JPH0465748A - facsimile mail device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a facsimile mail device, and more particularly to a facsimile mail device with improved operability during service ordering.

[Conventional technology]

As the functions of facsimile mail devices become more sophisticated, operations become more complex, and detailed knowledge of the facsimile mail devices is required to fully utilize the functions (communication services) of the facsimile mail devices. For this reason, detailed operating manuals have been prepared for using facsimile mail devices, and operators operate communication terminals (for example, facsimile devices) while referring to the operating manuals. However, as the functions of facsimile mail devices and communication terminals become more sophisticated, the operation manuals become more detailed and thick, making it difficult to make full use of the operation manuals.

Therefore, conventionally, the equipment itself has a so-called help function, and when the operator becomes unable to understand how to operate the equipment, by inserting a help key, etc., the meaning of the key and the information requested by the operator are displayed on the display. It is being displayed on the

In such conventional help functions, when the help key is pressed, regardless of the operating state of the device,
Help information created in advance is displayed on the display. However, simply displaying such pre-prepared help information on a display does not provide help information appropriate to the operator's proficiency level and stage of operation.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-243518, the user's input history information and the output information from the application system are analyzed to narrow down the help items and display them as a help item table. Then, when the user selects several items that he/she wants to know in sequence, help information most suitable for the item that the user wants to know is retrieved and displayed based on the user's selection. This help information is created in advance for each help item that the user may request and is stored in the storage unit, and if there is no help information that corresponds to the help order selected by the user, the help item Decide which help information to display by expanding your selection as appropriate.

In addition, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-262120, when the same operator or operators belonging to the same group perform an operation a certain number of times, or when the operator determines that certain guidance information is unnecessary, It has been proposed to display only appropriate and necessary guidance information in accordance with the operator's proficiency level by prohibiting the display of this guidance information during the next operation process when an instruction is given.

The guidance information in this case is also prepared in advance assuming the proficiency level of the operator, and is appropriately selected from the plurality of guidance information and displayed.

Furthermore, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-66623, data regarding the user's personal data and operation history, as well as data regarding the installation environment and operation history of the terminal device, are both A method has been proposed that detects an operating method that allows the user to reach a desired service in the shortest time and provides it to the user via a display, thereby providing help information that corresponds to the individual's level of proficiency. The help information in this case is also prepared in advance assuming the user's proficiency level, and is appropriately selected from the plurality of help information and output.

Furthermore, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-280821, there has been conventionally provided a means for storing a series of operation procedure sequences for each operation of an application program, and a means for storing guide help information for each unit of state and operation. A means for storing guide help messages as a set, a means for identifying a guide request from a user or an application program, and a means for completing a request operation between posted materials based on the application program status and operation procedure sequence at the time of the guide request. A means for creating a series of operation steps from the state at the time of request to the end of the operation, a means for searching from the guide help information for messages corresponding to each of the series of operation steps described above, and a means for searching by the same means. means for synthesizing and displaying guide help information, which stores the content of the guide request (question), the state and state flow of the application program in advance, and uses a state flow table to display the desired state from the state at the time of the guide request. It has been proposed to create a string of operating procedure states up to the point of processing, then search for guidance messages for each of the operating procedure state strings, and finally synthesize and display the messages in the same order as the procedure. In this case, the guide help information is synthesized as a set of guide help messages for each unit of status and operation, but the guide help messages for each unit are not freely edited to suit the application program, but are set in advance. It is synthesized according to the procedure given.

Furthermore, in a facsimile mail device, when making a service request (for example, a request to send a message on behalf of the user) from a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine), a telephone or the like attached to the facsimile machine is used to press the PB (button button).
This is done by inputting the service code using the DP (Dial Pulse). In this case, there have conventionally been two methods for receiving the service code of the facsimile mail device. That is, in the first method, as shown in FIG. 14, when there is a service request, the facsimile mail device requests the input of a service code, and when a service code is input, the facsimile mail device requests the input of a service code. The appropriateness of the application shall be determined based on the following. If the service code is appropriate, a request to input the next service code is made to the facsimile machine, and if there is an abnormality in the service code, an error notification is sent and a request is made to input the service code again. Next, in the second method, when a service is requested, the facsimile machine requests input of a service code, and the facsimile machine inputs a series of service codes necessary for the requested service all at once. When a series of service codes are entered, the facsimile mail device
It is determined whether all the series of service codes have been executed correctly, and when all the service codes have been executed correctly, a completion notification is given. If there is an error in a series of service codes, an error notification is sent to the facsimile machine and a request is made to re-enter the service code from the beginning of the series of service codes.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, such conventional help functions, especially Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-243518 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 62-2621,
Regarding the help functions described in Publication No. 20 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 63-66623, even if help information corresponding to the proficiency level of the individual is output, such help information is created in advance and stored. Since the help information was selected and outputted from multiple sources according to the proficiency level of the individual, it was not only impossible to adequately respond to a wide range of requests, but also difficult to respond to a wide range of requests. There is a problem in that the more support there is, the more a storage unit with a larger capacity is required to store the help information, resulting in higher costs.

In addition, the help function described in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-280821 searches for and displays guides on specific operating procedures to perform the desired process from the point when the user has difficulty with the operation. Therefore, guide information is synthesized as a set of help messages for each unit of status and operation, but this is because guide information is not synthesized by freely combining help messages for each unit. Even in the conventional example, there is a problem that it does not sufficiently meet a wide range of demands, and that a large capacity storage unit is required to meet a wide range of demands, which increases costs.

Furthermore, conventional help functions were positioned as supplementary functions to the operating manual that came with the device, and it was assumed that the user had thoroughly read the operating manual to some extent, so complete beginners could not use the device. When operating the device or if the operating manual attached to the device is lost, there is a problem in that the help function is not sufficient and the device cannot be fully utilized.

In particular, as the functions of devices become more sophisticated and diversified, their operating methods also become more complex, and the operation manuals that come with devices have become thicker and more complex. It has become difficult to thoroughly read and master the operation methods. Unlike traditional help functions, there is a manual that allows you to fully use the device without reading the operation manual attached to the device. Improvements in the machine interface are desired.

In addition, when requesting a service to a facsimile mail device, the speed dial function or the broadcast function requires that the registered contents of the destination communication terminals be summarized and confirmed by looking at a table when requesting transmission.

However, in this case, there was a problem that if the table was lost, the service could no longer be received.

[Purpose of the invention]

Therefore, the present invention stores explanatory data for each processing step of a facsimile mail device that realizes various functions by combining a plurality of processing steps, and stores explanatory data of the operation contents required for that step, and stores data explaining the operation contents required for that step. The system determines the function requested by the operator from the above information, and provides the operator with an operation manual that is created by freely combining explanatory data of the operation contents for each step. This reduces the required capacity of the storage unit for storing explanatory data, and provides an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of demands of operators. However, by making it possible to realize the intended functions of the facsimile mail device, it is possible to make service requests to the facsimile mail device without making mistakes, and by improving the man-machine interface, it is possible to fully utilize the functions of the device. In addition, when a service request is made, the terminal information of the destination communication terminal registered in advance is notified by voice, so that information such as speed dial of the destination for which the service is requested can be easily confirmed. In this way, the purpose is to make it possible to make a service request in a short time, and to make the service request simple and easy.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, when a predetermined operation is performed on a communication terminal, receives operation data corresponding to the content of the operation from the communication terminal, and combines a plurality of processing steps according to the operation data. and run
In a facsimile mail device that realizes multiple functions and provides various communication services, there is provided a reception control means for receiving operation data from the communication terminal, and a method for creating an operation manual from among the operation data received by the reception control means. a data storage means for extracting and storing data necessary for the process; an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation content required for each of the above processing steps; and an instruction information storage means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means. an editing control means that edits and creates an operation manual necessary for realizing a desired function by combining explanatory data of operation contents in each processing step stored in an instruction information storage means; and telephone numbers of a plurality of communication terminals. a terminal information management means for registering and managing names, etc. in storage memory; a voice control means for creating and outputting audio data based on the terminal information managed by the terminal information management means; and operations created by the editing control means. A transmission control means for transmitting a manual to a communication terminal in response to a request from the communication terminal; When a request is made, the voice control means creates voice data based on the terminal information registered in the storage memory and outputs the voice data to the communication terminal.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given based on examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile mail device 1 according to the present invention, which includes a system control section 2, a disk control section 3.4, a floppy disk device 5, a hard disk device 6.7, and a host interface section. 8 and a communication processing unit FCU1=FCUn.

The system control section 2 controls the facsimile mail device 1 according to a program stored in the internal memory, floppy disk device 5, or hard disk device 6.7.
In particular, the writing and reading of image data to and from the floppy disk device 5 and the node disk device 6.7, as well as the communication processing units FCUI to FCU.
The facsimile mail device 1 executes the sequence by controlling the facsimile mail device 1. The facsimile mail device 1 has various functional services such as a proxy communication function, a broadcast function, a confidential communication function, a specified time transmission function, a bulletin board service function, a post office box function, and a serial mail function. The communication processing unit FC executes and controls each of these functions.
This is performed by controlling UI to FCUn.

In addition, in order to use each of these functions of the facsimile mail device 1, a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine) connected to the facsimile mail device 1 performs certain operations on the facsimile mail device 1 to request a service. If necessary, in the present invention, as will be described later, the communication terminal can request the facsimile mail device 1 for an operation manual showing the operation contents of this service request.

The disk control section 3 and the disk control section 4 control the drive of the floppy disk device 5 and the hard disk device 6.7, and the floppy disk device 5 and the hard disk device 6.7 store basic programs and various data as a facsimile mail device. In particular, it stores messages sent from communication terminals and messages sent from a host device (described later). Further, the hard disk device 6.7 stores a user management table in which communication terminal information of users who use the facsimile mail device 1 is registered.

The host interface unit 8 includes a host device, for example,
A computer device or the like is connected, and the host interface unit 8 executes communication control with the host device. What is connected to this host interface section 8 is not limited to host devices such as computer devices,
For example, it may be another facsimile mail device. The host interface section 8 includes a DMAC (direct memory access controller) that directly connects the host device and the facsimile mail device 1, and a communication control section that connects the host device and the facsimile mail device 1 via a line. etc. are used.

The communication processing units FCUI to FCUn are provided as many as the number of storage lines, and each communication processing unit FCUI to FCUn has a network control unit 11, a modem 12, and a communication control unit, as shown in the figure for the communication processing units FCUI and FCUn. unit 13, manual generation buffer 14, encoding/decoding unit 15, channel control unit 16, control program storage unit 17, OMR processing unit 18, data storage unit 19, storage memory 20, instruction information storage unit 21, system information storage unit 22,
It includes an editing control section 23, a bus control section 24, a user information management section 25, an audio control section 26, and the like.

Lines L1 to Ln are connected to the network control unit 11, and the line L
For example, telephone lines are connected to 1 to Ln. The network control unit 11 is what is called an AA-NCU, and performs automatic call origination and call termination processing.

Modem 12 modulates the transmitted signal and demodulates the received signal.

The communication control unit 13 exchanges facsimile control signals with a communication terminal (for example, a facsimile machine) connected via the lines L1 to Ln, and executes a facsimile communication procedure.

In the manual generation buffer 14, operation manuals for each invention of the present application, which will be described later, are developed.

The encoding/decoding unit 15 encodes the message using a predetermined encoding method, and also decodes the encoded message.

The control program storage unit 17 includes communication processing units FCUI to F
The basic program as CUn and the operation manual generation/output processing program of each invention of the present application are stored, and the channel control section 16 controls each section of the communication processing sections FCUI to PCOn according to the program in the control program storage section 17. It executes the sequence as the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn, and also executes the operation manual generation/output process of the present invention.

The OMR processing unit (OMR processing means) 18
Detection of whether the received message is an MR sheet message, and when the received message is an OMR sheet message, the received OMR
Marks made on the OMR sheet and mark positions are detected from the electronic message on the sheet, and the detection results are stored in the storage memory 20.

The data storage unit (data storage means) 19 includes lines L1 to L
Out of the data (telegrams, dial tone, etc.) sent from the other party's communication terminal via n, only the data necessary for creating the operation manual is stored, and the data necessary for creating the operation manual is, for example, the operation manual. The requested command, the type of operation manual requested (that is, the type of service function that the other operator requests from the facsimile mail device 1), the type of the other operator (for example, the ID of the other party's terminal, the operator ID, etc.), and the other operator's This is data related to data indicating the level of proficiency.

As described above, the storage memory 20 includes the OMR processing unit 18
Temporarily stores the detection result of the message on the OMR sheet detected by the OMR sheet and messages other than the OMR sheet when transferring it to the floppy disk device 5 or hard disk device 6.7, and also stores it in the floppy disk device 5 or hard disk device 6.7. When transmitting the message via communication processing unit FCU1=FCLIn, - hours are stored.

The instruction information storage unit (instruction information storage means) 21 stores explanation data of the operation contents on the communication terminal required for each of a plurality of processing steps to realize the service (function) provided by the facsimile mail device 1. Remember. That is, when requesting a service from the facsimile mail device 1, a certain operation is required for each processing step PO-P11, as shown in FIG. Explanatory data explaining the operation details required at the communication terminal for each pH is stored in advance. Therefore, the instruction information storage unit 21 stores processing steps PO to pH necessary for realizing each function of the facsimile mail device 1.
You only need to store explanatory data for each function (there is no need to store multiple types of help information corresponding to the individual's proficiency level for each function as in the past).

The system information storage unit (system information storage means) 22 stores predetermined system information required to realize the functions of the facsimile mail device 10, and this system information includes, for example, user ID, number, and destination ID.
, No. and the destination telephone number (Te1.No).

When there is a request for an operation manual, the editing control unit (wA collection control means) 23 analyzes the data stored in the data storage unit 19 and determines the type of operation manual requested by the other operator (i.e., the purpose of the operator). The instruction information storage section stores explanatory data for each of the processing steps PO to pH necessary to realize the desired functions of the facsimile mail device 1) and the operator's proficiency level. 21 and edit it as an operation manual in the manual generation buffer 14.
create. Further, at this time, if the system information storage unit 22 stores system information necessary to realize the function, the operation manual is created by incorporating this system information.

The user information management unit (terminal information management means) 25 manages communication terminal information of users who use the facsimile mail device 1, and when a communication terminal requests registration information,
The requested registration information is read from the hard disk device 6.7 and passed to the audio control section 26.

The voice control unit (voice control means) 26 performs control for converting the registration information passed from the user information management unit 25 into voice data and transmitting the voice data.

This facsimile mail device i! 1 is each communication processing unit F
Lines L1 to Ln are stored for each Cυ1 to FCUn,
Facsimile communication is performed with the other communication terminal connected via this line L1=Ln. When the facsimile mail device 1 receives a service request from a communication terminal connected via the lines L1 to Ln, it analyzes the requested service and provides the service. This service request can be made using an OMR sheet, or
This can also be done using a tone signal or the like.

When the other party's communication terminal makes a service request using the OMR sheet, the facsimile mail device 1
The processing unit 20 reads the mark position on the OMR sheet and develops the reading result in the storage memory 22. The channel control unit 18 analyzes the contents of the storage memory 22, determines the contents of the service request, and executes the requested service.

For example, when the service request is for a time-specific transmission service, the facsimile mail device 1 temporarily stores the received encoded message in the storage memory 22, encodes and
After decoding in the decoding unit 17 and re-encoding using a predetermined encoding method, or directly via the bus control unit 27 to the floppy disk 5 or hard disk 6.
．． Accumulates to 7.

Thereafter, at the specified sending time, the message is read from the floppy disk 5 or hard disk 6.7,
The data is transferred to the vacant communication processing units FCUI to FCUn via the bus control unit 27 thereof. Communication processing unit FCUI~FC
Un stores the transferred message in the storage memory 20, re-encodes it using a predetermined encoding method in the encoding/decoding unit 17, or transmits it as is to the designated destination.

Next, the effect will be explained.

As mentioned above, when a facsimile mail device receives a service request from a communication terminal, it provides the requested service, but if the operator of the communication terminal does not know how to operate it, the facsimile mail device l provides the requested service. A manual request is accepted, an operation manual corresponding to the service (function of facsimile mail device 1) requested by the operator is created and sent to the communication terminal.

That is, when the operator of the communication terminal requests the facsimile mail device 1 for an operating manual, he first calls the facsimile mail device 1 and requests the operating manual. This request for the operation manual can be made using a tone signal by performing key operations according to voice guidance from the facsimile mail device 1, or the request for the operation manual can be made using an OMR sheet. You can also do that. For example, when requesting an operating manual using an OMR sheet, an OMR sheet 30 (see FIG. 3) prepared in advance for requesting an operating manual is used to request the operating manual. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, this operation manual request OMR sheet 30 includes a start mark 30a, an initial inclination permissible limit determination mark 30b, a guide mark 30c, and a mode switching mark 30d, similar to a normal OMR sheet.
, field number 30e, free area division designation mark 30f,
It has an end mark 30g, etc., as well as marks specially provided for requesting an operating manual, such as an inquiry mark 30h, and a voice guidance required/unnecessary mark 3.
01, Mail type (service type) mark 30j,
Whether or not the time is specified and the specified time mark 30 are included.

When an operator of a communication terminal requests an operation manual using the OMR sheet 30, he calls the facsimile mail device 1 and sends an OM to the communication terminal (for example, a facsimile device).
All you have to do is read the R sheet 30 and send it.

Next, we will discuss the process in the facsimile mail device 1 in the fourth section.
This will be explained based on FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the facsimile mail device 1 receives an incoming call (step S1), it receives the user ID (step S2), and checks whether the received user rD is registered (step S3). This user ID is for using the facsimile mail device 1 and is stored in the system information storage section 25. If the received user ID is not registered, error processing is performed (step S4), and a check is made to see if the user ID should be re-entered (step S5). If re-input is to be performed, the process returns to step S2 to receive the user ID; if re-input is not to be performed, error handling and line disconnection are performed, and this flow ends (steps S6 and S7).
).

In step S3, if the received user ID is registered, a check is made to see if the ordering is via a PBI-line (step S38), and if it is a PB ordering, the PB ordering is received (step S9).
). When the reception of the PB ordering is completed, a check is made to see if the ordering is normal (step 510), and if the ordering is normal, reception of the message is started (step 511). When the reception of all the messages is completed (step 12), check whether the messages were received normally (step 513). If the messages were received normally, disconnect the lines L1 to Ln. The reception process ends (step 514). Step 3
If the message is not received normally in step 13, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected after error processing (steps 315 and 514). In addition, if the ordering by PB) is not performed normally in step S10, error processing (described later) is performed (step 516), and a check is made to see if the input is to be re-entered (step 517). . If re-input is to be performed, the process returns to step S9 and the ordering by PB)-on is received; if re-input is not performed, error processing (for example, a notification to the communication terminal to disconnect the line) is sent. (feedback, etc.), the lines L1-Ln are disconnected (step S15.514).

Steps S9 to 317 described above are the flow of the normal service request receiving process of the facsimile mail device 1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the order is not by PB), the message is received (step 318).
), it is checked whether the received message is an OMR sheet message or an OMR sheet for inquiry, that is, for requesting an operation manual (steps 319 and 520).

If the request is not an inquiry request (operation manual request), ordering processing using the OMR sheet is performed (step 521). That is, the OMR processing section 20 reads the mark position of the OMR sheet from the message of the received OMR sheet and develops it in the storage memory 22, and the channel control section 18 analyzes the contents of the OMR sheet developed in the storage memory 22. to determine the contents of the order. Check whether the ordering has been carried out normally (step 322); if the ordering has not been carried out normally, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected after error handling (step S23.514). If the ordering is performed normally, the messages are received, and when all the messages are received normally, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected and this flow ends (steps Sll to 515).

In step 320, when an inquiry request (operation manual request) is made, ○Inquiry processing using MR sheet (
Check whether the operation manual request (operation manual request) was performed normally (step 525); if not, error processing is performed and then the lines Ll-Ln are disconnected (steps S6, S7). If the inquiry request is successfully made, the lines L1 to Ln are disconnected - step 526). The inquiry is analyzed (the content of the request for the operation manual is analyzed) (step 527).

Next, it is checked whether the contents of the inquiry request are normal (step 328), and if the contents of the inquiry request are not normal, error processing is performed and this flow is ended (step 529). When the content of the inquiry is normal, the operation manual editing creation process and the operation manual output process are performed, and this flow is ended (step S30.531). As for this operation manual output process, the created operation manual may be sent directly to the communication terminal that has requested the operation manual, or it may be sent to a post office box of the facsimile mail device 1 and the operation manual may be sent to the communication terminal that has requested the output. May be sent at any time.

Next, the inquiry analysis process in step S27 will be explained.

Each of the communication processing units FCUI to FCUn reads the mark position of the OMR sheet 30 from the received message of the OMR sheet 30 for requesting an operation manual in the OMR processing unit 18 and develops it in the storage memory 20. The channel control unit 16 analyzes the contents of the OMR sheet and determines the contents of the operation manual request.

That is, the channel control unit 16 analyzes the contents developed in the storage memory 20, and as shown in FIG.
Determine whether voice guidance is necessary (step R1)
. If it is determined that the mark is located at the key position of the voice guidance mark 30i on the OMR sheet, the system parameter dot-a.

If it is determined that there is a mark in the negative position of the voice guidance mark 30i on the OMR sheet, the system parameter dO is set to al (step R3). Here, the system parameters are parameters that determine which processing step PO-pH to move to next when moving from each processing step PO-pH shown in FIG. 2 to the next processing step PO-pH. , as shown in FIG. 6, is stored in a buffer for storing system parameters formed in the instruction information storage section 21. The system parameter dO is the parameter for whether voice guidance is required, and the system parameters d1, d2, and d3 are for selecting a post office box or bulletin board, whether or not to specify a time, and entering the destination using the destination ID and number or by phone. The selection of whether to input the number (Te1.NO), etc., and d4 stores the parameter of whether to broadcast or not.

After setting the necessity of voice guidance and its system parameters, the channel control unit 16 then determines whether or not it is a post office box service (step R4). If it is not a post office box service, set the system parameter d1 to b2 and use the post office box number.

(Serial number given to the message that the user puts in the post office box). (Step R)
5, R6). When the post office box NO0 exists, the post office box NO0 is stored in the system information storage section 22 and the process proceeds to the next step (step R7), and when the post office box NO0 does not exist, the process directly proceeds to the next step.

In step R4, if it is not a post office box service, check whether it is a bulletin board service (step R8); if it is a bulletin board service, set the system parameter d1 to bl.
It is checked whether there is a bulletin board N09 (a serial number given to the message that the user submits to the bulletin board). If bulletin board No. 0 exists, the bulletin board No. 0 is stored in the system information storage unit 2.
2 and proceed to the next step (step R11).
If there is no bulletin board No. 1, the process directly advances to the next step.

If it is not a bulletin board service in step R4, a check is made to see if it is a normal message (step R12), and if it is not a normal message, an error process is performed and the flow ends (step R13). If it is a normal message, the system parameter d1 is set to d2 and the process moves to the next step (step R14).

When the system parameters have been set according to whether it is a post office box, a bulletin board, or an ordinary message, a check is then made to see if the time is specified (step R15), and if the time is not specified, the system parameter d2 is set to d3. (Step R16). This system parameter d3 will be set again in later processing. When specifying the time, set the system parameter d2 to b3 in step R.
17) Check whether the specified time is normal (step R18). If the specified time is not normal, perform error processing and end this flow (step R19); if the specified time is normal, the specified time is stored in the system information storage unit 22, and the destination is specified by Tel or NO. Please check (steps R20, R21) if the destination is Te1. When the designation is No, the system parameter d3 is set to b4 (step R22), and the process proceeds to the next step. When the destination is not specified by Te1, No.
The destination is ID.

Check whether it is specified by No (step R25).
), the destination is not specified as Tel, No, or It), NO, it is determined that an error has occurred, and after error processing is performed, this flow is ended (step R19).

When the destination is specified by ID and No., the system parameter d3 is set to b5 (step R26), and a check is made to see if it is a relay service (step R27). If it is not a broadcast service, the system parameter d4 is set to 02 (step R28), and if it is a repeat service, the system parameter d4 is set to cl (step R29). After setting each system parameter in this way, a service code is determined from the set system parameters and stored in the register (step R30). In other words, by detecting and setting system parameters, the type of function (service) requested by the operator of the communication terminal is determined, and an operation manual corresponding to the type of service requested by the operator of this communication terminal is then created. do.

Next, this operation manual creation process will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

The editing control unit 23 first sets the counters n, m, and l to “0”.
is set (reset) (step Ql), and the code of processing step Pn is stored in the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q2). That is, first, processing step PO
The code is stored in the manual generation buffer 14. Next, the editing control unit 23 reads the system parameters of this processing step Pn from the instruction information storage unit 21 (system parameters dO to d4, etc. set in FIG. 5.6 above).
In step Q3), the system parameters are “
0" (step Q4).

If the system parameter is “0”, processing step P
At n, the address of the explanatory data corresponding to the system parameter 0" and the code of the next processing step Pn are read out,
Store in manual generation buffer 14 (step Q5
). On the other hand, when the system parameter is not 0'',
Read the value of the system parameter dm from the system information storage unit 22 (step Q6), read the processing step Pn, the address of the explanatory data corresponding to the system parameter dm, and the code of the next processing step Pn from the installation information storage unit 21. Manual generation buffer 14
is entered as address A2 (step Q7). That is, the processing step Pn and the system parameters are the eighth
As shown in the figure, when the processing step Pn and the system parameters are determined, the next processing step Pn is determined, and correspondingly, the explanatory data for the processing step Pn is determined. Therefore, by freely combining the processing step Pn and the system parameters, the next processing step Pn can be freely set, and the explanatory data necessary for the operation at this processing step Pn can be freely combined.

In this way, first, when the address setting of the explanation data of the next processing step Pn corresponding to the processing step PO, the system parameter aO, and the system parameter dm is completed, m11 is set as the parameter m, and step Q8
), it is checked whether it is the final processing step Pn (step Q9).

If it is not the final processing step Pn, the process returns to step Q3 and similarly stores the address of the next processing step Pn and explanatory data in the manual generation buffer 14 based on the system parameters for each processing step Pn (step Q3 ~Step QB). When the above processing is repeatedly executed up to the final processing step Pn, the manual generation buffer 14 has the address ! In order, the code of the processing step Pn necessary to execute the service requested by the operator and the address of the explanatory data for the processing step Pn are developed.

Therefore, by freely setting system parameters, processing steps Pn corresponding to each of the multiple functions of the facsimile mail device can be set, and explanatory data for each processing step Pn corresponding to the desired function can be freely set. Can be combined.

Next, the service code stored in the system information storage unit 22 is read out (step Qll), a part of the corresponding header is taken out, and as shown in FIG. (Step Q12).

Here, the counter! Step Q13)
, reads out the explanatory data stored at address Al and develops it in the operation manual character data area 40b of the manual generation buffer 14 (step Q14).
), and explanatory figures (stored in advance in the instruction information storage unit 21 in association with the explanatory data of the processing step Pn, or independently independent of the explanatory data) and stored in the system information storage unit 22. Reads the system information (Te1.No, IO, No, etc.) that has been
Expand to c (step Q15). When the expansion of each data of the corresponding address into the manual generation buffer 14 is completed, step Q1 is performed to check whether the data is the final data.
6) If the data is not the final data, increment the counter l by 1 (ff-1+1) and return to step Q14. Similarly, each address A! stored in the manual generation buffer 14! Explanatory data, explanatory figures, and system information are developed in the manual generation buffer 14, and when the processing is completed for all addresses AI1, the operation manual editing/generation processing is terminated.

The operation manual developed in the manual generation buffer 14 in this way is output from the facsimile mail device 1 to the communication terminal that has requested the operation manual, and the communication terminal does not receive the TLE manual 50 as shown in FIG. You can take it. The operator of the communication terminal who has received the operation manual can receive the intended service of the facsimile mail device 1 by looking at the transmitted operation manual and performing the operations as described in the operation manual. I can do it.

This output process can be sent directly when the generation of the operation manual is completed, or it can be sent to the post office box of the facsimile mail device 1 and sent when there is a request from the communication terminal to send the operation manual of the post office box. I'll do it (,
The output method is not limited.

Therefore, the facsimile mail device 1 as a device edits and creates an operation manual for operations necessary to realize the functions requested by the operator by freely combining explanatory data for each processing step necessary to realize the functions. death,
It can be output. As a result, it is possible to generate and provide an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of operator demands without using a large-capacity storage device. In addition, we can provide an operation manual for the series of operations necessary to realize the function from the beginning to the completion of the operation, so even beginners can achieve the desired function of the device even if there is no operation manual attached to the device. can be realized with certainty. Therefore, the man-machine interface can be improved and the functions of the equipment can be fully utilized.

In addition, for facsimile mail devices that are equipped with communication functions, we accept requests for operation manuals from communication terminals, and edit and create operation manuals necessary to realize the functions desired by the requesting operator. The function of the facsimile mail device as a device equipped with a communication function can be easily and fully utilized from the communication terminal.

Furthermore, for facsimile mail devices that are equipped with communication functions, we receive inquiries from communication terminals regarding operations using OMR sheets, and edit and create operation manuals necessary to realize the functions desired by the requesting operator. The information can be transmitted to the communication terminal using the communication terminal, making it easier to inquire about operations from the communication terminal to the facsimile mail device, which is a device equipped with a communication function. As a result, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the facsimile mail device can be more easily and fully utilized from the communication terminal.

Further, in the above embodiment, when creating an operation manual, the system information stored in the system information storage unit 25 is incorporated in advance to edit and edit the operation manual.
Since it has been created, the operator can request the desired service from the facsimile mail device by operating the contents described in the operation manual as they are.

Therefore, the man-machine interface can be further improved, and the functions of the equipment can be used even more easily and fully.

Further, even when a service request is made based on such an operation manual, there is a possibility that an operation error will occur. Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12.13, user management tables 51 and 52 are stored in the hard disk drive 6.7 and are managed by the user information management section 25 based on the user ID. Terminal information of the user who uses the facsimile mail device 1 is registered in fields 51 and 52.

That is, in the communication processing flowchart shown in FIG. 14, when the facsimile mail device 1 receives an incoming call from a communication terminal (step 01), it requests notification of the user ID as shown in the communication sequence of FIG. .

User ID sent from facsimile mail device 1
As shown in FIG. 15, a service request number is added before the original user IDO.

In this embodiment, this service request number is managed by a service management table 61 as shown in FIG. 16, and is defined for "0" to "3", and if no service request number is specified. is defined as normal mode.

When the user ID is received (step U2), the user information management section 25 checks whether the user ID is registered in the system information storage section 22 (step U3). If it is not registered, perform error processing and wait for re-input (steps U4, U5); if re-input is not performed, perform error processing and disconnect the line (steps U6, U7), and end this flow. do.

When re-input is performed, the process returns to step U2 and checks the user ID to confirm that it has been registered, and then checks whether the user ID has an instruction for shortcut mode, as shown in FIG. Step U8)
. If the shortened mode is instructed, check whether the mode is the voice notification mode (step U9); if the mode is the voice notification mode, the user management in the hard disk device 6.7 managed by the user information management section 25 is performed. The corresponding registration information is read from tables 51 and 52 and passed to the voice control unit 26, and the voice data created by the voice control unit 26 is transmitted to the communication terminal via the modem 12 and network control unit 11 (step U10). .

Note that since the registration information in the user management tables 51 and 52 is written in ASCII code, the voice control unit 26
So ADP CM (Analogy Digit
alPulseCode Modulation)
Audio data is created from the ASCII code data using the audio creation function of the system.

At this time, it is checked whether the PB tone signal of the notified abbreviated number has been received (step U11). PB)
If the PB)-on is not received, the voice output of step UIO continues, and if the PB)-on abbreviated number is received,
It is checked whether the received abbreviated number is registered (steps U12 and U13). If it is not registered, it waits for re-input (step U14), and if it is not re-input, it performs error handling, disconnects the line, and ends this flow (steps U15, U7). If the received or re-entered abbreviated number is registered,
Receive the message from the communication terminal and check whether the reception is completed normally (steps U17, U18, U1)
9). If an error occurs in the received message, perform error handling, disconnect the line, and end this flow (steps U6 and U7); if the received message is successfully received,
The line is disconnected and this flow ends (step U7).

Further, if the voice notification mode is not instructed in step U9, the process from step U12 onwards is performed to receive the message, and when the shortened mode is not instructed in step US, the process from step U16 onwards is performed. Receive a message.

Therefore, even if you do not know the abbreviated number of the destination communication terminal when making a service request, the facsimile mail device 1
User management table 51 registered in advance in
．． Since the information is read out from the 52 and notified by voice, the operator does not have to memorize the registered contents or create a table of registered contents in advance, and can easily confirm the registered contents. , the services of the facsimile mail device 1 can be utilized more effectively.

As a result, the man-machine interface of the facsimile mail device 1 can be further improved, and the usability of the facsimile mail device 1 for users can be further improved.

[Effects] According to the present invention, for each processing step of a facsimile mail device that combines a plurality of processing steps to realize various functions, explanatory data of the operation contents necessary for that step is stored, and the facsimile mail device can be operated manually. The operator determines the function required by the operator from the data provided, and creates an operation manual by freely combining explanatory data of the operation contents for each step. This makes it possible to reduce the required capacity of the storage unit for storing explanatory data, and to provide an operation manual that can fully meet the wide range of operator demands. It is possible to realize the desired function of the facsimile mail device even without an operating manual, it is possible to make service requests to the facsimile mail device without making mistakes, and the man-machine interface is improved to fully utilize the functions of the device. be able to. In addition, when making a service request, the terminal information of the destination communication terminal registered in advance is notified by voice, so information such as the speed dial of the destination to which the service is requested can be easily confirmed, and the service request can be completed in a short time. It also makes service requests simple and easy.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 16 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the facsimile mail device of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the facsimile mail device, and FIG. 2 is a transition diagram of processing steps of the facsimile mail device. , FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the OMR sheet for requesting the operation manual, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the basic processing of the facsimile mail device, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation manual request analysis process, and FIG. Figure 7 shows the system parameter storage buffer, Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation manual editing/creation process, and Figure 8 shows the processing steps and system parameter states stored in the instruction information storage unit. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the address settings of the processing steps and explanatory data stored in the manual generation buffer, Figure 10 is a diagram showing each data of the operation manual developed in the manual generation buffer, and Figure 11 12.13 is a diagram showing an example of the user management table that manages the communication terminal information. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the communication process when requesting the service. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the communication sequence at the time of requesting the service, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the service management table. 1... Facsimile mail device, 2...
・System control unit, 3... Disk control unit, 4... Disk control unit, 5... Floppy disk device, 6...
・Hard disk device, 7...Hard disk device, 8...Host interface section, 11...
...Network control unit, 12...Modem, 13...Communication control unit, 14...Manual generation buffer, 15...
... Encoding/decoding section, 16... Channel control section, 17... Control program storage section, 18...
...OMR processing unit, 19...Data storage unit, 20...Storage memory, 21...Instruction information storage unit, 22...
...System information storage unit, 23...Edit control unit, 24...Bus control unit, 25...User information management unit, 26...
・Voice control unit, 30...○MR sheet for requesting operation manual,
30h...Inquiry mark, 30i...
・・Voice guidance required/unnecessary mark, 30j・・・・
・-Mail type (service type) mark, 30k... Time specification and specified time mark, 40a... Part of header, 40b... Character data area, 40c・・・
...-Image data area, 51.52...
User management table. Substitute Patent Attorney Ugagun Part 1 Figure 1 K] -] Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] When a predetermined operation is performed on a communication terminal, operation data corresponding to the content of the operation is received from the communication terminal, and a plurality of processing steps are combined and executed according to the operation data,
In a facsimile mail device that realizes multiple functions and provides various communication services, there is provided a reception control means for receiving operation data from the communication terminal, and a method for creating an operation manual from among the operation data received by the reception control means. a data storage means for extracting and storing data necessary for the process; an instruction information storage means for storing explanatory data of the operation content required for each of the above processing steps; and an instruction information storage means for analyzing the data stored in the data storage means. an editing control means that edits and creates an operation manual necessary for realizing a desired function by combining explanatory data of operation contents in each processing step stored in an instruction information storage means; and telephone numbers of a plurality of communication terminals. a terminal information management means for registering and managing names, etc. in storage memory; a voice control means for creating and outputting audio data based on the terminal information managed by the terminal information management means; and operations created by the editing control means. A transmission control means for transmitting a manual to a communication terminal in response to a request from the communication terminal; A facsimile mail device characterized in that, at the time of a request, a voice control means creates voice data based on terminal information registered in a storage memory and outputs the voice data to a communication terminal.