GB2320848A - Message polling method for a facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of selective transmit-polling a facsimile message in a receiving facsimile is described. In an operator-absent mode of the facsimile, the telephone number of a transmitting-facsimile is stored during a protocol process and the facsimile message is stored after the protocol is finished. Next, a receive poll request is received together with the telephone number of a transmitting facsimile during a protocol process with a remote facsimile. A facsimile message received from the transmitting facsimile having the relevant telephone number is sought and, if found, a confirmation protocol indicative of the existence of a relevant facsimile message is transmitted. If a protocol demanding a receive poll is received in response to the confirmation protocol, the relevant facsimile message is transmitted.

Description

MESSAGE POLLING METHOD FOR A FACSIMILE MACHINE Background of the Invention This invention relates to the polling feature of a facsimile machine. Specifically, this invention is a method for selectively polling to transmit or receive messages stored in the memory in a facsimile machine.

The facsimile is a valuable communication tool that is indispensable when rapid information sharing is required.

Therefore, the facsimile must swiftly and accurately receive, transmit and transfer information. Usually, the facsimile has various functions to permit swift and accurate receipt of information. A polling operation, one function typically provided in such a facsimile machine, enables a user to print a document when desired.

Polling functions can be divided into transmit-polling functions and receive polling functions. The transmitpolling function is used to transmit a document, which is stored in memory after being scanned, when a transmitpolling command is received from a remote location. The receive polling function is used to request a transmit poll, after calling a designated facsimile that is set up to make the transmit poll, and to receive the image data.

Such facsimiles have a relay function for checking for messages received during the user's absence. This function relays the received message to another facsimile whose number is designated by the user. Although a user can transmit and receive documents if he sets the polling function, the user cannot immediately check for documents received during his absence. Even though the user sets the relay function to check for documents received during his absence, the user is limited as to the place where he can check for facsimile messages.

Summary of the Invention An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for checking and receiving facsimile messages, which are stored in memory, from a remote place.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for checking facsimile messages, which are received from a designated facsimile location and stored, at a remote location.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of selective transmit-polling a facsimile message in a receiving facsimile, comprising: storing a facsimile message received in an absence mode of the facsimile; and transmitting the stored facsimile message in response to a receive poll request from a remote facsimile.

Preferably, the facsimile message is stored in a memory according to a corresponding index. For example, storing the facsimile message may comprise: storing the telephone number of the transmitting-facsimile according to the corresponding index during a protocol process; and storing the facsimile message after the protocol is finished.

Preferably, transmitting the stored facsimile message comprises: receiving the telephone number of a transmitting facsimile and a receive poll request while performing a protocol with a remote facsimile; searching for a facsimile message received from a transmitting facsimile having the relevant telephone number; transmitting a confirmation protocol indicative of the existence of a relevant facsimile message if such a message is found; and transmitting the relevant facsimile message, if a protocol demanding a receive poll is received in response to the confirmation protocol.

The present invention also provides a method of selective transmit-polling a facsimile message which is received and stored in a facsimile system, comprising: establishing a selective poll mode in a remote facsimile and calling the receiving facsimile; transmitting a receive poll request and the telephone number of a transmitting-facsimile to the receiving facsimile; receiving a stored facsimile message from the receiving facsimile; and printing the facsimile message.

Preferably, transmitting a receive poll request and the telephone number comprises: performing a protocol of transmitting the said telephone number; receiving a confirmation protocol indicating whether there is a facsimile message corresponding to the said telephone number; and performing a protocol demanding a receive poll if the confirmation protocol indicates that such a facsimile message exists.

The method may further comprise performing a protocol of demanding the termination of communications if the confirmation protocol indicates that no facsimile message exists.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a facsimile according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a facsimile according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the control algorithm of a receiving facsimile, whose operator is absent; FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the control algorithm of a remote facsimile; FIGS. 5a and 5b are memory tables of a receiving facsimile, whose operator is absent; and FIG. 6 shows the protocol process according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, transmitting facsimile 100, which indicates the facsimile transmitting a document, prior to transmitting the document, transmits its transmission terminal identification (TTI), which is identification information including its own telephone number, as part of its transmission protocol. Receiving facsimile 200 indicates the facsimile which is set in selective polling mode by a user who is absent. Receiving facsimile 200 stores the message and the telephone number transmitted by transmitting facsimile 100, in memory, and transmit polls the stored message when there is a receive poll request from a remote location.

Remote facsimile 300 indicates the facsimile which makes the receive poll request so that it can output the received message. Remote facsimile 300 transmits the number of the transmitting facsimile, from which it should receive messages, to receiving facsimile 200 using the protocol performed when there is a receive poll request. The protocol shown in FIG. 6 is performed between remote facsimile 300 and receiving facsimile 200.

As shown in FIG. 2, control unit 10 controls the overall operation of the facsimile based upon a control program stored in ROM 22. Network control unit (NCU) 12, under the control of control unit 10, connects a telephone line to MODEM 14, detects incoming calls and produces signals which are sent to control unit 10. MODEM 14 demodulates a modulated signal, received through NCU 12, and modulates a signal to be forwarded to the telephone line through NCU 12. Operating panel (OPE) 16 consists of keys to set the functions of the facsimile and enter commands. It provides key data, made by pressing its keys, to control unit 10.

OPE 16 is equipped with a display window for showing the operational state of the facsimile.

When the transmit or copy mode is set, scanner 18, under the control of control unit 10, reads a document supplied, converting it into image data, which is provided to control unit 10. Printer 20, under the control of control unit 10, prints image data as it is received or read from memory.

ROM 22 stores the control program performed by control unit 10. RAM 24 stores image data, received or read, and data generated during the operation of the facsimile.

FIG. 3 shows a control procedure for storing a facsimile message, received from receiving facsimile 200, in memory and performing a selective transmit poll. FIG. 5a illustrates a memory table where the transmitting party's telephone number, received while performing the protocol, is stored at a location corresponding to a specified index.

FIG. 5b shows a memory table where the facsimile message is stored at a location corresponding to the specified index.

FIG. 4 shows how remote facsimile 300 performs selective receive poll for the message received by receiving facsimile 200 corresponding to a predetermined transmitting party's telephone number.

With reference to steps 310 through 322, in FIG. 3, the way in which receiving facsimile 200 receives a facsimile message from transmitting facsimile 100 and stores it in memory will now be described. Control unit 10 determines if any incoming calls are detected using NCU 12 (step 310).

When an incoming call is detected, control unit 10 controls NCU 12 to connect the call and performs the protocol according to its ITU recommendation stored in ROM 22 (step 312). The protocol is for memory reception as described above. While performing the protocol, the identification code, including telephone number of the transmitting facsimile, is received from the transmitting facsimile.

When the protocol is complete, control unit 10 determines if there is a reception request of a facsimile message (step 316). The reception request is determined based upon the protocol performed at step 312. If there is a reception request, control unit 10 determines whether the absence mode is established (step 318). The absence mode is established by the operation of function keys on OPE 16. If the absence mode is established, control unit 10 stores the received facsimile message in memory (step 320).

When the memory reception is complete, control unit 10 respectively stores the facsimile message and the telephone number of the transmitting facsimile, contained in TTI received while performing the protocol at step 312, at locations corresponding to a predetermined index, in RAM 24 (step 322). The respective specified indexes corresponding to the telephone number of the transmitting facsimile and message have the same values. The values of the specified indexes are sequentially granted according to the order of reception of the messages stored in the memory.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show tables indicating how the transmitting facsimile telephone numbers and messages are stored at locations corresponding to specified indexes. For example, if a facsimile message, Data B, is received from a facsimile having a telephone number of "053-634-1682", the telephone number is stored at the index 2 of the table shown in FIG. 5a, and the message, Data B, is stored at the same index of the table shown in FIG. 5b.

If the absence mode is not established in step 318, control unit 10 controls printer 20 to perform in the usual reception mode to print the received facsimile message on paper (step 324).

Steps 326 to 330, shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, show how remote facsimile 300 makes a receive poll request of receiving facsimile 200, and how receiving facsimile 200 performs a transmit poll according to the receive poll request, as now described. Control unit 10 in remote facsimile 300 determines if a selective poll mode is established by the user (step 410). The selective poll mode is established by operation of the function keys on OPE 16.

If the selective poll mode is established, control unit 10, in remote facsimile 300, converts its mode into the selective poll mode (step 412).

Control unit 10 requests the user to enter the telephone number of poll-demanded transmitting facsimile using the display window in OPE 16 (step 414). Control unit 10 determines if the telephone number entered corresponds to its request (step 416). If the telephone number is entered, control unit 10 registers the entered telephone number of the poll-demanded transmitting facsimile (step 418). After finishing registering the telephone number, control unit 10 controls MODEM 14 to call receiving facsimile 200, according to the telephone number of receiving facsimile entered by the user (step 420). If receiving facsimile 200 answers the call, control unit 10, in remote facsimile 300, performs the protocol corresponding to a receive poll operation (step 422).

Corresponding to the operation of remote facsimile 300 described above, control unit 10 in receiving facsimile 200 determines whether the incoming call, corresponding to step 420 in FIG. 4, is detected (step 310). If an incoming call is detected, control unit 10 in receiving facsimile 200 performs the protocol corresponding to a transmit poll operation at step 312.

The respective protocols performed by remote facsimile 300, at step 422 in FIG. 4, and receiving facsimile 200, at step 312 in FIG. 3, will now be described with reference to FIG.

6. When receiving a digital identification signal (DIS) from receiving facsimile 200 at step 610, remote facsimile 300 forwards non-standard set-up (NSS) or non-standard facilities command (NSF) at step 612. The following information is recorded in the information area in the NSS or NSF: data that indicates a receive poll request for messages stored in memory; the telephone number of the transmitting facsimile, which is used for selecting the messages for receive polling; and data indicating the end of the information area. For example, if data such as "01 460 2775 00" is recorded in the information area in the NSS or NSF, "01" is the data demanding a receive poll, "460 2775" is the telephone number of the transmitting facsimile, and 00" indicates the end of the information.

On receiving an NSS or NSF having such information at step 612, receiving facsimile 200 forwards an NSF containing information indicating whether there is a facsimile message stored in memory corresponding to the received telephone number of the transmitting facsimile (step 614). For example, if there is a relevant facsimile message, "01" is recorded in the information area of the NSF. If a relevant facsimile message does not exist, "00" is recorded in the information area of the NSF. Remote facsimile 300 checks the information contained in the NSF received at step 614.

If data (for example, "00") indicating that a relevant facsimile message does not exist, is recorded in the information area, remote facsimile 300 forwards a disconnect (DCN) signal, cutting off communications at step 616. If data (for example, "01") indicating a relevant message exists, is recorded in the information area, remote facsimile 300 forwards a digital transmit command (DTC), having data demanding a receive poll of the relevant facsimile message indicated in its information area, to receiving facsimile 200 at step 616'. The steps 616 and 616' correspond to the procedure performed by remote facsimile 300 at step 424 in FIG. 4.

If remote facsimile 300 completes the above protocol when demanding a message stored in memory, it receives the relevant facsimile message from receiving facsimile 200, and prints it using printer 20 at step 426.

Receiving facsimile 200 determines whether there is receive poll request information in data received at step 612 in FIG. 6 (step 314 of FIG. 3). If such receive poll request information exists, control unit 10 in receiving facsimile 200 checks if the telephone number of the transmitting facsimile, received with the receive poll request information is stored in RAM 24 in a structure corresponding to FIG. 5a (step 326). Control unit 10 then performs step 328, in FIG. 3, which is the same process as step 616' in FIG. 6. If the information demanding transmission of the relevant facsimile message is received from remote facsimile 300 at step 616', in FIG. 6, receiving facsimile 200 transmits the relevant facsimile message (step 330).

The present invention can allow receipt of a facsimile message in the operator's absence from a remote place by polling, thus preventing loss of time etc. caused by a failure to receive the information. Further, the user can select the transmitting facsimile which is the origin of a facsimile message stored in memory.

Claims (8)

1. A method of selective transmit-polling a facsimile message in a receiving facsimile, comprising: storing a facsimile message received in an absence mode of the facsimile; and transmitting the stored facsimile message in response to a receive poll request from a remote facsimile.

2. A method of selective transmit-polling according to claim 1 in which the facsimile message is stored in a memory according to a corresponding index.

3. A method of selective transmit-polling according to claim 2 in which storing the facsimile message comprises: storing the telephone number of the transmittingfacsimile according to the corresponding index during a protocol process; and storing the facsimile message after the protocol is finished.

4. A method of selective transmit-polling according to claim 3 in which transmitting the stored facsimile message comprises: receiving the telephone number of a transmitting facsimile and a receive poll request while performing a protocol with a remote facsimile; searching for a facsimile message received from a transmitting facsimile having the relevant telephone number; transmitting a confirmation protocol indicative of the existence of a relevant facsimile message if such a message is found; and transmitting the relevant facsimile message, if a protocol demanding a receive poll is received in response to the confirmation protocol.

5. A method of selective transmit-polling a facsimile message which is received and stored in a facsimile system, comprising: establishing a selective poll mode in a remote facsimile and calling the receiving facsimile; transmitting a receive poll request and the telephone number of a transmitting-facsimile to the receiving facsimile; receiving a stored facsimile message from the receiving facsimile; and printing the facsimile message.

6. A method of selective transmit-polling according to claim 5 in which transmitting a receive poll request and the telephone number comprises: performing a protocol of transmitting the said telephone number; receiving a confirmation protocol indicating whether there is a facsimile message corresponding to the said telephone number; and performing a protocol demanding a receive poll if the confirmation protocol indicates that such a facsimile message exists.

7. A method of selective transmit-polling according to claim 6, further comprising performing a protocol of demanding the termination of communications if the confirmation protocol indicates that no facsimile message exists.

8. A method of selective transmit-polling a facsimile message in a receiving facsimile, the method being substantially as described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.