JPH0470041A - Facsimile adapter device and e-facsimile system using said device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To simplify the operation of an E-fax system by providing a means which stores E-fax node numbers and the ID number and password of facsimile equipment to which a facsimile adapter device is connected. CONSTITUTION: An E-fax system is composed of facsimile equipment (Fax) 1-1, 1-2,..., 1-n, a facsimile adapter device 3, an automatic private branch exchange(PBX) 5, a public network (PSTN) 7, an E-fax node 9 having a mail box 11, and a maintenance center 13. The facsimile adapter device 3 connected to the Fax 1-1 stores the ID number and password of the Fax 1-1 and, when a destination number is inputted from the Fax 1-1 or the device 3 itself, the ID number and password are read out and transmitted to the E-fax node 9 together with the destination number through the PSTN 7. Therefore, the transmutation operation becomes easier, because it is not required to input the ID number, password, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a facsimile adapter device and an e-fax system using the same.

(Prior technology) Currently, the e-fax system (EnhancedPac)
sille System) is being developed.

In this e-fax system, a plurality of facsimile machines, an e-fax node, and a maintenance center are connected to a switching network, and document information transmitted from the facsimile machines is first sent to the e-fax node.

The e-fax node stores incoming document information and sends it to a facsimile device at a predetermined destination. or,
In response to a request from the facsimile machine on the destination side, the stored document information is sent to the facsimile machine on the destination side.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such an e-fax system, when you want to send a document from one facsimile machine to another, the sending facsimile machine must send its own ID number, password, and password. 2. The outgoing call operation was troublesome as the user had to enter a password, destination number, etc.

Further, although manuscript information is stored in the e-fax node, it is necessary to input an ID number, password, etc. even when retrieving this manuscript information.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a facsimile adapter device and an e-fax system that are easy to operate.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention connects a plurality of facsimile machines, an e-fax node, and a maintenance center to a switching network, and transmits an e-mail from the facsimile machine. The original document information is sent to the e-fax node and then to a facsimile device at a predetermined destination. The apparatus includes a storage means for storing at least an e-Fax node number and an ID number and password of a facsimile machine to which the facsimile adapter device is connected, and when an off-hook is performed, reads the e-Fax node number from the storage means; means for making a call to the e-fax node, and when a response is received from the e-fax node, the ID number and the password are read from the storage means, and the e-fax is sent to the e-fax via the public network together with the input destination number. a means for sending to the node;
This is a facsimile adapter device.

Further, in a second invention, a plurality of facsimile adapter devices respectively connected to a plurality of facsimile machines, an e-fax node, and a maintenance center are connected to a switching network, and document information transmitted from the facsimile machines is transmitted to the e-fax network. An e-fax system in which a facsimile is sent to a fax node and then to a predetermined destination facsimile device, and the facsimile adapter device uses the e-fax node number and the ID number and password of the facsimile device to which the facsimile adapter device is connected. a first storage means for storing at least an E-Fax node number, when an off-hook is performed, means for reading an e-Fax node number from the storage means and calling the E-Fax node; means for reading the ID number and the password from the storage means and transmitting the ID number and the password together with the input list number to the fax node via the public network, the fax node having at least one destination number written thereon; a second storage means for storing a plurality of lists; and means for reading a list corresponding to a list number sent from the facsimile adapter device from the second storage means and making a call to a destination number written in the list. This is an e-fax system equipped with .

Further, in a third invention, a plurality of facsimile adapter devices respectively connected to a plurality of facsimile devices, an e-fax node, and a maintenance center are connected to a switching network, and the document information transmitted from the facsimile devices is transmitted to the facsimile device. An e-fax system for sending data to an e-fax node, the facsimile adapter device comprising a first storage means for storing at least an e-fax node number, an ID number and a password of a facsimile device to which the facsimile adapter device is connected. , when off-hook is performed, means for reading the e-fax node number from the storage means and calling the e-fax node; and when there is a response from the e-fax node, the
means for reading the D number and the password and sending it to the fax node via the public network; reading out manuscript information corresponding to from the storage means,
The e-fax system includes means for transmitting the document information to the facsimile machine.

(Operation) In the first invention, the facsimile adapter device connected to the facsimile device stores the ID number and password of the facsimile device, and when the destination number is input from the facsimile device or the facsimile adapter device itself, , ID number and password are read out and sent along with the destination number to the e-fax node via the public network.

Therefore, there is no need to input an ID number, password, etc., and the calling operation becomes easy.

Further, in the second invention, when the list number is input to the facsimile adapter device, the stored ID number and password are read out and sent together with the list number to the e-fax node via the public network. Then, at the e-fax node, a call is made to the destination number written in the list corresponding to the list number.

In this manner, in the second invention as well, since there is no need to input a password and ID number, the operation is simplified.

In addition, in the third invention, even when pulling out a document, the password can be inputted from the facsimile adapter device.
Since the LD number and the like are read from the facsimile adapter device and sent to the facsimile node, the operation is simple.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an e-fax system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, this e-fax system includes facsimile machines (Faxll-1, 1-2, . . .
1-01 facsimile adapter device 3, private branch exchange (PBX) 5, public network (PSTN) 7, e-fax node 9 having mailbox 11, maintenance center 13
Consisting of

One e-fax node 9 and one maintenance center 13 are provided in this e-fax system.

The mailbox 11 of the e-fax node 9 includes each facsimile machine 1-i (i-1, . . . n).

Manuscript information sent from is stored.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a perspective view of the facsimile adapter device 3 and a block diagram showing its configuration.

The keypad 1 is located on the top of the facsimile adapter device 3.
5, Display 17, LED 18, mode switch 1
9. A volume adjuster 21 is provided.

The mode switch 19 is a switch for switching between normal mode and registration mode. The normal mode is a mode in which communication is performed using this facsimile adapter device, and the registration mode is a mode in which registration and changes are made to a table within this facsimile adapter device.

As shown in FIG. 3, this facsimile adapter device 3
are a control circuit 23, a buzzer 25, a power supply circuit 27, a polarity reversal generation circuit 29, a switch 31, a loop current detection circuit 33,
Current supply circuit 35, DT&BT sending circuit 37, PB signal receiving circuit 39, DP signal receiving circuit 41, DT&BT detecting circuit 43, PB signal transmitting circuit 45, loop holding circuit 47
, DP signal sending circuit 49, amplifier 51, speaker 53,
It has a line polarity detection circuit 55, a ring detection circuit 57, a PB signal reception circuit 59, a switch 61, a fax side terminal 63, and a curve side terminal 65.

The control circuit 23 includes CPU ROM, RAM, and EEFRO.
M, etc., and the tables shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are stored in this EEFROM. This table will be described later.

The polarity reversal generation circuit 29 matches the polarity of the facsimile machine to the polarity of the central office line detected by the line polarity detection circuit 55.

A loop current detection circuit 33 detects a loop current within this facsimile adapter device.

A current supply circuit 35 sends current into the facsimile adapter device.

The DT&BT sending circuit 37 sends DT (
A dial tone) signal and a BT (busy tone) signal are transmitted.

If the signal sent from the facsimile machine is a push button signal (PB double signal), the PB signal receiving circuit 39 receives the PB double signal.

If the signal sent from the facsimile machine is a dial pulse signal (DP double signal), the DP signal receiving circuit 41 receives the DP double signal.

The DT&BT detection circuit 43 detects the D signal sent from the curve side.
Detect T&BT signal.

The PB signal generation circuit 45 outputs a signal received by the PB signal reception circuit 39 or the DP signal reception circuit 41 to the control circuit 23.
The signals corresponding to these signals are multiplied by PB and sent out.

A loop holding circuit 47 holds the loop within this adapter device.

The DP signal sending circuit 49 transmits the signal received by the FB signal receiving circuit 39 or the DP signal receiving circuit 41 to the control circuit 23.
The signals corresponding to these signals are multiplied by DP and sent out.

The line polarity circuit 55 detects the polarity of the central office line.

The ring detection circuit 57 detects the ring sent from the curve.

The PB signal receiving circuit 59 receives the PB multiplied signal sent from the curve.

4 and 5 show the EEFROM in the control circuit 23.
This shows the table stored in the .

As shown in FIG. 4, this tape stores a fax node number, ID number, password, second password, external line connection number, maintenance node number, and ROM serial number.

Registration and changes can be made to this table.

For example, when registering an ID number from the facsimile adapter device 3, switch the mode switch 19 to the registration side,
Perform the prescribed operations and enter your ID number on the keypad 15.
Enter from.

It is also possible to register from the maintenance center 13.

In this way, the fax node number, ID number, password, second password, etc. are registered and changed in the facsimile adapter device 3.

FIG. 5 shows a timer table stored in the EEFROM. As a timer, there is a hang-up timer,
There are an inter-digit timer, a fax node connection timer, a polarity reversal & through timer, an error call ring timer, an error call standby timer, and an error call try count, and default values are predetermined for these items.

If you want to change this default value, press the mode switch 1
After switching 9 to the registration side, the number of seconds of the pole reversal & through timer can be changed by inputting, for example, [*24] and a predetermined number of seconds.

Various timers will be described later.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained according to the sequence diagrams shown in FIGS. 6 to 15.

The following description is of the operation of the e-fax system in which the PBX 5 is omitted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a sequence in the case of transmission to a single destination. Single-destination transmission refers to transmission from one facsimile device to another facsimile device. In this case, by inputting multiple destination numbers, transmission can be performed to multiple destination facsimile devices. In this example, a case will be described in which a manuscript is sent to a single destination.

When the facsimile device 1-1 performs off-hook, an off-hook signal is sent from the facsimile device 1-1 to the facsimile adapter device 3, and this off-hook signal is sent to the public network 7.
DT double signal facsimile signal 1 from public network 7
-1 is returned.

When [#1] + [destination number #] + [*'s*] + [5TART] is input from the facsimile device 1-1, [#1] is sent to the facsimile adapter device 3. The facsimile adapter device 3 reads the fax node number (e-fax node number) from the table shown in FIG. 4 and sends it to the public network 7. A ring is sent from the public network 7 to the e-fax node 9. At this time again,
[Destination number # and [*@*] are sent from the facsimile device 1-1 to the facsimile adapter device 3.

Further, a ringback tone (RBT) signal is returned from the public network 7 to the facsimile adapter device 3.

When the e-fax node 9 goes off-hook, a loop signal is sent to the public network 7, and a loop signal 130 is sent from the e-fax node 9 to the facsimile adapter device 3 via the public network 7.
0) A response signal of 1z is returned.

When the facsimile adapter device 3 receives this response signal, it reads out the ID number, password, and second password from the table shown in FIG. 4, and sends these to the e-fax node 9 via the public network 7. Also, it sends [1co, [destination number #], [*#] to the fax node 9.

Next, the facsimile adapter device 3 sends a polarity inversion signal to the facsimile device 1-1 to become a through state, and the e-fax node 9 also becomes a through state. Then, when the e-fax node responds, the document data is sent from the facsimile device 1-1 to the e-fax node 9, and the mailbox 11
is accumulated in

When the data communication is completed, the facsimile machine 1-1 and the e-fax node 9 are placed on-hook, and the facsimile machine is de-polarized.

FIG. 7 shows a sequence diagram when a speed dial call is made in the case of private list broadcast communication.

Circular communication is when an e-fax node has one or more lists of destination numbers written in it, and when the facsimile device sends the list number of that list, it sends the message to the destination number in the list corresponding to that list number. Communication is performed using

In this example, from facsimile machine 1-1 [#1]
+ [*L] + [# List ID
Enter #ko + [*$*] + [5TART].

The sequence until [#1] is sent from the facsimile machine 1-1 to the facsimile adapter 3 is the same as that shown in FIG. After that, from the facsimile device 1-1 to the facsimile adapter device 3 [*L] [#List ID#]
['#*] is sent.

Similarly to FIG. 6, when a response signal is returned to the facsimile adapter W3, the ID number, password, and second password are read from the table shown in FIG. 4 and sent to the e-fax node 9. Furthermore, [1], [*
L] '[#List ID#] [*#*] is sent from the facsimile adapter device 3 to the e-fax node 9.

Here, the list ID number is a number indicating any one of the plurality of lists in the ifasys node 9.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram when a private list is broadcasted similarly to FIG. 7, and a call is made by manual dialing from a facsimile machine.

In this case, facsimile machine 1-1 first performs off-hook, and then sends [#1] + [*L] + [#List I
D ＃ こ ＋ [＊＃＊] ＋
[Enter 5TART.

FIG. 9 shows a sequence when broadcast communication of a private list is performed from the facsimile adapter device 3 by dialing.

In this example, [HooK
Ko [#1], [*L] [
# List ID #] [* # *], and from facsimile terminal 1-1, select [0FF-HO
OK], enter [5TART].

FIG. 10 shows a sequence in which broadcast communication of a private list is performed by dialing using both a facsimile adapter device and a facsimile device.

In this example, from the facsimile adapter device 3 [HOO
K] Enter [81] and send facsimile machine 1-1.
From [0FF-HOOK] [*Il[#
START ID#], [＊#＊
Ko [Enter 5TART Ko.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram when broadcasting a theater list.

Broadcasting of the theater list is a method that allows other people to access the list stored in the e-fax node.

In this example, from facsimile machine 1-1 [#1
[*L] [Owner ID#], [List ID#]
, [*#*] [Enter 5TART. 1st
FIG. 2 shows the sequence in the case of document extraction. The document drawer is used to pull out a document addressed to oneself stored in the mailbox 11 in the e-fax node 9 from the mailbox 11. In this case, from the facsimile adapter device 3 [#2 [Password #] [
2nd password #] [Enter 5TART.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram for destination list management and subscriber function management.

In this example, from the facsimile adapter device 3 [HOO
K] [#5] or [#6] Enter [Password #], [nn...n], and then enter [S T A RT ] from the facsimile machine.

FIG. 14 shows a sequence when the PBX 5 is in the system and performs transmission to a single destination.

In this example, [#1] [destination number #] and [*#*co[5TART] are input from the facsimile machine 1-1.

FIG. 15 explains each timer shown in FIG. 5 and other timers.

The handset off-hook timer T1 indicates the allowable time for off-hook until the first dial reception is completed.

When the timeout occurs, the facsimile adapter device 3 goes on-hook.

The inter-digit timer T2 indicates the inter-digit waiting time for determining the completion of dialing from the facsimile machine. When the timeout occurs, it is determined that the dialing has finished, and T4
timer.

The fax node connection timer T3 indicates the maximum waiting time from when a fax node number is sent until a response signal is returned. When the timeout occurs, the facsimile adapter device 3 goes on-hook.

After sending out all the numbers, the polarity reversal timer T4 waits for a period of time T4 and performs polarity reversal on the facsimile machine. after that,
Leave the polarity inverted and go through.

The error call ring timer T5 is the ringing time after the "maintenance node number" is sent when the facsimile adapter device makes an automatic call when a table error occurs.

When the timeout occurs, the facsimile adapter device goes on-hook and enters a standby state.

The error call standby timer T6 is the standby time after T5 elapses when the facsimile adapter device makes an automatic call in the event of a table error. When the timeout expires, automatic calling starts again.

The number of error call attempts T7 is T5- when the facsimile adapter device automatically makes a call when a table error occurs.
Specify how many times the automatic call is to be repeated in a cycle of T6-T5-T6. When this number of calls is exceeded, the facsimile adapter device stops automatic calling and makes the maintenance display LED blink. In this state, the facsimile adapter device stops normal calling operations.

When the facsimile device terminates the call (on-hook) during polarity reversal through, the facsimile adapter device depolulates the facsimile device one second later.

When a call is made from a facsimile adapter device, the auto-on footer timer T12 detects on-hook of the facsimile device after T4 and makes the call through. The facsimile machine goes on-hook or the facsimile adapter device
)I
55 seconds), the phone goes on-hook (hook-up prevention function).

The LS-DT wait (LS) timer 713 is set depending on the line type or L.
In the case of S (directly connected to NTT), if a DT is detected after the facsimile adapter device goes off-hook, it will start sending out the "Fax Node Number", but if no DT is detected even after 3 seconds have passed after going off-hook. forces '
fax node number".

If the line type is PBX (connected to a PBX, etc.), the extension-DT wait (PBX) timer T14 starts sending out the "external line connection number" when an extension DT is detected after the facsimile adapter goes off-hook. If DT is not detected even after 3 seconds have passed after going off-hook, an "external line connection number" is forcibly sent.

When the line type is PBX (connected to PBX, etc.), the L5-DT wait (PBX) timer T15 waits for L5-DT after the facsimile adapter device sends the "outside line connection number".
When DT is detected, the "Fax Node Number" starts to be sent, but even after 5 seconds have elapsed after sending the "External Line Connection Number", the D
If T is not detected, the "Fax Node Number" is forcibly sent.

The incoming call determination timer T16 determines that the facsimile adapter device has an "incoming call" if there is a ring (16 Hz or 1300H2) within 3 seconds before the facsimile goes off-hook.

The ID sending timer T17 detects the response signal (1300) 1z) from the e-fax node and
ID transmission will begin in seconds.

Note that in the facsimile adapter device 3, when the signal sent from the facsimile device 1-1 is a dial pulse signal, the DP signal receiving circuit 41 receives this signal, and the control circuit 23 controls the PB signal generating circuit in response to this signal. FB from 45
A double signal can be generated and sent to the curve side. That is,
This facsimile adapter device 3 can perform DP double signal PB double signal conversion.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above in detail, according to the present invention, communication operations are simplified.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the e-fax system. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the facsimile adapter device 3 and block diagrams showing its configuration. FIGS. 4 and 5 are control diagrams. 6 to 14 are diagrams showing the communication sequence of this e-fax system. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of various timers. 1-1,...1-n...Facsimile machine 3...
...Facsimile adapter device 5...
...PBX 7...Public network 9...E-fax node 11...
・・・・・・Mailbox 3・・・・・・・・・Maintenance Center

Claims (18)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of facsimile machines, an e-fax node, and a maintenance center are connected to a switching network, and document information sent from the facsimile machines is sent to the e-fax node and then to the facsimile machine at a predetermined destination. A facsimile adapter device provided between the exchange network of the e-fax system and the facsimile device, the facsimile adapter device having the following information: an e-fax node number, an ID number of the facsimile device to which the facsimile adapter device is connected, storage means for storing at least a password; means for reading an e-fax node number from the storage means and calling the e-fax node when off-hook is performed; A facsimile adapter device comprising: means for reading the ID number and the password from the means, and transmitting the ID number and the password together with the input destination number to the e-fax node via the public network. (2) The facsimile adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the destination number is inputted at the facsimile device and sent from the facsimile device to the facsimile adapter device. (3) The facsimile adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile adapter device has a keypad, and the destination number is inputted from the keypad. (4) The facsimile adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the operational signal output from the facsimile adapter device is a push button signal. (5) The facsimile adapter device according to claim 4, further comprising converting means for converting the dial pulse signal into a push button signal when the signal sent from the facsimile device is a dial pulse signal. (6) The facsimile adapter device according to claim 1, wherein operational information can be entered into both the facsimile device and the facsimile adapter device. (7) a plurality of facsimile adapter devices each connected to a plurality of facsimile devices, and an e-fax node;
A maintenance center is connected to a switching network, and document information transmitted from a facsimile device is sent to the e-fax node and then to a predetermined destination facsimile device, the facsimile adapter device comprising: a first storage means for storing at least an e-fax node number and an ID number and password of a facsimile machine to which the facsimile adapter device is connected; when off-hook is performed, the e-fax node number is read from the storage means; means for making a call to an e-fax node; and upon receiving a response from the e-fax node, reading the ID number and the password from the storage means and transmitting the ID number and the password together with the input list number to the fax node via the public network; and a second storage means for storing a plurality of lists in which at least one destination number is written; and a second storage means for storing a plurality of lists in which at least one destination number is written; Read from the storage means of 2,
An e-fax system comprising: a means for making a call to the destination numbers written on this list; (8) The e-fax system according to claim 7, wherein the list number is input from the facsimile machine and sent from the facsimile machine to the facsimile adapter device. (9) The e-fax system according to claim 7, wherein the facsimile adapter device has a keypad, and the list number is input from the keypad. (10) The e-fax system according to claim 7, wherein the operational signal output from the facsimile adapter device is a push button signal. (11) When the signal sent from the facsimile machine is a dial pulse signal, the seventh aspect further comprises conversion means for converting the dial pulse signal into a push button signal.
e-fax system described in section. (12) Claim 7: Operational information can be entered into both the facsimile device and the facsimile adapter device.
e-fax system described in section. (13) A plurality of facsimile adapter devices each connected to a plurality of facsimile machines, an e-fax node, and a maintenance center are connected to a switching network, and document information sent from the facsimile machines is sent to the e-fax node. The facsimile adapter device comprises: a first storage means for storing at least an ID number and a password of a facsimile device to which the facsimile adapter device is connected; and an off-hook device. and means for reading the e-fax node number from the storage means and calling the e-fax node; and when there is a response from the e-fax node, reading the ID number and the password from the storage means and calling the e-fax node. means for sending the document information to the fax node via a network; , means for transmitting the document information to the facsimile machine, an e-fax system comprising: (14) The e-fax system according to claim 13, wherein the ID number and password are input from the facsimile machine and sent from the facsimile machine to the facsimile adapter device. (15) The e-fax system according to claim 13, wherein the facsimile adapter device has a keypad, and the ID number and password are input from the keypad. (16) Claim 13, wherein the operational signal output from the facsimile adapter device is a push button signal.
e-fax system described in section. (17) When the signal sent from the facsimile machine is a dial pulse signal, the first aspect further comprises a conversion means for converting the dial pulse signal into a push button signal.
E-Fax system described in Section 3. (18) Claim 1, wherein operational information can be entered on both the facsimile device and the facsimile adapter device.
E-Fax system described in Section 3.