JP2003244381A - Facsimile apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile apparatus capable of reducing communication expenses in use of a polling function under environment where the Internet can be used. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 11 of the facsimile apparatus 1 performs facsimile communication with facsimile apparatus 2 from a facsimile communication part 12 through a telephone line 3, transmits a polling request that the Internet 4 is used after confirming that the facsimile apparatus 2 has a communication ability using the Internet 4 and disconnects the telephone line 3. When the polling request that the Internet 4 is used from the facsimile apparatus 1 is received via a facsimile communication part 22, a control part 21 of facsimile apparatus 2 disconnects the telephone line 3 and transmits polling data from an Internet communication part 23 to the facsimile apparatus 1 by electronic mail through the Internet 4. The facsimile apparatus 1 receives an electronic mail including the polling data from an Internet communication part 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine having a polling function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of Internet technology in recent years, an Internet facsimile machine for transmitting facsimile data in the form of electronic mail or the like via the Internet has also been developed. When the Internet is used, the communication charge does not depend on the distance, which is advantageous in that the communication cost can be reduced in long distance communication.

On the other hand, in G3 facsimile communication, a polling function for transmitting data from a called device to a calling device is standardized. However, in the communication using the Internet, there is no such polling function. Therefore, when the data is acquired by using the polling function, the polling function is currently used only in the facsimile communication such as G3. Is. In this case, since the communication charge depends on the distance, there is a problem that the communication cost is increased when the called side device and the calling side device are located at a long distance.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of reducing communication costs when using a polling function in an environment where the Internet can be used. It is intended.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in a facsimile machine on the calling side, a first communication means for performing facsimile communication using a telephone line and a second communication means for performing communication using the Internet. Controlling means for controlling the second communication means to receive the polling data when the called device transmits a polling request from the first communication means to the facsimile device and the communication on the called side is possible. It is characterized by having. In the called facsimile machine, first communication means for performing facsimile communication using a telephone line, second communication means for communicating using the Internet, and polling from the first communication means by the facsimile machine. When the request is received, the calling side device also has control means for controlling the polling data to be transmitted from the second communication means if communication using the Internet is possible.

As described above, the polling request is made by using the telephone line by the first communication means of the calling facsimile machine and the first communication means of the called facsimile machine. If the calling side and the called side can use the internet, the internet is used for transferring polling data. That is, the polling data is transferred using the Internet by the second communication means of the called side facsimile machine and the second communication means of the calling side facsimile machine. As a result, even if the calling and called facsimile machines are installed at a long distance, a communication charge that does not depend on the distance is applied to the polling data transfer. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the overall communication cost.

Further, according to the present invention, in a facsimile machine on the calling side, a communication means for performing facsimile communication using a telephone line, and a called side device when the polling request is transmitted from the communication means by the facsimile machine to the Internet. It is characterized by having a control means for controlling so as to request the transfer of polling data to another device capable of communicating using the Internet if the communication utilizing is possible. In the called facsimile machine, first communication means for performing facsimile communication using a telephone line, second communication means for communicating using the Internet, and polling from the first communication means by the facsimile machine. When the request is received, if the transfer to the other device capable of communication using the Internet is instructed, the second communication means has control means for controlling the polling data to be transmitted to the other device. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, even if the facsimile machine on the calling side does not have a communication function using the Internet, if there is another apparatus that can use the Internet nearby, the apparatus will be used. It is possible to transfer polling data. Therefore, like the above-mentioned invention, it is possible to reduce the overall communication cost.

The called facsimile device may be configured so that, when the polling data is sent from the second communication means, the calling device sends the polling data in the format specified at the polling request. This allows the calling side device or another device designated by the calling side device to receive polling data in a desired format.

[0010]

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication mode including an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 1 and 2 are facsimile machines, 3 is a telephone line, 4 is the Internet, 11 and 21 are control units, 12,
22 is a facsimile communication unit, 13 and 23 are Internet communication units, and 24 is a polling data storage unit. Both the facsimile device 1 and the facsimile device 2 are the facsimile devices of the present invention, but for convenience of explanation, here, the facsimile device 1 is used as the calling side device and the facsimile device 2 is used as the called side device for polling communication. Explain. Of course, any of the facsimile machines may have the same facsimile communication function and Internet facsimile communication function as those of the related art. Therefore, it goes without saying that communication is possible not only between the facsimile devices of the present invention, but also with other facsimile devices and Internet communication devices.

The facsimile machine 1 comprises a control section 11, a facsimile communication section 12, an Internet communication section 13 and the like. The control unit 11 performs overall control of the facsimile apparatus 1 and various communication controls. In particular, as processing on the calling side at the time of polling communication, the facsimile communication unit 12 is caused to dial the called facsimile machine (facsimile machine 2 in this case) through the telephone line 3. After the line is connected, the capability of the facsimile device 2 is acquired during the facsimile communication procedure, and it is determined whether the facsimile device 2 can communicate through the Internet 4. If the facsimile apparatus 2 can communicate via the Internet 4, the facsimile apparatus 2 is requested to transfer polling data via the Internet 4. In this case, the facsimile communication is ended without receiving the actual transfer of the polling data. Then, the polling data sent from the facsimile apparatus 2 through the Internet 4 is received from the Internet communication unit 13. The polling data can be received as e-mail, for example. It should be noted that the format for receiving the polling data transfer at the time of the polling request, for example, the data format such as TIFF or PDF can be designated.

The facsimile communication unit 12 has an NCU, a modem, etc., and is provided with an auto-dial function, etc., and can perform facsimile communication through the telephone line 3. The Internet communication unit 13 is, for example, a LAN
It is composed of an interface and the like, and can communicate with an external mail server or another Internet device via a mail server or gateway on the LAN.
Alternatively, a dedicated line or the like may be connected, and the interface may be configured to directly communicate with the Internet device. Further, when connecting to the Internet by dial-up, for example, the NCU and modem of the facsimile communication unit 12 can be shared.

The facsimile apparatus 2 comprises a control unit 21, a facsimile communication unit 22, an Internet communication unit 23, a polling data storage unit 24 and the like.
The control unit 21 performs overall control of the facsimile apparatus 2 and various communication controls. In particular, as processing on the called side during polling communication, the facsimile communication unit 22 detects an incoming call and advances the facsimile procedure. During this facsimile procedure, the fact that it has Internet communication capability in, for example, DIS or NSF is notified to the calling side device (here, the facsimile device 1). When the polling request using the Internet 4 is transmitted from the facsimile device 1, the facsimile communication is ended, and the polling data stored in the polling data storage unit 24 is transmitted from the Internet communication unit 23 to the facsimile device 1 as an electronic mail. The electronic mail address is received from the facsimile machine 1 at the time of a polling request using the Internet 4. Alternatively, if the e-mail address corresponding to the telephone number of the facsimile apparatus 1 is registered by referring to the internal telephone directory, the registered information can be used. Further, when the data format is designated at the time of the polling request using the Internet 4, the polling data can be converted into the designated data format as necessary and transmitted.

The facsimile communication unit 22 has an NCU, a modem and the like, and is capable of facsimile communication through the telephone line 3. The Internet communication unit 23 is composed of, for example, a LAN interface, and can communicate with an external mail server or another Internet device via a mail server or gateway on the LAN. Alternatively, it may be an interface to which a dedicated line or the like is connected and which can directly communicate with the Internet device. Further, when connecting to the Internet by dial-up, for example, the NCU and the modem of the facsimile communication unit 22 can be shared.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the outline of the communication operation in an example of the communication mode including the embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. As schematically shown in FIG. 2A, first, the facsimile device 1 uses the telephone line 3 to make a polling request to the facsimile device 2.

FIG. 2B shows an example of the communication procedure at this time.
Is shown in. First, the facsimile machine 1 makes a call to the facsimile machine 2. When the facsimile device 2 receives a call and the line is connected, the facsimile device 2 sends to the facsimile device 1 a DIS indicating the standard capability of the device itself and an NSF indicating a non-standard capability. Among them, the facsimile device 2 indicates, for example, the presence or absence of polling data and that communication via the Internet 4 is possible.

When the facsimile machine 1 receives the DIS and NSF from the facsimile machine 2, the facsimile machine 1 receives, for example, the presence or absence of the above-mentioned polling data, and the Internet 4
It is determined whether or not communication through is possible. If polling data exists and communication via the Internet 4 is possible, the facsimile apparatus 2 is configured to transfer the polling data via the Internet 4.
To request. The request is DCS in the example shown in FIG.
It is done by NSS. Among them, for example, an electronic mail address, a data format of polling data, information for selecting one of a plurality of polling data when necessary, and the like can be transmitted to the facsimile device 2. When the transmission of the DCS and NSS is completed, the communication by the facsimile procedure thereafter is unnecessary, so the line is disconnected by the DCN and the communication using the telephone line 3 is ended.

The facsimile apparatus 2 which has received the DCS and NSS also disconnects the telephone line 3 and then this time, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the polling data is transmitted as an electronic mail using the Internet 4. The e-mail address at this time is acquired from the DCS and NSS from the facsimile device 1, and the telephone number and the e-mail address of the facsimile device 1 are registered in the telephone book in advance, and the caller number is notified when the call is received. You may find out your email address from. Also, DCS, N
When the data format is designated by the SS, the polling data can be converted into the designated data format as necessary and transmitted.

By receiving the electronic mail sent from the facsimile apparatus 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 can receive the polling data requested previously using the telephone line 3.

By carrying out such a communication, the facsimile apparatus 1 incurs communication costs for using the telephone line 3 for a short time until a polling request is made and for transferring an electronic mail including polling data. However, when the facsimile device 1 and the facsimile device 2 are located at a long distance, the unit price of the communication charge of the telephone line 3 is high, and the usage time of the telephone line 3 greatly affects the communication cost. As described above, only the polling request is required in a short time, so that the communication cost of the telephone line 3 can be minimized. Since the reception of the electronic mail is a very short distance communication even if it is a dedicated line or dial-up, the communication cost is low and the communication cost can be suppressed as a whole.

If the facsimile apparatus 1 determines from the DIS and NSF received from the facsimile apparatus 2 that there is no polling data, it immediately ends the communication. Further, if the DIS and NSF do not notify that the facsimile device 2 has the ability to perform communication through the Internet 4, normal polling communication is performed, and the facsimile device 1 performs normal facsimile communication. I do. That is, the facsimile device 1 transmits DTC and NSC, and the facsimile device 2 transmits the DC signal.
After receiving S, NSS, etc., polling data may be received through the telephone line 3.

When a request for transferring polling data from the fax machine 1 is received from the fax machine 1, the fax machine 2 can reject the request. In that case, after receiving DCS and NSS from the facsimile apparatus 1, the facsimile apparatus 2 may make a refusal response to the facsimile apparatus 1. In this case, the facsimile apparatus 1 that has received the refusal response may receive the polling data transferred through the telephone line 3 by normal facsimile communication.

In the above-mentioned communication procedure, the calling facsimile machine 1 selects the use of the Internet 4, but the facsimile machine 2 may notify the use of the Internet 4, for example. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, after transmitting the DIS and NSF from the facsimile device 2, the facsimile device 1 performs the DT in the same manner as the normal polling request.
Send C and NSC to the facsimile apparatus 2. At this time, it is preferable to inform the facsimile device 2 that communication is possible using the Internet 4.

Facsimile apparatus 2 receives DTC and NSC and transmits DCS and NSS to facsimile apparatus 1. At this time, the DTC or NSC determines whether or not the facsimile apparatus 1 can use the Internet 4, and if the Internet 4 can be used, the Internet 4 can be used.
To send polling data using DCS, N
It is included in the SS and transmitted to the facsimile device 1. Then, the telephone line 3 is disconnected and the facsimile communication is ended. After that, in FIG. 2C, the facsimile device 2 uses the Internet 4 to transmit the polling data to the facsimile device 1 as an electronic mail. The e-mail address at this time is stored in advance in the telephone directory or the like of the facsimile device 1.
You can use the email address registered for. In this case, the facsimile apparatus 1 can perform communication by the communication procedure at the time of polling request in normal facsimile communication, except that the capability of communication is notified via the Internet 4. Another way to get your email address is
Include when transmitting DTC, NSC, or DC
After S and NSS, the electronic mail address can be sent again from the facsimile machine 1 to the facsimile machine 2. Further, regarding the data format when polling data is transmitted by electronic mail, the request can be accepted from the facsimile device 1.

In the facsimile device 1, DCS, NSS
When the facsimile apparatus 2 has notified that the polling data is to be sent through the Internet 4 after receiving, the telephone line 3 is disconnected. Then, by receiving the e-mail sent from the facsimile apparatus 2, the polling data requested previously using the telephone line 3 can be received.

Even with such a procedure, the facsimile machine 1
The communication using the telephone line 3 can be completed in a short time, and the total communication cost can be suppressed. When the facsimile device 2 does not receive a notification from the facsimile device 1 that it has the communication capability through the Internet 4, or when the facsimile device 1 is designated to receive polling data by the normal telephone line 3. For this purpose, the facsimile apparatus 2 may transmit polling data by normal facsimile communication.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the communication mode including the embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.
In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Reference numeral 5 is an internet device. In this example,
An example is shown in which a polling request is made from the facsimile device 1, but the transfer destination of the polling data is transferred to an internet device 5 different from the facsimile device 1.
The internet device 5 may be any device as long as it can receive an electronic mail using the internet 4.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the facsimile machine 1 requests the facsimile machine 2 to transfer polling data using the Internet by a facsimile procedure through the telephone line 3. Among them, the electronic mail address of the Internet device 5 is transmitted as the electronic mail address to which the polling data is transferred. For example, in the communication procedure shown in FIG. 2B, when the DCS and NSS are transmitted from the facsimile device 1, the electronic mail address of the internet device 5 can be included in the transmission. Further, in the communication procedure shown in FIG. 2C, for example, when the DTC and NSC are transmitted from the facsimile device 1, the email address of the Internet device 5 is included, or the facsimile device 2 transmits the DCS and NSC.
After S is received, it can be sent again by an original procedure.

In the facsimile device 2, polling data may be transmitted using the electronic mail address received from the facsimile device 1. As a result, the polling data reaches the internet device 5.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the internet communication unit 11 is not shown in the facsimile apparatus 1. Thus, even if the facsimile machine 1 does not have an internet communication means, if there is a device capable of internet communication nearby, it is possible to receive polling data using the internet by a polling request for facsimile communication. is there. Of course, the Internet device 5 that is the transfer destination may exist in any place. Even if the facsimile apparatus 1 has the Internet communication unit 11, the polling data can be similarly transferred to another Internet device 5.

In the case of this example as well, as in the above example, the communication time through the telephone line 3 is shortened, so that the communication cost can be reduced, for example, in communication over a long distance.

In the case of this example as well, the facsimile device 2 can reject the transfer of polling data via the Internet 4, and in that case, the facsimile device 2 sends an electronic mail as a transfer destination to the facsimile device 1. A rejection response may be made to the polling request specifying the address. The facsimile machine 1 that received the rejection response
The polling data may be transferred through the telephone line 3 by the ordinary facsimile communication.

In each of the above-mentioned examples, when the polling request is made from the facsimile machine 1 to the facsimile machine 2, the polling data is transferred through the Internet 4 if possible. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the facsimile apparatus 1, an operator can instruct whether to acquire polling data through the telephone line 3 or the Internet 4 before communication. When the operator selects to obtain the information through the telephone line 3, the facsimile apparatus 1 may make a polling request according to a normal facsimile communication procedure.

When the communication destination is selected from the telephone directory or the like by one-touch key or abbreviated number, the polling data is acquired through the telephone line 3 or the Internet 4 for each polling request destination. It can be preset whether to acquire. This makes it possible to select from which route the polling data is acquired for each communication destination.

Further, the facsimile machine 2 which is the called side
In order to determine whether or not the polling data may be transmitted through the Internet 4, the password from the facsimile device 1 is accepted, and the polling data can be transmitted through the Internet 4 only when the password is authenticated. You may comprise. Alternatively, the facsimile device 2 receives the caller number when receiving a call, and only when the caller number is registered in advance, or when the caller number is not the registered caller number,
The transfer of polling data via the Internet 4 may be configured to be available.

[0036]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, if the called device can communicate through the Internet, the polling data requested to be polled through the telephone line can be obtained through the Internet. Becomes This has the effect of shortening the communication time over the telephone line and reducing the total communication cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a communication mode including an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of a communication operation in an example of a communication mode including an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing another example of a communication mode including the embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2 ... Facsimile device, 3 ... Telephone line, 4 ... Internet, 5 ... Internet device, 11, 21 ... Control unit, 12, 22 ... Facsimile communication unit, 13, 23 ... Internet communication unit, 24 ... Polling data storage unit .

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA29 AA30 AB38 AB46                       AC40 AC43 AE02 BA01 BD09                 5C075 AB08 AB90 BB11 CA14 CA90                       GG07 GG09                 5K101 KK01 KK02 LL01 LL02 LL03                       NN06 NN14 NN48 RR17 RR27                       SS07

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first communication means for performing facsimile communication using a telephone line, a second communication means for performing communication using the Internet, and a polling request transmitted from the first communication means by a facsimile device. If the called device is also capable of communicating using the Internet, then the second
A facsimile machine comprising a control means for controlling the communication means to receive polling data. 2. A communication means for performing facsimile communication using a telephone line, and if the called device transmits a polling request from the communication means, if the called device is also capable of communication using the internet, the internet is used. A facsimile apparatus comprising control means for controlling so as to request transfer of polling data to another apparatus capable of communication used. 3. A first communication means for performing facsimile communication using a telephone line, a second communication means for performing communication using the Internet, and a polling request received by a facsimile device from the first communication means. If the calling side device is also capable of communication using the Internet, then the second
A facsimile apparatus comprising control means for controlling polling data to be transmitted from a communication means. 4. A first communication means for performing facsimile communication using a telephone line, a second communication means for performing communication using the Internet, and a polling request received by a facsimile device from the first communication means. At this time, if it is instructed to transfer to another device capable of communication using the Internet, it has a control means for controlling so that the polling data is transmitted from the second communication means to the other device. Facsimile machine. 5. The control means, when transmitting the polling data from the second communication means, transmits the polling data in a format specified by the calling side device at the time of polling request. 4. The facsimile machine according to item 4.