JP2574597B2 - Image communication device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus for communicating image information through a line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of image communication apparatus has only one communication unit, and sequentially processes communication jobs for transmitting or receiving image information using this communication unit. In addition, a display panel is provided near the operation panel, and the communication status of the apparatus is normally displayed on the display panel. However, when an operator performs a communication reservation operation for generating a communication job, a screen for the operation is displayed. Switching temporarily. Further, when a telephone reservation is instructed during communication, a telephone call can be made at the end of communication.

[0003]

However, according to such a configuration, the number of communication jobs that can be processed at one time is limited to one. Therefore, when there are many communication jobs to be processed, there is a problem that the waiting time of processing becomes long. there were. Further, even when the number of communication jobs is small, if there is a broadcast communication job having a large number of communication destinations, there is a problem that another communication job is kept waiting for a long time for this processing. Further, with respect to individual broadcast jobs, if the number of communication destinations is large, it takes a long time to complete communication with all destinations, which is inconvenient when it is desired to transmit to many destinations almost simultaneously.
Furthermore, even if the communication destinations of a plurality of communication jobs are the same, each communication job is processed independently, so that connection and disconnection of the line are repeated for communication with the same destination, which is inefficient. There was a problem.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and can more efficiently process a large number of communication jobs and a broadcast communication job having a large number of communication destinations. It is an object to provide a possible image communication device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has the following construction to solve the above-mentioned problems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of communication units capable of independently performing communication through the same or different lines, processing of a communication job for transmitting or receiving image information by each of the communication units, and generation of a communication job. Control means for performing such control as described above, and the plurality of communication units independently process communication jobs according to the control of the control means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the communication job has information for selecting a communication unit, and the control means selects a communication unit to process the communication job based on the information. Is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the control means is configured to perform a control based on information on a communication destination input at the time of generating a communication job and information on a line connected to each communication unit. And setting information for selecting a communication unit of this communication job.

According to a fourth aspect, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the control means divides a broadcast communication job which can be processed by a plurality of communication units into a plurality of jobs to which communication destinations are distributed. To be processed by a plurality of communication units,
Is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect, when the control means completes the processing of the divided job, the control means deletes information relating to the communication result to another unfinished divided of the same communication job. It is provided with a configuration of passing to a job.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the control means continuously executes a plurality of communication jobs for transmission including the same communication destination by the same communication unit with respect to the communication destination. And perform processing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the communication job can have one or more proxy destinations for one communication destination, and the control means controls the communication job in the communication unit. If it is not possible to execute the processing of the communication destination because the communication destination is busy, the processing is executed for the substitute destination.
Is provided.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, there is provided display means for selectively displaying a communication state screen for each communication unit and other screens.
When switching the display screen of the display unit from the other screen to the communication state screen, when only one communication unit is communicating, the communication state screen of the communication unit is displayed, and a plurality of communication units are executing the same type of communication. In the case of, the communication state screen of the communication unit having the latest communication start time is selected and displayed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display means for alternatively displaying a communication state of each communication unit, and a case where a telephone reservation is instructed by an operator. The control unit accepts a telephone reservation only when the communication unit whose communication state is displayed on the display unit is communicating, and enables the communication unit to make a telephone call after the communication is completed. Things.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one communication unit for performing communication through one or more types of lines, and control for controlling generation and processing of a communication job for image information communication by the communication unit. Means, wherein each communication job has a priority level indicating the priority of processing, and the control means changes the priority level according to the state of execution of processing of the communication job. It is.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the tenth aspect, the control means temporarily raises the priority level to the highest level and then gradually lowers the priority level in accordance with the execution status of the processing of the communication job. It has a configuration.

According to a twelfth aspect, in addition to the configuration of the eleventh aspect, the presence or absence of priority designation is designated by an operator for each communication job, and the control means controls the initial level, the highest level and the lowest level of the priority level of the communication job. Is selected according to the presence or absence of the priority designation of the communication job.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in addition to the configuration of the twelfth aspect, the initial level, the highest level, and the lowest level of the priority level for each of the communication job with priority designation and the communication job without priority designation are variable by the operator. The setting is provided.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the control means controls a communication destination of a communication job to be processed by a certain communication unit and a communication destination being communicated by another communication unit. It is configured to check the match and cancel the call to the matching communication destination.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the control means selects, from among communication destinations of a communication job to be processed by a certain communication unit, a communication destination being communicated by another communication unit. Is selected as a communication destination to be called, and if a communication destination to be called is not found, the processing of the communication job is interrupted.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, when the control means receives image information from a specific line designated in advance by the operator, the image information is transmitted by the operator. The configuration is such that a transmission job for transmission to a destination designated in advance is generated.

[0021]

According to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, even when the number of communication jobs is large or when there is a broadcast communication job having a large number of communication destinations, a plurality of communication jobs are processed at the same time, and the processing of the communication job is awaited. You can save time.

When a plurality of communication units are used, it is preferable to increase the degree of freedom in the types of lines that can be connected to the communication units in terms of expanding the range of communication. However, in such a case, depending on the communication job (or communication destination). Communication by a specific communication unit may not be possible due to mismatch of the line type. According to the configuration of the second aspect, the communication unit is selected based on the communication unit selection information of the communication job, so that such inconvenience can be avoided, and various types of lines can be connected to the communication unit. forgiven.

According to the configuration of the third aspect, the information for selecting the communication unit of the communication job is automatically set, and it is necessary for the apparatus user to input the information for selecting the communication unit when making a communication reservation. Since there is no communication unit, it is possible to avoid complication of operation due to plural communication units, and to prevent erroneous setting due to erroneous operation.

Further, when a communication job is generated by receiving a relay request, the format of the conventional relay request includes information on a communication destination but does not include information on selection of a communication unit. If the selection information needs to be designated from the outside, it is required to change the format of the relay request, which not only increases the burden on the requesting side but also impairs the versatility of the relay request communication. According to the configuration of the third aspect, the format of the relay request may be the same as the conventional one, and such a problem can be avoided.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the processing time of a broadcast job can be reduced. By simultaneously processing a plurality of divided jobs by a plurality of communication units, it is possible to reduce a shift in communication time for a large number of communication destinations and improve the simultaneousness of broadcasting.

According to the configuration of the fifth aspect of the present invention, information of communication results of all divided jobs is collected in the last divided job,
With this information, a communication result report or the like can be made. Therefore, the previously completed divided job can be erased without any trouble at that time, and job management becomes easier as compared with the case where jobs are left until all divided jobs are completed.

According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, transmission data of a plurality of communication jobs including the same destination can be efficiently transmitted to the destination while the line is connected.

According to the configuration of the seventh aspect of the invention, even if the communication destination is busy, there is a high possibility that communication can be made to the proxy destination.
Also, since a significant delay in communication due to busy communication at the communication destination can be avoided, it is convenient in the case of communication with an office having a plurality of lines.

When the operation of the communication reservation is completed, the display by the display means is switched from the screen for communication reservation (other screen) to the screen of the communication state. If the processing of the communication job is started immediately after the execution, the communication status of the communication unit that is processing the communication job immediately after the reservation regardless of whether another communication job is currently communicating or not. Since the screen is displayed, the reservation person can easily confirm that the processing of the communication job immediately after the reservation has started and the processing state thereof.

According to the configuration of the ninth aspect of the invention, it is possible to avoid receiving an invalid telephone reservation for a communication unit or a line that is not in communication, and it is not accepted even if the user instructs a telephone reservation by mistake. , The error can be easily recognized.

There are many factors to consider in order to achieve efficient communication processing. For example, even if an attempt is made to process a communication job, it may not be possible to execute the processing due to a busy communication destination or a communication error. However, even if the processing of the communication job is immediately retried, the probability of success is not necessarily high. When a large number of communication jobs form a queue, the processing waiting time of other communication jobs increases. Further, although the degree of urgency of processing varies depending on the communication job, if a high priority is given to a communication job determined to have a high degree of urgency forever, the overall processing efficiency may be deteriorated.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the priority level of each communication job is not fixed, and the priority level is changed in accordance with the state of execution of the processing, so that the overall efficiency of the communication processing can be improved. It is possible. In particular, according to the configuration of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, according to the intention of the user of the image communication apparatus, priority processing of a communication job having a high degree of urgency is performed, and irrational processing delay of another communication job is reduced. Thus, efficient communication processing can be achieved as a whole.

When there are two or more communication units, a communication destination of a communication job to be processed by a certain communication unit may be communicating with another communication unit. There is no possibility that a connection can be established even if a call is made to such a communication destination. According to the configuration of the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to eliminate waste of time due to such duplicate calls to the same communication destination. Further, according to the configuration of the fifteenth aspect, in the case of a broadcast job, a communication destination that does not result in a duplicate call is automatically selected, and if there is no communication destination that does not result in a duplicate call, the processing is interrupted. Thus, the processing can be performed efficiently.

There is a case where it is desired to transfer image information received from a specific line of a certain network to a specific subscriber of the same or another network as it is. For example, in a trading company,
In many cases, a task of transferring image information received by a certain department to another department occurs. In such a case, if the printout of the received image information is transmitted to the transfer destination by the facsimile apparatus as the transmission original, it takes time and effort, and deterioration of the image quality cannot be avoided. Although the use of facsimile relay communication can be considered as a method without human intervention, a relay request transmission must be performed using a transmitter having a relay function on the transmitting side. In addition, the transfer destination is determined by the transmission side, and cannot be arbitrarily designated by the reception side.

According to the configuration of the sixteenth aspect, the specific line corresponding to the source of the image information to be transferred is specified in advance, and the transfer destination is specified in advance. The image information can be automatically transferred to a designated transfer destination as if the receiver is the source by adding the source information of the own station. Therefore, it is possible to avoid image quality degradation such as a method of temporarily printing out and then transferring the image, and it is possible to arbitrarily specify the transfer destination on the receiver side without manual operation. Further, since there is no need to give a relay instruction in the communication procedure, there is no restriction on the model of the transmission source device.

[0036]

DESCRIPTION OF THE HARDWARE CONFIGURATION An image communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 1, and has two (in general, two) operating independently. Communication unit 101 is provided. If necessary, connect one communication unit to C
CBch1 and the other communication unit are called CCBch2.

Each communication unit 101 has the same configuration, and has a network control unit (NCU) 102 for controlling a line network and a connection control with a telephone (TEL) 121, and a modem (MODEM) for modulating a communication signal. 103, a codec (CODEC) 104 for encoding image information and decoding encoded data of image information, a buffer (BUF) 105 for temporarily storing transmission / reception information, and a control unit for performing control for communication 106. Each communication unit 101 has
One external line and one internal line (premise line) can be connected one by one. For convenience of explanation, those connected to CCBch1 are called external line 1 and internal line 1, and those connected to CCBch2 are called external line 2 and internal line 2. The internal operation of each communication unit 101 is basically the same as that of the conventional image communication apparatus, but each can communicate independently.

The image communication apparatus is used as a system control unit 110 for controlling each unit of the apparatus and generating and controlling a communication job in addition to the communication control unit 101, and as a work storage area of the system control unit 110. RAM1
11, a scanner 112 for reading image information such as a transmission original, a laser beam printer (LBP) 113 for printing received image information and the like, and its control unit 114, LB
Decoder 11 for decoding image information transferred to P113
5. Hard disk drive 116 used as a storage area for image information, control information, etc., communication reservation by the operator,
It has a panel unit including an operation panel 117 and a liquid crystal display panel 118 for operations such as telephone reservation, and a panel control unit 119 for controlling input from the operation panel 117 and display on the liquid crystal display panel 118. The system control unit 110 includes an encoder 120 for encoding image information input from the scanner 112.

Description of Communication Job Management Structure The system control unit 110 controls various processes or operations of the apparatus in units of jobs. For the job, blocks of information for each execution control are placed on the hard disk device 116 corresponding to the job, and the information is taken out to the RAM 111 as needed. A job waiting to be executed forms a queue for each type of job, and a management table for this queue is placed on the RAM 111.

With respect to a communication job for transmission (including relay transmission) or polling reception, for each job,
The job control block 130 having the contents shown in FIG.
B), a job information block 130 (hereinafter referred to as JIB) having the contents shown in FIG. 3 fixedly linked thereto is created. Executable and waiting communication jobs create a communication queue, and a communication queue management table 132 having the contents shown in FIG. 4 is created for the management.

As the information of the JCB, “queue control information” which is a pointer to a communication job linked next to the communication job on the communication queue, and “priority” indicating the priority designation of the communication job and the priority level Job control information ",
“Communication unit selection information” (hereinafter referred to as “DEQINF”) indicating the availability of each communication unit 101 of the communication job, “batch transmission control information” regarding batch transmission processing described later, and “batch transmission control information” for timer management of the communication job. Timer control information ".

As the contents of the JIB, in addition to the same information as the JCB, a “job management number” and a “job type” used for managing the communication job, and when the communication job is a divided job, The "management number of the job of the other party to be divided" is set to the management number of another divided job divided from the same communication job, and the "management number of the reserved job" is set at the time of reservation if the communication job has been reserved for communication. "Reception number", "communication destination information" in which one or a plurality of communication destination information is set, "communication result destination information" in which the destination of a communication result report in the case of error termination is set, and communication on the hard disk device 116. There is “communication data file information” in which a pointer of a data file, a file size, and the like are set.

As shown in FIG. 5, the contents of the individual destination information set in the JIB "communication destination information" are "destination telephone number", "line type information", and "communication unit selection information". (Hereinafter referred to as CCBSEL). CC
The BSEL has a format shown in FIG. 6 and indicates, using lower two bits b1 and b2, whether or not CCBch1 and CCBch2 can be used for communication of the communication destination.
The “line type information” has a format shown in FIG. 7 and indicates whether the communication destination is an external line, an internal line, or a dedicated line in the lower two order.
It is indicated by bits. Figure 6 of JIB's DEQINF
It is of the form shown in

The "line type information" and CCBSEL are used as information for line selection for each communication destination. However, the “line type information” is independent information for the sake of communication control, but may be conceptually regarded as information for specifying a communication destination together with the “destination telephone number”. The “destination telephone number” may be the number itself (direct dial information) or a shortened number (abbreviated dial information) of a telephone number registered in advance. Also, the direct dial information or the abbreviated dial information is placed on the hard disk drive 116, the pointer information is set in the "destination telephone number", and the communication job is executed or the communication with the individual communication destination is started. ,
The corresponding dial information may be extracted from the hard disk device 116.

JIB's DEQINF and CCBSEL are automatically set when a communication job is generated, and DEQINF is updated thereafter as needed. When the communication job has one communication destination, the JIB CCBSEL and DEQINF have the same contents. However, in the case of a broadcast job, when the job is generated, the logical sum information of the CCBSEL information of each communication destination is D.
Set to EQINF.

As described above, by providing the JIB of the communication job with the DEQINF and the CCBSEL for each destination as information for selecting a communication unit, as described later, the broadcast job and the single destination job are the same. It is possible to select a communication unit or a line by the procedure described above, and to obtain advantages such as easy management of a communication queue. Therefore, it is also possible to have only the CCBSEL for each destination in the communication job. CCBSE
Details of the method of setting L will be described later in connection with communication reservation processing and the like.

The communication queue management table 132 (hereinafter CU)
As shown in FIG. 4, the management number (= QM) of the JCB of the communication job linked to the top of the communication queue
"Queue management information" to which the job management number is set,
The number of jobs for each priority level on the communication queue (only when priority processing is performed for each priority level), the “priority job management information” in which the number of the last job of each priority level on the communication queue is set, The content includes “communication unit selection information” (hereinafter referred to as “DEQINF”) indicating the presence or absence of a communication job that may use the communication job for each unit 101. Although this DEQINF has the format shown in FIG. 6, unlike the JCB or JIB DEQINF of each communication job, information obtained by ORing the DEQINFs of all communication jobs linked to the communication queue at each time is set.

A communication job for transmission or polling reception is generated when a communication reservation is made by an operator, but is also generated when a relay request is received from another device. Further, when a communication job division process described later is performed, a communication job division job (child job) is generated. A reception job is generated at the time of reception. In practice, JCB and JIB for a fixed number of jobs are created on the hard disk device 116 in advance, and one set is automatically assigned to the job when the job is generated.

Communication jobs that cannot be executed until the specified date and time or the retry start time arrives, such as a communication job for timer transmission or timer polling reception or a retry waiting communication job whose execution date and time are specified, are stored in a queue called a timer queue. Once linked and managed, when it times out, it is removed from the timer queue and linked to the communication queue. The reception job creates a queue waiting to print the received image information after the reception is completed.

Description of Normal Communication Processing The overall flow of control by the system control unit 110 is as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. With reference to this flowchart, the overall operation related to communication will be described. Here, the description will be made on the assumption that the division process and the batch transmission process of the communication job, which are the major features of the image communication apparatus according to the present invention, are not performed, and these processes and the communication reservation process will be described separately.

In the system control unit 110, the CUQM
, When it is determined that there is a job in the communication queue (S207, YES), the status of CCBch1 is checked, and if it is "waiting" (S20).
8, YES), refer to CUQM DEQINF and CCB
Check whether there is a communication job that can be processed by ch1 (S20)
9).

If there is a communication job that can be processed by CCBch1 (S209, YES), the JCB DEQINF is referred to in order from the top communication job on the communication queue, and CC
Find a communication job that can be processed by Bch1,
This communication job is removed from the communication queue (S210). The JIB of this communication job is copied onto the RAM and referred to thereafter. With reference to the communication destination information of the JIB, one communication destination to be processed is determined (S212). In the case of a broadcast communication job, since there are a plurality of destinations, one is selected from destinations other than the already-communicated destinations. in this case,
The system control unit 110 adds, to the JIB, information for identifying whether or not the destination has been selected, whether or not the destination is being selected, and whether or not the communication has been normally completed.

The CCB of the destination information of the determined communication destination
If SEL determines that communication with the destination can be processed by CCBch1 (S213, YES), C
The CBch1 is instructed to start communication by passing the "telephone number" and "line type information" of the destination and the "communication data file information" of JIB to the CBch1 (S215).
Is set to "operating" (S216).

In this case, in CCBch1, the control unit 106 calls the external line 1 or the internal line 1 in accordance with the destination information, and connects to the communication destination. Then, in the case of transmission, the transmission data is read from the hard disk device 116 into the buffer 105 based on the communication data file information, the image information is decoded, and then encoded by the codec 104 according to the function of the other party. Modulate and send to line. In the case of polling reception, the received signal is
The image information is subjected to error checking and decoding by the code decoder 104, and then predetermined encoding is performed, and the received information is stored in a specific area of the hard disk device 116 based on the communication data file information. .

On the other hand, the communication with the determined communication destination is CCB.
If processing is not possible with ch1 (S213, NO),
The JIB DEQINF of the communication job is set to CCBch2.
The communication job is changed to a content that allows use of only the communication job, and the communication job is linked to the communication queue with priority designation (S218). CU
Necessary updating of queue management information and priority job management information of QM is performed. Then, referring to the DEQINF information of the JIB, the DEQINF and the CUQ of the JCB of the communication job are referred to.
The M DEQINF is updated (S219).

After the communication is started by the CCBch1 or the communication job is relinked to the communication queue in this way, the system control unit 110 determines that there is a communication job on the communication queue (S207, YES), and
1 is "operating" (S208, N
O), when the status of the CCBch2 is “waiting” (S220, YES), if there is a communication job that can be processed by the CCBch2 in the communication queue (S221, YES),
One such communication job is removed from the communication queue at the forefront side (S222), and the communication destination is determined (S22).
4) If the communication with the communication destination can be processed by the CCBch2 (S225, YES), the start of the communication process is instructed to the CCBch2 (S227), and the status of the CCBch2 is set to "operating" (S228). ).

On the other hand, communication with the determined communication destination is CCB
If the processing cannot be performed in ch2 (S225, NO),
The JIB's DEQINF is changed to allow only CCBch1, and the communication job is linked to the communication queue with priority designation (S230). In addition, necessary update of queue management information and priority job management information of CUQM is performed. Then, referring to the information of the DEQINF of the JIB, the DEQINF of the JCB and the DEQIN of the CUQM of the communication job are referred to.
F is updated (S231).

As described above, in this image communication apparatus, if two communication units 101 can be used,
Communication jobs can be executed simultaneously. Also,
Communication with a destination of a broadcast job which is to be executed on one CCBch1 (or CCBch2) is not performed due to a mismatch of line type.
If it is found that the job cannot be processed, the job processing is temporarily suspended at this destination stage. However, after the interruption, the other CCBch2 (or CCBch1) performs the processing preferentially, so that the completion time of the broadcast communication in which the communication destinations having different line types are mixed does not extremely increase.

When the system control unit 110 receives the communication end notification from the CCBch1 that has started the transmission (S233, S234, S252: YES), if it is normal end (S261, YES), If the communication job has the next communication destination (S263, YE
S), the communication with the next communication destination is performed by CC after S212 and thereafter.
Causes Bch1 to execute. If there is no next communication destination, post-processing of the communication job, for example, processing such as communication result report, job deletion, and deletion of the corresponding communication data file in the hard disk device 116 is executed (S259).
The status of CCBch1 is set to "standby".

If the communication of CCBch1 is abnormally terminated (S261, NO), the value of the retry counter for counting the number of retries of the communication job does not exceed a predetermined value (S264, NO), and the abnormal termination is detected. If the cause is busy (S265, YES), it is checked whether there is a substitute destination for the destination or whether there is a substitute destination (S2).
66).

Here, the proxy destination will be described. In this image communication apparatus, with respect to a transmission job, one or more substitute destinations for transmitting data can be designated for one destination when the communication is busy and communication is not possible. If a plurality of proxy destinations are specified, they are ranked. The proxy destination information has the same form as the destination information, and also includes CCBSEL.

If it is determined in S266 that there is an alternate destination, the call is made from the CCBch1 and the call is busy. If so, the process proceeds to S212. If the call is made from the CCBch2 and the call is busy. For example, the process branches to S224, and if the proxy destination can be processed by the communication unit 101 (S213 or S225, YES),
The communication with the proxy destination is started (S215 or S
227). If the alternate destination is busy and cannot communicate, if the value of the retry counter does not exceed a certain value and there is an alternate destination of the next order, the same processing is repeated for the alternate destination.

According to such proxy communication processing, for example, in the case of a destination such as a business office having a plurality of lines, communication is possible if there is a line that is vacant even if the intended original line is busy. is there.

When it is determined in S265 that the cause of the abnormal termination of the communication is not due to the busy of the destination, or when it is determined in S266 that there is no substitute destination or that there is no substitute destination of the next rank, Sets the retry start timer, links the communication job to the timer queue, and references the JIB DEQINF to
QINF is updated (S267, S268). That is, the communication job waits for a retry. When the value of the retry counter exceeds a certain value (S264,
If there is a next destination (YES in S263, YE)
S), the retry counter is reset and S212 and the subsequent steps for starting communication of the next destination are executed. If there is no next destination, the communication job ends in an error, and then the process (S259) is performed. . In particular,
Link the communication job to the queue of jobs that ended in error. For communication jobs linked to this queue,
Execute the communication result report and then delete it. The destination information for the communication result report is logged as needed during communication processing as “communication result destination information” of JIB.

When a communication end notification is received from CCBch2 which has started transmission or polling reception communication (YES in S235, S236, S270), S280
To S287 and in S277, the same processing as in the case of CCBch1 is executed.

Regarding a communication job waiting for a retry linked to the timer queue or a transmission or polling reception communication job in which a communication start date and time is specified, the system control unit 110 confirms the existence of the communication job on the timer queue. (S246, YES), if any of them has timed out (S247, YES), the communication job is removed from the timer queue and linked to the communication queue (S248), and the JCB DEQI of the communication job is determined.
Update DEQINF of CUQM with reference to NF (S
249).

Next, the case of reception will be described. This is a case where the system control unit 110 issues an incoming call request from the communication unit 101 that has not started communication. CCBch
When an incoming request is issued from No. 1 (S240, YES), the system control unit 110 generates a reception job, instructs the CCBch1 to start communication, and sets the status of the CCBch1 to "operating" (S241, S242). . Similarly, when an incoming call request is issued from CCBch2 (S243, Y
ES), generate a reception job, instruct CCBch2 to start communication, and set the status of CCBch2 to "operating" (S244, S245). In the case of such a normal reception, after the communication unit 101 performs error checking and decoding of the received image information, a predetermined encoding is performed by the CO.
This is performed by the DEC 104, and normal received image information is transferred to the hard disk device 116. The storage position is specified by the system control unit 110 or set as a default. Then, when the reception is completed, an end notification is issued. When confirming the end notification of the normal reception (S253 or S271, YES), system control section 110 performs post-processing (259 or 277) of the reception job. That is, the received image information is printed out by the LBP 113, and when the printing is completed, the received job is deleted. LB
If the P113 cannot be used, the received job is temporarily linked to the print waiting queue until the P113 becomes available, and the LBP is used.
When the 113 becomes available, the receiving job is removed from the queue, and after the image information is printed out, the receiving job is deleted. A time-consuming post-process such as printing out received image information is executed as a background process of the communication process.

When the end of communication confirmed in S234 is the end of reception of a relay request (NO in S252, S2
53 and S254 are YES), the system control unit 110 generates CCIBSEL and DEQINF information of JIB based on the destination information requested to be relayed, generates a communication job for relay transmission and links to a communication queue, and The JC
B DEQINF and CUQM DEQINF, JIB
Is updated with reference to the DEQINF information (S255,
S256, S257). A method for generating information of CCBSEL and DEIBINF of JIB based on the destination information will be described later.

Description of Communication Job Division Processing Next, communication job division processing for transmission (including relay transmission) or polling reception will be described. In this regard, S211 and S223 in FIG. 8 are pre-processes for dividing the communication job, and the contents are shown in FIG. Steps S258 in FIG. 11 and step S276 in FIG. 12 are post-processing of the communication job division, and the contents are shown in FIG. Since the number of communication units is two, the number of divisions of a communication job is two. However, when the number of communication units is large, the number of divisions of a communication job can be three or more.

When the communication job is removed from the communication queue in S210 or S222, the pre-processing of the communication job division is executed (S211 or S223). First, it is checked whether this communication job has been divided (S301). This is because one job is divided only once, and the divided job is not further divided. If the “management number of the job of the other party” of the JIB of the communication job is 0, the job is not yet divided. If the communication job is before division and the number of communication destinations is 2 or more (S302, YES), that is, if it is a broadcast job, division is performed. in this case,
JIB for two child jobs or split jobs is R
Created on AM111. For convenience of explanation, CCBch1
The child job processed by CCBch2 is called the first job, the child job processed by CCBch2 is called the second job, and the communication job before division is called the parent job.

First, the destination information is read from the JIB of the parent job on the hard disk device 116 one by one into the RAM 111 (S303), and it is determined from the CCBSEL information that communication with the destination can be processed only by the CCBch1. At this time (S304, YES), the destination information is set in the JIB of the first job, and the number of destinations of the first job is increased by one (S305). When it is determined that communication with the destination can be processed only by CCBch2 (S306, YES), the communication destination information is set in the JIB of the second job, and the number of destinations is increased by 1 (S307). . By repeating the same process for all the destination information, the CCBc
Only destinations that can be processed by h1 or CCBch2 only,
Distribute to corresponding child jobs.

When this destination distribution is completed up to the last destination (S308, YES), the remaining communication destinations that have not been distributed (can be processed in either CCBch1 or CCBch2)
Are distributed such that the number of destinations of each child job becomes equal.

First, when the number of destinations of the first job is less than half of the number of destinations of the parent job (S309, NO), a number equal to the difference between half of the number of destinations of the parent job and the number of destinations of the first job. Only, the non-distributed destination information of the parent job is added to the first job (S310). Next, information other than the communication destination of the JIB of the parent job is copied to the JIB of the first job (S311). However, since the “management number of the job of the other party” of the JIB of the parent job is 0, the “management number of the job of the other party” of the JIB of the first job is replaced with the “job management number” of the second job. Is set. Next, if there are communication destinations that are not distributed to the parent job (S31)
2, NO) and the remaining destination information is stored in the JIB of the second job.
Add to Then, information other than the communication destination information of the JIB of the parent job is copied to the JIB of the second job (S31).
4). In this case, the management number of the first job is set in the “management number of the job of the other party” of the JIB of the second job. Finally, if the parent job is to be executed on CCBch1, that is, if the pre-job division processing is step S211, the second job is executed. If the reverse job is executed, the first job division processing is S223. The job is linked to the head of the communication queue with priority designation (S315). By doing so, the processing of the child jobs obtained by dividing the parent job removed from the communication queue that is currently prioritized is preferentially executed, and the simultaneous processing of the child jobs is achieved.

Each child job is basically processed in the same manner as a normal communication job. However, once divided, it is excluded from division targets and post-processing of the communication job (S
259, S277) and a specific post-processing immediately before (S258, S277).
S276) is performed. In this post-processing of the communication job division, as shown in FIG. 14, if the child job is a divided child job (S316, YES), the contents of the "communication destination information" and "communication result destination information" of the JIB Is copied to the JIB of the other child job indicated by the “management number of the job of the other party” (S317). However, although not shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, when one child job from the same parent job is completed first, the “management number of the job to be split” in the JIB of the other child job Is returned to 0, so that the copying process is not performed.

As described above, since the information on the communication result report of the previously completed child job is collected in the other child job, the previously completed child job can be deleted at that time.
The child job obtained by dividing the communication job for polling reception can be deleted in the same manner, but the file of the reception information cannot be deleted until the printout is completed.

As described above, in this image communication apparatus, the broadcast job is divided and the two communication units 10
1 and can be efficiently processed almost simultaneously.
In particular, different types of lines are connected to each communication unit 101,
In the case where destinations of different line types coexist in the destination of the broadcast, distribution to child jobs of the destination is performed by referring to the CCBSEL information of each destination. , And efficient processing is possible.

Description of Batch Transmission Process Next, the batch transmission process will be described. In this process, when there are a plurality of transmission jobs including the same destination, the transmission data of one job is transmitted to the destination, and after this, the transmission data of another job is continued without disconnecting the line. Is to send. In connection with this batch transmission process, steps S214 and S226 in FIG. 8 are pre-processes of batch transmission, and the contents are shown in FIG. FIG.
Step S262 of FIG. 12 and S281 of FIG. 12 are post-processing of the batch transmission, the contents of which are shown in FIG.

If it is determined in S213 or S225 that the destination determined in the current communication job can be processed, in the pre-processing of the batch transmission (S211 or S223), first, this communication job is transferred to a confidential transmission or relay transmission. If it is confirmed that the communication job is a communication job for transmission other than the above (simply called a transmission job) and that the batch transmission function is valid (YES in S401, NO in S402, S403
Is YES), another transmission job including the destination is searched from the head of the communication queue (S404). If one such transmission job is found (S404, YES), the batch transmission mode of the communication unit 101 is turned on, and the “batch transmission mode” of the JIB of the transmission job is set to the batch transmission designation (see FIG. 4). S405). On the other hand, when another transmission job including the same destination is not detected (S404, N
O), the batch transmission mode of the communication unit 101 is turned off (S406).

After such preprocessing, the communication unit 101 is instructed to start communication with the communication destination (S215 or S227). When this communication ends,
Although the corresponding communication unit 101 issues an end notification, when the batch transmission mode is turned on and an instruction to start communication is issued (when communication is started in the batch transmission mode), the communication unit 101 waits without disconnecting the line. The system control unit 101 detects the end notification of the communication started by turning on the batch transmission mode (S234).
Or S236), if it is a normal end (S261)
Or, S280, YES), post-batch transmission processing is performed (S262 or S281).

First, when it is confirmed that the completed job is a transmission job other than confidential transmission or relay transmission and that the batch transmission mode is ON (S410 to S41)
2, YES), a search is made for a transmission job for which batch transmission has been specified in the communication queue, and when the transmission job is found (S413, YE)
S), the transmission job is removed from the communication queue (S41).
4). If there is no next destination in the current transmission job (S415, NO), post-processing for ending the current transmission job is performed (S417), and if the next destination remains (S415, YES). Then, the current transmission job is linked to the communication queue with the priority designation to resume the priority processing (S416). Next, a transmission job including the same destination as the destination of the batch transmission is searched in the communication queue, and if found, the transmission job is designated as the batch transmission and if the transmission job is found (S418, YES). The batch transmission mode is turned on (S419). If no such transmission job is found (S418, NO), the batch transmission mode is turned off (S420). Then, it instructs the current target CCBch1 or CCBch2 to start transmitting the transmission data of the transmission job removed from the communication queue in step S414, and sets the status to “operating” (S421, S422). The designated CCBch1 or CCBch2 immediately starts transmission because the line with the destination is connected.

As described above, since the data of a plurality of transmission jobs are continuously transmitted while the line is connected to the same destination, when there are many transmission jobs to the same destination, the time for line connection and the like is reduced. Efficient communication is possible. During the batch transmission processing, the status of the communication unit is not returned to “standby” even if one transmission job is completed. Therefore, the batch transmission pre-processing (S214 or S226) related to the communication unit is initially performed. Only once.

In the batch transmission process, when the last transmission job among a plurality of transmission jobs including the same destination is removed from the communication queue, another transmission job including the same destination is not found in the communication queue and the batch transmission mode is set. Is turned off (S420). Therefore, after the transmission of the last transmission job to the destination of the batch transmission is completed, if another destination remains, the transmission job is subjected to normal processing continuously for the remaining destinations. . However, the last transmission job may be returned to the communication queue at the end of the batch transmission even if there are remaining destinations. If the reservation of the transmission job for which batch transmission has been specified has been canceled, a check is made in step S413.

Description of Communication Reservation Next, communication reservation processing will be described. When a communication reservation is selected on the operation panel 117 by the operator (S2
02, YES), a communication reservation process is performed (S203 to S206). In the case of a communication reservation, dial information (direct dial information or abbreviated dial information) is input by the operator for each communication destination on the operation panel 117, and the line to be called (external line 1, external line 2, internal line 1, internal line) 2) is selected, the system control unit 110
Creates the destination information 133 shown in FIG. 5 for each communication destination, and generates the JIB DEQINF of the reserved job. CCBSEL in the destination information is set according to the procedures shown in FIGS. 17 to 21 based on the dial information and the line selection. Here, two communication units 10 are used.
1 will be described as being mounted.

For the lines connected to each communication unit 101, the line information 134 shown in FIG. 22 is preset and stored in the backup area of the RAM 111, and this line information is appropriately set when the CCBSEL information is set. Referenced.

First, if the line corresponds to a dedicated line (S50)
1, YES), a code corresponding to the line selected by the operator is set in CCBSEL (S535), and C
One piece of destination information including the CBSEL, the line type information for the extension / external line, and the destination telephone number is determined (S
536).

In the case of a facsimile network (S5
02, YES), it is necessary to select an outside line that has a connection to the facsimile network. Therefore, referring to the line information, first, when the outside line 1 is registered, is connected to the facsimile network, and is not dedicated to reception (YES in S526 and S527, NO in S528).
The bit b0 of CCBSEL is set to “1” (S52).
9), if any of these conditions differ, bit b0
At “0”. When this bit b0 is "1", it means that the destination can be processed by CCBch1. Next, the same condition determination for the outside line 2 (S53)
1 to S533), the CC corresponding to CCBch2
The bit b1 of BSEL is set to “1” (S53).
4) Or, leave it as "0" and determine the destination information (S536).

If the information does not correspond to any of the leased line and the facsimile network, the push button line (P
It is checked whether # and * specific to B) and tones specific to the dial pulse (DP) line are included (S50).
3). If this is included (S503, YE
S) If # or * is included, go to the push button line,
If the tone is included, it is necessary to make a call to the dial line. Therefore, CCBSEL is set corresponding to the line selected by the operator, and the destination information is determined (S53).
5, S536).

When S503 is NO, there is no need to distinguish between a push button line and a dial pulse line (DP), and even if one communication unit is a PB line and the other communication unit is a DP line, the Since there is a possibility that either can be processed, bit b of CCBSEL
Both 0 (corresponding to CCBch1) and bit b1 (corresponding to CCBch2) are temporarily set to "1" (S504). Next, it is checked whether the selected line is an outside line or an inside line (S506).

In the case of an outside line, if an outside line 1 that is not dedicated to reception is registered (YES in S507, N in S508)
O) The bit b0 of the CCBSEL is kept "1", but the bit b0 of the CCBSEL is not registered if the external line 1 is not registered or the external line 1 is dedicated to reception.
Is set to “0” (S509). Similarly, the outside line 2 is registered and is not for reception only (Y in S510).
ES, S511: NO), bit b1 of CCBSEL
Remains at "1", but if the outside line 2 is not registered or is dedicated to reception, the bit b1 is set to "0".
(S512). Finally, it is checked whether it is permissible to make a call without distinguishing outside line 1 and outside line 2 (S5).
13) If no distinction is required (S513, YES), the destination information is determined (S536). However, outside line 1 and outside line 2
If it is necessary to discriminate (S513, NO), CCBSEL is set corresponding to the line selected by the operator, and the destination information is determined (S535, S536).

If the line is an extension (S506, NO), the extension 1 is a dedicated line (S515, YES), the extension 1 is not registered (S516, NO), or the extension 1 is only for reception. If so (S517, YES), the call cannot be made from extension 1, so bit b0 of CCBSEL is set to "
0 ". Similarly, if the extension 2 is a dedicated line, is not registered, or is only for reception, C
The bit b1 of CBSEL is set to “0” (S51).
9 to S522). If it is not necessary to distinguish between extension 1 and extension 2 (S523, YES), CCBSEL is determined as it is (S536). If distinction is needed, CCBSEL is corresponded to the line selected by the operator.
To set the destination information (S535, S53
6).

As described above, C for one destination
When the destination information including the CBSEL is determined (this is stored in the communication destination information area of the JIB of the reserved communication job), the information of the CCBSEL of the destination is stored in the JI.
B DEQINF information (bit b at the reservation start stage)
0 and b1 are logically ORed to "0") to obtain DEQIN.
Update the information of F.

In the case of reservation for broadcast communication, the same processing is repeated for a plurality of destinations. Therefore, CCBSE
If a destination whose L bit b0 is “1” and a destination whose CCBSEL bit b1 is “1” are included, DEQ
Both bit b0 and bit b1 of INF become "1".

The operator instructs completion of the communication reservation operation on the operation panel 117, and sends it to the system control unit 11
If it is detected as 0 (S204, YES), a JCB of the reserved communication job is created with reference to the JIB, the communication job is linked to the communication queue, and the DE of the CUQM is linked.
QINF is updated (S205, S206).

By specifying from the operation panel 117, one or more proxy destinations can be set for each destination as described above. In this case, the destination information of the proxy destination is created in the same manner. However, the destination information is associated with the destination and the proxy destinations are ranked and stored in the JIB. The image information of the transmission original is read by the scanner 112, encoded and compressed by the encoder 120, and stored in the hard disk drive 116, as in the conventional apparatus.

Description of Processing for Creating Line Selection Screen Display Information Table In the operation of the communication reservation, the liquid crystal display panel 118 is pressed by pressing a line selection key on the operation panel 117.
The line status is displayed one by one in order, and when a target line is displayed, the line is selected by pressing a line determination key on the operation panel 117. Such a panel display of the line status may be performed by directly referring to the line information as shown in FIG. 22 stored in the RAM 111. However, in order to perform the process more quickly and easily, the initial setting process is performed. In (S201), a line selection screen display information table 136 having contents as shown in FIG. 23 is created on the RAM 111 based on the line information, and is referred to for the subsequent line selection screen display.

This line selection screen display information table 13
6 is shown in FIGS. 24 to 26. That is, if the outside line 1 is registered and it is not dedicated to reception, the outside line 1 is set to be callable (from S601 to S60).
3). Next, with regard to the extension 1, if the extension 1 is not a dedicated line and is registered and is not dedicated to reception (S604NO, S604).
(605 YES, S606 NO) or when extension 1 is registered as a dedicated line and is not dedicated to reception (S604)
In YES (NO in S606), the extension 1 is set to be callable (S607). This ends the CCBch1 side.

Next, when CCBch2 is installed (S608, YES), when the outside line 2 is registered and not for reception only (S609: YES, S
If the outside line 1 and the outside line 2 need to be treated as different types of lines (S611, NO),
Alternatively, whether the outside line 1 is registered (S612, N
O) or if the outside line 1 is for reception only (S613, YE
S), the outside line 1 is set to be callable (S615). If outside line 1 and outside line 2 can be treated as the same type of line (S
611, YES), if the outside line 1 is registered and it is not dedicated to reception, the outside line 1 and the outside line 2 are set as the same type line (S612 to S614). Next, with regard to the extension 2, if this is a dedicated line and is not dedicated to reception, the extension 2 is set to be callable (S616, S624, S6).
25). If the extension 2 is not a dedicated line, and if it is registered and not dedicated to reception, if it cannot be handled as a line of the same type as the extension 1, the extension 2 is set to be callable (S617, S618, S625). When the extension 2 and the extension 1 can be handled as the same type of line, if the extension 1 is for reception only, and if it is neither a reception-only nor a dedicated line, the extension 2 is set to be callable. Otherwise, extension 1 and extension 2 are set as the same type of line (S62).
3).

Only the lines set to be callable by such processing are displayed on liquid crystal display panel 118 as line candidates at the time of communication reservation, and similar lines are displayed as such.

Description of Selection Process of Communication Unit Screen There are a plurality of types of display screens on the liquid crystal display panel 118, and the operator can switch the display screen by operating the screen switching button on the operation panel 117.
At the time of operation of communication reservation, the display of the liquid crystal display panel 118 is a “communication reservation screen”, but when the reservation operation is completed,
The screen automatically switches to the "normal screen". When the operation for setting or function setting related to printout of the received image is completed, the screen automatically returns to the “normal screen” from the respective operation screens. The “normal screen” is divided into a “communication unit (1) screen” indicating the communication state of CCBch1 and a “communication unit (2) screen” indicating the communication state of CCBch2. One “communication unit screen”.

In this image communication apparatus, in order to improve the usability of the apparatus and the rationality of the display, a “communication unit screen” displayed after completion of a communication reservation operation or the like is shown in FIG.
7 and the procedure shown in FIG.

When only the CCBch2 is communicating, that is, in the “operating” status (NO in S701, Y in S702)
ES), and display a "communication unit (2) screen" (S7).
03). Conversely, when only CCBch1 is communicating (S7
01 is YES, S705 is NO), and a “communication unit (1) screen” is displayed (S707). Thus, when only one communication unit is communicating, it is reasonable to display the status, and especially, immediately after the communication reservation,
When the processing of the communication job starts, there is an advantage that this can be easily confirmed.

On the other hand, when both CCBch1 and CCBch2 are communicating, when the communication of both units is the same,
That is, when both communications are transmission or reception (S70
7, YES), a “communication unit screen” corresponding to the communication unit with the later start time of the communication currently being executed is displayed (S708, S709, S710). This is convenient for confirming the start of the processing of the communication job immediately after the reservation.

When both communication units are performing different types of communication, the "communication unit screen" corresponding to the transmitting communication unit is prioritized. That is, if the CCBch1 is transmitting, the “communication unit (1) screen” is displayed (S
711, S712) If the CCBch2 is transmitting, the “communication unit (2) screen” is displayed (S713, S712).
714). If neither communication is transmission, CCBch
If the device 1 is receiving polling, a "communication unit (1) screen" is displayed (S715, S716), and the CCB is displayed.
If the polling reception is being performed on ch2, a “communication unit (2) screen” is displayed (S717, S719).

Although not shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, this image communication apparatus can make a telephone reservation during the processing of a communication job, and the communication unit 101 instructed to make a telephone call terminates communication. However, the operator does not disconnect the line with the destination, sends an operator call signal to the line, switches the line connection from the modem 103 to the telephone 121, and sounds a buzzer (not shown) when the destination telephone goes off-hook. Urges you to hook off. This allows the operator to talk to the destination.

Description of Acceptance Process of Telephone Reservation This telephone reservation is invalid unless it is made to the communicating communication unit 101, but there are two communication units 101, and both may be in operation. It is easy to make a mistake in instructing an inappropriate communication unit 101 to make a telephone reservation. In order to prevent such an error, in this image communication apparatus, when the telephone reservation button on the operation panel 117 is pressed, the telephone reservation is performed based on the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel 118 and the state of each communication unit 101. Is automatically selected. This processing is as shown in FIG.

That is, if the screen at the time when the telephone reservation button (not shown) on the operation panel 117 is pressed is the “communication unit (1) screen”, the system control unit 110
If CBch1 is communicating, it accepts a telephone reservation and returns to C
Instruct CBch1 to make a telephone reservation (S801, S80
2, S803). When the display screen is the “communication unit (2) screen”, if CCBch2 is communicating, a telephone reservation is accepted, and a telephone reservation is instructed to CCBch2 (S80).
4, S805, S806). If there is any deviation from such conditions, telephone reservations will not be accepted. When a telephone reservation is accepted, it will be displayed on the screen.
If the operator is not accepted, the operator can switch the “communication unit screen” to check the communication unit, and press the telephone reservation button again to make a correct telephone reservation.

Description of Relay Request Processing Next, a case where a relay is requested will be further described. In the case of a relay request, in the character field of the NSS signal (non-standard function setting signal of CCITT Recommendation T.30) sent from the requesting side, source information 141, destination information 142, Other designated item information 143 (information such as confidential password, password transmission designation, report return destination, report return unnecessary, etc.) is set. H is an identifier of the relay communication,
E is an identifier indicating the end of the relay instruction information, A is an identifier of the start of the destination information, B is an identifier of the delimiter of the destination, and C is an identifier for delimiting the next information.

When such a relay request is received, CCBSEL is not added to the destination information to be received.
As described in relation to the above, when generating a corresponding communication job, processing such as generation of destination information including CCBSEL (corresponding to S254, S256, S273, and S274)
Perform FIG. 31 shows the contents of this processing. FIG.
1 shows the contents of S909 in FIG.

First, in FIG. 31, when the sender information is received, it is set in the JIB (S901, S9).
02). Next, for each piece of destination information, it is checked whether it is direct dial information or abbreviated dial information (S904). In the case of the abbreviated dial information, the destination information including the CCBSEL relating to the destination is set in advance and stored in the hard disk device 116, and is read and set (S910).

In the case of direct dial information, it is set in JIB, but if it is an extension, an extension code is set (S
905 to S907). Also, CCBSEL of the destination
Information about the communication unit for which the relay request was
It is stored in the AM (S908). Next, CCBSEL is set in S909.

When the same processing is repeated up to the last destination (S903, NO), if there is other identification information,
This is set in the JIB (S911 to S913).

In step S909, that is, in the subroutine shown in FIG. 32, the following processing is performed for one destination. First, the number of registered line types is set in the loop counter (S921). Next, n is incremented by one until the value of the loop counter is exceeded from 1 (S
922, S931, S932), if the destination information is the same as the n-th registered line type and is an outside line (YES in S923, S924, and S925), the network parameter 151 shown in FIG. Reference is made to the setting on the outside line side (corresponding to the registered contents shown) (S92).
6) When the outside line 1 and the outside line 2 are connected to the same network (S928, YES) or when the communication unit selection information bit is not set (S924, NO), the n-th registered line (outside line) is set. Corresponding CC
The bit of BSEL is set to "1" (S930).
When the destination information is the extension (S925, NO), the setting on the extension side of the network parameter is referred to (S92).
7) If the extension 1 and the extension 2 are connected to the same network (S929, YES), similarly, the bit corresponding to the n-th line of the CCBSEL corresponding to the n-th line is set to "1" (S930). ). When extension 1 and extension 2 are not connected to the same network (S
928, NO), the communication unit selection bit is set in the destination information based on the information on the communication unit stored in the RAM.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image communication apparatus according to the present embodiment has the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 1, but in order to achieve more efficient communication processing, the contents of the control or processing are added or enhanced to add or enhance the following functions. Has been partially modified. (A) Priority control of communication (b) Prevention of multiple calls to destination during communication (c) Automatic transfer of received image information FIGS. 34 to 38 show the overall flow of control or processing by the system control unit 110. This corresponds to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 to 12 relating to the above embodiment. Differences between the flowcharts of FIGS. 34 to 38 and the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 to 12 are as follows.

In FIG. 34, S1001, S100
2, S1003 and S1004 are added processing steps. S205A, S212A, S218A, S22
4A corresponds to the corresponding processing steps S205 and S21 in FIG.
2, S218, and S224 are processing steps in which the contents are partially changed. In FIG. 35, S1005 is an added processing step, and S230A is a processing step in which the content of the corresponding processing step S230 in FIG. 9 is partially changed. 36, processing steps of S1006 to S1009 not shown in FIG. 10 are added. In FIG. 37, S1110 is an added processing step, and S256A, S259A, and S262A are the corresponding processing steps S256, S259, S262 in FIG.
262 is a processing step in which the contents of 262 are partially changed.
In FIG. 38, S1111 is an added processing step, and S274A, S277A, and S281A are steps in FIG.
Corresponding processing steps S274, S277, S28 in
This is a processing step in which the content of No. 1 is partially changed.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of post-batch transmission processing corresponding to FIG. S1112, S1113
Is an added processing step, and S416A is FIG.
This is a processing step in which the contents of the corresponding processing step S416 in FIG. Hereinafter, the changed contents of the process will be sequentially described.

Communication Priority Control (Overview) First, an overview of communication priority control will be described. FIG. 40 shows how the priority level of the communication job changes in chronological order. Here, the priority level is a degree indicating how much priority is given to an individual communication job relative to other communication jobs, and the priority level increases as the value increases.

As will be described later, the operator can specify priority for each job when making a communication reservation. The communication job specified by priority is first linked to the communication queue at the priority level of Pinit (t in FIG. 40).
0). Thereafter, when the priority designated job is removed from the communication queue for the first time, the priority level is lowered by one rank (t1),
The communication queue or timer queue is re-linked for the first time because the destination is busy or communication cannot be completed due to a communication error, or the job that has been subjected to batch transmission processing has the next When relinked, the priority level is the highest priority level Pm
ax (t2). Thereafter, each time the device is removed from the communication queue, the priority level is sequentially lowered by one rank (from t3). However, the priority level of the communication job specified by priority stops decreasing at the minimum level Pmin.

For a normal communication job that is not specified with priority, it is first linked to the communication queue with a priority level of Ninit (T0), and when it is first removed from the communication queue, the priority level is lowered by one rank (T1). When re-linking to the communication queue or timer queue for the first time due to communication failure, or when re-linking to the communication queue for the first time after a job that has been subjected to batch transmission has the next destination, the priority level is temporarily increased to the highest level Nmax. (T2). Thereafter, each time it is removed from the communication queue, the priority level is lowered by one rank (T3 and thereafter). However, the priority level of a normal communication job is the lowest level Nm
Stops lowering in.

Note that Pinit, Pmax, Pmin,
Ninit, Nmax, and Nmin are set by the operator when the system is set. Hereinafter, details of the priority control will be described.

(Priority designation receiving process) When a communication reservation operation is performed by an operator, priority designation receiving process (FIG. 3)
4 S1001) is executed. The details of this processing are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.

First, it is checked whether or not the operation is a priority designation operation (S1020). If it is not a priority designation operation (S102)
0, NO), do nothing.

In the case of a priority designation operation (S1020, YE
S), if the operation content of the operator is the priority designation “Yes” (S1021, YES), bit 7 of PRIOR_FLG, which is one byte in the priority job control information of the JIB of the reserved job (flag indicating the presence or absence of the priority designation) Is set to "1" (priority specified) (S1022). Thus, the reserved communication job is handled as a priority designation job.
On the other hand, when the priority designation is “none”, PRIOR_FLG
"0" (no priority designation) is set in bit 7 of
1023).

Although not shown in FIG. 41, the one-byte PRIOR_LEVEL indicating the priority level in the priority job control information of the reserved job includes Pinit when priority is specified, and Ninit when priority is not specified.
Are set respectively.

(Communication Job Queuing) When the communication reservation is completed, the reserved communication jobs are linked to the communication queue in an order according to the priority level (S205).
A). Details of this processing are as shown in FIG.

First, the priority level (Pinit or Ninit) of the communication job to be queued in the communication queue, that is, the job immediately after reservation is stored in the area T_LEVEL on the RAM 111 (1030). By referring to the priority job management information in the communication queue management table 132 (CUQM), T_LEV
It is checked whether there is a job of the same priority level as EL (S10
31). If a communication job of the same level already exists (S1031, YES), the priority job management information of the CUQM is referenced, and the communication job is linked next to the last job of the priority level (S1035), and the priority job management The number of jobs at that level in the information is incremented by one, and the last job management number is set as the management number of the communication job (S1036).

If there is no job having the same priority level as T_LEVEL (S1031, NO), the value of T_LEVEL is incremented by 1 (S1032), and it is checked again whether there is a job of the same level (S1031). T_LE
If a job of the same level is not found even when VEL exceeds the maximum level Pmax (S1033, NO), the job to be queued (here, a reserved job) has a higher priority level than any job on the communication queue. Therefore, the job is linked to the head of the communication queue (S1034), and the CUQM
The priority job management information is updated (S1036).

Note that S218A in FIG. 34 and S23 in FIG.
0A, S256A in FIG. 37, S274A in FIG. 38, FIG.
The same applies to the contents of the queuing process in S416A of No. 9. However, in the case of S218A and S230A, queuing is performed at the current priority level of the communication job,
In the case of S256A and S274A, queuing is performed with the priority level of the communication job set to Ninit.

(Priority Information Update Processing I) When a communication job to be processed by CCBch1 or CCBch2 is removed from the communication queue (S210 or S22 in FIG. 34)
2), priority information update processing I (S1002, S1003)
Perform The contents of this processing are as shown in FIG.

First, for the priority job management information of the CUQM, the number of jobs and the last job management number for the priority level of the dequeued communication job are updated (S
1040). Next, JIB PRIO of the communication job
It is checked whether bit 7 of R_FLG is “1” (priority designation).

When bit 7 is "1" (S104)
1, YES), the priority level of the job, ie, JIB
Only when PRIOR_LEVEL is larger than Pmin (S1042, YES), the priority level is lowered by 1 (S1044). When bit 7 of PRIOR_FLG is “0” (S1041, NO), only when the priority level is higher than Nmin (S1043, YE
S), the priority level is lowered by 1 (S1044).

The post-batch transmission processing (S262 in FIG. 37)
A, S281A) of FIG. 38 is as shown in FIG. 39, and also in this process, the priority information update process I (S1113) having the same contents is performed at the time of dequeuing the communication job.

(Priority Information Update Processing II) For the selected destination of the dequeued communication job, CCBch1
Or, when trying to communicate on CCBch2, but it is not possible, or when the destination cannot communicate due to busy,
Alternatively, when the batch transmission post-processing S415 is YES, the priority information update processing II (S1004, S1005, S11
10, S1111 and S1113) are performed. The contents of this processing are as shown in FIG.

When the bit 7 of PRIOR_FLG in the priority job control information of the JIB of the communication job of interest is “
1 ”(priority specified) (S1050, YES),
It is checked whether bit 0 of PRIOR_FLG is “1” (S1051). If bit 0 is not "1" (S10
51, NO), PRI in JIB priority job control information
Copy Pmax to OR_LEVEL (S105)
3). That is, the priority level of the communication job is raised to the highest level when priority is specified. And PR
Set “0” to bit 0 of IOR_FLG (S
1055). However, when bit 0 of PRIOR_FLG is already “1” (S1051, YES), the priority level has not been raised because the priority level has been raised to the highest level.

When the priority of the communication job is not specified (S1050, NO), if bit 0 of PRIOR_FLG of the priority job control information of the JIB is “0” (S1052, NO), Nm is set to PRIOR_LEVEL.
ax is copied, and the priority level is raised to the highest level when no priority is specified (S1054), and PRIOR_
"1" is set to bit 0 of the FLG (S105)
5).

Prevention of Multiple Calls to Destination During Communication The communication unit 101 has two channels (CCBch1 and CCBch1).
CBch2), it is impossible to perform communication using the other channel to the same destination that is being transmitted or polled by one channel. In S212A and S224A, control is performed to prevent duplicate calls to such uncommunicable destinations. The processing content of this processing step is as shown in FIG.

For example, for a communication job to be processed by CCBch1, one destination is selected from the top by referring to the communication destination information of the JIB (S1060). At this time, if the status of CCBch2 is not “operating” (S1061, NO), the process is terminated and the currently selected destination is determined. Therefore, a call is made to this destination, and the communication job is processed.

When the status of CCBch2 is "operating" (S1061, YES), and the communication by CCBch2 is neither transmission nor polling reception (S106).
2, NO), since it is difficult to confirm the communication destination of CCBch2, the destination is determined as the currently selected destination. Also in this case, a call is made to this destination.

If CCBch2 is transmitting or polling (YES in S1061 and 1062), the destination of the communication is compared with the currently selected destination (S106).
1063). If the destination comparison does not match (S106
(3, NO), to determine the currently selected destination. A call will be made to this destination.

When the destination comparisons match (S1063, Y
ES), since it is useless to call the currently selected destination, if the communication job has the next destination (S106).
4, YES), returning to S1060, selecting the next destination, and
The following checks are performed.

However, when there is no next destination (S106)
4, NO), since the communication job cannot be processed at least until the communication of CCBch2 ends, the processing of the communication job is interrupted, a retry start timer is set, and the communication job is linked to the timer queue (S1065). . At this time, the next processing step S21
3 (or S225) without returning to S202 in FIG.

Automatic transfer of received information from designated line By instructing automatic transfer in the incoming call program,
When a call is received from a specific line and received, the image information of the received document can be automatically transferred to a specific destination even if no relay instruction is given from the transmitting side in the communication procedure. (Registration of incoming program) First, registration of the incoming program will be described. This registration can be performed by the operator designating the incoming program setting mode using the operation panel 117. This registration process is a process included in the processing step S1009 (FIG. 36) for various device settings. The processing content of this processing step S1009 is
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47.

In the case of the incoming call program setting mode (S
1070, YES), and enters an incoming program registration process.
Since the operator first specifies the type of the incoming line, the line is determined (S1071 to S1074), and the determined line is set in the line identification information flag on the RAM 111 (S1075 to S1078).

Next, the number of copies of the received document is designated by the operator, and is registered (S108).
1). The number of print copies is the number of printouts of a received document in the image communication apparatus.
Up to nine copies can be specified.

Next, the operator specifies whether or not the received document needs to be transferred, and when the transfer is specified, specifies whether the transfer is to be performed next by confidential transmission or normal transmission. When the transfer is designated (S1082, YES), if the transfer method of the received document is confidential transmission (S1083, YES), “confidential transmission” is registered as the JIB job type for the transfer job (S1084), and then The personal identification number entered by the operator is registered as JIB user management information (S1085). If there is no transfer designation for confidential transmission (S1083, NO), “normal transmission” is registered as the JIB job type (S1086).

Next, the operator inputs the destination of the received document transfer, specifies the timer communication, specifies the priority, specifies the printing of the sender, specifies the reduction of the document size, specifies the printing of the reception report, specifies the printing of the result report, and transmits the reception report. Specified,
Specify the transmission of the result report and the destination of the report as necessary, and instruct the end of registration at the end. When the destination is input (S1088, YES), it is registered as JIB communication destination information, and the JIB DEQI is registered.
The NF is updated (S1089). When a timer communication designation, a priority designation, or the like is input (S1088, NO), it is registered in the JIB (S1090).

When such an input is completed and registration end is instructed (S1087, YES), the JIB of the transfer job is stored in the area in the hard disk device 116 corresponding to the setting state (line type) of the line identification information flag. The registered contents are stored (S1091), and the process exits from S1009.

In the setting mode other than the registration of the incoming call program (S1070, NO), various setting processing of the image communication apparatus is performed in accordance with the input from the operator (10).
79) When an end instruction is input from the operator (S1)
080, YES), and exits S1009.

(Processing when Image Information is Received by Incoming Call) Next, transfer processing of a received document will be described. This processing is a post-processing step of communication job S259A (FIG. 37),
This is included in S277A (FIG. 38). The contents of these communication job post-processing steps are as shown in FIGS.

First, it is determined whether or not an incoming call is received (S2).
000). However, reception in this case is reception by an incoming call from the outside.

If it is determined that the reception is received (S2000,
YES), the incoming line is determined (S2001-S2001).
In step S2004, the line is set in a line identification information flag (S2005 to S2008). Next, it is checked whether the incoming line is a line registered as a transfer designated line in the incoming call program (S2009).

If the line is designated for transfer (S200
9, YES), saves the received data file information of the JIB (on the RAM 111) of the received job to a work area on the RAM 111 (S2010), and receives a call from the area in the hard disk device 116 corresponding to the content of the line identification information flag. The contents of the incoming call program corresponding to the line are read into the JIB area (S2011). The communication data file information of the saved received job is returned to the original area of the JIB (S2012), and a confidential transmission job for transfer (if confidential designation is registered) or a transmission job (no confidential designation registered) Is generated and linked to the communication queue (S
2013). Then, referring to the DEQINF information of JIB, the DEQINF of JCB and CUQM is updated (S2).
014).

The confidential transmission job or the normal transmission job generated and queued in this manner is subsequently dequeued and executed, so that the received original can be transmitted to one or more specific destinations registered in the receiving program. The image information is transferred by confidential transmission or communication transmission.

Lastly, if the number of received image print copies registered in the incoming call program is one or more (S2015, Y
ES), a print job related to the received image information is generated, and the number of print copies specified in the JIB is set and linked to the printer queue (S2016). This print job is dequeued and executed in S1007 (FIG. 36).

On the other hand, if the incoming line is not the line designated for transfer (S2009, NO), another post-process is performed (S2017).

Processing of Print Job Next, the processing of S1007 in FIG. 36 will be described. FIG. 50 is a flowchart thereof.

When it is confirmed that there is a job in the printer queue (S2020), if the print status is "standby" and the LBP 113 can print (S202).
1 and S2022 are YES), dequeue the print job, instruct the printer control unit 114 to start printing (S2023), and set the print status to "operating" (S2024). At this time, the number of print copies registered by the receiving program is also specified.

When there is no job in the printer queue (S2
(020, NO), if the print status is not "waiting" even if there is a job (S2021, NO), the print status is checked (S2025), and if it is not "operating", nothing is performed. Even if the print status is “operating”, if no print end has been received from the printer control unit 114 (S2026, NO), nothing is performed.
If the print end is received (S2026, YE
S), post-processing of the print job is performed (S202).
7) Return the print status to "waiting" (S20)
28).

[0158]

As is clear from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. (1) Even when the number of communication jobs is large or there is a broadcast communication job with a large number of communication destinations, a plurality of communication jobs can be processed simultaneously to reduce the processing waiting time of the communication job, and can be implemented by a single unit Various processing modes, which are difficult to perform, are possible. (2) By connecting different types of lines to the communication unit, it is possible to perform broadcast communication including destinations with different line types. (3) Since communication unit selection information of a communication job is automatically set, a communication reservation operation is easy even when different types of lines are connected to the communication unit. (4) The received relay request can be processed using a plurality of units without changing the format of the relay request. (5) The processing time of the broadcast communication can be reduced by the job division processing, and the synchronization can be further improved. (6) Since the divided jobs can be deleted from the jobs that have been completed earlier, the management of the divided jobs is easy. (7) By the batch transmission processing, transmission data of a plurality of jobs to the same destination can be transmitted efficiently. (8) Even if the designated communication destination is busy, there is a high possibility that communication can be made to the proxy destination, and significant delays in communication due to busy communication destinations can be avoided. Communication can be performed quickly and reliably. (9) The start of processing of a communication job immediately after a reservation can be easily confirmed even when another communication job is being processed. (10) Inappropriate telephone reservation can be prevented. (11) Even when the processing of a communication job fails due to a busy message, a communication error, or the like, efficient communication processing can be performed as a whole. (12) While giving priority to the processing of a communication job with a high degree of urgency, it is possible to prevent unreasonable processing delays of other communication jobs and achieve efficient communication processing as a whole. (13) It is possible to eliminate waste of time due to duplicate calls to destinations during communication. (14) A broadcast job can be efficiently processed while avoiding duplicate calls. (15) It is possible to automatically transfer image information received from a predetermined line to a predetermined destination without deteriorating the image quality, as if the receiver is the source. (16) It is possible to relay image information without using a relay communication procedure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image communication device.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a job control block (JCB).

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a job information block (JIB).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a communication queue management table (CUQM).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of destination information.

FIG. 6 shows communication unit selection information (CCBSEL, DEQ).
INF) Bit configuration explanatory diagram

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a bit configuration of line type information.

FIG. 8 is a partial flowchart showing the flow of overall processing.

FIG. 9 is a partial flowchart showing the flow of overall processing.

FIG. 10 is a partial flowchart showing the flow of overall processing;

FIG. 11 is a partial flowchart showing the flow of overall processing.

FIG. 12 is a partial flowchart showing the overall processing flow;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of pre-processing for dividing a communication job.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of post-processing of communication job division.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of pre-processing for batch transmission.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of post-processing of batch transmission.

FIG. 17 is a partial flowchart of setting processing of destination information such as CCBSEL;

FIG. 18 is a partial flowchart of a process of setting destination information such as CCBSEL;

FIG. 19 is a partial flowchart of a setting process of destination information such as CCBSEL;

FIG. 20 is a partial flowchart of a setting process of destination information such as CCBSEL;

FIG. 21 is a partial flowchart of processing for setting destination information such as CCBSEL;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of line information registered for each communication unit.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an information table for displaying a line selection screen.

FIG. 24 is a partial flowchart of a process of creating a line selection screen display information table.

FIG. 25 is a partial flowchart of a process of creating a line selection screen display information table.

FIG. 26 is a partial flowchart of a process of creating a line selection screen display information table.

FIG. 27 is a partial flowchart of a communication unit screen selection process;

FIG. 28 is a partial flowchart of a communication unit screen selection process;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a telephone reservation accepting process.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a format of relay request information.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of processing related to generation of a communication job by a relay request.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of CCBSEL information setting processing;

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of a bit configuration of a network parameter.

FIG. 34 is a partial flowchart showing the flow of overall processing.

FIG. 35 is a partial flowchart showing the flow of overall processing.

FIG. 36 is a partial flowchart showing the flow of overall processing;

FIG. 37 is a partial flowchart showing the overall processing flow;

FIG. 38 is a partial flowchart showing the flow of overall processing.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of post-batch transmission processing.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a state of priority level control.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart of a priority designation receiving process.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart of priority link processing.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart of priority information update processing I;

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of priority information update processing II.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of a communication destination determining process.

FIG. 46 is a partial flowchart of an incoming program registration process and the like.

FIG. 47 is a partial flowchart of an incoming program registration process and the like.

FIG. 48 is a partial flowchart of post-processing of a communication job.

FIG. 49 is a partial flowchart of post-processing of a communication job.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart of a print job process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Communication Unit (CCBch1, CCBch2) 110 System Control Unit 111 RAM 112 Scanner 113 Laser Beam Printer (LBP) 116 Hard Disk Device 117 Operation Panel 118 Liquid Crystal Display Panel 130 Job Control Block (JCB) 131 Job Information Block (JIB) 132 Communication Queue Management table (CUQM) 133 Destination information

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nitta 2-3-8 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Matsushita Electric Transmission Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-270445 (JP, A) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 2-21769 (JP, A) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 1-274541 (JP, A) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 3-70253 (JP, A) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 3-272259 (JP, A) Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. Hei 2-24664 (Japanese) JP, U) Hikaru Hei 2-70562 (JP, U)

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] A communication unit for performing communication of image information by each of a plurality of communication units for performing communication through the same or different types of lines, and a communication job for executing communication of image information by each of the communication units. A first control unit for controlling the formation of the communication job sequence, and a process in which the plurality of communication units independently start and end communication jobs formed based on the first control unit in sequence. An image communication apparatus comprising: a second control unit that performs the control. 2. The communication job includes information for selecting a communication unit, and based on the information, the first control unit forms a communication job sequence according to a type of the communication unit. 2. The image communication device according to 1. 3. A first control unit, based on communication destination information and line type information connected to each communication unit, input information for selecting a communication unit of a communication job when generating the communication job. The image communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting is performed. 4. The first and second control means divides a broadcast communication job that can be processed by a plurality of communication units into a plurality of jobs whose communication destinations are distributed, and processes the plurality of jobs by the communication unit. 2. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication is performed. 5. When the processing of a divided communication job is completed, the first and second control means replaces information relating to the communication result with another unfinished divided job divided from the same communication job. 5. The image communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the divided job is deleted by deleting the previously completed divided job. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second control means are configured to perform a plurality of transmissions to the same transmission destination when the mode is set to a batch transmission mode and the communication job is other than a confidential transmission or a relay transmission. 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication job is continuously processed by the same communication unit for the communication destination. 7. The communication job has proxy destination information that is ranked with respect to one communication destination, and the first and second control means determine that the processing of the communication job in the communication unit indicates that the communication destination is busy 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the execution is not possible, the processing is executed for the substitute destination. 8. One display means for selectively displaying a screen of a communication state for each communication unit and a screen of other states, wherein the first and second control means display the screen of the display means. When switching the screen from the screen of other various states to the screen of the communication state, when only one communication unit is communicating, the communication state screen of that communication unit is displayed, and when multiple communication units are executing the same type of communication 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a communication state screen of a communication unit having the latest communication start time is selected and displayed. 9. A display unit for selectively displaying a communication state of each communication unit, and when a telephone reservation is instructed by an apparatus user, the first and second control units are configured to: 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein a telephone reservation is accepted only when the communication unit whose communication status is displayed on the display means is communicating, and the communication unit is enabled to make a telephone call after the communication is completed. Communication device. 10. A communication unit for performing communication by the same or different lines, input means for inputting the priority of communication performed by the communication unit, and communication in which the priority level of communication by the input means is associated with communication image information. Controlling the generation and control of the job, the control unit performs processing from the start of the communication job to the end of the communication job, according to the performance of the processing of the communication job,
The image communication device, wherein the control unit changes the priority level. 11. The control unit according to claim 10, wherein the priority level is once raised to the highest level and then gradually lowered in accordance with the execution status of the processing of the communication job.
An image communication device according to claim 1. 12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an initial level, a highest level, and a lowest level of the priority level are selected depending on whether or not a priority is specified for each input communication job.
2. The image communication device according to 1. 13. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the initial level, the highest level, and the lowest level of the priority levels of the communication job having the priority designation and the communication job having no priority designation are variably set by the input means. Item 13. The image communication device according to Item 12. 14. A communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second control means include: a communication destination of a communication job to be processed by a certain communication unit;
Check for a match with the communication destination being communicated with another communication unit,
2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the call to the communication unit is canceled when the numbers match. 15. A communication control method comprising: when selecting a communication job from communication destinations of a communication job sequence to be processed by a certain communication unit, the first and second control means sets a communication destination being communicated by another communication unit; 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one communication destination different from the communication destination is selected as a communication destination to be called. 16. When the image information is received from a specific line specified by the operator, the first and second control means select a predetermined communication unit and specify the received image information in advance by the operator. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a communication job for transmitting the job to the destination is generated.