JP3829551B2 - Communication apparatus and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  For example, facsimile machines having a so-called timer transmission function are widely used. This timer transmission function automatically calls the specified destination when the specified time is reached by the user specifying the transmission time, destination, and transmission information by a predetermined setting operation. The specified transmission information is transmitted. The transmission information is generally image information read by the reading unit and stored in the memory, but may be image information obtained by reading a document set in advance in the reading unit at a specified time.
[0003]
  In a conventional facsimile apparatus having such a timer transmission function, for example, a plurality of transmission information A, B, and C are individually specified by a plurality of users, and their transmission destination and transmission time are coincidentally coincident. In this case, when the designated time comes, a call is first made to the designated destination for transmitting the transmission information A, and if the destination is in communication, a redial is set for the transmission information A. Then, in order to transmit the transmission information B, the same destination is called again, and the same destination is called again and again.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, the conventional facsimile apparatus has a high probability of repeating a useless call, and has a problem that communication traffic is increased meaninglessly by using a useless line.
[0005]
  That is, even if the destination is in communication in the previous call, even if the call is continuously repeated to the same destination by the number of designated transmission information, the probability that the communication is canceled is Since it is low, it results in repeated useless calls to the transmission destination, and the use of useless lines causes insignificant increase in communication traffic.
[0006]
  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and is a communication device that can suppress a meaningless increase in communication traffic due to use of a useless line as much as possible without continuously repeating useless calls. And a storage medium storing a program for controlling the communication device.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a communication device according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:For facsimile transmission A first storage means for storing a plurality of transmission data, a designation means for designating a transmission destination and a transmission time in advance for each transmission data by a user operation in order to transmit the transmission data by a timer, and a designation means Second storage means for storing information on a plurality of designated destinations, transmission times and transmission data as timer transmission information, timer means for measuring the current time, and timer transmission including the same transmission time as the current time It is determined that the timer transmission information including the same transmission time as the current time is stored in the second storage means by the determination means for determining whether or not the information is stored in the second storage means. Then, a call control means for making a call to one or a plurality of destinations for which the same transmission time as the current time is designated, and a designated transmission time during the call by the call control means. Current An extraction means for extracting one or more timer transmission information that is included within a predetermined time from the beginning and whose designated transmission destination is the same as the transmission destination that is calling, and a call by the call control means When the communication with the transmission destination becomes possible, the transmission control means for continuously transmitting the transmission data contained in one or more timer transmission information extracted by the extraction means to the transmission destination, and the call control means Timer transmission information changing means for changing the transmission time of the timer transmission information extracted by the extracting means to a time delayed by a predetermined delay time longer than the predetermined time when the call is interrupted. It is a feature.
[0008]
  According to this communication deviceSince a plurality of transmission data in which timer transmission is designated at the same time at the same destination is transmitted continuously when communication to that destination becomes possible,A useless call is not repeated continuously, and a meaningless increase in communication traffic due to use of a useless line can be suppressed as much as possible.Also, the time required for transmission can be reduced as a whole. In addition, when the other party interrupts the call during communication, the call is delayed by a predetermined time and the call is made again to the other party, so the probability that the communication is canceled is relatively high The transmission data for which the timer transmission is designated can be transmitted to the other party. In addition, when a call is interrupted because the other party is communicating, the call is made to another destination with the same transmission time specified, so the time to wait for transmission processing to that destination is reduced as much as possible. it can.
[0009]
[0010]
  Calling control meansAnd transmission control meansCan be realized by, for example, a CPU (central processing unit) that operates based on a predetermined program.
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
  Claims2The communication device of the invention described in claim1The communication device according to claim 1,When the outgoing call is interrupted by the change control means for causing the timer transmission information changing means to change the transmission time a predetermined number of times and the call control means after changing the transmission time by the predetermined number of times, And erasing means for erasing corresponding timer transmission information from the second storage means..
[0017]
  According to this communication device, the claim1In addition to the effects of the communication device described inDestinationWhen transmission cannot be performed during communication, a plurality of calls are automatically made at appropriate time intervals, so transmission can be performed with a sufficiently high probability.
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
  Claims3The communication device of the invention described in claim1Or2The communication device according to claim 1,Timer transmission information whose transmission time has been changed by the timer transmission information changing means In the waiting state, a normal facsimile transmission operation is performed by the user, and determination means for determining whether or not the facsimile transmission is being performed, and the determination means determine that normal facsimile transmission is being performed. Then, the second determination means for determining whether or not the transmission destination is included in the timer transmission waiting timer transmission information, and the second determination means determines that the normal facsimile transmission destination is a timer transmission waiting timer. Second transmission control means for transmitting one or more transmission data included in timer transmission information waiting for timer transmission continuously after completion of transmission of normal facsimile transmission if determined to be included in the transmission information And further comprising.
[0022]
  According to this communication device, the claim1 or 2In addition to the effects of the communication device described inSending one or more transmission data contained in timer transmission information waiting for timer transmission to the other party as quickly and reliably as possibleit can.
[0023]
  Further claims4The storage medium of the invention described inFirst storage means for storing a plurality of transmission data for facsimile transmission, and designation for specifying transmission destination and transmission time in advance for each transmission data by a user operation in order to transmit transmission data by timer Means, second storage means for storing information on a plurality of transmission destinations, transmission times and transmission data designated by the designation means as timer transmission information, timing means for timing the current time, and the same as the current time Determination means for determining whether or not timer transmission information including the transmission time is stored in the second storage means, and timer transmission information including the same transmission time as the current time is stored in the second storage means by the determination means. If it is determined that the call is made, a call control means for making a call to one or a plurality of transmission destinations having the same transmission time as the current time in turn, and the call control means During the call, one or two or more timer transmission information is extracted in which the designated transmission time is included within a predetermined time from the current time and the designated transmission destination is the same as the transmission destination that is making the call. When communication with a transmission destination becomes possible for a call made by the extraction means and the call control means, transmission data included in one or more timer transmission information extracted by the extraction means is continuously transmitted to the transmission destination. And a timer that changes the transmission time of the timer transmission information extracted by the extraction means to a time delayed by a predetermined delay time longer than the predetermined time when the call by the call control means is interrupted A timer transmission program for functioning as transmission information changing means is recorded..
[0024]
  According to this storage medium, the operation of the communication device according to claim 1 can be realized by operating the CPU based on the stored program.
[0025]
  As the storage medium, ROM (read only memory) can be used, but is not limited to this, various semiconductor memories such as RAM backed up by a battery, various magnetic disks such as a hard disk and a flexible disk, Various magneto-optical disks or various optical disks may be used.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0027]
  FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a facsimile apparatus as an example of a communication apparatus according to the present invention. The facsimile apparatus includes a CPU 1, an NCU 2, a RAM 3, a modem 4, a ROM 5, an EEPROM 6, a gate array 7, a codec 8, and a DMAC 9. A reading unit 11, a recording unit 12, an operation unit 13, and a display unit 14. The CPU 1, NCU 2, RAM 3, modem 4, ROM 5, EEPROM 6, gate array 7, codec 8, and DMAC 9 are connected to each other by a bus line 15. The bus line 15 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. A reading unit 11, a recording unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and a wireless communication unit 17 are connected to the gate array 7. A modem 4 and a telephone line 16 are connected to the NCU 2.
[0028]
  The CPU 1 controls the entire facsimile apparatus.
[0029]
  An NCU (network control unit) 2 is connected to the telephone line 16 and performs network control.
[0030]
  The RAM 3 provides a work area to the CPU 1 and stores various data such as transmission image data for timer transmission.
[0031]
  The modem 4 performs modulation of transmission data, demodulation of reception data, and the like.
[0032]
  The ROM 5 stores various programs and fixed data.
[0033]
  The EEPROM 6 stores various operation parameters, registration data such as a large number of unit phone book information, flags, and various setting data for timer transmission.
[0034]
  The gate array 7 functions as an input / output interface circuit of the CPU 1 and performs various processes on the read image signal from the reading unit 11.
[0035]
  The codec 8 encodes transmission facsimile data and decodes reception facsimile data.
[0036]
  DMAC (direct memory access controller) 9 writes and reads various data including read image data to the RAM 3 independently of the CPU 1.
[0037]
  The reading unit 11 includes a light source, a line image sensor, a document feed motor, and the like, reads a read document, and outputs an analog read image signal.
[0038]
  The recording unit 12 performs color printing or monochrome printing of a received image or a read image on a recording sheet.
[0039]
  The operation unit 13 includes a group of key switches and the like, and outputs a signal corresponding to a user operation.
[0040]
  The display unit 14 includes an LCD and the like, and is controlled by the CPU 1 to perform various displays.
[0041]
  Next, the main points of the operation of the facsimile apparatus will be described. Now, as shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that timer transmission information indicating the timer transmission reservation status is stored in the EEPROM 6. The timer transmission information is information that the CPU 1 interprets an operation signal from the operation unit 13 when the user performs a predetermined key operation on the operation unit 13, generates data, and stores the data in the EEPROM 6. JOB: A, JOB: B, JOB: C, and JOB: D as transmission information are names used by the user to specify transmission image data that is read in advance by the reading unit 11 and stored in the RAM 3, What is actually stored in the EEPROM 6 may be numeric data or character data. The transmission time can be specified in units of 1 minute. The name of the transmission destination corresponds to the registration number of the electronic telephone book entered by the user, and what is actually stored in the EEPROM 6 is the registration number. Of course, when the user directly inputs the telephone number, the telephone number is stored in the EEPROM 6. However, any information can be stored as the transmission destination as long as the transmission destination can be specified. May be.
[0042]
  When the output from the clock circuit (not shown) attached to the CPU 1 becomes 10:00, first, a call is made to the B company head office to transmit JOB: A. If the B company head office is in communication as a result of the call, the call is interrupted. Then, for all transmission information to be transmitted to the B company headquarters at 10:00, that is, JOB: A, JOB: B, JOB: D, the transmission time is rewritten to 10:05 (set to redial). A call is made to the B branch of company B in order to transmit JOB: C for which the transmission destination is specified. Then, at 10:05, a call is made again to the B company headquarters to send JOB: A. At this time, if the B company headquarters is communicating again, a re-call is repeated every 5 minutes, and if the re-call reaches a predetermined number of times, it is processed as an error. If communication with the head office of Company B becomes possible due to the re-call, JOB: A, JOB: B, and JOB: D are transmitted continuously. In other words, the line is not released once for each JOB and is not called again. Also, when waiting for a re-call for 5 minutes, if the user performs an operation for normal transmission that is not timer transmission, the call is made to the B company head office, and the B company head office is not communicating, Following the normal transmission, JOB: A, JOB: B, and JOB: D set to redial are continuously transmitted. Also at this time, the line is once opened and the call is not made again between the normal transmission and the first JOB: A and between each JOB.
[0043]
  In the conventional facsimile apparatus, if a call is made to the B company headquarters for transmission of JOB: A and communication is in progress, the next set JOB: B is immediately sent again to the B company headquarters for transmission. Make a call. However, even if the call is interrupted during communication and the call is immediately reissued, the probability of communication is extremely high. Therefore, in the facsimile apparatus of the above-described embodiment, a call is made to the B company headquarters for the transmission of JOB: A, and if communication is in progress, the call is not immediately made again to the B company headquarters for the transmission of JOB: B. I am doing so. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a useless call with a very high probability of being in communication and to suppress a meaningless increase in communication traffic due to use of a useless line as much as possible.
[0044]
  In addition, a call is made to the B company headquarters for transmission of JOB: A, and if communication is in progress, a call is made to the B company T branch in order to send JOB: C for which another destination is designated. Therefore, the time for waiting for transmission of JOB: C during communication can be shortened as much as possible.
[0045]
  In addition, if a call is made to the B company headquarters for transmission of JOB: A and communication is in progress, the call will be repeated after 5 minutes, which is an appropriate time with a high probability that communication is canceled, so communication is in progress. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily prevent an error that transmission could not be performed.
[0046]
  Further, when communication is being performed even after a re-call, since the re-call is repeated every 5 minutes until the predetermined number of times is reached, an error that the transmission could not be performed because of the communication can be almost certainly eliminated.
[0047]
  Also, if communication with the B company headquarters becomes possible by re-calling, JOB: A, JOB: B, JOB: D will be transmitted continuously, so the number of calls can be reduced well and communication traffic can be reduced. At the same time, the total time required for transmission can be reduced.
[0048]
  Also, during the waiting time for re-calling to the B company headquarters, if a call is made to the B company headquarters for normal transmission by the user's key operation and communication with the B company headquarters becomes possible, normal transmission will be performed. Subsequently, since JOB: A, JOB: B, and JOB: D waiting for re-calling are continuously transmitted, the danger of communication during re-calling can be reliably avoided, and the number of re-calls can be reduced well.
[0049]
  That is, the CPU 1 makes a call to the transmission destination specified at the specified transmission time in order to transmit the specified transmission information by the transmission destination, the transmission time, and the transmission information specified in advance by the user. The call control means to be realized is realized.
[0050]
[0051]
  In addition, when communication with the transmission destination becomes possible by re-calling by the call control means, the CPU 1 transmits all transmission information designated to be transmitted to the transmission destination up to that point. The call control means realizes a transmission control means for continuously transmitting without making a call for each piece of transmission information.
[0052]
  In addition, the CPU 1When the timer transmission information whose transmission time has been changed is in the state of waiting for timer transmission, a normal facsimile transmission operation is performed by the user. A second one for transmitting one or more transmission data included in timer transmission information awaiting timer transmission;A transmission control means is realized.
[0053]
  ROM5 isFirst storage means for storing a plurality of transmission data for facsimile transmission, and designation for specifying transmission destination and transmission time in advance for each transmission data by a user operation in order to transmit transmission data by timer Means, second storage means for storing information on a plurality of transmission destinations, transmission times and transmission data designated by the designation means as timer transmission information, timing means for timing the current time, and the same as the current time Determination means for determining whether or not timer transmission information including the transmission time is stored in the second storage means, and timer transmission information including the same transmission time as the current time is stored in the second storage means by the determination means. If it is determined that the call is made, a call control means for making a call to one or a plurality of transmission destinations having the same transmission time as the current time in turn, and the call control means During the call, one or two or more timer transmission information is extracted in which the designated transmission time is included within a predetermined time from the current time and the designated transmission destination is the same as the transmission destination that is making the call. When communication with a transmission destination becomes possible for a call made by the extraction means and the call control means, transmission data included in one or more timer transmission information extracted by the extraction means is continuously transmitted to the transmission destination. And a timer that changes the transmission time of the timer transmission information extracted by the extraction means to a time delayed by a predetermined delay time longer than the predetermined time when the call by the call control means is interrupted Recorded timer transmission program to function as transmission information change meansIt constitutes a storage medium.
[0054]
  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the timer transmission control process performed by the CPU 1 in the facsimile apparatus. This timer transmission control process belongs to the main routine and is not at regular intervals but at a sufficiently short time interval. Executed.
[0055]
  First, the CPU 1 determines whether there is transmission information to be transmitted at the present time (S1). Specifically, the CPU 1 searches the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6 to check whether there is transmission information whose transmission time has already arrived.
[0056]
  If there is transmission information to be transmitted (S1: YES), the CPU 1 makes a call to the transmission destination to which the transmission information is to be transmitted (S2). Specifically, the CPU 1 controls the NCU 2 to call the destination telephone number. Here, in the state shown in FIG. 2, if the transmission time of JOB: A has arrived, a call to the transmission destination designated for JOB: A is started.
[0057]
  Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the transmission destination is busy, that is, during communication (S3). Specifically, the CPU 1 detects whether the transmission destination is busy, that is, is in communication as a result of making a call in step S2 by detecting the busy sound from the switching center input via the NCU 2. .
[0058]
  If communication is in progress (S3: YES), the CPU 1 interrupts the call (S4). Specifically, the CPU 1 controls the NCU 2 to stop calling the destination telephone number.
[0059]
  Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the re-call flag for the JOB: A that made the call is on (S5). This re-calling flag is a flag indicating whether the job is redialing or waiting for redialing, and is turned on when the call is interrupted because the transmission destination is communicating at the time of the first call.
[0060]
  If the re-call flag for JOB: A is not turned on in step S5 (S5: NO), the CPU 1 turns on the re-call flag (S9). At this time, if there is another transmission information to be transmitted to the transmission destination where the call is interrupted in step S4 and the transmission time has already arrived, the re-call flag is set for all the JOBs. Turn it on. For example, in the case of FIG. 2, in addition to JOB: A to be transmitted to the B company head office at 10:00, the re-call flag is turned on for JOB: B and JOB: D. In step S10, the CPU 1 rewrites the transmission time and ends this routine. Specifically, among the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6, the CPU 1 interrupts the call due to the current communication and turns on the re-call flag, and turns on the re-call flag simultaneously with the JOB. The transmission time with the selected JOB is delayed by a predetermined time (redial setting). In the case of FIG. 2, for JOB: A, JOB: B, and JOB: D to be transmitted to the head office of Company B, the transmission time is delayed by a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) and rewritten to 10:05. As a result, redialing occurs after 5 minutes.
[0061]
  In step S5, if the re-call flag is on (S5: YES), the CPU 1 adds 1 to the variable X (S6). This variable X represents the number of redials, and 1 is added each time redialing is unsuccessful due to communication.
[0062]
  Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the variable X that made the call is greater than or equal to a constant A (S7). This constant A defines the maximum number of redials.
[0063]
  If the variable X is equal to or greater than the constant A (S7: YES), the CPU 1 executes error processing (S8) because it cannot be transmitted during communication despite the predetermined number of re-calls. This routine is terminated. As error processing, for example, it is conceivable to delete the contents related to transmission information that could not be transmitted from the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6, create an error report, and output it to the recording unit 12. In the case of FIG. 2, when the number of re-calls of JOB: A reaches a predetermined value, not only JOB: A but also JOB: B and JOB: D are subject to error processing.
[0064]
  In step S7, if the variable X is not equal to or greater than the constant A (S7: NO), the CPU 1 rewrites the transmission time (S10) and ends this routine. Specifically, the CPU 1 delays the transmission time to the transmission destination where the outgoing call is interrupted during communication among the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6 by a predetermined time. For example, in the case of the first call at 10:00 shown in FIG. 2, if the re-call flag for JOB: A cannot be transmitted during communication and the re-call flag for JOB: A is already on, the call is made again at 10:05. Since the transmission could not be performed in spite of having been performed, the transmission time of the JOB: A in the previous step S9 and the other JOB for which the re-call flag is turned on simultaneously with the JOB: A are further set to a predetermined period ( (For example, 5 minutes) Delay 10:10In minutesPerform rewrite processing.
[0065]
  In step S3, if communication is not in progress (S3: NO), that is, if communication with the transmission destination becomes possible, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the re-call flag is on (S11).
[0066]
  If the re-calling flag is on (S11: YES), the CPU 1 continuously transmits the transmission information (S12). Specifically, the CPU 1 searches the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6 and continuously transmits all transmission information that has already reached the transmission time among the transmission information to be transmitted to the transmission destination that has become communicable. To do. For example, in the case of FIG. 2, JOB: A, JOB: B, and JOB: D are transmitted to the B company head office. At this time, the operation of releasing the line once and making a call again is not performed between JOB: A and JOB: B and between JOB: B and JOB: D. Of course, if there is one piece of transmission information to be transmitted, only that transmission information is transmitted.
[0067]
  Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the transmission is finished (S13).
[0068]
  If the transmission has been completed (S13: YES), this routine is terminated. At this time, regarding the transmission information that has been normally transmitted, the contents of the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6 are deleted, and the transmission information itself stored in the RAM 3 is also deleted.
[0069]
  In step S13, if the transmission is not completed (S13: NO), the process returns to step S13 to wait for the transmission to be completed.
[0070]
  In step S11, if the re-call flag for the job to be transmitted is not turned on (S11: NO), the CPU 1 considers that there is no other job waiting for redialing at the same transmission destination, and the CPU 1 Only the transmission information is transmitted (S14), and the process proceeds to step S13. Specifically, the CPU 1 searches the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6 and transmits one piece of transmission information that has already reached the transmission time among the transmission information to be transmitted to the transmission destination that has become communicable. For example, only JOB: A is transmitted to the B company head office. The determination of the priority when there is a plurality of pieces of transmission information having the same transmission destination and transmission time may follow the order stored in the EEPROM 6, for example, but other determination methods may be adopted.
[0071]
  In step S1, if there is no transmission information whose transmission time has arrived (S1: NO), the CPU 1 determines whether normal transmission is in progress (S15). That is, in addition to the timer transmission, direct transmission may be performed by the user's key operation, and it is checked whether or not the transmission is performed.
[0072]
  If normal transmission is in progress (S15: YES), the CPU 1 determines whether there is transmission information to be transmitted continuously among the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6 (S16). Specifically, the CPU 1 searches the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6 and there is a JOB having the same transmission destination as the transmission destination currently being normally transmitted, and the re-call flag is turned on. Find out if.
[0073]
  If there is a JOB to be transmitted (S16: YES), the CPU 1 determines whether or not the normal transmission has ended (S17).
[0074]
  If the normal transmission is completed (S17: YES), the CPU 1 continuously transmits the corresponding transmission information (S18). Specifically, the CPU 1 searches the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6 and continuously transmits all of the transmission information to be transmitted to the normal transmission destination that is waiting for redialing. To do. For example, when the user designates normal transmission to the B company headquarters and the transmission is started after the line is closed, the recalling flag is turned on to the B company headquarters where JOB: A, JOB: B , JOB: D is continuously transmitted. At this time, between the normal transmission and JOB: A, between JOB: A and JOB: B, and between JOB: B and JOB: D, the circuit is once opened and the call is made again. Don't do it. Of course, if there is only one piece of transmission information to be transmitted, only that transmission information is transmitted following normal transmission.
[0075]
  Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the continuous transmission is finished (S19).
[0076]
  If the continuous transmission is finished (S19: YES), this routine is finished. At this time, regarding the transmission information that has been normally transmitted, the contents of the timer transmission information stored in the EEPROM 6 are deleted, and the transmission information itself stored in the RAM 3 is also deleted.
[0077]
  In step S19, if the continuous transmission has not ended (S19: NO), the process returns to step S19 to wait for the continuous transmission to end.
[0078]
  In step S17, if the normal transmission has not ended (S17: NO), the process returns to step S17 to wait for the normal transmission to end.
[0079]
  If there is no transmission information to be transmitted in step S16 (S16: NO), this routine is terminated.
[0080]
  In step S15, if the normal transmission is not being performed (S15: NO), this routine is terminated.
[0081]
  In the above embodiment, the transmission time of the timer transmission is configured to be set in units of one minute, and only the transmission information for which the same transmission time and the same transmission time are designated in step S10 of FIG. Since the call flag is turned on and the transmission time related to the transmission information with the re-call flag turned on is rewritten in step S9, there is a possibility that a call is made to the same destination one minute after the call is interrupted during communication. Alternatively, the same transmission destination may not be called for 5 minutes, which is the waiting time for redialing. That is, in step S10 of FIG. 3, the re-call flag is turned on for all transmission information that is the same destination and whose transmission time is specified at a time before 5 minutes after the call interruption, and in step S9. The transmission time relating to the transmission information with the re-call flag turned on may be rewritten to a time 5 minutes after the call is interrupted.
[0082]
  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine. However, the present invention is not limited to a facsimile machine, and is a multifunction peripheral device having a facsimile transmission / reception function, a copy function, an image scanner function, a printer function, etc. The present invention can also be applied to other communication devices such as a personal computer having a transmission / reception function.
[0083]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the communication device of the invention described in claim 1,Multiple transmission data for which timer transmission is specified for the same destination at the same time are sent continuously when communication to that destination becomes possibleTherefore, useless calls are not repeated continuously, and a meaningless increase in communication traffic due to use of useless lines can be suppressed as much as possible.Also, the time required for transmission can be reduced as a whole. In addition, when the other party interrupts the call during communication, the call is delayed by a predetermined time and the call is made again to the other party, so the probability that the communication is canceled is relatively high The transmission data for which the timer transmission is designated can be transmitted to the other party. In addition, when a call is interrupted because the other party is communicating, the call is made to another destination with the same transmission time specified, so the time to wait for transmission processing to that destination is reduced as much as possible. it can.
[0084]
[0085]
[0086]
  Claims2According to the communication device of the invention described in claim1In addition to the effects of the communication device described inDestinationWhen transmission cannot be performed during communication, a plurality of calls are automatically made at appropriate time intervals, so transmission can be performed with a sufficiently high probability.
[0087]
[0088]
  Claims3According to the communication device of the invention described in claim1 or 2In addition to the effects of the communication device described inSending one or more transmission data contained in timer transmission information waiting for timer transmission to the other party as quickly and reliably as possibleit can.
[0089]
  Further claims4According to the storage medium of the invention described in (1), the operation of the communication device according to claim 1 can be realized by operating the CPU based on the stored program.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a facsimile apparatus as an example of a communication apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is an explanatory diagram of timer transmission information stored in an EEPROM provided in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
3 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of timer transmission control processing by a CPU provided in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 CPU
  2 NCU
  3 RAM
  4 Modem
  5 ROM
  6 EEPROM
  7 Gate array
  8 codec
  9 DMAC
  11 Reading unit
  12 Recording section
  13 Operation unit
  14 Display section

Claims (4)

First storage means for storing a plurality of transmission data for facsimile transmission;
In order to transmit the transmission data by timer, a designation means for designating a transmission destination and a transmission time in advance for each transmission data by a user operation;
Second storage means for storing information on a plurality of transmission destinations, transmission times and transmission data designated by the designation means as timer transmission information, respectively;
A time measuring means for measuring the current time;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not timer transmission information including the same transmission time as the current time is stored in the second storage means;
If it is determined by the determination means that timer transmission information including the same transmission time as the current time is stored in the second storage means, one or more specified the same transmission time as the current time Outgoing call control means for making outgoing calls to the destinations in turn,
During the call by the call control means, the designated transmission time is included within a predetermined time from the current time, and the designated transmission destination is the same as the transmission destination that is making the call 1 or 2 Extracting means for extracting the above timer transmission information;
A transmission that continuously transmits transmission data included in one or more timer transmission information extracted by the extraction unit to the transmission destination when communication with the transmission destination becomes possible for the call by the call control unit Control means;
Timer transmission information change for changing the transmission time of the timer transmission information extracted by the extraction means to a time delayed by a predetermined delay time longer than the predetermined time when the call by the call control means is interrupted Means,
A communication apparatus comprising: Change control means for causing the timer transmission information changing means to change the transmission time a predetermined number of times;
An erasure unit for erasing the timer transmission information corresponding to the call from the second storage unit when a call is interrupted by the call control unit after changing the transmission time by a predetermined number of times;
The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: When the timer transmission information whose transmission time has been changed by the timer transmission information changing means is in the state of waiting for timer transmission, it is determined whether or not a normal facsimile transmission operation is performed by the user and the facsimile transmission is being performed. Judgment means,
Second determining means for determining whether or not the transmission destination is included in the timer transmission information waiting for timer transmission when the determination means determines that normal facsimile transmission is being performed;
When the second determination means determines that the transmission destination of the normal facsimile transmission is included in the timer transmission information waiting for timer transmission, the timer transmission is continuously performed after the transmission of the normal facsimile transmission is completed. Second transmission control means for transmitting one or more transmission data included in the waiting timer transmission information;
The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: Computer
First storage means for storing a plurality of transmission data for facsimile transmission;
In order to transmit the transmission data by timer, a designation means for designating a transmission destination and a transmission time in advance for each transmission data by a user operation;
Second storage means for storing information on a plurality of transmission destinations, transmission times and transmission data designated by the designation means as timer transmission information, respectively;
A time measuring means for measuring the current time;
Discriminating means for discriminating whether or not timer transmission information including the same transmission time as the current time is stored in the second storage means;
If it is determined by the determination means that timer transmission information including the same transmission time as the current time is stored in the second storage means, one or more specified the same transmission time as the current time Outgoing call control means for making outgoing calls to the destinations in turn,
During the call by the call control means, the designated transmission time is included within a predetermined time from the current time, and the designated transmission destination is the same as the transmission destination that is making the call 1 or 2 Extracting means for extracting the above timer transmission information;
A transmission that continuously transmits transmission data included in one or more timer transmission information extracted by the extraction unit to the transmission destination when communication with the transmission destination becomes possible for the call by the call control unit Control means;
Timer transmission information change for changing the transmission time of the timer transmission information extracted by the extraction means to a time delayed by a predetermined delay time longer than the predetermined time when the call by the call control means is interrupted Means,
A computer-readable storage medium that records a timer transmission program for functioning.

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