with different numbers of destinations (number of lines) corresponding to each simultaneous communication network It is necessary to manufacture each of them separately, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost.

Note that a broadcasting device with the number of lines owned by n can be applied to a broadcast communication network having an integral multiple of n, but the number of destinations is not an integral multiple of n (if it is smaller than n, ) - Not suitable for broadcast communication networks.

[Objective] The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile broadcasting device that can flexibly set the number of owned lines.

[Configuration] The present invention achieves the above-mentioned object by adopting a configuration in which a plurality of facsimile machines are connected in parallel via a bus line to a storage control device that stores image information and destination information.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a facsimile broadcasting device according to the present invention.

In the figure, n facsimile machines FXI to FXn are connected via an external bus line BO to a storage control device Sx having a storage function and a broadcast function for image information and destination information. Note that the external bus line 80, facsimile devices FXI to FXn, and storage control device SX are connected by connectors CTI to CTn and CT, respectively.

Further, transmission lines L1 to Ln are connected to the facsimile devices FXI to FXn, respectively, and therefore, this facsimile broadcasting device can simultaneously broadcast to up to n destination stations.

That is, by changing the number of facsimile machines connected in parallel to the storage control device SX via the external bus line BO, the number of simultaneous broadcast lines can be changed.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a facsimile machine FXI.

Note that the other facsimile machines FX2 to FXn also have the same configuration as this facsimile machine FXI.

As shown in the figure, the facsimile machine FXI includes a scanner 1 for reading outgoing originals, a plotter 2 for outputting received originals, management reports, etc. Plotter 2゜A code compression/decompression circuit 3 that code-compresses the transmitted signal and expands the received signal; a buffer 5 for exchanging signals between the internal bus line 4; a modem 6 for performing predetermined modulation/demodulation processing;
A network control circuit 7 with an automatic call/receiver function, a CPU (central processing unit) 8 that controls the entire device, transmission control, etc.
ROM that stores the control program executed by the CPU 8
(Read-only memory) 9, RAM (Random access memory) 1 which forms the work area of the CPU 8, etc.
0, and an external interface circuit 11 for connecting the internal bus line 4 to the external bus line BO, and includes a buffer 5. Network control circuit7. CPt18. ROM9.
The RAM 10 and the interface circuit 11 are connected to an internal bus line 4 to exchange various data and control signals.

This facsimile device FXI can operate independently without the control of the storage control device SX, and when transmitting independently, the image signal obtained by reading with the scanner 1 is sent via the buffer 5 to the code compression/expansion circuit. After being compressed into a code suitable for the destination station, the signal is modulated by the modem 6 and sent via the network control circuit 7 to the transmission line L1. In this case, the destination information is given to the network directly from a telephone terminal (shown in the diagram) connected to the network control circuit 7, or given to the network control circuit 7 from a numeric keypad (# in the diagram) on a separately provided operation panel. , this causes the destination station to be called.

Furthermore, when this facsimile machine FXI is called and receives image information, this image information is demodulated by the modem 6 via the network control circuit 7, expanded to the original image signal by the code compression/expansion circuit 3, and then buffered. 5 to the plotter 2,
As a result, the received original is output.

When outputting the contents of the transmission document to the storage control device sx, the image signal read by the scanner 1 is converted into a parallel signal by the buffer 5 and sent to the external bus line BO via the internal bus line 4 and external interface circuit 11. Output to.

Further, as will be described later, when a transmission image signal is given from the storage control device Sx, this transmission image signal is received by the external interface circuit 11, added to the buffer 5 via the internal bus line 4, and converted into a serial signal. After being encoded by the code compression/expansion circuit 3, it is demodulated by the modem 6 and sent out to the transmission line L1 via the network control circuit 7.

In addition, as a matter of course, facsimile machines FX2 to FX
n also has the same functions as the facsimile machine FXI.

An example of the storage control device SX is shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the storage control device SX includes a clock circuit 21 . An image memory 221 for storing transmitted image information; a code compression/expansion circuit 23 for compressing and expanding image information stored in the image memory 22; and an external interface circuit 2 for exchanging data with an external bus line BO.
4. A CPII 25 that executes various processes such as control of the entire device, broadcast transmission control, and management control of image information sent to each facsimile device FXI to FXn; a ROM 26 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 25;
)'7-kuniria etc., and an operation input section 28 equipped with various input keys and displays necessary for the operator to control this device, and each of these elements is connected to an internal bus line 29. This is how data is exchanged.

When storing transmission image information in the image memory 22, the transmission image signal received from the external interface circuit 24 is applied to the code compression/expansion circuit 23 via the internal bus line 29, and the transmission image information code-compressed for each I line is sent. converted to
The images are transferred to the image memory 22 via the internal bus line 29 and stored in sequence.

Furthermore, when transferring image signals to each facsimile device FXI to FXn, the image information stored in the image memory 22 is sequentially read line by line and transferred to the code compression/expansion circuit 23, and the image signals expanded thereby are transferred to the internal lines. 29 and the external bus line B via the external interface circuit 24.
Sent to O.

Note that the external bus line BO is connected to each facsimile machine FX.
It is formed of address lines for specifying I to FXn, data lines for exchanging data, and control lines for synchronizing control and predetermined display for exchanging data (paths shown).

When performing broadcast communication with the above configuration, the operator operates the operation input unit 28 to input a plurality of destination telephone numbers and a designated transmission time. These destination telephone numbers and designated transmission time data are stored in the RAM by the CPU 25.
27 is stored.

Next, the operator places the original to be sent on one of the predetermined facsimile machines or on one of the inactive facsimile machines, uses the operation input section 28 to instruct the facsimile machine that has sent the original from 1 to 1, and starts image storage. Instruct. As a result, the CPIJ 25 addresses the facsimile device that reads the document via the external bus line BO and provides an image transfer instruction signal.

The CPL 18 of the facsimile device receives an image transfer instruction signal from the storage control device Sx, operates the scanner 1 in response to this instruction signal, and transfers the image signal obtained every line scan of the scanner 1 via the external bus line BO. and transfers it to the storage control device Sx.

The image signal transferred to the storage control device SX is applied to the code compression/expansion circuit 23 via the external interface circuit 24 and the internal bus line 29 and is code-compressed.
The data is transferred to the image memory 22 via the internal bus line 29 and stored sequentially line by line.

In this way, the image information of the transmitted document is stored in the image memory 22. Also, if the original to be sent consists of multiple pages,
The information is stored in such a way that each page is identified.

When the storage of image information is completed, the CPU of the storage control device sx
25 waits until the time of the 1 clock circuit 21 reaches the set designated transmission time.

Then, at the designated transmission time, the facsimile machine FXI is first addressed via the external bus line BO to confirm that it is not in operation, and one of the destination telephone numbers stored in the RAM 27 is sent to the facsimile machine FXI. Transfer to FXI. As a result, the CPU of the facsimile machine FXI
g transfers the received destination telephone number to the network control circuit 7 and calls the destination station.

Immediately after the transfer of the destination telephone number to the facsimile machine FXI is completed, the facsimile machine FX2 is addressed to confirm that it is not in operation, and another destination telephone number is transferred.

After that, each facsimile machine FX3 to FX
While confirming that ``n'' is not in operation, transfer each different destination telephone number and make a call.

Note that if there is a facsimile machine that is operating independently, the storage control device SX does not transfer the destination telephone number to that facsimile machine, and also remembers which device is operating.

When each of the facsimile machines FXI to FXn calls the destination station and establishes a line, each facsimile machine FXI to FXn issues a line establishment indication to the storage control device Sx via the external bus line BO.

When the storage control device SX confirms that all facsimile devices that have transferred the destination telephone number are displaying line establishment indications, it notifies these facsimile devices (hereinafter referred to as designated facsimile devices) that the image signal will be transferred. death,
When ready is returned from all specified facsimile machines,
One line of image information is read out from the memory 22, expanded into the original image signal by the code compression/expansion circuit 23, and then sent to the external bus line BO.

This image signal is simultaneously received by each designated facsimile machine, passed through the external interface circuit 11, internal bus line 4, and buffer 5, and encoded by the code compression/decompression circuit 3 in a format compatible with the destination station. The signal is modulated and transmitted to each destination station via the network control circuit 7.

When each designated facsimile machine finishes transmitting the image information for the (1) line, it continuously transmits fill pits without transmitting the line synchronization signal EOL, and responds to the storage control device SX that it is ready for reception.

When the storage control device SX confirms that all designated facsimile devices have responded that they are ready for acceptance, the storage control device SX reads the image information of the next line from the image memory 22, converts it into an image signal in the code compression/expansion circuit 23, and sends it to the external bus line. Send to BO.

When each designated facsimile machine receives the image signal of the next line and transfers it to the code compression/expansion circuit 3, it outputs a line synchronization signal EO.
L, and both signals on the newly received line are encoded and transmitted.

Such processing is repeated for each line of the image signal, and when all images of the transmission document have been transferred, the storage control device SX instructs all designated facsimile machines to end the transmission, and by kneading, each designated facsimile machine Image information transmission ends.

By the way, if there is a facsimile machine operating independently at the time when the storage control device SX starts broadcast communication,
Alternatively, if the operator enters more destination telephone numbers than the total number n of facsimile machines, it is not possible to broadcast to all destinations in one broadcast.

In such a case, the storage control device Sx continues to perform simultaneous broadcasting to the remaining destinations in the same manner as described above. This repetition is executed until the broadcast communication to all destinations is completed.

In the above-described embodiment, all the designated facsimile machines simultaneously received the image signal sent from the storage control device Sx to the external bus line BO, but this image signal transfer is time-divided to each designated facsimile machine. You may do so.

By the way, in the embodiment described above, when all the designated facsimile machines indicate that they are ready for reception, the storage control device SX
transfers the image signal of the next line, the transmission of image information to other destination stations is affected by the destination station with the slowest data transmission rate, resulting in poor transmission efficiency.

To solve this problem, a line buffer for multiple lines (for example, 20 lines) is formed in the buffer 5 of the facsimile device, and the storage control device Sx sends one line of image signals to each designated facsimile device in a time-sharing manner. Transfer each time.

Then, each designated facsimile machine sequentially stores both signals in a line buffer and transfers both signals to the code compression/decompression circuit 3. If the transmission speed is slower than the image signal transmission speed and the line buffer is full, the signals are stored. Notify the control device SX that the image signal cannot be accepted.

Thereafter, when the line buffer becomes free, it notifies the storage control device SX that the image signal can be accepted and prompts the storage control device SX to transfer the image signal.

In this case, the storage control device SX does not transfer either signal to the specified facsimile device that has notified that the image signal cannot be accepted until it notifies that the image signal can be accepted, and also does not transfer the signals to each specified facsimile device. It remembers whether both signals have been sent to the eye and manages the image signal when the transfer is resumed.

By doing this, each designated facsimile device can independently transmit image information to the destination station, and therefore,
Transmission efficiency improves.

Furthermore, each facsimile device may be provided with a page memory capable of storing image signals for one page, and the image signals for one page may be transferred from the storage control device Sx to each designated facsimile device. good.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, each facsimile machine is equipped with a scanner and a plotter, but when considered as a facsimile broadcasting machine, only one facsimile machine equipped with a scanner and a plotter is required, and the other facsimile machines are equipped with a scanner and a plotter. As shown in FIG. 4, it may not be equipped with a scanner and a plotter. Furthermore, a facsimile broadcasting device does not necessarily include a plotter.

[Effects] As explained above, according to the present invention, a facsimile broadcasting device is configured by connecting a plurality of facsimile devices to a storage control device via a bus line, so that facsimile broadcasting with different numbers of owned lines can be performed. The advantage is that the device can be easily constructed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile machine, Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a storage control device, and Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the device. 1... Scanner, 2... Plotter, 3, 23...
Code compression/expansion circuit, 4, 29...internal bus line, 5
... Buffer, 6... Modem, 7... Network control circuit.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of facsimile devices are connected in parallel via a bus line to a storage control device that has a function of storing image information and destination station information, and the storage control device stores image information read by any of the facsimile devices. The system is characterized in that it stores information about the destination station, gives destination station information to each facsimile machine, causes the destination station to make a call, and then sequentially transfers the accumulated image information to each facsimile machine and broadcasts it to each destination station. Facsimile broadcasting device. (2) In the first aspect of the present invention, the facsimile device can operate independently of the storage control device, and the storage control device causes only the inactive facsimile device to call a destination station and send a message to the destination station. A facsimile broadcasting device characterized by transferring and broadcasting information.