JP2003289418A - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile machine in which a download cost of a ringer melody is reduced. <P>SOLUTION: The facsimile machine 11 making facsimile communication or the like through a line and capable of displaying and printing received facsimile data or the like includes: an access information storage section 25 for storing access information for access to a server; and a communication information storage section 27 for storing communication information to make communication with an information site connected to the server, and transmits the communication information entered before access to the server to the server to reduce a communication time with the information site. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine capable of downloading an incoming melody.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, not only portable telephone devices but also facsimile devices using a line have come into widespread use in which a user can freely select an incoming melody. This is a facsimile machine compatible with so-called information providing service. The information providing service here refers to an e-mail (e-mail) service that connects a facsimile machine to a server of a provider who is a connection provider via a general line, and a server of the provider. It is a connection service to an information site where various information menus (for example, a ringing melody download service) are connected via a dedicated line such as an optical cable via the service.

A method of downloading information from an information site by operating a facsimile apparatus compatible with the information providing service will be described below. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a conventional facsimile device to connect to a server, and FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a method of operating a conventional facsimile device to connect to an information site. 14 to 15 are schematic diagrams showing a process of operating a conventional facsimile device to download an incoming melody from an information site, and FIG. 16 shows a process of operating a conventional facsimile device to download information from an information site. It is a flowchart shown.

As shown in FIG. 12, in order to use the information providing service, the user first operates the facsimile apparatus 1 to connect to the server 3 of the provider 2 and then via the server 3 the target information site 4 Will be connected to. The provider 2 is an installer of the server 3, so to speak, the server 3 serves as a window for the user of the facsimile apparatus 1 to connect to the information site 4, and if the server 3 is not used, the information site 4 is accessed. Can not connect. In order to connect the facsimile device 1 to the server 3, it is necessary to call the provider 2 and send the ID and password to the provider 2.
The ID and password are given when the user makes a contract with the provider 2. If the ID and password sent by the user are correct, the contractor is authenticated and the user's facsimile machine 1 is connected to the server 3. It That is, in order to connect to the server 3, it is necessary to send the connection information including the telephone number of the provider 2 and the ID and password to the line. Normally, when the e-mail button on the operation unit of the facsimile apparatus 1 is pressed, The connection information registered in advance can be read and transmitted to the line to connect to the server 3.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 14, the server 3
After being connected to the information site 4, the user operates the facsimile device 1 to connect to the desired information department of the information site 4 via the server 3 and retrieves the necessary information to obtain the desired information. It can be downloaded from.

As shown in FIG. 15, for example, an incoming melody selected from the incoming melody list in an interactive format (for example, YMO's Raideen) is downloaded from the information site 4, and the incoming melody of the user's facsimile machine 1 is downloaded. You can also set it as your favorite ringtone.

The method of downloading the incoming melody from the information site 4 using the facsimile apparatus 1 is as follows, and will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step 1, when the user of the facsimile apparatus 1 first presses the E-mail button to connect to the server 3, the telephone number, ID and password of the provider 2 as the connection information registered in advance are stored in the memory. Read from.

In step 2, the read connection information is transmitted to the line.

At step 3, it is judged whether or not the server 3 is connected. It stays in step 3 until it is connected, and when it is connected, it proceeds to step 4. Telephone charges (call charges + information charges) will be charged when connected to the server 3.

In step 4, when the connection to the information site 4 is selected, the connection to the information site 4 is made. Therefore, a desired information department in the information of the information site 4 is selected. The input necessary for selecting a desired information department is performed by operating the operation unit of the facsimile apparatus 1. In this case, if "incoming melody download" is selected in FIG. 14, the menu page is turned over and the next menu shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display screen.

In step 5, the facsimile apparatus 1 side operates to communicate with the information site 4 side in an interactive manner.
Specify the ringtone to download from the melody list displayed in. In other words, the communication information for downloading the designated incoming melody is transmitted to the server 3, and is transmitted to the information site 4 via the server 3.

At step 6, the incoming melody transmitted from the information site 4 is downloaded to the facsimile apparatus 1 and stored in the memory.

In step 7, the connection with the information site 4 is disconnected by an operation from the facsimile device 1 side. At this stage, the facsimile machine 1 is connected up to the server 3 of the provider 2.

In step 8, the connection with the server 3 is disconnected by an operation from the facsimile device 1 side. At this stage, you will no longer be charged for telephone calls.

After that, the user can operate the facsimile apparatus 1 to play back the downloaded ringing melody and confirm that the ringing melody is the same as the designated ringing melody.

[0017]

However, in the facsimile apparatus 1 as described above, in the steps from step 4 to step 7 shown in FIG. 16, the operation of downloading the incoming melody while connecting to the information site 4 must be performed. I have to. In order to reduce the burden of telephone charges associated with downloading, it suffices to carry out the downloading process promptly, but since the number of ringtones that can be downloaded exceeds 600 songs, it is absolutely necessary to carry out steps 4 to 4.
Since it takes time to select the incoming melody related to step 5, the download process cannot be performed quickly. Therefore, there was a problem that the download cost of the incoming melody was high.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of reducing the download cost of an incoming melody.

[0019]

In order to solve this problem, the present invention performs facsimile communication or the like through a line,
A facsimile device capable of printing received facsimile data and the like, which stores a connection information storage unit that stores connection information for connecting to a server and communication information for communicating with an information site connected to the server The communication information storage unit is provided, and the communication information input before connecting to the server is transmitted to the server to shorten the communication time with the information site.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a facsimile apparatus which can reduce the download cost of the incoming melody.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a facsimile machine capable of performing facsimile communication and the like through a line and printing received facsimile data and the like, and a connection for connecting to a server. A connection information storage unit that stores information and a communication information storage unit that stores communication information for communicating with an information site connected to the server are provided, and the communication information input before connecting to the server is transmitted to the server. By doing so, the communication time with the information site is shortened, and after the connection with the server, the decision items that were decided by spending time communicating with the information site via the server are The communication time as the information corresponding to the part to reach the decision item is read from the communication information storage unit and transmitted to the server, so that the communication time with the information site can be improved. Because it reduced, an effect that it is possible to reduce the telephone charges required for communication with the information site.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the connection information read from the connection information storage unit is transmitted to the line and read out from the communication information storage unit after connection to the server. It is configured to send communication information to the server, and after connecting with the server, communication time can be shortened by reading the communication information from the communication information storage unit and sending it to the server. It has the effect that the telephone charge required for the communication can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the communication information to be transmitted to the server is a download information of the incoming melody list, which is used as the communication information. Since the communication time with the information site can be shortened by reading the download information of the ringtone melody list from the communication information storage unit and transmitting it to the server, the telephone charge required for communication with the information site can be reduced. Have.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the second and third aspects, the communication information transmitted to the server is download information of a designated incoming melody. The downloaded information of the specified ringing melody as communication information,
Since the communication time with the information site can be shortened by reading out from the communication information storage unit and transmitting to the server, the telephone charge required for communication with the information site can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fourth aspect, when the download of the designated incoming melody is completed, the downloaded incoming melody is played back. This has the effect of confirming whether the melody is the one specified.

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

(Embodiment 1) The outline of one embodiment of the present invention is that information to be extracted from an information site is predetermined in order to shorten the communication time with the information site whose telephone charge is bulky. Information that is determined by inputting according to the method is stored in the communication information storage unit as communication information, and after connecting to the server, the communication information is read and transmitted to the information site via the server, and the information extracted from the information site It was devised to shorten the time until the decision is made, shorten the communication time with the comprehensive information site, and reduce the telephone charges that increase when communicating with the information site.

The details of one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
-It demonstrates, referring FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to connect to a server, and FIG. 3 operating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to connect to an information site. It is a schematic diagram which shows the method. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention to download an incoming melody from an information site, and FIGS. 5 to 9 show a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the process of operating and generating the communication information for transmitting to an information site. 10 to 11 are flowcharts showing a process of operating the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention to download information from an information site.

In FIG. 1, since the facsimile machine 11 connected to the line has a master device function, at least 1
It is possible to install a plurality of slave units 12, and the facsimile device 11 and the slave unit 12 are within a certain distance (10
Bidirectional wireless communication is possible at 0 to 150 m).

Facsimile apparatus 1 described in FIG.
1 is a cordless model, but the facsimile machine 11 itself may be cordless or may not be cordless. In the present invention,
It is important that the facsimile device 11 is compatible with the information providing service.
The outline of the function of 1 is as follows.

Under the control of the control unit 13, the facsimile apparatus 11 transmits / receives various signals to / from the other party of a telephone call or facsimile communication, and at the same time communicates with the slave unit 12 side through the wireless communication unit 14 including a wireless transmission unit and a wireless reception unit. Bidirectional wireless communication is performed. Since the facsimile machine 11 is compatible with the information providing service, as shown in FIG. 2, by connecting to the server 3 of the provider 2, various kinds of information can be transmitted from the information site 4 via the server 3 to the facsimile machine 11. It can also be downloaded to 11 (this item will be described in detail later).

Returning to FIG. 1, the controller 13 controls the CPU and RA.
The facsimile machine 11 is composed of an M, a ROM and the like.
Is responsible for the overall control of. Since this facsimile machine 11 is equipped with a handset 15 connected by a cord,
When the handset 15 is picked up and taken off-hook, a wireless call (extension call) with the handset 12 or an outside call (external call) through the line is possible. Also, the facsimile machine 1
1 also has a speakerphone call unit 16, so
When the speakerphone button of the speakerphone call unit 16 is pressed, it is possible to make a call without releasing it. Since the facsimile machine 11 is provided with the answering machine 17, the facsimile machine 11 can be operated even if a bell comes in from the line.
When both the side and the handset 12 cannot answer the call, the answering machine 17 is activated so that the incoming message can be recorded. In this case, if the telephone does not answer the call even if the bell rings for a predetermined number of times (for example, 6 times), the control unit 13 switches the changeover switch 18 from the communication circuit unit 19 side to the answering machine 17 side. . Since the facsimile device 11 is equipped with the electronic telephone directory 20, if a frequently used telephone number is registered in the electronic telephone directory 20, it is not necessary to dial the numeric keypad of the operation unit 21 each time, and the electronic telephone directory is not required. It is possible to dial by simply searching for 20, displaying a desired telephone number on the display unit 22 and performing a call operation.

Further, since the facsimile machine 11 is provided with the original facsimile function section 23,
When a CNG signal which is a facsimile communication start signal comes in, a CNG signal detector (not shown) detects the CNG signal,
The control unit 13 switches the changeover switch 18 from the communication circuit unit 19 side to the facsimile function unit 23 side to receive a facsimile. Here, if the facsimile device 11 has a display FAX function, the content of the received facsimile is displayed on the display unit 22. Therefore, if it is sufficient to glance at one glance, it is better to print it without printing. If it is good, the operation unit 21 can be operated to print using the printing unit 24 in the facsimile function unit 23. However, since the display FAX function is not an essential requirement of the present invention, it does not matter if the facsimile apparatus 11 does not have the display FAX function.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus 11 of the present invention is characterized by being compatible with the information providing service. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the information providing service is performed by connecting the facsimile device 11 to the server 3 of the provider 2 who is a connection provider through a general line, and via the connected server 3 of the provider 2. Connection to the desired information department of the information site 4 where a mail (e-mail) service and various information menus (for example, ringtone melody download service) that are connected to the server 3 of the provider 2 by a dedicated line such as an optical cable are prepared. Services, etc.

As shown in FIG. 2, in order to use the information providing service, the user first operates the facsimile device 11 to connect to the server 3 of the provider 2 and, via the server 3, the target information site 4 Will be connected to. The provider 2 is an installer of the server 3, so to speak, the server 3 serves as a window for the user of the facsimile machine 11 to connect to the information site 4.
It is not possible to connect to the information site 4 without going through the server 3.

In order to connect the facsimile device 11 to the server 3, a telephone call is made to the provider 2 and the user's I
D and password must be sent to the provider 2 side. The ID and password are given when the user makes a contract with the provider 2. If the ID and password sent by the user are correct, the contractor's authentication is completed,
The user's facsimile machine 11 will be connected to the server 3. Provider 2 telephone number and user ID
Since the connection information including the password and the password is frequently used each time the server 3 is connected, the connection information is stored in advance in the connection information storage unit 25 as if a frequently used telephone number is registered in the electronic telephone directory 20. If you register, operation unit 21
By pressing the E-mail button 26, the connection information can be automatically read from the connection information storage unit 25.

For the following description, the difference between the present invention and the conventional example will be clarified. In the conventional example, it is possible to connect to the server 3 of the provider 2 by reading the connection information registered in advance and transmitting it to the line simply by pressing the E-mail button. However, in the present invention, it is not possible to connect to the server 3 simply by pressing the E-mail button 26. In the present invention, when the e-mail button 26 is pressed, the connection information registered in advance is read,
The read connection information is not sent to the line as it is. In order to send the read connection information to the line, the "final item determination operation" described below is required.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the e-mail button 26 is pressed, a menu is displayed on the display unit 22. For example, the operation unit 21 is operated to select "download ringtone melody" from the menu, and one after another. Turn the menu page and decide the final item (press the decision key)
Then, communication information (detailed later) is stored in the communication information storage unit 27, and the connection information is read from the connection information storage unit 25 and transmitted to the line. After transmitting the connection information and connecting to the server 3, the communication information that has been subjected to the determination operation is read from the communication information storage unit 27 and transmitted to the information site 4 via the server 3. Regarding the menu data displayed on the display unit 22, the menu data is stored in advance in the non-volatile memory of the facsimile device 11, and the menu of the facsimile device 11 is transmitted by the server 3 side as necessary. It is better to rewrite the data in the latest version. Also,
The connection information storage unit 25 and the communication information storage unit 27 are set by dividing the use area of the memory of the facsimile apparatus 11 like the electronic telephone directory 20.

That is, in the conventional example, the flow is “press E-mail button → send connection information”, but in the present invention, “press E-mail button → select menu → select final item operation → send connection information → communication This is the reason why the flow has been changed to "information transmission". Of these, the "menu selection → final item determination operation" is for "communication information creation". It can be restated as changed.

Now, in order to explain the communication information stored in the communication information storage unit 27, the procedure for downloading the incoming melody will be described in detail.

When "Incoming melody download" is selected in the menu shown in FIG. 4 and the determination operation is performed, the process proceeds to the next menu page, and the menu shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.
In the menu shown in FIG. 5, when "take out melody list" is selected and a determination operation is performed, the process proceeds to the next menu page, and the menu shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. If, for example, “= other” is selected in the menu shown in FIG. 6 to perform a decision operation, the creation of communication information ends because this is the final item decision operation, but the created communication information is stored in the communication information storage. It is stored in the unit 27. When the creation of the communication information is completed, the connection information is read from the connection information storage unit 25 and transmitted to the line. After transmitting the connection information and connecting to the server 3, the communication information is read from the communication information storage unit 27 and transmitted to the information site 4 via the server 3.

The communication information read from the communication information storage unit 27 will be described below. Communication information is
"Incoming melody download /
It is a route to follow the decision items on each menu page, such as “take out melody list / = others”. In other words, the route that follows the decision items on each menu page can be said to be "the one decided by inputting in advance according to a predetermined method". “Incoming melody download / melody list extraction / = others”, which is a route to follow the decisions on each menu page, is stored in the communication information storage unit 27 as communication information. Then, when the communication information is transmitted to the server 3 after the connection to the server 3, the communication time with the information site 4 is greatly shortened, and the data corresponding to the requirements from the facsimile apparatus 11 side is immediately returned. Then, the data returned from the information site 4 is stored in the non-volatile memory of the facsimile apparatus 11, but if the printing process is performed as necessary, the printing unit 24 operates, and as shown in FIG. The ringtone melody download list (other) corresponding to the item “= other” is printed.

As described above, if the communication information is transmitted to the server 3 after the connection to the server 3, the data corresponding to the requirement is returned from the information site 4 without delay, which is a feature of the present invention. . Therefore, unlike the conventional example, the time taken to determine the information to be extracted from the information site 4 performed between the facsimile device 11 and the information site 4 can be greatly shortened, and the total communication time with the information site 4 can be shortened. As a result, the telephone charge (call charge + information charge) that increases due to communication with the information site 4 can be significantly reduced.

Now that the download list (others) of the incoming melody as shown in FIG. 7 has been obtained, the procedure for downloading the incoming melody will now be described.

From the download list (others) of the incoming melody of FIG. 7, for example, the song number "000029"
Select and download YMO's Rydeen. In this case, after selecting "download melody" in FIG. 4 to perform the decision operation and turn the menu page, select "melody download" in FIG. 5 to perform the decision operation and turn the menu page. Then, in FIG. 8, the music piece number “000029” is input to the operation unit 21.
After inputting from the ten-key pad to perform the decision operation and turning the menu page, the registered melody number (5-9
For example, “5” is input from the ten-key pad of the operation unit 21 to perform a determination operation. If the registered melody number “5” selected in FIG. 9 is empty, it means that the final item decision operation has been performed. Therefore, “incoming melody download / melody download / 00002”
The route "9" that follows the decision items on each menu page is stored in the communication information storage unit 27 as communication information as described above. Incidentally, if a melody is already registered in the registered melody number “5” selected in FIG. 9, the menu page is turned over and it is asked whether or not to overwrite. Therefore, if “Overwrite” is selected, the final item is selected. Selection is completed. To explain capture, the communication information to be transmitted to the information site 4 is up to the input of the song number shown in FIG. 8, and the registered melody number shown in FIG. 9 is a problem of internal processing on the side of the facsimile apparatus 11. It has nothing to do with communication information.

Now, when the final item determining operation is performed, the created communication information is stored in the communication information storage unit 27, and the connection information is read from the connection information storage unit 25 and transmitted to the line. After transmitting the connection information and connecting to the server 3, the communication information that has been subjected to the determination operation is read from the communication information storage unit 27 and the information site 4 is transmitted via the server 3.
Will be sent to. In the present invention, since the communication information is transmitted to the server 3 after the connection to the server 3, the communication time with the information site 4 is significantly shortened, which leads to the saving of telephone charges. Facsimile machine 11
Is connected to the information site 4, the information site 4 which has received the communication information immediately starts the process of downloading the incoming melody. Facsimile device 11 for incoming melody
When the download to the
On the side, after disconnecting the connection with the information site 4, the connection with the server 3 is also disconnected to put it in an offline state so that telephone charges are not incurred. Thereafter, the facsimile device 11 automatically reproduces the downloaded incoming melody, so that the user can confirm whether the downloaded incoming melody is the specified one.

Since it asks for confirmation as to whether or not to continue downloading under the offline state, if "No" is selected to end the download, the download process is ended. However, if other ringtones are continuously downloaded, selecting "Yes" returns to the menu page shown in FIG. 8, so that inputting the "tune number" to be downloaded creates new communication information. The subsequent flow is as described above.

Currently, as a database of downloadable ringtones, more than 600 songs are prepared. But first, in order to understand what kind of ringtones are available
It takes a considerable amount of time to select a ringtone that you like from among the many songs. Therefore, if the incoming melody to be downloaded is selected under the online state in which the facsimile device 11 is connected to the server 3, the telephone charge will increase considerably.

Therefore, in the present invention, by utilizing the characteristics of the facsimile device 11 having a printing function, the melody list of the incoming melody is printed and taken out in advance, and the user can look at the taken melody list under an offline state in which no telephone charge is applied. Select the ringtone to download. All that the user has to think about and choose is under offline conditions with no telephone charges. Mechanical exchanges between the facsimile machine 11 and the server 3 and the information site 4 after all are decided are performed under an online state. In other words, unlike the conventional interactive method, it is not necessary to decide things while cruising under the online state, so the telephone charge can be greatly saved.

Hereinafter, the difference between the facsimile apparatus 11 of the present invention and the conventional example will be reconfirmed with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

In step 11, the facsimile machine 11
When the user presses the e-mail button 26 to connect to the server 3, the telephone number, the ID, and the password of the provider 2 as the connection information registered in advance are read from the connection information storage unit 25. Then, the menu shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 22. At this stage, since the facsimile machine 11 is not connected to the server 3, no telephone fee is charged.

In step 12, the menu page is turned over and the final item is determined. Here, first, the menu page is turned over, and the communication information is created by selecting the menu "download incoming melody / take out melody list / = others" and perform the final item determination operation.

In step 13, the route that follows the decision items on each menu page is stored in the communication information storage unit 27 as communication information. Then, the connection information is immediately read from the connection information storage unit 25 and transmitted to the line.

At step 14, it is judged whether or not the server 3 is connected. It stays in step 14 until it is connected, and proceeds to step 15 if it is connected. Telephone charges (call charges + information charges) will be charged when connected to the server 3.

In step 15, the communication information stored in the communication information storage unit 27 is read out and transmitted to the information site 4 via the server 3 to connect to the information site 4.

In step 16, the ringtone melody list downloaded from the information site 4 is stored in the memory of the facsimile apparatus 11. This memory is also used in the electronic telephone directory 20 by dividing the used area.

At step 17, the connection with the information site 4 is disconnected. At this stage, the facsimile machine 11 is connected to the server 3 only.

In step 18, the connection with the server 3 is cut off. At this stage, you will no longer be charged for telephone calls.

In step 19, the incoming melody list is read from the memory storing the incoming melody list in step 15 and printed.

Now, the procedure for determining the incoming melody to be downloaded while referring to the printed incoming melody list starts from step 21 shown in FIG.

In step 21, the facsimile machine 11
When the user presses the e-mail button 26 to connect to the server 3, the telephone number, the ID, and the password of the provider 2 as the connection information registered in advance are read from the connection information storage unit 25. Then, the menu shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 22.

At step 22, the menu page is turned over and the final item is determined. In this case, first, the menu page is turned over, and when the menu "Incoming melody download / melody download / 000029" is selected and the final item is determined, communication information is created.

In step 23, the route that follows the decision items on each menu page is stored in the communication information storage unit 27 as communication information. Then, the connection information is immediately read from the connection information storage unit 25 and transmitted to the line.

At step 24, it is judged whether or not the server 3 is connected. It stays in step 24 until it is connected, and proceeds to step 25 when it is connected. Telephone charges (call charges + information charges) will be charged when connected to the server 3.

In step 25, the communication information stored in the communication information storage unit 27 is read out and transmitted to the information site 4 via the server 3 to connect to the information site 4.

In step 26, the designated incoming melody is downloaded from the information site 4 and stored in the memory of the facsimile apparatus 11. This memory is also used in the electronic telephone directory 20 by dividing the used area.

At step 27, the connection with the information site 4 is disconnected. At this stage, the facsimile machine 11 is connected to the server 3 only.

At step 28, the connection with the server 3 is disconnected. At this stage, you will no longer be charged for telephone calls.

At step 29, the incoming melody downloaded under the offline state is automatically reproduced.

As shown in steps 4 to 7 in FIG. 16, in the conventional example, the information site 4 is connected from the selection of the desired information department at the information site 4 to the completion of the download of the incoming melody. It was For this reason, the connection time with the information site 4 becomes long, resulting in an increase in telephone charges. However, as shown in steps 15 to 17 of FIG. 10, in the present invention, the connection with the information site 4 is temporarily disconnected at the stage of downloading the incoming melody list. Then, after disconnecting the connection with the server 3, as shown in step 22 of FIG. 11, the incoming melody to be downloaded is selected and the communication information is created, so that the telephone charge can be saved. When the communication information is created in accordance with the selection of the ringing melody, connection to the server 3 is made again as shown in steps 23 to 26, and the ringing melody is downloaded by connecting to the information site 4. As described above, according to the present invention, the work that can be processed even when the connection with the server 3 is disconnected is processed while the connection with the server 3 is disconnected, and only the work that requires the connection with the server 3 is connected with the server 3. Since this is done thoroughly, it is possible to significantly reduce the burden of telephone charges for downloading the ringtone.

As described above, in the conventional example, from the stage of connecting to the information site to download the incoming melody to the stage of completion of downloading, the server was kept connected from the beginning to the end. However, according to the present invention, since the server is connected only when the information such as the ringtone melody list and ringtones is retrieved from the information site, only the time required for the processing that can be performed while the connection with the server is disconnected is made. You will be able to reduce charges.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, a facsimile device capable of performing facsimile communication or the like through a line and displaying or printing received facsimile data, etc., is provided with connection information for connecting to a server. By including a connection information storage unit to store and a communication information storage unit to store communication information for communicating with an information site connected to the server, by transmitting the communication information input before connecting to the server to the server It is configured to shorten the communication time with the information site.

This has the effect of reducing the download cost of the incoming melody.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to connect to a server.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a method of operating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to connect to an information site.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to download an incoming melody from an information site.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to generate communication information to be transmitted to an information site.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to generate communication information to be transmitted to an information site.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to generate communication information to be transmitted to an information site.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to generate communication information to be transmitted to an information site.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a facsimile device according to an embodiment of the present invention to generate communication information to be transmitted to an information site.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of operating a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention to download information from an information site.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of operating the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention to download information from an information site.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a conventional facsimile device and connecting to a server.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a method of operating a conventional facsimile device to connect to an information site.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a conventional facsimile device to download an incoming melody from an information site.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a process of operating a conventional facsimile device to download an incoming melody from an information site.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process of operating a conventional facsimile machine to download information from an information site.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Facsimile machine 2 providers 3 servers 4 information sites 11 Facsimile machine 12 cordless handsets 13 Control unit 14 Wireless communication section 15 handset 16 speakerphone call section 17 Answering Machine 18 Changeover switch 19 Call circuit section 20 electronic telephone directory 21 Operation part 22 Display 23 Facsimile function section 24 Printing section 25 Connection information storage 26 Email Button 27 Communication information storage unit

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Facsimile communication or the like is performed through a line,
A facsimile device capable of printing received facsimile data and the like, and stores a connection information storage unit that stores connection information for connecting to a server and communication information for communicating with an information site connected to the server. A facsimile device, comprising: a communication information storage unit; and transmitting communication information input before connecting to a server to the server to shorten communication time with an information site. 2. The facsimile according to claim 1, wherein the connection information read out from the connection information storage unit is transmitted to the line, and the communication information read out from the communication information storage unit after the connection to the server is transmitted to the server. apparatus. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication information transmitted to the server is download information of a ringing melody list. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication information to be transmitted to the server is download information of a designated incoming melody. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the download of the designated incoming melody is completed, the downloaded incoming melody is reproduced.