JP2000004345A - Control method for Internet facsimile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a control method of an Internet facsimile communication system capable of reducing an increase in communication fee. SOLUTION: There is a transmission request from a transmission side G3 FAX,
If a line has not been established between the remote GW and the receiving G3 FAX, the receiving GW sets the transmission G3 FAX
From the remote side GW, and then repeatedly issues a connection request to the receiving side G3 FAX to the remote side GW at predetermined intervals, and establishes a line between the remote side GW and the receiving side G3 FAX Then, the pseudo real-time transmission procedure is executed, and the image information that has been alternately received and stored is transmitted to the receiving G3 FAX, thereby avoiding useless use of the line and avoiding a situation in which the communication fee increases. The effect that can be obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides a plurality of real-time Internet gateway devices having a function of exchanging image information with a facsimile apparatus via a public network and a function of exchanging information via the Internet.
The present invention relates to a control method of an Internet facsimile communication system for realizing facsimile communication between the facsimile apparatuses via the Internet in real time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication system for communicating facsimile image information using electronic mail exchanged on the Internet (hereinafter, referred to as a "mail-type Internet facsimile communication system") has come into practical use. . For such communication systems, the IE
TF (Internet Engineering T
Ask Force), an RFC issued by an organization that summarizes technical content related to the Internet.
(Request For Comments) 230
The technical contents are defined by 1-2306.

However, in this mail type Internet facsimile communication system, the transmitting facsimile apparatus and the final destination facsimile apparatus do not directly communicate with each other, so that it is not possible to immediately confirm the communication capability between the facsimile apparatuses. Then, a situation arises in which image information communication using various functions (resolution, image processing capability, etc.) of the facsimile apparatus cannot be performed. Further, since the notification of the communication result cannot be performed immediately, it takes time until the communication result is notified to the transmission side user, and a countermeasure in a case where the necessity of retransmission or the like arises is delayed.

Therefore, as a facsimile communication system using the Internet, a plurality of real-time Internet gateway devices having a function of exchanging image information with a facsimile device via a public network and a function of exchanging information via the Internet are provided. Using two real-time Internet gateway devices,
A real-time Internet facsimile communication system for realizing facsimile communication between facsimile apparatuses via the Internet in real time has been proposed.

[0005] In such a real-time Internet facsimile communication system, the transmitting facsimile machine sends a call to the receiving real-time Internet gateway device to notify the destination telephone number. For the gateway device,
The destination telephone number notified from the transmitting facsimile machine is notified, and a connection request is made.

[0006] The remote-side real-time Internet gateway device calls the notified destination telephone number,
When the line is established, a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission procedure is started with the receiving facsimile apparatus, and a predetermined real-time transmission procedure is started.

[0007] Thereby, the reception-side real-time Internet gateway device starts a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure with the transmission-side group 3 facsimile device, and executes a predetermined real-time transmission procedure with the remote-side real-time Internet gateway device. Execute.

As a result, the transmitting-side facsimile apparatus can perform real-time facsimile communication with the receiving-side facsimile apparatus via the receiving-side real-time Internet gateway apparatus, the Internet, and the remote-side real-time Internet gateway apparatus. Image information can be transmitted.

Therefore, in this real-time type Internet facsimile communication system, since the communication capability between the facsimile devices can be confirmed in real time, the transmitting facsimile device can transmit image information according to the communication capability of the receiving facsimile device. In addition, since the communication result is obtained immediately, retransmission operation and the like can be performed quickly.

[0010]

However, such a real-time Internet facsimile communication system has the following disadvantages.

That is, in this real-time Internet facsimile communication system, a public telephone line is connected between a transmission-side facsimile apparatus and a reception-side real-time Internet gateway apparatus, and between a remote-side real-time Internet gateway apparatus and a reception-side facsimile apparatus. Need to be established between.

Therefore, the transmitting facsimile apparatus is
In order to receive the service, a call is made to the reception-side real-time Internet gateway apparatus, and thereby, even if a line is established between the transmission-side facsimile apparatus and the reception-side real-time Internet gateway apparatus, for example, the line of the reception-side facsimile apparatus Is busy,
If a line cannot be established between the remote real-time Internet gateway device and the receiving facsimile device, facsimile communication between the transmitting facsimile device and the receiving facsimile device cannot be performed.
The sending facsimile machine needs to make a call again.

At this time, since a line is established between the transmitting-side facsimile apparatus and the receiving-side real-time Internet gateway apparatus, a charge is generated in the transmitting-side facsimile apparatus, and if such repetitive calls occur frequently, There is a problem that communication charges increase.

Originally, the real-time Internet facsimile communication system has the effect of reducing the communication fee. However, if such repetitive calls occur frequently, there is a problem that the effect of reducing the communication fee is diminished.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a control method for an Internet facsimile communication system that can reduce an increase in communication charges.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a plurality of real-time Internet gateway devices having a function of exchanging image information with a facsimile apparatus via a public network and a function of exchanging information via the Internet. In the control method for an Internet facsimile communication system for realizing facsimile communication between the facsimile apparatuses via the first facsimile apparatus, the first real-time Internet gateway apparatus requests image information communication from the first facsimile apparatus via a public network. And receiving the user number set in the first facsimile apparatus and the destination number of the second facsimile apparatus as a destination from the first facsimile apparatus, and receiving the second real-time Internet gateway. The second real-time Internet gateway device, upon receiving a connection request from the first real-time Internet gateway device, makes a call to the notified destination number, When a line is established with the second facsimile apparatus having the destination number, the line is established with the first real-time Internet gateway apparatus.
A predetermined real-time procedure is started, and thereafter, facsimile communication between the first facsimile device and the second facsimile device is performed by the first real-time internet gateway device, the Internet, and the second On the other hand, when the line is not established when the second real-time Internet gateway device calls the destination number, the second real-time Internet gateway device determines that the connection cannot be established. The first real-time Internet gateway device notifies the first real-time Internet gateway device. When the first real-time Internet gateway device is notified of the connection failure from the second real-time Internet gateway device, the first real-time Internet gateway device then notifies the first real-time Internet gateway device. If the user number notified from the facsimile apparatus is registered as a storage-type transition user number, a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure is executed with the first facsimile apparatus, and image information is received. It is intended to accumulate.

Also, a plurality of real-time Internet gateway devices having a function of exchanging image information with a facsimile apparatus via a public network and a function of exchanging information via the Internet are provided, and a facsimile between the facsimile apparatuses via the Internet is provided. In a control method of an Internet facsimile communication system for realizing communication in real time, when the first real-time Internet gateway device receives a request for image information communication from the first facsimile device via a public network, the first real-time Internet gateway device receives the first request. A user number set in the first facsimile apparatus and a destination number of a second facsimile apparatus as a destination are received from the facsimile apparatus, and the destination is sent to the second real-time Internet gateway apparatus. Connection requested by specifying the item, the second
Receives a connection request from the first real-time Internet gateway device, calls the notified destination number, and establishes a line with the second facsimile device having the destination number. Starting a predetermined real-time procedure with the first real-time Internet gateway device, and thereafter, facsimile communication between the first facsimile device and the second facsimile device is performed by the first facsimile device. The real-time internet gateway device, the Internet, and the second real-time internet gateway device. On the other hand, when the second real-time internet gateway device makes a call to the destination number and the line is not established, Up The second real-time Internet gateway device, the unreachable notified to the first real-time Internet gateway device, the first real-time Internet gateway device,
If the second real-time Internet gateway apparatus notifies that the connection is not possible, and if the user number notified by the first facsimile apparatus at that time is registered as a storage-type transition user number, A predetermined facsimile transmission procedure is executed with the first facsimile apparatus, and information indicating that facsimile communication is performed in the storage mode is returned to the first facsimile apparatus.

When the image information received from the first facsimile apparatus is accumulated, the first real-time Internet gateway apparatus transmits the first real-time Internet gateway apparatus to the second real-time Internet gateway apparatus at regular time intervals. When the second real-time internet gateway device establishes a line with the second facsimile device, the second real-time internet gateway device establishes a connection with the second real-time internet gateway device by designating the destination number notified by the facsimile device. A predetermined real-time procedure is started between the two, and the stored image information is transmitted to the second facsimile apparatus by a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure.

[0019]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a real-time type Internet facsimile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This real-time Internet facsimile communication system performs facsimile communication between the group 3 facsimile apparatuses FG1 and FG2 connected to the public telephone network PSTN and the group 3 facsimile apparatuses FG1 and FG2 connected to the public telephone network PSTN. It comprises real-time Internet gateway devices GW1 and GW2 that are connected to the Internet INET and have a function of performing a predetermined real-time transmission procedure via the Internet INET.

Here, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG
1 and real-time Internet gateway device GW
1 is installed in the same area, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2 and the real-time internet gateway apparatus GW2 are installed in the same area, and the installation areas are mutually remote areas.

Therefore, in this case, for the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1, the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 provides a communication service,
For the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2,
The real-time Internet gateway device GW2 provides a communication service.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the real-time Internet gateway device GW (GW1, GW2).

In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each unit of the real-time Internet gateway device, a facsimile transmission control procedure process, and a real-time transmission control procedure process. Reference numeral 2 stores a control processing program to be executed by the system control unit 1 and various data necessary for executing the processing program, and constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1. Is for storing various kinds of information unique to the real-time Internet gateway device, and the clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.

The encoding / decoding section 5 encodes and compresses the image signal, and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. It is mainly used for error detection during reception. The image storage device 6 is for storing a large number of image information in a coded and compressed state.

The group 3 facsimile modem 8 is for realizing a group 3 facsimile modem function. The group 3 facsimile modem 8 has a low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals and mainly exchanges image information. High-speed modem function (V.17 modem, V.17
34 modem, V.34. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network control device 7 is for connecting the real-time Internet gateway device to the public telephone network PSTN, and has an automatic transmission / reception function.

The Internet communication control section 9 connects the real-time Internet gateway device to the Internet INET, and exchanges various data via the Internet INET.
The P / IP packet analysis unit 10 analyzes the TCP / IP packet received by the Internet communication control unit 9 and extracts the received information. The group 3 protocol information generation unit 11 performs
It converts received information output from the TCP / IP packet analyzer 10 into corresponding group 3 transmission procedure signal information, and the output signal is output to the Internet communication controller 9.

The group 3 protocol information extracting unit 12
In the real-time transmission procedure, this is for extracting group 3 facsimile transmission procedure information to be transmitted,
The TCP / IP packet converter 13 converts the group 3 facsimile transmission procedure information output from the group 3 protocol information extractor 12 into TCP / IP packet data.

The system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, operation display unit 5, encoding / decoding unit 6, image storage device 7, group 3 facsimile modem 8, network control device 9 , A group 3 protocol information generating unit 11 and a group 3 protocol information extracting unit 12 are connected to an internal bus 14, and exchange of data between these elements is performed mainly through the internal bus 14. Have been done.

Data exchange between the network controller 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10 is directly performed.

In this real-time Internet facsimile communication system, for example, when image information is transmitted from the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 to the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2 (hereinafter, refer to FIG. 1), first, group 3 Facsimile machine FG1
Is a real-time Internet gateway device GW
Call 1 (S1).

As a result, the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 responds to the incoming call and returns a predetermined tone signal to the group 3 facsimile device FG1 (S2).

When the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 detects the tone signal from the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 informs the user of the registered user number and the destination facsimile apparatus (in this case,
A request is made to input the telephone number of the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2), whereby the user operates and inputs his / her user number and the telephone number of the destination facsimile apparatus.

Next, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1
Transmits the user number and the destination telephone number operated and input by the user to the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 by the push button signal PB (S
3). At this time, the format of the information transmitted by the push button signal PB is, for example, such as “(user number) # (destination telephone number)”.

When the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 receives the user number and the destination telephone number from the group 3 facsimile device FG1 by the push button signal PB, it requests the real-time Internet gateway device GW2 for connection and notifies the destination telephone number. (S4).

The real-time Internet gateway device GW2, which has received the connection request from the real-time Internet gateway device GW1, calls the destination telephone number notified at that time (S5).

When the group 3 facsimile machine FG2 of the call destination detects the incoming call, it responds to the incoming call (S6), whereby the real-time Internet gateway GW2 sends a predetermined real-time transmission procedure to the real-time Internet gateway GW1. To start.

Thus, a communication path is formed between the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 and the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 via the public telephone network PSTN, and the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 and the real-time Internet gateway are connected via the Internet INET. A communication path is formed between the apparatuses GW2, and a communication path is formed between the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 and the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 via the public telephone network PSTN, so that the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 and the group 3 A real-time communication path is formed between the facsimile apparatuses FG2.

Thereafter, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 and the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 are transmitted by the transmission procedure shown in FIG.
An image information transmitting operation is performed between the facsimile apparatuses FG2. The transmission side group 3 facsimile (G3 FAX), the reception side gateway (GW), the remote side gateway, and the reception side group 3 facsimile in FIG. 3 are respectively the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 and the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 in FIG. , The real-time Internet gateway device GW2, and the group 3 facsimile device FG2. Also, the reception side GW and the remote side GW
The signals exchanged between the two are signals related to the real-time transmission procedure.

First, the receiving side G3 FAX called from the remote side GW responds to the incoming call and receives a predetermined tone signal CE.
D (called station identification signal), and upon detecting the tone signal CED, the remote GW transmits a signal (T30IND: CED) indicating that the signal CED has been detected to the receiving GW. The receiving GW sends the tone signal CED to the transmitting G3 FAX.

Next, the receiving side G3FAX sets the flag (F
lags) signal, a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure signal, a signal CSI for notifying the identification signal of the own terminal and a signal DIS for notifying the transmission function of the own terminal are sequentially transmitted. When the remote GW detects the flag signal, the signal (T30 IND: Flags)
To the receiving GW, and the signals CSI and DIS
Are sequentially detected, a signal (V.21: HDLC: CSI) representing the signal CSI itself, the FCS of the signal CSI
(V. frame check sequence).
21: HDLC: CSI / FCS), a signal representing the signal DIS itself (V.21: HDLC: DIS), and a signal representing the FCS of the signal DIS (V.21:
HDLC: DIS / FCS) to the receiving GW.

Accordingly, the reception-side GW starts sending the flag signal to the transmission-side G3 FAX when receiving the flag signal, and outputs the signals (V.21: HDLC: CSI), (V.
21: HDLC: DIS), the corresponding signals CSI and DIS are transmitted to the transmission side G3 FAX.

Thus, the transmitting G3 FAX knows the identification signal and the transmitting function of the receiving G3 FAX, and sets the transmitting function and the modem speed to be used at that time based on the notified transmitting function. Next, the transmitting side G3 FAX sequentially sends a flag T signal, a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure signal, a signal TSI for notifying the identification signal of the terminal itself, and a signal DCS for notifying the transmission function to be used. And a signal TCF for performing modem training at the notified modem speed.
Is sent.

When the reception side GW detects the flag signal, the reception side GW transmits a signal (T30 IND: Flags) to the remote side GW, and outputs the signals TSI and DC.
When S and TCF are sequentially detected, a signal (V.21: HDLC: TSI) representing the signal TSI itself, a signal TS
I. FCS signal (V.21: HDLC: TS
I / FCS), signal DCS itself signal (V.21: H
DLC: DCS), a signal representing the FCS of the signal DCS (V.21: HDLC: DCS / FCS), the signal TCF
(V.21: HDLC: TC)
F) and a signal (V.21:
HDLC: TCF / FCS) to each remote G
Send to W

As a result, the remote GW starts transmitting the flag signal to the receiving G3 FAX when receiving the flag signal, and outputs the signal (V.21: HDLC: TSI),
(V.21: HDLC: DCS), (V.21: HDL
C: TCF), the corresponding signal TS
I, DCS, and TCF are transmitted to the receiving side G3 FAX.

Upon receiving the signal TSI, the receiving-side G3FAX acquires the identification information of the partner terminal (transmitting-side G3FAX), and acquires the transmission function to be used when receiving the signal DCS, thereby setting the modem speed. The signal TCF is received.

Then, the receiving G3 FAX receives the signal TCF
If the reception result is good, it is a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure signal following the flag signal, and transmits a signal CFR for notifying that the reception preparation is completed. Upon detecting the flag signal, the remote-side GW detects the signal (T30I).
ND: Flags) to the receiving GW,
When the signal CFR is detected, a signal (V.21: HDLC: CFR) representing the signal CFR itself and a signal representing the FCS of the signal CFR (V.21: HDLC:
CFR / FCS) to the transmitting GW.

Thus, the transmitting GW starts sending the flag signal to the transmitting G3 FAX when receiving the flag signal, and when receiving the signal (V.21: HDLC: CFR), transmits the corresponding signal CFR. To the side G3 FAX.

When the preparation for transmitting the image information is completed in this way, the transmitting side G3 FAX transmits the image information (Image Data) after transmitting the training (Training) signal for the retraining of the modem, and transmits the image data (Image Data). When the transmission of the information is completed, a signal EOP for notifying that the image information transmission has been completed is transmitted following the flag signal.

When the reception-side GW detects a training signal from the transmission-side G3 FAX, the reception-side GW receives the signal (T30 IN).
D: Speed) to the remote GW,
The image information received from the transmitting side G3 FAX is divided into a plurality of
Each divided image information is transmitted as a packet ((V.17:
non ECM: Image Data) to (V.1)
7: non ECM: Image Data)), and is transmitted to the remote GW. And the transmitting side G3F
When the flag signal is detected from AX, the signal (T30IN
D: Flags) to the remote-side GW, and upon detecting the signal EOP, a signal (V.21: HDLC: EOP) representing the signal EOP itself, and a signal EO.
Signal representing the FCS of P (V.21: HDLC: EO)
(P / FCS) to the remote GW.

Then, the remote GW sends the signal (T30
IND: Speed), a corresponding training signal is transmitted to the receiving side G3 FAX, and when a packet carrying image information is received, the divided image information included in the packet is sequentially taken out, and connected image information is created. The image information is transmitted to the receiving G3 FAX. After the transmission of the image report is completed, the transmission of the flag signal to the receiving side G3 FAX is started. At this time, the signal (V.21: HDLC:
EOP), the corresponding signal EOP is transmitted to the receiving G3 FAX.

The G3 FAX on the receiving side receives the image information after retraining the modem with the training signal received from the remote GW, and then receives the signal EOP following the flag signal. Recognize that it has finished.

If the reception result of the image information at that time is good, the reception side G3 FAX transmits a signal MCF notifying the fact to the remote side GW following the flag signal.

When the remote GW detects the flag signal, it sends a signal (T30 IND: Flags) to the receiving GW.
And when the signal MCF is detected, the signal M
A signal representing the CF itself (V.21: HDLC: M
CF), a signal representing the FCS of the signal MCF (V.2)
1: HDLC: CSI / FCS) on the receiving side G
Send to W

Thus, the reception side GW starts transmitting the flag signal to the transmission side G3 FAX when receiving the flag signal, and when receiving the signal (V.21: HDLC: MCF), transmits the corresponding signal MCF. To the side G3 FAX.

Thus, the transmitting G3 FAX recognizes that the image information has been normally received by the receiving G3 FAX. Thereafter, the transmitting side G3 FAX receives a signal DCN for instructing a line restoration following the flag signal, and then receives the signal DCN.
After sending to, the line is restored.

Accordingly, the signal (T30 IND: Flags) and the signal (V.21:
HDLC: DCN), (V.21: HDLC: DCN /
FCS) is transmitted from the receiving GW to the remote GW. Then, the reception side GW sequentially transmits the flag signal and the signal DCN to the reception side G3 FAX, and
Upon receiving the signal DCN, the 3FAX restores the line.

As a result, the transmission side G3 FAX and the reception side G
The line with W and the line between the receiving-side G3 FAX and the remote-side GW are restored, and the real-time communication path formed between the transmitting-side G3 FAX and the receiving-side G3 FAX is disconnected.

As described above, the facsimile transmission procedure between the transmission side G3 FAX and the reception side G3 FAX is executed in real time by the real time transmission procedure of the reception side GW and the remote side GW. The image information is transmitted to the G3 FAX.

Here, the signal (T30 IN) in FIG.
D: “signal name”) is a signal for notifying the detection of a tonal signal according to ITU-T recommendation T30, and the signal (V.21: HDLC: “signal name”) is a signal of ITU-T recommendation T30. . This is a signal for carrying a binary signal in accordance with H.30. Also, “V.21”, ITU-T Recommendation V. 21 that the signal is carried by the modem.
“C” indicates that the signal is an HDLC framed signal.

By exchanging such signals, a real-time transmission procedure is realized between the receiving GW and the remote GW.

By the way, the real-time Internet gateway device GW which is the remote GW in FIG.
2 calls a group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2 which is a receiving side G3 FAX, and when the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG2 is busy and a line cannot be connected,
Real-time Internet gateway device GW2
Responds that connection is impossible to the real-time Internet gateway device GW1, which is the reception-side GW.

As a result, the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 shifts to the storage-type processing only when the user number notified from the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1, which is the transmitting side G3 FAX, is registered as the storage-type transfer user number. I do.

Here, the storage type migration user number is registered in advance in the storage type migration user table as shown in FIG. Further, the storage type transition user table is stored in the parameter memory 3.

In the storage type processing, the real-time Internet gateway apparatus GW1 first executes a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure with the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 and receives transmission image information from the group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1. save. At this time,
Signal RTI and signal CS transmitted to group 3 facsimile apparatus FG1 during group 3 facsimile transmission procedure
As the I, for example, by applying a content having information as shown in FIG. 5, the group 3 facsimile apparatus F
It is possible to notify the user of G1 that the own terminal (that is, the real-time Internet gateway device GW1) has executed the accumulation type processing and is performing proxy reception.

Next, the real-time internet gateway GW1 makes a connection request to the real-time internet gateway GW2,
The destination telephone number is notified. At this time, if the real-time Internet gateway device GW2 again notifies that the connection is not possible, the real-time Internet gateway device GW2 is again requested to connect at predetermined time intervals, The destination telephone number is notified, and this connection request operation is repeatedly executed up to a predetermined number of times.

When the real-time Internet gateway device GW2 starts the above-described real-time transmission procedure, the real-time Internet gateway device GW1 transmits the transmission-side G3 during the transmission procedure in FIG.
FAX (ie, group 3 facsimile machine FG)
1) pseudo-real-time-type processing (pseudo real-time transmission procedure) for processing the signal transmitted / received to / from the reception side GW and executing the processing of the reception-side GW,
The stored image information is transmitted to the receiving G3 FAX via the real-time Internet gateway device GW2.

Further, a communication report indicating the transmission result of the image information at that time is created and transmitted to the transmission side G3 FAX.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the transmitting side G3F
AX has a transmission request and the remote GW and the receiving G3
If a line is not established with the FAX, the receiving GW substitutes the transmission image information from the transmitting G3 FAX, and then connects to the receiving G3 FAX at a predetermined interval to the remote GW. The request is repeatedly issued, and when a line can be established between the remote GW and the receiving G3 FAX, the pseudo real-time transmission procedure is executed, and the image information that has been alternately received and stored is transmitted to the receiving G3 FAX. Thus, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the communication fee is increased without wasteful use of the line.

Further, at the time of transition to the storage-type processing, the reception-side GW transmits information indicating that the terminal itself performs proxy reception to the transmission-side G3 FAX. Thus, it can be clearly understood that image information is transmitted. Further, since the image information transmission result by the accumulation type processing is transmitted to the transmission side G3 FAX as a report image, the user of the transmission side G3 FAX can surely know the result of the image information transmission designated by himself / herself. This is convenient when determining a response (for example, a retransmission operation).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the process of the transmitting side G3 FAX.

First, a call is made to the receiving GW (step 10).
7) Monitoring that the reception side GW detects a predetermined tone signal within a predetermined time (NO in determinations 102 and 103)
loop). If the predetermined tone signal cannot be received from the receiving GW within the predetermined time, the result of decision 103 is YE
When S is reached, the transmission operation at this time is terminated with an error.

When a predetermined tone signal has been received from the receiving GW within a predetermined time, the result of decision 102 is Y
When it becomes ES, the user is required to input the user number and the telephone number (destination number) of the receiving G3 FAX (process 104).

Next, the user number and the destination number operated and input by the user are transmitted as a PB signal having a signal format of "(user number) # (destination telephone number)" (process 10).
5) Then, a predetermined pre-transmission procedure is executed to set a transmission function, a modem speed, and the like (processing 106), and a modem training procedure is executed to determine a modem speed to be used (processing 107). The image information transmitting procedure is executed to transmit the transmitted image information (step 108).

When the image information transmission is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 109), the line is restored, and the receiving side G is restored.
The facsimile communication process for W ends.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the processing of the receiving GW.

When an incoming call is detected (process 201), a predetermined tone signal is answered (process 202), and a PB of a predetermined signal format is returned.
The user number and destination number composed of signals are received and stored (step 203).

Next, it is checked whether the received user number has proper contents (decision 204), and when the result of the decision 204 is YES, the remote GW is
A connection request is made with the destination number specified (process 205),
It is checked whether or not the line connection to the receiving side G3 FAX has been established (decision 206).

When the signal of the real-time transmission procedure is received from the remote GW and the result of the judgment 206 is YES, the real-time type processing (processing 207) as described in FIG. 3 is executed, and this processing ends. I do.

When the connection failure is returned from the remote GW and the result of determination 206 is NO, it is checked whether or not the user number received at that time is registered in the storage type migration user table. (Judgment 2
08).

If the user number received at that time is registered in the storage type migration user table,
If the result of Step 8 is YES, the above-described accumulation type processing (processing 209) is executed, and this processing ends.

If the user number received at that time is not registered in the storage type migration user table and the result of judgment 208 is NO, or if the received user number is invalid, the result of judgment 204 is Is NO, the line with the transmitting side G3 FAX is disconnected and restored (process 210), and this process ends.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the accumulation type processing (processing 209).

First, a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission pre-procedure is executed with the transmission side G3 FAX to set a transmission function, a modem speed, and the like to be used (process 30).
1). The signal RTI and the signal CSI transmitted in the pre-group 3 facsimile transmission procedure use the contents shown in FIG.
Notify that interception is received.

Next, the modem speed to be used is determined by executing the modem training procedure (process 302), and the image information is received from the transmitting side G3 FAX and stored in the image storage device 6 (process 303). At this time, the encoding / decoding section 5 decodes the received image information and performs error detection processing and the like.

When the reception of the image information is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 304), and the line is restored (step 3).
05).

Then, after waiting for a predetermined time (step 306),
A connection request is made to the remote GW with the destination number specified (process 307), and it is checked whether or not a line connection to the receiving G3 FAX has been made (decision 308).

When the signal of the real-time transmission procedure is received from the remote GW and the result of determination 308 is YES, the above-described pseudo real-time processing (processing 309) is executed, and the stored received image information is stored. Transmission to the receiving G3 FAX via the remote GW (Step 30
9) A communication result report (not shown) in a predetermined format representing the transmission result at that time is created (process 310).

Next, a call is made to the transmission source G3 FAX (process 311), a transmission function and a modem speed to be used are set by executing a predetermined pre-transmission procedure (process 312), and a modem training procedure is executed and used. The modem speed is determined (process 313), and a report (communication result report or error notification report described later) image to be transmitted at that time is transmitted (process 314). In addition, this report image creates display image facsimile data of the created communication result report or error notification report, and encodes and compresses the display image facsimile data in the encoding / decoding section 5 to create transmission image information. I do.

When the transmission of the report image is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 315), the line with the transmitting side G3FAX is restored (process 316), and this process ends.

If the remote GW responds that connection is impossible and the result of determination 308 is NO, it is checked whether a recall is possible at that time (determination 317). For example, if the number of recalls is less than the set number, the result of determination 317 is YES.

When the result of determination 317 is YES, the process returns to step 306, and after waiting for a predetermined time,
The transmission operation to the receiving G3 FAX is performed again. If the result of determination 317 is NO, an error notification report (not shown) in a predetermined format for notifying the transmission source user that the specified transmission operation was not performed is created, and processing 311 is performed. Then, the subsequent processing is executed, and the error notification report is transmitted to the transmission source user.

FIG. 9 shows an example of processing executed by the remote GW.

When a connection request is received from the receiving GW and the destination number is notified (step 401), a call is made to the destination (step 40).
2) It is checked whether the destination is busy (busy) (decision 402).

If the connection to the destination can be established and the result of determination 403 is NO, the above-described real-time processing is executed and the image information is transmitted to the receiving G3 FAX (processing 4).
04), the line is restored (process 405), and this process ends.

If the destination is busy and the result of determination 403 is YES, a connection unacceptable is notified to the receiving GW (process 406), and this process ends.

In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the real-time type Internet facsimile communication system includes two group 3 facsimile apparatuses and two real-time Internet gateway apparatuses, but the number of these apparatuses is as follows. It is not limited to this.

In the above-described embodiment, the real-time Internet gateway device has only its dedicated function. However, the function of the real-time Internet gateway device is added to the Internet facsimile device capable of realizing e-mail type Internet facsimile communication. What you have can also be applied.

[0101]

As described above, according to the present invention,
There is a transmission request from the transmitting side G3 FAX, and the remote side GW
If a line is not established between the receiving side GW and the receiving side G3 FAX, the receiving side GW substitutes the transmission image information from the transmitting side G3 FAX, and then sends the receiving side G3 FAX to the remote side GW at predetermined intervals. The connection request is repeatedly issued, and when a line can be established between the remote GW and the receiving G3 FAX, the pseudo real-time transmission procedure is executed, and the image information stored by proxy reception and stored is transmitted to the receiving G3 FAX. Since the transmission is performed, it is possible to avoid an unnecessary use of a line and to avoid a situation in which a communication fee is increased.

Further, at the time of transition to the storage-type processing, the reception-side GW transmits information indicating that the terminal itself performs proxy reception to the transmission-side G3 FAX. Thus, it can be clearly understood that image information is transmitted. Further, since the image information transmission result by the accumulation type processing is transmitted to the transmission side G3 FAX as a report image, the user of the transmission side G3 FAX can surely know the result of the image information transmission designated by himself / herself. There is also an advantage that it is convenient when determining a measure (for example, a retransmission operation).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a real-time Internet facsimile communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a real-time Internet gateway device GW (GW1, GW2).

FIG. 3 shows a transmission side G3 FAX, a reception side GW, and a remote side G.
W is a time chart showing an example of a transmission procedure executed between the receiving-side G3FAX.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an accumulation type migration user table.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a signal RT transmitted to a transmission side G3 FAX during a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure when performing accumulation type processing.
The schematic diagram which showed an example of the content of I and signal CSI.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of a transmission-side G3 FAX.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of a reception-side GW.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of accumulation type processing (processing 209).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by a remote GW.

[Explanation of symbols]

FG1, FG2 Group 3 facsimile machine GW1, GW2 Real-time Internet gateway device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C062 AA29 AB38 AB42 AC22 AC25 AC35 AC39 AC56 AC58 AE14 AF08 BC06 5C075 AB90 BA08 CD07 CD13 CD25 CE04 CE07 DD04 FF90 GG09 5K030 GA17 GA20 HA06 HB04 HC02 HD03 KA01 KA08 KA13 KA19

Claims (3)

[Claims] A plurality of real-time Internet gateway devices having a function of exchanging image information with a facsimile apparatus via a public network and a function of exchanging information via the Internet are provided, and a facsimile between the facsimile apparatuses via the Internet is provided. In a control method of an Internet facsimile communication system for realizing communication in real time, when the first real-time Internet gateway device receives a request for image information communication from the first facsimile device via a public network, the first real-time Internet gateway device receives the request. A user number set in the first facsimile apparatus and a destination number of a second facsimile apparatus as a destination are received from the facsimile apparatus, and the destination number is transmitted to the second real-time Internet gateway apparatus. When the second real-time Internet gateway device receives the connection request from the first real-time Internet gateway device, the second real-time Internet gateway device makes a call to the notified destination number, and makes a call to the notified destination number. When a line is established with the facsimile machine, a predetermined real-time procedure is started between the first facsimile machine and the first real-time Internet gateway apparatus. Thereafter, the first facsimile machine and the second facsimile machine communicate with each other. Facsimile communication between the first real-time Internet gateway device, the Internet, and the second real-time Internet gateway device.
When the line is not established when the second real-time Internet gateway device makes a call to the destination number, the second real-time Internet gateway device determines that the connection cannot be established. Notifying the first real-time internet gateway device, the first real-time internet gateway device notifies the first real-time internet gateway device of the connection failure from the second real-time internet gateway device, and then notifies the first real-time internet gateway device of the first facsimile device. If the registered user number is registered as a storage-type transfer user number, it is necessary to execute a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure with the first facsimile apparatus and receive and store image information. Features A control method for an Internet facsimile communication system. 2. A plurality of real-time Internet gateway devices having a function of exchanging image information with a facsimile device via a public network and a function of exchanging information via the Internet, and a facsimile between the facsimile devices via the Internet. In a control method of an Internet facsimile communication system for realizing communication in real time, when the first real-time Internet gateway device receives a request for image information communication from the first facsimile device via a public network, the first real-time Internet gateway device receives the request. A user number set in the first facsimile apparatus and a destination number of a second facsimile apparatus as a destination are received from the facsimile apparatus, and the destination number is transmitted to the second real-time Internet gateway apparatus. When the second real-time Internet gateway device receives the connection request from the first real-time Internet gateway device, the second real-time Internet gateway device makes a call to the notified destination number, and makes a call to the notified destination number. When a line is established with the facsimile machine, a predetermined real-time procedure is started between the first facsimile machine and the first real-time Internet gateway apparatus. Thereafter, the first facsimile machine and the second facsimile machine communicate with each other. Facsimile communication between the first real-time Internet gateway device, the Internet, and the second real-time Internet gateway device.
When the line is not established when the second real-time Internet gateway device makes a call to the destination number, the second real-time Internet gateway device determines that the connection cannot be established. Notifying the first real-time internet gateway device, the first real-time internet gateway device notifies the first real-time internet gateway device of the connection failure from the second real-time internet gateway device, and then notifies the first real-time internet gateway device of the first facsimile device. If the registered user number is registered as a storage type transition user number, a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure is executed with the first facsimile apparatus, and facsimile communication is performed in the storage type mode. A method for controlling an Internet facsimile communication system, characterized by responding to the first facsimile device with information for displaying the information, and receiving and storing the image information. 3. When the image information received from the first facsimile apparatus is accumulated, the first real-time Internet gateway apparatus transmits the first real-time Internet gateway apparatus to the second real-time Internet gateway apparatus at regular time intervals. When the second real-time internet gateway device establishes a line with the second facsimile device, the second real-time internet gateway device establishes a connection with the second real-time internet gateway device by designating the destination number notified by the facsimile device. 3. The Internet facsimile communication system according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined real-time procedure is started between the first and second facsimile transmission procedures, and the image information stored by the predetermined facsimile transmission procedure is transmitted to the second facsimile apparatus. Control method.