JPS62243474A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain easy management in charge in combination with communication management functions stopping the transmission function of a facsimile equipment depending on the arrival of calculated charge at a prescribed amount. CONSTITUTION:A charge calculation means 121 calculates the charge required for the transmission of transmission original information 117 based on its own information 119 and sender destination information 113 representing the charge to the transmission sender. When the calculated charge of the means 121 reaches a prescribed amount of money, a transmission/reception control means 111 brings control sending the information 117 to the prescribed state via a line 115 to the transmission destination designated by the information 113. Thus, the control state of the means 111 is brought to the prescribed state to facilitate the management of the charge.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] A facsimile device that calculates the fee required for sending document information based on self information representing the sender and information of the sender, and uses the facsimile device to When the fee reaches a predetermined amount, the usage fee can be easily managed by setting the control for transmitting the document information to the destination designated by the transmission destination information via the communication line to a predetermined state.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a facsimile machine that obtains a hard copy based on a received signal using, for example, a public telephone line, and particularly relates to a facsimile machine that manages charges required for transmitting original documents.

[Conventional technology]

For example, a known facsimile device can transmit image information such as graphics or photographs to a long distance using a communication line. Currently, facsimile machines are widely used in the OA trend because image communication can be carried out via public telephone lines.

Recently, facsimile machines have become popular due to their low cost, high image quality, high speed transmission, and easy operation using a one-touch method.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, the cost of the facsimile machine that has become so widely used is based solely on the fee for occupying a public telephone line when transmitting a document using the facsimile machine.

Conventionally, facsimile machines did not have a billing function, so there was a problem in that it was not possible to adequately manage expenses, such as determining how much the usage fee was.

The present invention was created in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile machine that allows sufficient cost management.

[Means for solving problems]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, the transmission/reception control means 111 controls the transmission document information [117] to be transmitted to the transmission destination specified by the transmission destination information 113 via the communication line 115. It also performs control to receive and record information received via the communication line 115.

The fee calculation means 121 calculates the fee required for transmitting the transmitted manuscript information 117 based on the personal information @119 and the destination information 113.

The control state determining means 123 determines whether the charge calculated by the charge calculating means 121 has reached a predetermined amount, and if the charge has reached the predetermined amount, sets the transmission/reception control of the transmission/reception control means 111 to a predetermined state.

Therefore, the overall configuration is such that the fee required for transmitting the transmission document information 117 is calculated for each transmission destination information 113.

[For production]

Self information 119 representing the sender and destination information 113
Based on this, the fee required for transmitting the transmitted manuscript information 117 is calculated.

When the calculated fee reaches a predetermined amount, the sending/receiving control means 111 sends the original information 117 to the sending destination specified by the sending destination information 113 via the communication line 115.
The control to transmit is set to a predetermined state.

In the present invention, the fee required for transmitting the transmission document information 117 is calculated for each transmission destination information 113, and when a predetermined amount is reached, the control state of the transmission/reception control means 111 is brought into a predetermined state. By entering the predetermined state, it becomes easier to manage usage charges for the facsimile machine.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a facsimile machine in one embodiment of the present invention.

±1 Large ship base, 1st ward point ■Light shouting Here, the correspondence between the embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 1 will be described.

The transmission/reception control means white 1 includes the control section 219. Compression/decompression section 2
This corresponds to the 211 line control section 225 and the NCU circuit section 227.

The destination information 113 corresponds to the destination information 216.

Communication line 115 corresponds to public telephone line 229.

Transmission manuscript information 117 corresponds to manuscript information 213.

The self information 119 corresponds to the own station number stored in the self number setting section 245.

The fee calculation means 121 corresponds to the control section 219.

The control state determining means 123 corresponds to the control section 219.

Examples will be described below assuming that there is a correspondence relationship greater than or equal to 1 Yu J ro H shi.

In FIG. 2, the facsimile machine according to the embodiment of the present invention is
It is assumed that the facsimile machine is connected to another similar facsimile machine (not shown) via a public telephone line 229 so as to be able to transmit and receive data.

(i) When the facsimile machine is in the sending state: First, using the one-touch method, press the numeric keypad 215 to input the abbreviated telephone number of the destination to which you wish to send. The control unit 219 compares the registered telephone number with the registered telephone number in the telephone number registration unit 217 , reads out the matching registered telephone number from the telephone number registration unit 217 , and transfers it to the line control unit 225 .

When the reading unit 211 reads a transmission document (not shown), the read information, which is the document information 213, is transmitted to the compression/decompression unit 2.
After being compressed in step 21, the image is stored in the image file section 223.

The line control unit 225 to which the telephone number has been transferred from the control unit 219 as described above automatically dials the telephone number using the automatic dialing circuit unit 235 and performs a calling operation via the NCU circuit unit 227. .

When communication with the calling party is turned on, the control unit 219 instructs the line control unit 225 to transfer the stored file information in the image file unit 223 to the public telephone line 229 via the NCU circuit unit 227. , and send it to the specified destination.

If a time is specified, the control unit 219 similarly transmits and outputs the document information when the time specified by the timer monitoring unit 233 is reached.

The information thus output from the facsimile machine on the sending side is received by the facsimile machine of the designated destination via the public telephone line 229.

(ii) When the facsimile device is in a receiving state The illustrated facsimile device is assumed to receive information via the public telephone line 229.

Information sent via public telephone line 229 is NC
It is received by the U circuit unit 227 and transmitted to the compression/decompression unit 221 via the line control unit 225 controlled by the control unit 219.
supplied to The data is restored by the compression/decompression section 221, and an image is recorded by the recording section 237.

The above is an outline of the transmission and reception functions of the facsimile machine.

However, this facsimile machine is equipped with a fee calculation function. In other words, it has a charge information storage section 241, charges are calculated based on the charge information storage section 241, and the charge display section 243 shows the usage charge status of the facsimile machine. The area code of the user's own telephone number, which is the basis for calculating charges, is set in the own number setting section 245 when the facsimile machine is installed, based on the assigned telephone number. Since this station number differs depending on the installation location, it is necessary to be able to set it for each device.

The fee display section 243 includes a fee counter 343 as shown in FIG. This charge counter 343 can be externally attached to the facsimile machine, and its display 344 can display the charge.

The charge information storage section 241 stores inter-office information as shown in FIG. 4, as well as charge table data as shown in FIG. 5.

show. Hereinafter, FIGS. 2 to 6 will be referred to.

It is assumed that the facsimile machine is now ready for transmission. For example, assume that the available charge for January is 10,000 yen, and that 10,000 is set in the charge counter 343 at the beginning of the month (see FIG. 3(a)).

In addition to specifying the destination using the numeric keypad 215,
The reading unit 211 reads the original to be transmitted.

Transmission is performed to the designated destination using the transmission control described above (step 611). Here, the transmission time Tt at this time
, the communication time Ti during which the line was occupied during transmission and the station number Nr of the transmission destination are stored in a specific memory area of the charge information storage unit 241 (
(not shown). These are the information necessary for fee calculation.

Next, the distance between the stations is calculated based on both the station numbers of the station itself and the destination of the transmission (step 612).

Here, square numbers adopted by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) are used. In other words, the whole country is divided into 2km squares and numbers (Xi, Yi) are assigned vertically and horizontally. As shown in Figure 4, let the own station number be (Xi, Yl),
Also, enter the station number of the destination that has already been stored (X
2. Y2), the distance between stations is L=2 (Km)X ((Xi-X2)"+ (Yl-
Y2)”)”” ・−・・Given as (1).

Next, it is determined whether the transmitted time period is a time period to which the discount rate system is applied (step 613). For example, there is a special rate discount system for nights, holidays, etc. This determination can be made by reading out the transmission time Tt and communication time Ti that have already been stored, based on the time measurement by the timer monitoring section 233.

If such a transmission time period is a discount time period (affirmative judgment)
, based on the inter-office distance already determined in step 612, it is determined whether the distance is applicable to a discounted charge (step 614). For example, if the distance is 60 km or more, a special rate system such as night time is applied.

If the discount distance is not applicable (negative determination in step 614) or if it is not during the discount period (negative determination in step 613), calculation is performed using the normal fare system (step 6
15). The charge P in this case can be determined by referring to the charge table shown in Fig. 5 based on the distance between stations and the communication time Ti: P=(Ti/(unit seconds))XIO(yen)...
...(2) It can be found as follows. Here, the unit of seconds is the maximum time that a call can be made for 10 yen.

゛Also, if the inter-office distance is the discount applicable distance and the discount time period is reached (affirmative determination in step 614), the charge is calculated based on another discount charge system (step 616).
). Here, it is calculated by multiplying by the discount rate adopted by NTT.

In this way, the control unit 219 transfers the amount of the fee obtained in step 615 or 616 to the fee display unit 243.
, and the amount indicated on the display 344 is reduced (step 617). On the display 344, the displayed amount changes as shown in FIG. 3(b). Therefore, it is possible to visually check how much the facsimile device can transmit.

Subsequently, it is determined whether the displayed amount representing the current usage status has fallen below 0 yen (step 618).

That is, by continuing to use the device, it is determined whether the displayed amount has become O (or negative) as shown in FIG. 3(C).

If it is less than 0, it means that the predetermined usage fee set at the beginning has been reached, so the control unit 219 stops the transmission function (step 619). Here, the operation of the numeric keypad 215 or the original reading operation of the reading section 211 is disabled.

As a result, from now on, it will no longer be possible to send data using this facsimile machine, and there will be no excess charge due to sending the original. However, it is possible to receive originals.

If the value does not reach 0 even after transmission (negative determination at step 618), the control unit 219 ends the operation without changing any functions, and transmits the document as a facsimile machine. and becomes ready for reception.

In this way, the usable amount is set in advance on the fee counter 343, and the amount is reduced each time transmission is made, and the remaining usable amount is displayed on the display 344, By stopping transmission when a predetermined amount is reached, it becomes easier to manage the transmission usage of the facsimile machine.

This predetermined amount is determined, for example, per month, per week, etc., taking into consideration the usage status at the location where the facsimile machine is installed.
Set in advance for a certain period of time. After such a predetermined period has elapsed, the settings are updated and the settings are reset to enable transmission.

Note that in the above-mentioned embodiment, the maximum amount that can be used is set in advance, and the amount is reduced each time it is sent, but the amount is accumulated from O and the maximum amount is When this happens, the transmission function may be stopped. The display device 344 of the charge counter 343 may be a display device using a light emitting diode or the like.

Furthermore, although the transmission function is stopped when a predetermined amount is reached, there may be cases where an emergency is required. At that time, if you take measures to temporarily cancel the transmission function suspension,
Good compatibility in practical terms.

Furthermore, although the embodiments of the present invention are made to correspond to the present invention in "Correspondence between 11th embodiment and FIG. It is.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, when a predetermined amount is reached, the transmission function of the facsimile device is stopped, and by combining this with the communication management function that facsimile devices currently have, it is possible to manage fees. becomes easier,
It is extremely useful in practical terms.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the configuration of a facsimile device in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3(a) to (C) are embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of inter-station distance calculation applied to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of correspondence of usage charges in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment. In the figure, 111 is a transmission/reception control means, 113 is transmission destination information, 115 is a communication line, 117 is transmission manuscript information, 119 is self information, 121 is a fee calculation means, 123 is a control state determination means, 213 is manuscript information, 216 is destination information, 219 is a control unit, 221 is a compression/decompression unit, 223 is an image file unit, 225 is a line control unit, 229 is a public telephone line, 233 is a timer monitoring unit, 235 is an automatic calling circuit unit, 237 is a recording section, 241 is a charge information storage section, 243 is a charge display section, 245 is a self-number setting section, and 343 is a charge counter. Figure 2: AA8 Figure 3: Distance between stations Figure 4: Yellow example

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) The transmission/reception control means (111) connects the transmission destination specified by the transmission destination information (113) to the communication line (11).
In a facsimile machine that controls the transmission of original information (117) via a communication line (115) and also records the reception of information received via a communication line (115), self-information (117) representing the sender is provided. 119) and destination information (
113), a fee calculation means (121) that calculates the fee required for transmitting the transmitted manuscript information (117), and a fee calculation means (121) that determines whether the fee calculated by the fee calculation means (121) has reached a predetermined amount. and control state determining means (123) for setting the transmission/reception control of the transmission/reception control means (111) to a predetermined state when the predetermined amount has been reached. . (2) The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission destination information (113) is a telephone number of the transmission destination, and the transmission document information (117) is document information. (3) The predetermined operation of the transmission/reception control means (111) controlled by the control state determination means (123) is such that only transmission control is disabled. facsimile machine.