JP2534866B2 - Facsimile store and exchange equipment control system - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a control system for a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus.

[Prior Art] For example, when a large number of facsimile devices installed in various parts of a company are used to transmit information within a company, a facsimile network may be configured using a facsimile storage / exchange device.

When such a facsimile network is constructed,
It is possible to reduce the time and effort required for transmission and reception, the communication cost, and the number of required facsimile devices, and to ensure reliable communication.

A facsimile storage exchange device used in this facsimile network is a large-capacity data memory for storing image information and the like, a plurality of external lines (for example, public telephone lines).
And a plurality of line interfaces for connecting to a plurality of extension side facsimile devices.

Then, the transmission / reception image information for the network is temporarily stored in the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus and appropriately transmitted to the designated destination.

By the way, generally, when transmitting image information using a facsimile device, the transmitting side and the receiving side facsimile devices exchange identification information for identifying their own terminals. Each facsimile apparatus manages image information transmission using this identification information.

Conventionally, only one piece of this identification information has been set in the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus, which causes the following inconvenience.

That is, since the identification information set in the facsimile storage / exchange device is returned when the facsimile storage / exchange device is connected, the same identification information is obtained regardless of the partner terminal device when using the facsimile network. To be

Therefore, when the image information is managed by using the identification information, there is an inconvenience that detailed management cannot be performed for each partner terminal.

[Object] The present invention has been made in order to solve the disadvantages of the prior art, and provides a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus capable of responding to each terminal with identification information for managing image information. The purpose is to provide.

[Configuration] In order to achieve this object, the present invention sets identification information for each of a plurality of connected facsimile devices,
When the facsimile device is designated as either the transmitting device or the receiving device, the identification information set in the facsimile device is returned.

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

FIG. 1 shows a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, this facsimile storage and exchange device is
Connected to the public telephone line network through the line interfaces EL1 to ELn, and m extension interfaces IL1
.About.ILm are connected to m facsimile machines (not shown) on the extension side.

The exchange EX is for interconnecting the line interfaces EL1 to ELn and the extension interfaces IL1 to ILm with the k facsimile channel units FC1 to FCk.

The facsimile channels FC1 to FCk are exchanges EX,
Facsimile device connected via line interfaces EL1 to ELn and public telephone line network, or exchange
It is for transmitting image information by executing a predetermined facsimile transmission control procedure with a facsimile device connected via the EX and extension interfaces IL1 to ILm. Then, the transmitted image information is stored in the image information memory SAF by the system control unit SCU.

System control unit SCU consists of facsimile channel unit FC1 ~
This is for accumulating image information transmitted and received via FCk in the image information memory SAF, managing the accumulation, and controlling facsimile transmission by the facsimile channels FC1 to FCk. For example, broadcast transmission, timed transmission, and
Various transmission functions such as confidential reception are handled by this system control unit SC
Realized by U.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the facsimile channel unit FC1. In addition, other facsimile channel parts FC2 to FCk
Are also configured the same.

In the figure, a CPU (central processing unit) 1 is for executing a facsimile transmission control procedure process and an internal control process of the facsimile channel unit FC1,
The processing program is ROM (Read Only Memory)
2, and the work area is formed in RAM (random access memory) 3. In addition, each of the extension side facsimile devices is provided with identification information for identifying each, and the identification information is stored in the ROM2 or RAM3.
Is stored in

Interface 4 is a facsimile channel section FC1
This is for exchanging data between the SCU and the system control unit SCU.

The encoding / decoding units 5 and 6 are for encoding and compressing the image signal for facsimile transmission, and for decoding the encoded image information into the original image signal.

In this case, when the image information transmitted via the exchange EX is stored in the image information memory SAF, the encoded and compressed image information is once returned to the original image signal by the encoding / decoding unit 5 and is encoded. The coder / decoder 6 re-codes and compresses the image signal by the most efficient encoding method for storing it in the image information memory SAF.

Further, when transmitting the image information accumulated in the image information memory SAF to the target facsimile apparatus, the accumulated image information is returned to the original image signal by the encoding / decoding unit 6, and the image signal is encoded / decoded. The encoding unit 5 re-encodes and compresses by the encoding method that can be received by the target facsimile apparatus.

The modem 7 is for modulating / demodulating the digital data forming the image information when transmitting / receiving the image information to / from the facsimile device.

The tone detector 8 is for detecting a push button signal. The push button signal constitutes an extension identification signal for designating an extension side facsimile machine from a facsimile machine connected to a public telephone line network (hereinafter referred to as network side facsimile machine). For example, a combination of four continuous push button signals constitutes one extension identification signal.

Further, the CPU 1, the ROM 2, the RAM 3, the interface 4, the encoding / decoding units 5 and 6, the modem 7, and the tone detecting unit 8
Exchange data with each other via the internal bus 9.

With the above configuration, when the network side facsimile device transmits image information to the facsimile device connected to the extension of this facsimile storage and exchange device, first, the network side facsimile device uses the public telephone line network to perform facsimile storage and exchange. Make a call to the device.

As a result, the public telephone line network selects and makes a call out of the lines connected to the line interfaces EL1 to ELn that are available at that time.

In this way, the line interfaces EL1 to ELn connected to the public telephone line network notify the exchange EX of the incoming call and request to connect to any of the facsimile channel units FC1 to FCk.

As a result, the exchange EX selects the facsimile channel units FC1 to FCk that are vacant at that time, and connects the line interfaces EL1 to ELn for which a connection request has been made to the selected facsimile channel units FC1 to FCk.

On the other hand, when the facsimile machine on the network side can call the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus, it outputs a push button signal corresponding to the extension identification signal set in the destination facsimile machine.

This push button signal is used in the facsimile channel section.
The tone detection units 8 of FC1 to FCk sequentially detect and the CPU 1 is notified of the detection result.

CPU1 is based on the combination of the push button signals,
The extension identification signal sent from the network side facsimile device is determined, the extension identification signal is stored, and a facsimile transmission control procedure is started with the network side facsimile device.

Then, in the facsimile transmission control procedure, when the identification information for identifying the own terminal is returned to the network side facsimile device, the CPU 1 is set to the extension side facsimile corresponding to the extension identification signal determined at that time. The identification information is taken out from the ROM 2 or the RAM 3 and the identification information is returned to the network side facsimile device.

When the CPU 1 completes the setting of the network side facsimile device and the transmission function used at that time, it starts image information reception.
At this time, as described above, the received image information is converted into image information compressed by the encoding method most suitable for storage in the image information memory SAF, and transferred to the system control unit SCU. As a result, the system control unit SCU sequentially stores the transferred image information in the image information memory SAF.

In addition, immediately before the transfer of the image information, the CPU 1 provides the system control unit SCU with the identification information of the network side facsimile apparatus which is the transmitting apparatus and the identification information of the extension side facsimile which is the receiving apparatus.
To notify.

As a result, the system control unit SCU forms the transmission management information including the transmission / reception device identification information and the transmission mode,
The transmission management information is stored in a state associated with the image information.

When the transmission of the image information of the network side facsimile device is completed,
The connection with the facsimile machine on the network side is cut off, and the facsimile transmission ends.

In this way, when the received image information is stored in the image information memory SAF, the system control unit SCU transmits the image information to the destination facsimile machine on the extension side.

In that case, first, the system control unit SCU reads the identification information of the destination facsimile machine of the extension from the transmission management information. Then, the facsimile channel sections FC1 to FCk which are vacant at that time are selected, and the CPU 1 of the facsimile channel sections FC1 to FCk is notified that the image information is to be transmitted to the extension side facsimile apparatus corresponding to the identification information.

Then, the exchange EX is instructed to connect the facsimile channel units FC1 to FCk selected at that time and the extension interfaces IL1 to ILm corresponding to the destination facsimile machines.

As a result, the exchange EX connects the designated facsimile channel sections FC1 to FCk and the extension interfaces IL1 to ILm.

As a result, the extension side facsimile device is called and connected to the facsimile channel units FC1 to FCk.

After that, a predetermined facsimile transmission control procedure is executed, and the facsimile transmission function and the like are set. At this time,
The system control unit SCU sends the identification information of the network side facsimile device, which is the transmitting device, to the facsimile channel parts FC1 to FCk.
Notify CPU1 in advance.

As a result, when the CPU 1 responds with the identification information of the transmitting device to the facsimile device on the extension side, its system control unit
It responds with the identification information notified by the SCU.

When the CPU1 finishes setting the extension side facsimile machine and the transmission function used at that time, the system control unit SCU
Request transfer start of image information.

As a result, the image information transferred from the system control unit SCU is converted to image information compressed by the encoding method set by the extension side facsimile machine at that time and transmitted to the extension side facsimile machine as described above. To do.

In this way, when the transmission of the image information to the extension side facsimile device is completed, the connection with the extension side facsimile device is cut off and the facsimile transmission is completed.

When transmitting image information from the extension-side facsimile device to the network-side facsimile device, the extension-side facsimile device first requests the extension interfaces IL1 to ILm to be the exchanges EX.

As a result, the extension interfaces IL1 to ILn notify the exchange EX of the incoming call and request to connect to any of the facsimile channel units FC1 to FCk.

As a result, the exchange EX selects the facsimile channel sections FC1 to FCk that are currently vacant and connects the extension interfaces IL1 to ILn for which a connection request has been made to the selected facsimile channel sections FC1 to FCk.

In this way, when the extension side facsimile apparatus and the facsimile channel sections FC1 to FCk are connected, the facsimile transmission control procedure is started.

Then, in the facsimile transmission control procedure, the extension-side facsimile apparatus sends the destination telephone number and identification information for identifying its own terminal to the facsimile channel unit FC1.
~ Notify FCk.

The CPU 1 of the facsimile channel sections FC1 to FCk starts image information reception when the setting of the extension side facsimile apparatus and the transmission function used at that time is completed. At this time, similarly to the above, the image information is converted into image information compressed by the encoding method most suitable for storage in the image information memory SAF, and transferred to the system control unit SCU. As a result, the system control unit SCU
Accumulates the transferred image information in the image information memory SAF sequentially.

Immediately before the transfer of the image information, the CPU 1 provides the system control unit SCU with the identification information of the extension-side facsimile device which is the transmitting device and the telephone number of the network-side facsimile device which is the receiving device.
To notify.

As a result, the system control unit SCU forms transmission management information including the identification information of the transmitting device, the destination telephone number, the transmission mode, and the like, and stores the transmission management information in a state associated with the image information.

When the transmission of the image information of the extension side facsimile device is completed, the connection with the extension side facsimile device is disconnected and the facsimile transmission is completed.

In this way, when the received image information is accumulated in the image information memory SAF, the system control unit SCU transmits the image information to the destination facsimile machine on the network side.

In this case, the system control unit SCU first reads the telephone number of the destination network-side facsimile device from the transmission management information. Then, select the facsimile channel section FC1 to FCk that is free at that time and
Notify PCU1 of FC1 to FCk that image information will be transmitted to the network side facsimile device.

Next, in the exchange EX, the line interfaces EL1 to ELn that are vacant at that time are added to the facsimile channel sections FC1 to FCk.
To connect to. As a result, when the exchange EX connects the designated facsimile channel sections FC1 to FCk and the line interfaces EL1 to ELm, the system control section SCU
Line interface EL connected to the destination telephone number
Transfer to 1 to ELm and call the destination network facsimile machine.

After that, a predetermined facsimile transmission control procedure is executed, and the facsimile transmission function and the like are set. At this time,
The system control unit SCU sends the identification information of the extension-side facsimile device, which is the transmitting device, to the facsimile channel unit FC1.
~ Notify the CPU1 of FCk in advance.

As a result, the CPU 1 responds with the identification information notified by the system control unit SCU when responding with the identification information of the transmitting device to the network side facsimile device.

When the CPU 1 completes the setting of the network side facsimile device and the transmission function used at that time, it requests the system control unit SCU to start the transfer of image information.

As a result, as described above, the image information transferred from the system control unit SCU is converted into image information compressed by the encoding method set with the network side facsimile device,
It is transmitted to the facsimile machine on the network side.

In this way, when the transmission of the image information to the network side facsimile device is completed, the connection with the network side facsimile device is disconnected and the facsimile transmission is completed.

Further, the image information transmission between the extension side facsimile devices is performed in the same manner as described above. At this time, as the identification information of the transmission device and the reception device, the identification information set in each extension-side facsimile device is returned.

In the embodiment described above, the extension identification signal by the push button signal is used when the extension side facsimile apparatus is designated from the network side facsimile apparatus, but the extension identification signal is not limited to this. Absent.

Further, in the above embodiment, the encoding / decoding section is provided in the facsimile channel section, but the encoding / decoding section may be provided in the system control section.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the public telephone line network is used as the external line, but other external lines can also be used. Further, the number of external lines connected can be set to one or more arbitrary numbers.

[Effect] As described above, according to the present invention, identification information is set for each of a plurality of connected facsimile devices,
When the facsimile device is designated as either the transmitting device or the receiving device, since the identification information set in the facsimile device is returned, the identification information for managing the image information is sent to each terminal. The effect of being able to respond to is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile channel section. EL1 to ELn …… line interface, IL1 to ILm …… extension interface, EX …… switch, FC1 to FCk …… facsimile channel section,
SCU: System control unit, SAF: Image information memory.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method of controlling a facsimile storage exchange apparatus, wherein a plurality of facsimile apparatuses are connected, and transmission / reception image information relating to these facsimile apparatuses is temporarily stored and then transmitted to a destination of the transmission / reception image information. Facsimile characterized by comprising storage means for storing the respective set identification information, and when transmitting the transmission / reception image information, responding the identification information set in the facsimile device related to the transmission / reception image information. Storage and switching equipment control method.