JP3417667B2 - Facsimile storage and switching equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus for managing a plurality of facsimile terminals, and more particularly to a processing for storing a document input from the terminals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a communication system in which a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus and a plurality of facsimile terminals are connected via a line network, designated communication service processing for a document input from a transmission source terminal to the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus. At the time of completion of the above, or at the end of the preset delivery management time, after notifying the originator terminal of the processing result of the document as a form, and upon completion of this notification, in the facsimile storage / exchange device. A process of deleting the stored original document and control information for managing the original document is performed.

Therefore, if a non-delivery address or the like occurs when a facsimile communication switching apparatus is requested from the transmission source terminal to the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus, the original must be delivered again to the non-delivery address. At the time of retransmitting such an original, the source terminal must input the original into the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus again together with control information such as service type and non-delivery destination information, which is troublesome and time-consuming.
The manuscript input becomes duplicated, and the line usage fee increases accordingly. Further, since the input original is stored in the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus for a short time (about 2 to 3 hours), the original search processing (the designated original is output from the console 15 of the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus to the designated destination terminal). There was a shortcoming that the time to perform functions) was short and the usability was poor.

In order to avoid the above-mentioned drawbacks, the delivery management time set in advance in the facsimile storage / exchange device may be lengthened to lengthen the storage time of the input document. The notification time to the sender of the form that is notified when a non-delivery address etc. occurs is long, and it takes time for the sender to grasp the result of the broadcast communication. There was a drawback that it would cause trouble if requested. Also, even if the delivery management time is extended as described above,
When the designated communication service processing is completed in a short time, the corresponding original document is deleted after that, and in such a case, there is a drawback that the above-mentioned drawback cannot be avoided.

[0005]

In the conventional facsimile storage exchange apparatus as described above, the delivery management time set at the time when the instructed communication service processing for the document input from the terminal is completed, or the preset delivery management time is completed. Over time,
The service processing for the original is stopped, a form showing the result of the original distribution processing, etc. is notified to the sender terminal, and when the notification is completed, the original is immediately deleted from the apparatus. Therefore, when resending the original document when there is an undelivered address when requesting broadcast communication, etc.,
This manuscript must be input again into the facsimile storage / exchange device, and at the same time, control information such as the undelivered destination information and communication service type must be input. There was a drawback that the line usage fee also increased. Further, since the input document is stored in the facsimile storage / exchange device for a short period of time, the time required for searching the document is short, and the usability is poor.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the above-mentioned drawbacks can be eliminated, the delivery management time can be appropriately set, and the accumulation time of the input document can be set to an arbitrary time longer than the delivery management time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus that can remarkably simplify the operation when retransmitting a document.

[0007]

[Solving Means] A fax machine according to the present invention
The re-storage / exchange device temporarily stores the control information and the document input from the source terminal in the storage device, and then executes the communication service indicated by the control information on the stored document to perform the control. In a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus that outputs the original document to the destination terminal indicated by the information,
A first setting means for setting a first time for executing the communication service indicated by the control information input from the source terminal; and a time point when the communication service for the stored original is completed or the first setting means. First time set
During the second accumulating continue the document from the time that has passed
The second setting means for setting the time and the control from the source terminal
When the information and the manuscript are input, the second time passes.
A storage means for storing the until the storage means, the stored document by the storage means, contact the first time
The control information stored together with the stored document indicates
Execute the communication service until the communication service is completed
Meanwhile, after the first time has elapsed, the second time has passed.
Is stored at the time of input of the stored document before
New control information different from the control information is sent from the source terminal.
In response to the input, characterized by comprising a control means for executing a communication service indicated the new control information
I am trying.

[0008]

The facsimile apparatus having the above-mentioned structure is
The communication service indicated by the control information input from
The first time to go can be set. Also, the above
When the communication service for the stored manuscript is completed or
The first time set by the first setting means has passed
A second time to store the originals from
Can be set. Control information and manuscript from the sender's terminal
Are entered until these second times have elapsed.
Is stored in the storage means. About the accumulated manuscripts
Then, during the first time, the document is stored together with the stored document.
Until the communication service indicated by the accumulated control information is completed,
The communication service is executed, and the first time has elapsed
Before the second time elapses later, the accumulated original document is
New control information different from the control information stored at the time of input
In response to input from the source terminal, the new
The communication service indicated by the control information is executed.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a communication system using the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus of the present invention. 1n are facsimile storage and switching devices, 2 is a line network, 3a, 3b, 3c, ... 3n are facsimile terminals. In addition, the facsimile storage and exchange device 1a has a CPU 11
a, a communication control device (CCE) 12a, a magnetic disk device 13a, a memory 14a, and a console 15a for inputting / displaying data, and a facsimile storage / exchange device 1b.
Is a CPU 11b, a communication control unit (CCE) 12b, a magnetic disk unit 13b, a memory 14b, and data input / output.
It has a console 15b for displaying. 1n are connected to facsimile terminals 3a, 3b, 3c, ... 3n via a line network 2.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. .. 1n are preset in the facsimile storage / exchange devices 1a, ... 1n from the consoles 15a ,. The delivery management time (about 1 to 3 hours) and the document storage time (date order) are stored in the respective magnetic disk devices 13a, ... 13n by the respective CPUs 11a ... 11n as a delivery management time table (see FIG. 3). It is registered in the document storage time table (see FIG. 4). The delivery management time and the document storage time can be changed to arbitrary values from the consoles 15a, ... 15n.

For example, when the originator is the facsimile terminal 3a, the facsimile terminal 3a calls the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus 1a, for example. As a result, when the line is connected, control information such as the type of communication service, destination information, source information, and processing priority information is sent from the facsimile terminal 3a to the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus 1.
Then, the original (image data) is sent to the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus 1a. The facsimile terminal 3a
When the telephone is connected, the facsimile storage and exchange device 1a
In step 201 of FIG. 2, the CPU 11a recognizes an incoming call to the communication control device 12a and inputs the control information which the communication control device 12a subsequently receives from the facsimile terminal 3a. Next, in step 202, the CPU 11a determines the type of the requested communication service, and if it is not the broadcast communication, proceeds to step 212 and shifts to service processing other than the broadcast communication. The control information input from the facsimile terminal 3a is held in the memory 14a and stored in the magnetic disk device 13a.

If the type of communication service requested by the facsimile terminal 3a is broadcast communication, the CPU 1
1a uses the communication control device 12a to copy the original (image data) transmitted from the facsimile terminal 3a in step 203.
Through the magnetic disk device 13
Accumulate in c. The control information received from the facsimile terminal 3a is also stored in the magnetic disk device 13c by the CPU 11a. Next, the CPU 11a executes step 20.
4 is set in the magnetic disk device 13a in FIG.
Referring to the distribution management time set in the distribution management time table shown in FIG. 3, the software timer for counting down the distribution management time of the received original is started, and at the same time, the original shown in FIG. Refer to the document save time set in the save time table,
A software timer that counts down the document storage time of the received document is started. The distribution management time table and the document storage time table described above are assumed to be loaded from the inside of the magnetic disk device 13a onto the memory 14a.

Thereafter, the CPU 11a sends the communication control device 1 to the plurality of destinations of the control information in step 206.
A call is sequentially made from 2a, and the document read from the magnetic disk device 13a is delivered from the communication control device 12a to the destination facsimile terminal connected to the line. During this distribution process, the CPU 11a executes step 207.
It is determined whether the manuscript has been delivered to all the destinations. If it is delivered, the process proceeds to step 209. If not, it is determined in step 208 whether the delivery management time has elapsed, and if it has not passed. Returns to step 206,
If it has passed, the process proceeds to step 209. That is, by the processing of steps 206 to 208, the CPU 11a performs the distribution processing of the broadcast communication until the distribution of the document to all the destinations is completed or the distribution management time elapses. CPU 11a
Advances to step 209, the distribution result is returned as a form from the communication control device 12a to the sender facsimile terminal 3a. In step 210a, the CPU 11a waits for the document storage time to elapse, and when the document storage time has elapsed
The relevant document is deleted from the magnetic disk device 13a, and the control information related to this document is also deleted, and the process is terminated.

The form showing the result of the broadcast communication returned to the source terminal in step 209 includes the name of the source terminal, the reception time of the input document, the serial number of this document, and the broadcast communication. Information indicating the arrival and non-delivery of each destination to be carried out, and the reason for non-delivery, is specified. Therefore,
By looking at this form, the operator of the sender can know the non-delivery address and the serial number of the input document. Further, in the processing example shown in the above flow chart, the countdown of the document storage time is started in step 205, but the purpose of this document storage time is the time when the communication service for the input document is completed or when the delivery management time is finished. Since the time period for storing this original document in the magnetic disk device 13 is determined, the processing of step 205 is performed after the processing of step 209, and the original document storage time is set when the communication service for the input original document is completed. Alternatively, the software timer may be configured to count down after the delivery management time ends, and this configuration can reduce the number of software timers.

Here, in the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus 1 of the present example, even after the service processing of the original input from the source terminal is instructed by the same terminal is completed, the preset original storage period elapses. Stores the input document in the magnetic disk device 13. Therefore, the CPU
11 indicates that the facsimile terminal 3 simply inputs a resend instruction together with a serial number for designating the original within this storage period.
A process of retransmitting the original document stored in the magnetic disk device 13 to the non-delivery destination indicated by the control information about the original document is performed. Therefore, the facsimile terminal 3 that issues a retransmission instruction, etc.
From here, there is no need to input the control information such as the destination information and the document to the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus again.

Further, a facsimile storage / exchange device 1a for the original document stored in the magnetic disk device 13 is provided.
When search processing is instructed from the console 15a of the
The U 11a performs an operation of reading the document from the magnetic disk device 13a and outputting it to the designated destination terminal.
For a document which is continuously stored in the magnetic disk device 13a during the document storage period, if a service different from that at the time of inputting this document is designated from the sender terminal, C
The PU 11a can also perform a newly designated service for this document and output it to the newly designated destination.

The above flow chart describes the case where the broadcast communication service is performed on the document input to the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus 1. However, the process other than the broadcast communication service is designated for the input document. Even after the service processing is completed or the delivery management time set for this original has elapsed, the original can be stored in the magnetic disk device 13a until the original storage time has passed. After that, when the same or different service processing designations and destination information are input to the stored document together with the serial number from the source terminal, the service newly input to the stored document. Also in this case, it is possible to eliminate the need to input the original again from the terminal. Even after the communication service is completed or the distribution management time has passed, the magnetic disk device 13
The original document stored in the magnetic disk device 13 is forcibly operated by an operator from the console 15a.
The data can be erased from a, and the amount of documents stored in the magnetic disk device 13a can be adjusted.

According to the present embodiment, the document storage time is set separately from the delivery management time, and the document storage is performed even when the processing of the input document is completed or the delivery management time of this document has passed. Since the input original document is continuously stored in the magnetic disk device 12 until the time elapses, the document searchable time can be lengthened and the usability of the communication system can be improved accordingly. Also, in the case of resending broadcast, etc., simply input the serial number designating the original document to be processed and the resend service type from the sender's terminal, and resend the original document to the non-delivery destination without re-inputting the original document. It is possible to facilitate the operation of the source terminal at the time of resending, shorten the line occupation time, and save the line usage fee.

It should be noted that the processing on the stored original is completed,
Alternatively, even after the delivery management time of this manuscript has passed, it is possible to perform a service different from that at the time of inputting this manuscript for the manuscript still accumulated in the magnetic disk device. In this case, In addition to the serial number that specifies the target manuscript,
By simply inputting the service type, destination information, and the like from the source terminal, the designated service processing for the original can be performed. Also in this case, since it is not necessary to re-input the original, the operation on the terminal side of the sender can be simplified.

[0020]

As described above, according to the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus of the present invention, the control input from the terminal of the sender is performed.
Set the first time to execute the communication service indicated by your information
It can be, like it is possible to properly determine the distribution management time, and on the second time, which is the storage time of the input document
Set an arbitrary time longer than the delivery management time, etc.
The communication server required by the new control information different from the input
It is convenient because you can do a screw.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a communication system using a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a broadcast communication processing procedure of an input document in the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution management time table stored on the magnetic disk device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a document retention time table stored on the magnetic disk device shown in FIG. 1.

[Explanation of Codes] 1a to 1n ... Facsimile storage / exchange apparatus 2 ... Line network 3a to 3n ... Facsimile terminals 11a to 11n ... CPUs 12a to 12n
... communication control devices 13a to 13n ... magnetic disk devices 14a to 14n
…memory

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. The control information and the document input from the terminal of the sender are temporarily stored in a storage device, and then the communication service indicated by the control information is executed on the stored document to obtain the control information. In the facsimile storage exchange apparatus for outputting the original document to the destination terminal indicated by, the first setting means for setting a first time for executing the communication service indicated by the control information input from the source terminal, A second time for setting the second time for accumulating the original document continuously from the time when the communication service for the original document is completed or the first time set by the first setting unit has passed When the control information and the manuscript are input from the setting means and the terminal of the sender,
A storage means for storing in the storage means until the second time elapses, the accumulated document by said storage means, said first
Control of the accumulated originals during the
Until the communication service indicated by the information is completed, the communication service
While the first time elapses while the
Before the second time elapses, when the stored original is input
New control information other than the stored control information is sent out
A facsimile storage / exchange apparatus comprising: a control unit that executes a communication service indicated by the new control information in response to an input from the original terminal . Wherein when the communication service indicated control information inputted originally from the originating terminal is a broadcast, before
Serial and serial number separately specifying the newly the document from a source terminal to the document stored in said storage device by storage means, the retransmission service type is input as the control information, wherein the control means 2. The facsimile storage and exchange apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the original is broadcast to a non-delivery destination. Wherein the document stored in said storage device by said storage means, separately from said originating terminal
When the serial number for newly designating the original document, the destination information, and the type of communication service other than the broadcast communication service are input as the control information, the control means executes the communication service for the original document. 2. The document is output to the terminal of the destination indicated by the destination information.
Facsimile storage exchange device described.