JPH02270445A - facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently attain the transmission of picture information through the use of two information channels simultaneously by providing a transmission processing means executing the transmission processing using each of the two information channels. CONSTITUTION:When picture information is transmitted to one destination and the operator sets a transmission original to a scanner 4 for the transmission of other picture information to other destination, a CPU 1 sets '2' to a call number to apply the operation for the preparation of transmission. When a next block is requested from a communication control section 9, the CPU 1 adds the content of representing the information channel 'B1' as channel identification information BID as to the picture information transmitted through the use of an information channel 'B1' and the content of representing 'B2' as the channel identification information BID as to the picture information transmitted through the use of an information channel 'B2' to the head of the transmission data BD respectively. Thus, the transmission of two picture information sets is attained simultaneously in parallel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a facsimile device that uses ISDN basic interface function as a transmission means.

[Background Art] In recent years, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is being developed as a new public communication network.

Data terminal devices that exchange data using ISDN are also gradually coming into use.

As a facsimile device that transmits image information using ISDN, there is a Group 4 facsimile device whose standard device functions are recommended by the CCITT (International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee).

[Problem to be solved by the invention] By the way, the basic interface function of ISDN has 1
One signal channel for circuit switching processing and two information channels (B channels) for data transmission are multiplexed on one subscriber line, and two information channels are used to simultaneously transmit two It is now possible to perform data transmission with one destination.

However, the Group 4 fax machines mentioned above
Since it has only one transmission function, it is not possible to transmit image information using two information channels at the same time.

Furthermore, when using a Group 4 facsimile device to perform so-called broadcast transmission in which the same image is transmitted to multiple destinations,
First, images to be transmitted are read and stored, and multiple specified destinations are sequentially called and the stored images are sent, so it takes a very long time to complete one broadcast transmission. This caused an inconvenience.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus that can efficiently transmit image information using two information channels at the same time.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention includes a transmission processing means that executes transmission processing using each of two information channels, so that image information can be transmitted in parallel using the two information channels. . Furthermore, it is equipped with two transmission processing means that independently perform the transmission functions of the two information channels of the ISDN basic interface function, and when at least one of the transmission processing means is usable, the broadcast destination is called. It is designed to transmit transmission data.

[Effect] Therefore, with one facsimile machine.

Since two image information transmission operations can be performed, the utilization efficiency of the facsimile device is extremely high, and the transmission efficiency is also improved. In addition, by using two transmission processing means simultaneously, data transmission to two destinations can be performed at the same time, so the time required for broadcast transmission is approximately halved.
It can be shortened to 2.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that this facsimile device is basically a group 4 facsimile device and transmits image information between memories.

In the figure, "CPU (central processing unit @) 1 is for processing the operations of each part of this facsimile machine, and ROM (read only memory) 2 is for the system executed by CPU. It stores data such as programs, processing programs, and various parameters used in those programs, and uses RAM (
The random access memory (Random Access Memory) 3 constitutes the work area of the CPUI.

The scanner 4 is for reading the original image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 5 is for recording and outputting the image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display section 6 is for operating the facsimile device. It consists of various operation keys and indicators.

The encoding/decoding unit 7 encodes and compresses the image signal of the image read by the scanner 4, and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal.
The image storage device 8 is for storing encoded and compressed image information.

The communication control unit 9 is for performing transmission control processing of the ISDN basic interface function and predetermined group 4 facsimile transmission control processing, and is for controlling the B channel LA.
P B (Link Access Procedure
reBarancad) control unit 10.11 is for realizing the layer 2 layer transmission function of the information channel (B channel), and is for realizing the transmission function of the layer 2 layer of the information channel (B channel).
Link Access Procedure for
The D-channel) control unit 12 is for realizing the layer 2 transmission function of the signal channel (D channel), and the ISDN interface circuit 13 is for connecting this facsimile device to ISDN. and I
Realizes the layer 1 transmission function of the SDN basic interface function. Furthermore, the communication control unit 9 has a function of performing two information channel transmission functions in parallel.

These CPUI, ROM2, RAM3, scanner 4.
The plotter 5, the operation display section 6, the encoding/decoding section 7, the image storage device 8, and the communication control section 9 are connected to the system bus 14.
The system bus 14 is connected to the system bus 14, and data is exchanged between these elements.

Now, in this facsimile machine, after the image signal read from the scanner 4 is encoded and compressed by the encoding/decoding section 7, it is stored in the image storage device 8, and the image information stored in this image storage device 8 is sent to the other party. transmitting to the device.

Also, when receiving image information, the received image information is stored in the image storage device i! After completion of reception, the encoder/decoder 7 decodes the accumulated image information into the original image signal, and transfers the image signal to the plotter 5 to record and output the received image.

On the other hand, as described above, in this facsimile device, image information is transmitted independently through two information channels, so transmission data exchanged between the communication control unit 9 and the image storage device 8 via the system bus 14 It is necessary to clearly identify which information channel the transmission data belongs to.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, channel identification information BID indicating the information channel to be used is added to the beginning of one block of transmission data BD transmitted in - times of transfer processing.

Here, a basic data transmission procedure performed by an industrial SDN terminal device such as a Group 4 facsimile device will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the originating terminal first sends a call setup message 5ETUP to the ISDN to request call setup with the destination terminal, and the ISDN sends a call setup message 5ETUP to the specified destination terminal. Make a call.

Further, the ISDN sends a call setup acceptance message CALLJROC to the originating terminal to notify the call setup status.

When the destination terminal detects an incoming call, it sends a paging message A to ISDN.
LERT is sent, ISDN sends a calling message ALER
T is sent to the calling terminal to notify that the calling terminal has started calling.

When the destination terminal responds to the incoming call, it sends a response message C0NN to I
The ISDN sends a response message C0NN to the calling terminal to notify that the called terminal has accepted the call.

In addition, ISDN sends a response confirmation message C0N to the destination terminal.
An N-ACK is sent to confirm the response of the destination terminal, and at that point, an information channel for data transmission is established between the originating terminal and the destination terminal.

Thereby, data transmission between the originating terminal and the destination terminal is executed according to the transmission control procedure set for each transmission function. For example, a Group 4 facsimile device performs data transmission based on a Group 4 facsimile transmission control procedure.

When the data transmission is finished, the originating terminal sends a disconnection message DISC to the ISDN to request release of the information channel, and the ISDN sends a disconnection message DISC to the destination terminal to notify that the information channel has been restored.

As a result, when the destination terminal responds to ISDN with a release message REL notifying that the channel has been disconnected, the ISDN sends a release message REL to the originating terminal.0 When the channel release is completed, the originating terminal sends a release message REL to the ISDN.
I, GOMP to notify the ISDN, and the ISDN then sends a release complete message RHL-CO.
The information channel is released by sending the MP to the destination terminal, and the information channel set between the originating terminal and the destination terminal is completely released.

In this way, an information channel is established between the originating terminal and the destination terminal, data transmission is performed, and the information channel is released.

Further, after data transmission is completed, the destination terminal can send a disconnection message DISC to request release of the information channel.

Next, of the various messages for call setup, the contents of the call setup message 5ETUP and the call setup acceptance message CALL-PROC, which are particularly relevant to the present invention, will be explained.

First, each message includes a protocol identifier for identifying the protocol specifications (format, sequence, etc.) that define the layer 3 call control message, as shown in FIG. call number to identify the source, message type to identify the content of each message, mandatory information elements that are always added to each message, and information elements that are added to each message as necessary. It consists of additional information elements. Note that the required information elements are 0, 1, etc. depending on the message type. Alternatively, a plurality of additional information elements are set, and zero, one, or a plurality of additional information elements are arranged depending on the situation. Further, the call number is set by the terminal that originates the call.

As shown in the same figure (b), the call setup message 5ETLIP has "transmission capability" as an essential information element, and "channel identifier", "calling number", "viewing number", and "lower layer matching" as additional information elements. The "channel identifier" information element is mainly used to specify the information channel to be used from the ISDN to the terminal.

The call setup reception message CALL-PROC is shown in the same figure (C
), it has a "channel identifier" etc. as an additional information element.

Here, an outline of each information element will be explained.

The "transmission ability" information element indicates that the content of the information to be transmitted is audio, unrestricted digital information, or restricted digital information.

Information that indicates the information transfer capability, whether it is 3.1KHz audio, 7KHz audio, or video, the transfer mode that indicates whether the switching function used is circuit switching or packet switching, and information that indicates the speed of information transfer. Information regarding the transfer speed, the form of information transfer, and
It consists of information such as user information protocol.

The "channel identifier" information element is used to identify whether the information channel to be used is a channel or a subchannel in the basic interface.

The "calling number j information element indicates the ISDN address (subscriber number) of the calling terminal, and the called number r" information element is
Get the ISDN address of the destination terminal.

The "r low layer compatibility" information element is used to check the possibility of communication with a partner terminal, and its basic content is the same as the "r transmission capability" information element.

Additionally, this information element has a low level of consistency.

Contains more detailed information.

The "higher layer compatibility" information element is used to check the compatibility with the other terminal, and is used for G2/G3 facsimile, G4 facsimile, mixed mode, teletex, videotex, telex, or message handling.・It is used to display which of the systems is equipped as a terminal function.

With the above configuration, when image information is transmitted using this facsimile device, when the operator sets a transmission document on the scanner 4, the CPUI and communication control unit 9 perform the following processing. In the CPUI
In the part where the communication control unit 9 and the communication control unit 9 jointly perform processing, the CPU
There is no particular distinction between the operations of I and the communication control section 9.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, this process starts when a document is set on the scanner 4 (result of judgment 101 is YES), and the CPU determines that there is an information channel available at that time and that transmission is possible. Check whether there is one (Judgment 1)
02).

If one or more information channels are available and the result of judgment 102 is YES, the call number to be used when transmitting the image information is set (process 103), and the operator completes the transmission operation and presses the start key (as shown in the diagram). ) is turned on (transmission operation input processing; processing 104).

When the start key is turned on, the place I! Upon completion of 1i04, the scanner 4 starts the reading operation, reads the image of the transmission original set at that time, encodes and compresses the image signal obtained by the reading in the encoder/decoder 7, and then decodes the image signal. The image information obtained by encoding and compression is stored in the image storage device 8 (processing 1os).

When preparations for one-car information transmission are completed in this way, the call number set at that time (set in process 103 in this case) is set in the "call number" information element, and the own terminal's subscription caller number to the "calling number" information element.

A call setup message in which information corresponding to the "transfer capability" information element, "low layer compatibility" information element, and "high layer compatibility" information element is set in the "destination terminal's subscriber number r called party number" information element. 5ETUP, generates/starts a new transmission processing process, sends the call setup message 5ETUP to the ISDN, and starts the call setup procedure (process 106).

In addition, in this call setting procedure, "
Sets the information channel to be used at that time based on the "channel identifier" information element.

As a result, when the destination responds to the incoming call and an information channel used for image information transmission is established, the group 4 facsimile transmission procedure (process 107) is performed, and the transmitted image t? stored in the image storage device 8 is transmitted. information to the destination.

Then, when the transmission of the transmission image information is completed and the group 4 facsimile transmission procedure is completed, the call recovery procedure (processing 108
) to release/recover the call that occurred at that time,
Stop the sending process that was running at that time.

Further, when the operator sets a document on the scanner 4, transmission cannot be started because there is no available information channel, and the result of determination 102 is NO.

Processes 109 and 110 similar to processes 104 and 105 are executed to prepare for transmitting one-stroke information, and the process waits until an information channel becomes available (process 111).

When a usable information channel is obtained, the call number to be used when transmitting the image information is set (processing 112).
), the process moves to step 106, and the same image information transmission operation as described above is performed.

In this way, the image information transmission operation is performed.

Further, when a call setup message 5ETUP is sent from the ISDN to this facsimile machine and the facsimile machine receives a call, the following processing is performed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when an incoming call is requested from ISDN and an incoming call is detected (result of judgment 201 is YES),
This process is started, and first, if there is one or more information channels available at that time, and the "transfer capability" information element and "lower layer compatibility" information element of the call setup message 5ETUP received at that time, Then, the content of the "higher layer compatibility" information element is checked to see if a reception response can be made (decision 202).

When the result of the judgment 202 is YES, a new reception processing process is generated/started, and a call setup message 5ET is sent.
A call setting procedure (process 203) is executed using the call number specified in the UP and the information channel to establish an information channel with the calling terminal.

Once the information channel is established, a group 4 facsimile transmission procedure (process 204) is performed, and the image information received via the information channel is stored in the image storage device 8.

When the reception of image information is completed and the group 4 facsimile transmission procedure is completed, a call recovery procedure (process 205) is executed to release/recover the call and stop the reception processing process that was being executed at that time.

Then, the image information received at that time and stored in the image storage device 8 is read out, decoded into the original image signal by the encoding/decoding section 7, and the image signal is transferred to the plotter 5 to record the received image. Output.

Also, call setup message 5ETU received from ISDN
If the content of P is checked and it is determined that a reception response cannot be made, the incoming call is ignored (step 207) and the incoming call is not responded to.

In this way, image information is transmitted using this facsimile device.

For example, if the operator starts a transmission operation while the facsimile machine is in a standby state, the
The PUI indicates the call number to be used at that time, for example "1".
As a result, the communication control unit 9 activates the D channel LAPD control unit 12 and sends the call number notified by the CPU 1 to the “call number” information element. Setting message 5ETUP
ISD via this D channel LAPD control unit 12
N and initiates the call setup procedure.

In addition, a call setup reception message CALL-P is sent from ISDN.
When the ROC is received, the information channel to be used is set to rB1 channel J, for example, based on the contents of the "channel identifier" information element included therein.

In this case, in the group 4 facsimile transmission procedure, the B channel LAPB control unit 1o is activated to exchange group 4 facsimile transmission procedure signals, etc., and when transmitting the image information stored in the image storage device 8 to the destination, When reading out transmission blocks from the image storage device 8 and transferring them to the communication control unit 9, the channel identification information BID
, we use the data that indicates rBl.

Now, while image information is being transmitted to one destination in this way, if the operator places the transmission document on the scanner 4 in order to transmit other image information to another destination, the information Since channel B2 can be used, the CPUI, for example, sets the call number to "2" and performs an operation to prepare for transmission.

When the transmission operation is completed, a new transmission processing process is generated and started, the call number notified by the CPUI is set in the "call number" information element, and a call setup message 5ET is sent.
Sends a UP to the ISDN and begins the call setup procedure.

In addition, at this time, the call setting acceptance message CALLJ
Since the information channel B2, which is an empty channel, is designated as the information channel to be used by the ROC, its designation state is stored.

At this time, in the Group 4 facsimile transmission procedure,
Activate the B channel LAPB control unit 11 to exchange group 4 facsimile transmission procedure signals, etc. Also, in order to transmit the image information stored in the image storage device 8 to the destination, the image storage device 8 sends data in transmission block units. When reading out and transferring to the communication control unit 9, data including "B2" is used as the channel identification information BID.

Therefore, when the communication control unit 9 notifies the end of one block of transmission data and requests the next block,
For image information transmitted using the information channel 81, the CPUI specifies "B1" as the channel identification information BID.
", and for image information transmitted using information channel B2, channel identification information BI
The contents of "B2" as D are added to the beginning of each transmission data BD.

Thereby, the communication control unit 9 can determine which information channel the transferred transmission data belongs to.

In this way, two pieces of image information can be transmitted in parallel at the same time.

Furthermore, when the operator places a document to be transmitted on the scanner 4 in order to transmit new image information while both of the two information channels are in use, the image information cannot be transmitted immediately.

Therefore, in that case, only the transmission preparation is performed first, and the system waits until any image information transmission is completed and an information channel becomes vacant.

Then, when an information channel becomes vacant, the same image information transmission operation as described above is started with the call number and information channel set.

Additionally, when a call is received from another terminal while transmitting image information using one information channel, the other available information channel may be used to receive image information. Since it is possible, call setup message 5ETU
If the content of P is checked and it is determined that data transmission with the partner device is possible, a new reception processing process is generated and started.

Thereby, the transmitting operation and the receiving operation can be performed in parallel.

In addition, in this case, when transferring one block of received image information from the communication control unit 9 to the image storage device 8, the information channel used in the reception process is specified at the beginning of the transferred data. Channel identification information BID is set.

On the other hand, when the call setup message 5ETUP is received from the ISDN in a completely standby state, the communication control unit 9 checks whether a reception response can be made and, if possible, notifies the CPUI of the contents of the specified information channel. As a result, C
The PUI generates and starts a new receive processing process,
Initiate call setup procedure.

Also, when starting the group 4 facsimile transmission procedure and receiving image information, when transferring one block of image information to the image storage device 8, the contents of the information channel set at that time are added at the beginning of the image information. Add channel identification information BID.

When an operator places a transmission document on the scanner 4 to start a transmission operation while performing such a reception operation, at this time there is only one available information channel.
Since one is vacant, the CPUI generates and starts a new transmission processing process with the call number to be used set as described above.

In this case, when transmitting image information stored in the image storage device 8 is transferred to the communication control unit 9, a call setting acceptance message CALL-PROC is added to one block of transmission data.
The contents of the information channel to be used in the transmission operation notified by is transmitted with the channel identification information BID added.

Thereby, the transmitting operation can be performed during the receiving operation, and the receiving operation and the transmitting operation can be performed in parallel.

Also, when a call setup message 5ETUP related to a call originated from another terminal is received from ISDN during reception operation, the information channel for receiving is empty at that time, so if the terminal functions match, a new message is sent. Generate/initiate the receive processing process and initiate the call setup procedure.

Furthermore, when transferring the image information received in each reception processing process to the image storage device 8, channel identification information BID containing the contents of the information channel used in each reception processing process is added to one block of transmission data. be added so that they can be identified.

In this way, two reception processing processes can be executed simultaneously.

In addition, there are two sending processing processes, two receiving processes,
Alternatively, when one transmission processing process and one reception processing process are executed, and the two processing processes are executed in parallel, the call setup message 5ETUP for a call originating from another calling terminal is sent. When you receive a call, ignore it and do not answer the call.

In this case, if no response message is received for a certain period of time, the ISDN instructs the originating terminal to release the call and releases the call connection.

As described above, in this embodiment, the transmitting operation and the receiving operation are performed in two ways.
Since it is possible to carry out both operations at the same time, the efficiency of using the facsimile machine is extremely high, and the efficiency of using the line is also greatly improved.

In the embodiment described above, the received images are recorded and output after the reception operation is completed, but it is also possible to sequentially record and output the received images of blocks whose reception has been completed.

Also, if two reception operations are performed in parallel,
After completing the recording and outputting of the image received in the first receiving operation, the recording and outputting of the received image is performed in the next receiving operation.

Now, the case where this facsimile machine performs broadcast transmission to a plurality of destinations will be described next.

In this case, broadcast management information for performing broadcast transmission is formed, an example of which is shown in FIG. 7(a).

This broadcast management information MND is created for each broadcast transmission and stored in the RAM 3, and includes a file number FN for identifying each broadcast management information MND and a broadcast destination. It consists of hail broadcast destination information CN and image storage area information MP indicating in which storage area of the image storage device 8 the image information to be transmitted is stored.

In addition, the broadcast destination information CN is as shown in FIG.
It consists of destination information DC1 indicating each broadcast destination, and an end flag FE indicating that image information transmission to each broadcast destination has ended.

With the above configuration, when an operator sets a transmission document on the scanner 4 and inputs a command for broadcast transmission by operating the operation display section 6, the CPUI stores the broadcast destination specified at that time, and further, When the operator turns on the start key (not shown) after inputting settings such as the transmission mode and inputs a command to start broadcast transmission, the CPUI causes the scanner 4 to read the original set at that time and The encoding and decoding section 7 encodes and compresses both signals obtained by
The image information obtained thereby is stored in the image storage device 8.

Note that during this broadcast operation, if one broadcast group consisting of a plurality of destinations can be input by one key operation, a plurality of broadcast destinations can be specified by that key operation.

Then, based on the broadcast destination specified at that time and the state of the storage area occupied by the image information in the image storage device 8, the above-mentioned broadcast management information MNG is newly formed, and the RA
Store in M3.

When preparations for broadcast transmission are completed in this way, the CPUI executes broadcast transmission by the process shown in FIG.

First, it is checked whether there is one or more destination information DC for which the end flag FB is not set in the broadcast destination information CN of the broadcast management information MNG (determination 301).

When the result of decision 301 is YES, it is determined whether one or more information channels are available and ready for transmission at that time (decision 302), and decision 30
When the result of step 2 is YES, a new transmission processing process is started (process 303), and the process returns to determination 301.

The result of judgment 302 is N because the state is not ready for transmission.

When it becomes possible to transmit, it waits in that state until it becomes ready for transmission (NO small loop of judgment 302).

Furthermore, when the transmission processing process is started in step 303, C
The PUI and communication control unit 9 executes the processing shown in FIG.

First, process 40 to set the call number to be used at the time of transmission.
1) Set the set call number in the "call number" information element, set the subscriber number of the own terminal in the "calling number" information element, and set one destination extracted from the broadcast destination information CN at that time. A call setup message in which information corresponding to the "Transfer Capability" information element, "Low Layer Compatibility" information element, and "High Layer Compatibility" information element is set in the "Information DC subscriber number r called party number" information element. 5ETUP, sends the call setup message 5ETUP to the ISDN, and starts the call setup procedure (process 402).

Furthermore, the information channel to be used at that time is set based on the "channel identifier" information element included in the call setting acceptance message CALLJROC received from ISDN in the second call setting procedure.

As a result, when the destination responds to the incoming call and an information channel used for image information transmission is established, the group 4 facsimile transmission procedure (process 403) is performed to send the transmission image information stored in the image storage device 8 to the destination. Transmit. Also, when transferring one block of transmission data BD from the image storage device 8 to the communication control unit 9 at this time, channel identification information BID indicating the information channel set at that time is added to the beginning of the data. Ru.

Then, when the transmission of the transmission image information is completed and the group 4 facsimile transmission procedure is completed, the call recovery procedure (processing 404
) to release/recover the call that occurred at that time,
The transmission processing process being executed at that time is terminated, and an end flag FE corresponding to the destination information DC of the destination at that time is set (process 405).

In this manner, image information is transmitted to one destination in one transmission process.

By the way, in the call setting procedure, if the destination terminal does not respond to the incoming call, the call connection is released at that point, so the group 4 facsimile procedure is not executed, and the End flag FE is not set.

Further, by re-calling a destination that has not responded to an incoming call after executing the image information transmission operation to other destinations, it is possible to suppress, to some extent, successive re-calls to the same destination.

Now, if the operator sets four destinations as broadcast destinations, first selects the destination information DC of the first destination, and at that time, two information channels are available, so the transmission processing process is restarted. Generate and start.

Then, the call number for the transmission operation to the first destination is set, the set call number is set as the "call number" information element, the subscriber number of the own terminal is set as the "calling number" information element, and the first call number is set as the "call number" information element. The subscriber number of the destination information DC is added to the "r destination number" information element, the "transmission capability" information element, the "lower layer compatibility" information element, and the "r called party number" information element.
A call setup message 5ETUP is formed in which information corresponding to each of the "higher layer compatibility" information elements is set, and the call setup message 5ETUP is sent to the ISDN to start the call setup procedure.

On the other hand, when performing the transmission processing process to the first destination (hereinafter referred to as the first transmission processing process) in this way, another information channel can be used, so the CPUI is By creating and starting a new transmission processing process (hereinafter referred to as the second transmission processing process) for transmitting image information to the second destination, the first transmission processing process and the second transmission processing process are executed simultaneously.

In the transmission processing process for this second destination, a call setup message 5ETUP is formed in the same manner as described above,
ISDN to begin the call setup procedure.

In this way, two transmit processing processes are running, information channel B1 is assigned in the call setup procedure of the first transmit processing process, and information channel B2 is assigned in the call setup procedure of the second transmit processing process. When the information channel B1 is assigned to the information channel B1, channel identification information BID is added to the beginning of the transmission data BD for 1 9 minutes required for the first transmission processing process, and Channel identification information BID for identifying the information channel B2 is added to the beginning of the block of transmission data BD, so that the backlog controller 9 identifies the transmission data BD of each transmission processing process.

Also, when two transmission processing processes are being executed, there is no usable information channel, so the transmission processing process for the third destination (hereinafter referred to as the third transmission processing process) and the transmission processing for the fourth destination The processing process (hereinafter referred to as the fourth transmission processing process) enters a standby state.

When the first transmission process ends, one usable information channel becomes available, so a third transmission process is generated and started. Furthermore, since there is no available information channel available again, the fourth transmission processing process continues in a standby state.

In addition, in the call setup procedure of the third transmission processing process, information channel B is used as in the first transmission processing process.
1 is assigned, channel identification information BI[3 indicating the information channel B1 is added to the beginning of one block of transmission data BD related to the third transmission processing process.

When the second transmission processing process is completed, a usable information channel becomes available, so a fourth transmission processing process is generated and started. In this fourth call setting procedure, the information channel B2 is allocated in the same way as the second transmission processing process, so the information channel B2 hail channel identification information BI
D is added.

Also, for example, in the call setting procedure of the second transmission processing process, if the call connection is released without the destination responding to the incoming call, the second transmission processing process is temporarily stopped at that point, and the third transmission processing Spawn and start a process.

Then, at the end of the fourth transmission process,
The second transmission process is executed again to transmit the image information to the second destination.

In this case, the second transmission process may be executed again when the third transmission process is completed.

In this way, the transmission process using the two information channels is performed sequentially. In addition, since two transmission processing processes can be executed independently at the same time, the time required for broadcast transmission is approximately the same as the time required for sequential broadcasting to two destinations, which is the same as that of conventional equipment. This will be approximately 172 hours of reporting time.

By the way, in the embodiment described above, two B channel LA
The two information channels Bl are controlled using the PB controller 10.11.
, B2 layer 2 control processing is performed, respectively.
It is also possible to use one 8-channel LAPB control unit to perform layer 2 control processing for the two information channels B1 and B2. In that case, two processing processes are executed in parallel.

Furthermore, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case of performing time-specified broadcast transmission in which a transmission start time is specified.

Furthermore, the broadcast management information, broadcast processing, and transmission processing process are not limited to those in the embodiments described above. Further, this facsimile device can also perform transmission processing other than broadcast transmission.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the present invention includes a transmission processing means that executes transmission processing using each of two information channels, and transmits image information in parallel using the two information channels. Therefore, the usage efficiency of the facsimile device is greatly increased, and the transmission efficiency is also improved. Also, ISDN
It is equipped with two transmission processing means that independently execute the transmission functions of the two information channels of the basic interface function, and if at least one of the transmission processing means is usable, it calls the broadcast destination and transmits the transmission data. Since data is transmitted to two destinations at the same time, the time required for broadcast transmission is approximately halved.
This has the effect that it can be shortened to .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of data to be transferred, FIG. 3 is a time chart showing an example of an ISDN transmission procedure, and FIG. Figure 4 (a) is a schematic diagram showing the basic format of a call setup message, Figure 4 (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of information elements included in a call setup message, and Figure 4 (c) is a schematic diagram showing an example of information elements included in a call setup message. A schematic diagram showing an example of included information elements, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of transmission, FIG. 6 is a 20-chart showing an example of processing at the time of reception, and FIG. 7 (a) is broadcast management information A schematic diagram showing an example of
FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing an example of broadcast destination information, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of broadcast transmission, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the transmission processing process. l...CPU (Central Processing Unit), 2...ROM (Read Only Memory U), 3-RAM (Random Access Memory), 9...Communication Control Unit, 10.11...
・B channel LAPB control unit, 12...D channel L
APD control unit, 13...I, SDN interface circuit. Fig. 1 Fig. 2 ===]〼T] Fig. 3 (c) Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7, G (a) (b) UCFE Fig. 8 Fig. 9 C mouth D

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a facsimile machine that uses the ISDN basic interface function as a transmission means, two transmission processing means each perform the transmission function of two information channels, and image information transmission using two information channels is executed in parallel. A facsimile machine characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the facsimile machine. (2) In a facsimile machine that uses the ISDN basic interface function as a transmission means, there are two information channels: a storage means for storing transmission data, a broadcast destination storage means for storing broadcast destination information, and an ISDN basic interface function. Two transmission processing means each independently performing a transmission function, and one of the broadcast destinations stored in the broadcast destination storage means when at least one of the two transmission processing means is enabled. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a control means for selecting a call destination as a calling destination and transmitting transmission data stored in the storage means to the selected destination.