JPH08340559A - Facsimile communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a facsimile communication device that does not require a pager. When the calling device 11 is called from the center device 7 through a predetermined outside line and extension a, the calling device 11 responds to the call, and after answering, the extension number of the incoming call destination sent from the center device 7 is a different extension. b, and notifies the adapter device 5 connected to the extension corresponding to the extension number of the arrival of the facsimile information to the center device 7. When the adapter device 5 receives the notification of the receipt of the facsimile information from the calling device 11 to the center device 7, the adapter device 5 sends the information to the center device 7 and connects the facsimile device 4 connected to the own device to the center device 7 by line connection. Received fax information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile communication device for providing a facsimile transmission / reception service to users of facilities such as hotels temporarily used by many users.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, private branch exchanges (PBs) in hotels
When a facsimile machine is connected to the extension of (X), there is no problem in making a call (calling) to the public line network (external line), but as shown in JP-A-6-37926, a dial-in number ( Unless a contract is set, incoming calls from the public network are not directly connected to each extension port. That is, there is a problem in that a facsimile document cannot be sent to a PBX extension facsimile device. Setting up a dial-in contract for the extension of each guest room at a hotel or the like is very expensive for the hotel side.

As a facsimile communication device that solves this problem, a hotel facsimile system developed based on the "communication network" described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 501501/1993 has already been implemented.

An example of such a hotel facsimile system will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

In FIG. 11, a private branch exchange 2 installed in a hotel 1 which is one of the facilities used by many users is connected to a public network 3 of NTT. Each of the guest rooms R1 to Rm in the hotel 1 has an extension facsimile machine F1 to an extension facsimile machine F1 including a facsimile machine 4 and an adapter 5 interposed between the facsimile machine 4 and the private branch exchange 2. Fm is arranged. Each adapter device 5 has a pocket bell receiver (also called a pager for calling only) 5a built therein and is connected to an extension of the private branch exchange device 2. Further, the private branch exchange device 2 is connected to a facsimile management device 6 for monitoring the usage status of the extension facsimile device in each guest room and managing billing data for each guest room. By the way, in general, the pager receiver 5a is designed to emit an LED or ring a buzzer when called, and in this system, a light emitting signal of the LED of the pager receiver 5a is transmitted by a phototransistor or the like. The adapter device 5 is activated by receiving the light and converting it into an electric signal.

The center device 7 is connected to the public line network 3 by a plurality of physical lines, and a large number of dial-in contracts exceeding the number of physical lines are set, and the dial-in number held is assigned as a facsimile number. When
While the mailboxes M1 to Mn, which are facsimile information storage units corresponding to the respective items, are created, a correspondence table 7a such as pager numbers and adapter codes described later is stored.

The pager originating station 8 generates a calling signal including a pager number notified from the center device 7 and sends it out by radio.

The adapter device 5 in each guest room is preset with an adapter ID code, a guest room number, a hotel number, etc., which is identification information for the center device 7 to identify them. A pager number for the center device 7 to selectively call them via the pager transmitting station 8 is assigned in advance to the pocket bell receiver 5a built in.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the center device 7 stores in advance a correspondence table 7a of adapter codes and pager numbers corresponding to the extension facsimile devices of each guest room.

To the guest who is a temporary user of the hotel 1, a specific guest room is assigned by the hotel 1, and a specific extension facsimile device is assigned. The guest assigned with the particular extension facsimile machine, prior to starting the use of the extension facsimile machine, obtains the facsimile number for the external communication partner to identify the extension facsimile machine. 4 by operating the adapter device 5
The center device 7 is called through to request a facsimile number allocation. After the call, the adapter device 5 notifies the center device 7 by sending identification information including its own adapter code on a predetermined protocol by a PB signal (DTMF signal) and sending it.

The center device 7 compares the sent adapter code with the correspondence table 7a, assigns an unassigned facsimile number to the adapter code in the correspondence table 7a that is the same as the sent adapter code, and assigns it to this. Correspondingly, the mailboxes M1 to Mn are created. As described above, each of the mailboxes M1 to Mn corresponds to a specific facsimile number, so that the transmitted adapter code is associated with a specific facsimile number. Further, since the adapter code and the pager number correspond to the mailbox and the corresponding facsimile number, it also corresponds to the corresponding pager number.

The above-mentioned facsimile number requesting operation before the guest starts using the extension facsimile machine will be referred to as a check-in operation hereinafter. In addition, after the check-in operation, contrary to the check-in operation,
A checkout operation, which is an operation for canceling the association between the adapter code and the facsimile number, can be performed by the guest or hotel.

The check-in operation is individually performed for each guest. After the check-in operation, the center device 7 transmits a usage instruction including a facsimile number associated with an adapter code that identifies the extension facsimile device, to the extension facsimile device. The guest informs the intended communication partner of the facsimile number described in the instruction manual received by the extension facsimile device, using the extension facsimile device, or by a telephone (not shown) or the like. .

Hotel 1 by the above check-in operation
12 shows an example of the correspondence between the extension facsimile machine assigned to the guest in each guest room, the mailbox of the center apparatus 7 and the corresponding facsimile number.
Will be described with reference to.

In the figure, a table Tg shows the allocation of guests to each guest room yesterday and today. As described above, the correspondence table 7a shows the correspondence between the adapter code and the pager number. The table Tm shows the mailboxes provided in the center apparatus 7 and the corresponding facsimile numbers.

Each guest room of the table Tg and the corresponding table 7
The adapter code and the pager number of a correspond to each other as described above. In the table Tg, guest D stays in guest room 1 and guest E stays in guest room 3 yesterday, and there is no guest in the other guest rooms, while guest A stays in guest room 2 and guest guest in guest room 3 today. It is assumed that B has a guest C staying in the room m and no guest in the other rooms. By being assigned to each guest room, those guests are indirectly associated with the correspondence table 7a.

Each guest carries out the check-in operation, and the center device 7 uses the adapter code
A facsimile number that is not yet associated with another extension facsimile device is assigned and a corresponding mailbox is created.

As for the assignment of this adapter code to the mailbox, "Yesterday", the code 1 is associated with the mailbox M2 as indicated by the link Ld, and the code 3 is assigned as indicated by the link Le. It is associated with the mailbox M1.

On the other hand, in "Today", the link Ld and the link Le associated with yesterday are released by the check-out operation, while the code 2 is associated with the mailbox M1 as indicated by the link La. , The code 3 is associated with the mailbox M2 as indicated by the link Lb, and the code m is associated with the mailbox M3 as indicated by the link Lc.

As described above, in "Today", for example, among the guests A, B, and C to which the mailbox (facsimile number) is assigned via the adapter code, for example, the facsimile information is provided to the guest A. The external communication partner (facsimile device 9 shown in FIG. 11) who wants to send a call to the facsimile number contacted by the guest A, that is, “FAX number 1”, sends the facsimile information. .

The center device 7 receives the facsimile information transmitted from the facsimile device 9 and temporarily stores it in the mailbox M1 corresponding to "FAX number 1". Then, the "page number 2" corresponding to the "adapter code 2" to which the "mail box M1" is assigned is notified to the pager originating station 8, and the pager originating station 8 calls the pager number including the notified pager number. A signal is generated and wirelessly transmitted.

The extension facsimile apparatus corresponding to the transmitted "Bell number 2", that is, the pocket bell receiver 5a built in the adapter apparatus 5 constituting the extension facsimile apparatus F2 responds and the LED emits light. Is received by the phototransistor and converted into an electric signal to activate the adapter device 5. Activated adapter device 5
Sends a call to the center apparatus 7 via the private branch exchange apparatus 2 and notifies the identification information including its own adapter code by carrying it on a PB (push button) signal. Center device 7
Sends the facsimile information stored in the mailbox corresponding to the notified adapter code, that is, the mailbox M1 to the calling extension facsimile device F2, and the extension facsimile device F2 receives the facsimile information. And print it out. This allows
The facsimile information transmitted by the facsimile device 9 reaches the guest A.

For the transmission from the extension facsimile machine of the hotel to the external facsimile machine, the facsimile machine 4 in the hotel directly dials the facsimile number of the transmission destination to automatically send the facsimile machine to the head of the facsimile number by the adapter machine 5. Then, "0" is added to the outgoing line and the external line is transmitted, and the same process as the normal facsimile transmission can be performed.

The toll-free number of the center device 7 is set in the adapter device 5, and the extension facsimile device makes a call to the center device 7 using the toll-free number. Therefore, the line usage fee for receiving the facsimile information from the outside is not a burden on the hotel and its guests, but is paid by the administrator of the center apparatus 7, and the administrator of the center apparatus 7 uses the facsimile. Service charges for sending and receiving information will be collected from hotels and guests.

As described above, according to the above-mentioned facsimile communication device, the hotel side does not have to provide dial-in lines with the public line network 3 by the number of guest rooms, and the number of external lines is much smaller than that. Facsimile information can be directly transmitted from the facsimile device to the extension facsimile device in each passenger room. For this reason, the hotel side can significantly reduce the line contract fee, and can save the trouble of handing over the facsimile reception document received from the outside of the hotel to the guest, and by mistake, another It is possible to avoid handing over to the guest, and it is possible to provide a highly convenient facsimile communication service to the guest.

[0026]

However, such a conventional facsimile communication apparatus has the following problems.

First, since a pager called by radio is used, it cannot be used in an extreme case where the radio wave becomes extremely weak due to the influence of the structure and location of the hotel.

There are regional types of pagers such as Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, etc., and wide area types that cover all of them, but even if the regional type is the cheapest, the contract fee is Another monthly fee of 190
You have to pay a rental fee of about 0 yen, which is even higher for wide area types. Also, in the Kansai and Chubu regions, the pager company is different, so it cannot be used unless it is different. In this way, a pager that corresponds to the location of the hotel is required, and therefore various adapter devices are required, which is uneconomical, and the number of adapter devices (pagers) delivered to the hotel, contract fee and monthly Rental cost is required.

Further, since the pager is not completely opened (liberalized, sold out, etc.), it is rented from the pager company and cannot be modified.
Therefore, in order to detect a pager call, it is necessary to convert the light of the LED or the sound of the speaker into an electric signal.
This detection is very difficult and unstable. For example, LE
Even if the light of D is detected, it is difficult to align the LED and the phototransistor, and it is only necessary to visually confirm the light emission of the LED, so that the variation of the light is very large.

Also, in correspondence with dial-in numbers,
If you create a mailbox that will be used temporarily, and a mailbox for another person is created with the same number immediately after using a mailbox (after a checkout operation), you will not know the previous mailbox. If the user of the box sends a facsimile information to another person who is newly assigned, it may cause a problem such as confidential information leaking to another person due to a wrong call reception.Therefore, do not use the same number for a while. I won't. However, if this is done, a large number of numbers corresponding to several times the number of rooms in a hotel or the like is required, and when using numbers such as dial-in, a large cost burden is imposed.

Furthermore, in order to create a mailbox that is temporarily used by using the dial-in number on the side of the center device, the dial-in usage fee is set as the number of dial-in contracts (also the number of guest rooms at hotels, etc.). This is a huge expense burden.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and it is possible to eliminate the need for a pager (including a contract with a pager company) in which the above-mentioned problems occur. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile communication device that can be used.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a facsimile communication device capable of preventing the leakage of information due to an incorrect incoming call and the increase in cost burden due to an increase in the number of dial-in contracts.

[0034]

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 is connected to an extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users to identify them. Identification information is set, each of a plurality of adapter device that can be temporarily assigned to a specific user,
A facsimile machine connected to each of these adapters, connected to the private branch exchange via a public line network,
In response to a facsimile number allocation request accompanied by identification information from the adapter device, an unallocated facsimile number is allocated among the possessed facsimile numbers, and a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the allocated facsimile number is created while When the facsimile information is received at any of the facsimile numbers, the center device that stores the facsimile information in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number and the public line via the private branch exchange device. When it is connected to the network and called from the center device through a predetermined external line and internal line, it responds to it,
After the response, the center device is provided with a calling device for making a call to the extension number of the called party, and notifying the adapter device connected to the extension of the arrival of the facsimile information to the center device. When receiving a notification of the receipt of facsimile information from the calling device to the center device, the facsimile device connected to the center device by sending a call to the center device is line-connected to the center device to receive the facsimile information. It was done like this.

The invention according to claim 2 is connected to an extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users, and identification information for identifying them is set, A plurality of adapter devices, each of which can be temporarily assigned to a specific user, a facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, and a private branch exchange device and a public line network. In response to a request to assign a fax number with the identification information of, the fax number that has not been used for the longest time is assigned from the queue of unassigned fax numbers among the held fax numbers, and the assigned fax number is supported. While creating the facsimile information storage part that When information is received, a center device that stores the facsimile information in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number, and the center device that is connected to the public line network via the private branch exchange, From the center device to the adapter device connected to the extension, the call is sent to the extension number of the receiving destination sent from the center device in response to the call from the center device to the extension device. A calling device for notifying reception of facsimile information to the center device, the adapter device receiving notification of reception of facsimile information from the calling device to the center device,
When the facsimile information transmitted to the center device and connected to the own device is connected to the center device through the line to receive the facsimile information, the center device receives the facsimile information when an unassigned facsimile number is received. The number is moved to the end of the unallocated queue.

The invention described in claim 3 is likewise
Connected to the extension of the private branch exchange installed in the facility used by multiple users, the identification information for identifying them is set, and each can be temporarily assigned to a specific user. A plurality of adapter devices, a facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, is connected to the private branch exchange device via a public line network, and responds to a facsimile number allocation request accompanied by identification information from the adapter device, Of the stored facsimile numbers, the one that has not been used the longest from the queue of unassigned facsimile numbers is assigned, and the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the assigned fax number is created, while the assigned fax number is created. When a fax information is received by any of the A central device that stores the facsimile information in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the facsimile number and a public line network that is connected through the private branch exchange, and is called from the center device through a predetermined external line and internal line. And a calling device that responds to the call, sends a call to the extension number of the call destination sent from the center device, and notifies the adapter device connected to the extension of the receipt of the facsimile information to the center device. When the adapter device receives a notification of receipt of facsimile information from the calling device to the center device, the adapter device sends a call to the center device to connect the facsimile device connected to itself to the center device. The center device receives the facsimile information, and the center device arrives at an unassigned facsimile number. When there is is obtained by the facsimile number not to use a certain period.

On the other hand, the invention according to claim 4 is connected to an extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users, and identification information for identifying them is set, A plurality of adapter devices, each of which can be temporarily assigned to a specific user, a facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, and a private branch exchange device and a public line network. In response to the number allocation request accompanied by the identification information, the unallocated number is allocated among the owned numbers, and the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the allocated number is created, while the facsimile incoming call is received via the specific outside line. If there is, it prompts you to enter the assigned number, and stores the relevant fax information in the fax information storage section corresponding to the assigned number. Connected to the public line network through the private branch exchange and the center device, and when called from the center device through a predetermined external line and extension line, responds to the call and is sent from the center device after the response. A calling device for making a call to the extension number of the incoming call destination and notifying the adapter device connected to the extension of the arrival of the facsimile information to the center device, the adapter device from the calling device to the center device When the notification of the receipt of the facsimile information is received, the facsimile information is transmitted to the center device and the facsimile device connected to the own device is line-connected to the center device to receive the facsimile information.

[0038]

According to the structure of the first aspect, the identification information for the center device to identify them is set in advance in each of the adapter devices. The adapter device requests the facsimile number allocation by calling the center device based on the user's facsimile number request operation and transmitting the identification information set therein. When there is a facsimile number assignment request from the adapter device, the center device assigns a specific facsimile number from unassigned facsimile numbers corresponding to the identification information sent together with the request, and assigns the assigned facsimile number. A facsimile information storage unit is created in correspondence with. The user who has been assigned the facsimile number informs the external party who is supposed to send the facsimile information of the facsimile number. Thus, when the external facsimile device transmits the facsimile information to the facsimile device connected to the specific adapter device, the external facsimile device calls the facsimile number assigned to the adapter device.
When the facsimile information is received by any of the facsimile numbers, the center device stores the received facsimile information in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number. And
The calling device is called through a predetermined external line and the extension of the private branch exchange, and the extension number corresponding to the facsimile information storage unit is notified. The calling device automatically answers the call and, after the automatic reply, calls the extension number notified from the center device via the private branch exchange device and calls the adapter device corresponding to the extension number, Notify the device that the facsimile information has been received. Upon receiving the notification, the adapter device calls the center device and calls the facsimile device connected to itself. As a result, the center apparatus and the facsimile apparatus are line-connected, and the center apparatus transmits the facsimile information stored in the corresponding facsimile information storage unit to the line-connected facsimile apparatus. As a result, the facsimile information sent from the external facsimile device is transmitted in the same manner as in the conventional case without using the pocket bell to notify the adapter device of the arrival of the facsimile information from the external facsimile device to the center device. Can be received by the intended facsimile machine.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the same operation as that of the first aspect is achieved, and when the center device receives the request for assigning the facsimile number, the assigned number is used for the longest time. The number that did not exist, that is, the number at the head of the unallocated queue. However, if someone tries to use an unassigned number that they no longer use, move it to the end of the queue for the unassigned number and prolong the period before using this number again.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the same operation as that of the first aspect is achieved, and when the center apparatus receives the request for assigning the facsimile number, the assigned number is used for the longest time. The number that did not exist, that is, the number at the head of the unallocated queue. However, if someone tries to use an unassigned number that is no longer in use, that number is not used for a certain period of time and the period until the number is used again is extended.

On the other hand, according to the configuration of claim 4, while having the same operation as in claim 1, the center device automatically responds when an incoming call is received from an external facsimile device via a specific external line. Then, the user is prompted to input the allocation number by voice response, and the facsimile information storage unit for storing the facsimile information is determined according to the input allocation number. Therefore, it becomes possible to cope without preparing a large number of dial-in lines.

[0042]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 11 showing the configuration of the conventional facsimile communication apparatus are designated by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of a facsimile communication apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, a private branch exchange 2 installed in a hotel 1 which is one of the facilities used by many users is connected to a public line network 3. Each guest room from the guest room R1 to the guest room Rm in the hotel 1 is composed of an adapter device 5 which is extension-connected to the private branch exchange device 2, and a facsimile device 4 and a telephone device 10 which are connected to the adapter device 5. Extension terminal devices T1 to Tm
Is arranged. Each adapter device 5 does not include a conventional pager receiver. Although not shown, the private branch exchange device 2 is connected to a management device similar to the conventional one for monitoring the usage status of the extension terminal device in each guest room and managing the billing data for each guest room. . Further, a paging device (paging device) 11 is newly connected to the private branch exchange device 2.
Reference numeral 1 is connected to the private branch exchange 2 by two extensions, an extension a which is connected to the public line network 3 by dial-in and an extension b for transmitting an extension to each of the extension terminal devices T1 to Tm.

On the other hand, the center device 7 is connected to the public line network 3 by a plurality of physical lines and has a dial-in contract which exceeds the number of physical lines, and the dial-in number held is assigned as a facsimile number. When
While the mailboxes M1 to Mn corresponding to the respective facsimile information storage units are created, the correspondence table 7b in which the identification information of the extension terminal device including the adapter code and the correspondence relationship between the mailbox and the facsimile number are registered is stored. are doing. In the present invention,
Since the pager is unnecessary, the conventional correspondence with the pager number shown in FIG. 12 is unnecessary, and instead, the extension page is associated with the extension number as shown in FIG. The correspondence table 7b is provided for each hotel managed by the center device 7.

Further, in the adapter device 5 of each guest room, identification information such as an adapter code, a guest room number (extension number), a hotel number, etc. is set in advance so that the center device 7 can identify them.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the adapter device 5.
In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a microcomputer which controls each part of the apparatus, and is internally provided with a microprocessor, a timer / counter, a ROM, a RAM and the like (not shown). The ROM stores a control program and control data, and the RAM is used as a work area when the control program is executed. As the ROM, an EEPROM that is an electrically writable / erasable ROM is also provided, and the above-mentioned identification information and the like are rewritably set therein.

The incoming call detection circuit 51 detects a calling signal from the private branch exchange 2 and notifies the microcomputer 50 of the signal. The tone dialer 52 sends a PB signal corresponding to a predetermined extension number or external number designated by the microcomputer 50 to the private branch exchange 2 via the extension line.

The 16 Hz generating circuit 53 is provided with a switch S1 which will be described later based on a command from the microcomputer 50.
This is for sending a 16 Hz calling signal to the facsimile device 4 or the telephone device 10 connected to and calling them.

The switch S2 is the microcomputer 5
It is controlled by 0, and is for connecting the extension line to the facsimile device 4 or the telephone device 10. The switch S1 selectively switches the output of the extension line or the 16 Hz generation circuit 53 to the facsimile device 4 or the telephone device 10, and is controlled by the microcomputer 50.

By the way, the hotel 1 side allocates a specific guest room to a guest who is a temporary user of the hotel 1, and thus is allocated a specific extension terminal device.
The guest assigned the particular extension terminal device, prior to starting the use of the extension terminal device, performs a check-in operation to obtain a facsimile number for the external communication partner to identify the extension terminal device. do.

The procedure of the check-in operation is shown in FIG.
Will be described with reference to. In the figure, the facsimile device 4 is operated by the guest device to input a special number for check-in to the center device 7 through the adapter device 5.
A call is made to (step 101), and a facsimile number allocation request is made. After calling, the adapter device 5 notifies the center device 7 by sending identification information such as its own adapter code on the PB signal and sending it. Note that "* 01" or "* 03" is a specific example of the special number,
“* 01” is the one in which the assigned facsimile number is embedded in the instruction manual in English, which is a predetermined format, and is output, and “* 03” is the explanation in Japanese, which is also a predetermined format. The assigned facsimile number is embedded in the document and output.

The center device 7 assigns an unassigned facsimile number corresponding to the transmitted adapter code and creates the mailboxes M1 to Mn corresponding to the assigned facsimile number. As a result, the adapter code is assigned to the empty mailbox (Process 1)
02).

As a result, the particular mailbox and the corresponding facsimile number are assigned to the extension terminal device including the adapter device 5 which has requested the facsimile number assignment.

The center device 7 transmits the instruction manual including the facsimile number corresponding to the mailbox to the extension terminal device to which the mailbox is assigned (process 103). The instruction manual is received by the facsimile device 4 constituting the extension terminal device whose line is still connected to the center device 7, and the facsimile device 4 records and outputs the received instruction manual.

The guest uses the facsimile number described in the instruction manual recorded and output by the facsimile device 4 to the intended communication partner by using the facsimile device 4 or the telephone device 10. Contact us.

The check-in operation according to the above procedure is carried out individually for each guest. In that case, the adapter code of the adapter device 5 assigned to the guest of each guest room of the hotel 1 and the inside of the hotel 1 4 shows an example of the correspondence between the extension number for calling the adapter device 5 via the private branch exchange device 2, the mailbox of the center device 7 and the corresponding facsimile number.
Will be described with reference to.

In the figure, a table Tg shows the allocation of guests to each guest room yesterday and today. As described above, the correspondence table 7b is stored in the center device 7, and the extension code for the calling device 11 to call the adapter device 5 via the private branch exchange device 2 and the adapter code of the adapter device 5. Is a table in which is associated with. By referring to this table, the center device 7 can notify the calling device 11 of the extension number of the extension terminal device to which the facsimile information is to be transmitted.

The table Tm shows the mailboxes provided in the center device 7 and the corresponding facsimile numbers.

Each guest room of the table Tg and the corresponding table 7
The adapter code and extension number of b correspond to each other one-to-one as described above. In the table Tg, the guest D stays in the guest room 1 and the guest E stays in the guest room 3 yesterday, and there is no guest in the other guest rooms, while the guest A stays in the guest room 2 today.
However, it is assumed that the guest B stays in the guest room 3 and the guest C stays in the guest room m, and there is no guest in the other guest rooms. By being assigned to each guest room, those guests are indirectly associated with the correspondence table 7b.

As described above, each guest individually performs the check-in operation, and the center device 7 assigns a vacant facsimile number that is not associated with another extension terminal device to the adapter code. At the same time, create a mailbox corresponding to it.

As for the assignment of this adapter code to the mailbox, in "yesterday", the code 1 is associated with the mailbox M2 as indicated by the link Ld, and the code 3 is assigned as indicated by the link Le. It is associated with the mailbox M1.

On the other hand, in "today", the link Ld and the link Le associated with yesterday are released by the check-out operation, while the code 2 is associated with the mailbox M1 as indicated by the link La. , The code 3 is associated with the mailbox M2 as indicated by the link Lb, and the code m is associated with the mailbox M3 as indicated by the link Lc.

As described above, for example, for the guest A among the guests A, B, and C to which the mailbox and the facsimile number are assigned via the adapter code in "Today", as shown in FIG. When attempting to send facsimile information from the facsimile device 9 which is an external communication partner, the guest A gives the operator of the facsimile device 9 the facsimile number notified from the center device 7 by the check-in operation in advance. contact. Then, when the operator of the facsimile device 9 who has received the communication attempts to transmit the facsimile information to the guest A, the operator receives the facsimile number, that is, "FAX".
Make a call to number 1. "

As described above, when the facsimile information is transmitted to the guest at the hotel 1, the external facsimile apparatus 9 transmits the facsimile information to the center apparatus 7 as in the conventional case. In this embodiment, the center device 7 receives the facsimile information and stores the received facsimile information in the corresponding mailbox. When the facsimile information is stored, the center device sends the call to the predetermined outside line of the private branch exchange 2 of the hotel 1 to receive the call. When an incoming call arrives at this outside line, the calling device 11 connected to a specific extension line a rings and automatically answers.
After this automatic response, the center device 7 transmits the extension number of the guest room to be received by the PB signal. The calling device 11 that has received the call automatically sends the extension number to the extension by using the extension b as it is, and notifies the adapter device 5 that the center device 7 has received the call. After that, the adapter device 5 automatically transmits to the center device 7 to take out the facsimile information, and the facsimile information is transmitted to the facsimile device 4 connected to the adapter device 5.

Hereinafter, the facsimile communication procedure according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 shows the processing procedure of the center apparatus 7, FIG. 6 shows the processing procedure of the calling apparatus 11, and FIG. 7 shows the processing procedure of the adapter apparatus 5.

The center device 7 waits for an incoming call from an external facsimile device (No loop of decision 201 in FIG. 5).
When there is an incoming call (Yes in judgment 201), the received fax information is stored in the mailbox corresponding to the called fax number (process 202). Then, the calling device 1 of the hotel 1 corresponding to the facsimile incoming call
In order to notify No. 1, the call is automatically transmitted to a predetermined outside line (process 203) and waits for a partner response to be detected (No loop of determination 204).

On the other hand, the calling device 11 on the hotel 1 side waits for an incoming call from the center device 7 via a specific extension a of the private branch exchange 2 (No loop of decision 301 in FIG. 6). When there is an incoming call (Yes in judgment 301), an automatic response is given by the PB signal (process 302).

The center device 7 detects the other party's response by receiving the PB signal (Y in decision 204 in FIG. 5).
es), the extension number of the room to be notified of the incoming call is transmitted by the PB signal (process 205).

After calling the above-mentioned automatic response (process 302 in FIG. 6), the calling device 11 takes off another extension b to make a call to the adapter device 5 (process 303). Then, the PB signal indicating the extension number from the center device 7 is received, and the signal is sent to the extension as a selection signal (Process 3
04), wait for a response from the adapter device 5 (decision 305)
No loop).

On the other hand, the microcomputer 50 of the adapter device 5 waits for the incoming call from the calling device 11 to be detected by the incoming call detection circuit 51 (decision 40 in FIG. 7).
1 No loop). When an incoming call is detected (Yes at decision 401), the microcomputer 50 controls the tone dialer 52 to automatically respond by a PB signal (process 40).
2).

The calling device 11 uses the P from the adapter device 5.
When the response by the B signal is detected (Y in judgment 305 in FIG. 6)
es), a signal tone for notification of a facsimile incoming call, which is predetermined in order to distinguish the incoming call, is transmitted (process 30).
6).

On the adapter device 5 side, when the signal tone for the above-mentioned facsimile incoming notification is detected (decision 40 in FIG. 7).
3) Yes, while automatically transmitting to the center device 7 for receiving the facsimile information, the microcomputer 50 switches the switch S1 to the facsimile device 4 side, drives the 16 Hz generation circuit 53 to call the facsimile device 4, and switches the switch S2. To close the line and connect the facsimile device 4 to the center device 7 (process 40).
4). After the line connection, a predetermined facsimile communication protocol is executed between the facsimile device 4 and the center device 7, and the facsimile information stored in the corresponding mailbox of the center device 7 is received by the facsimile device 4 and is recorded and output. It In addition, when the signal tone for the notification of the incoming facsimile cannot be detected (No in the determination 403),
Since it is an incoming call, the microcomputer 50 switches the switch S1 to the telephone device 10 side,
The generation circuit 53 is driven to call the telephone device 10, the switch S2 is closed, and a line connection is made to the calling telephone device (process 405).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pager, which has been conventionally required, is unnecessary, and since radio waves are not used, it is completely unaffected by the structure or location of the hotel or the like and cannot be used. There are no cases where In addition, by eliminating the need for pagers, contract fees and
Even if you do not use facsimile communication, you will not have to pay the monthly rental fee, and you do not need to prepare various adapter devices that support different pagers depending on the location of the hotel, etc. It is economical and easy to manage. further,
Since it is not necessary to make difficult settings for converting a pager signal such as light or sound into an electric signal, unstable parts in operation can be eliminated and stable operation can be performed.

Further, in this embodiment, the calling device 11 is connected to the private branch exchange 2 by two extensions a and b, and the extension number received from the center device 7 at one extension a is directly used as another extension b. Is sent to the private branch exchange device 2, the corresponding adapter device 5 is called to notify the incoming call of the facsimile, and the facsimile device 4 and the center device 7 connected thereto are connected to the line. An extremely simple structure can be achieved because a structure, procedure, etc. for temporarily holding identification information such as an extension number is unnecessary.

It is of course possible to connect the calling device 11 to the private branch exchange device 2 by one extension. In this case,
The extension number received from the center device 7 is temporarily stored, the extension is disconnected, and then the same extension is automatically transmitted. That is, when the facsimile information is stored in the center device 7, the center device 7 receives the call from the hotel 1
The call is sent to a predetermined outside line of the private branch exchange 2.
When a call arrives at this external line, the calling device 11 connected to a specific internal line rings and automatically answers. After this automatic response, the extension number of the room desired to be received from the center device 7 is transmitted by a PB signal. The calling device 11 that has received the call temporarily stores this extension number, disconnects the line, and then automatically makes a call from this extension to notify the corresponding adapter device 5 that the center device 7 has received a facsimile. Then, the adapter device 5 automatically sends the information to the center device 7 to take out the facsimile information.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of the present application, FIG. 9 is an explanatory view thereof, and the system configuration is the same as that of FIG.

In this embodiment, among the dial-in numbers (facsimile numbers) that are held, the numbers that have been called when they are not assigned and are not assigned (wrong numbers) are:
It moves to the end of the queue of dial-in numbers to be reallocated. That is, a dial-in number is assigned to the mailbox, but this number must be changed each time the user changes. This is because, if the same number is used continuously, the facsimile information to the person who used the service last time will be passed to the person who newly starts using the service. As a method of assigning this number, the number used for assignment is the number that has not been used for the longest time. However, if there is a person who mistakenly tries to use the unused number without knowing it, by moving the number to the end of the free number list (queue) as shown in FIG. You can extend the period until you use this number.

Explaining with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the center apparatus 7 waits for an incoming call from an external facsimile apparatus (No loop of decision 501), and when there is an incoming call (Yes of decision 501), the It is checked whether the number is a serviced number (decision 502). If the number is in service (Yes in judgment 502), the received facsimile data is received and stored in the corresponding mailbox (process 503). On the other hand, if the number is not in service, that is, if the person who was using the service makes a call without knowing that the service is no longer in service, as shown in (a) → (b) of FIG. , The number is moved to the end of the free number list which is the allocation queue. A free number list, which is an allocation queue, as shown in FIG.
It can be easily realized by an In First Out (First In First Out) system memory.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent an incorrect incoming call of facsimile information, which is a problem in the system, and to prevent leakage of confidential information and the like. Further, it is not necessary to additionally hold the number of dial-in lines of the center device 7 in case of the above-mentioned mistaken incoming call, and it is possible to reduce the cost for opening and maintaining the center device.

In the above embodiment, when the received number is not the number being in service, the number is moved to the end of the free number list which is the queue. If someone is trying to use it,
Even if the number is not used for a certain period of time, for example, one month, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing still another embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, when an external facsimile machine receives an incoming call to the center apparatus 7 via the public line network 3, the center apparatus 7 automatically responds by voice response, for example, "Please dial the mailbox number."
Answer, and let the box number be dialed with PB (push button). Then, the mailbox to be stored is determined from the dialed number. In this case, at the time of the check-in operation of the hotel guest, the center device 7 embeds the common external line number dialed to the center device 7 and the assigned mailbox number in the instruction manual to request the assignment. It shall be sent by facsimile to the guest who came.

Explaining with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 10, the center apparatus 7 waits for a facsimile incoming call to a specific external line number (No loop of decision 601). When there is an incoming call (Yes in judgment 601), a voice response is sent, "Please input the mailbox number in PB". The PB signal (mailbox number) sent in response to this is received (process 603), and it is checked whether this number is a mailbox number in service (decision 60).
4). If the mailbox number is in service (Yes at decision 604), the received facsimile data is received and stored in the corresponding mailbox (process 60).
5). On the other hand, if the box number is not in service, a free number list similar to that shown in FIG. 9 is used to move the number to the end of the free number list which is the allocation queue.

By doing so, it is not necessary to use the dial-in, which is charged for the center device 7, and the cost for opening and maintaining the center device 7 can be greatly reduced.

In the facsimile communication device described above, a hotel is used as an example of a facility used by a large number of guests, but other than that, a hotel, a laboratory of a university, a dormitory, and other The same applies to facilities.

[0086]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the identification for connecting to the extension of the private branch exchange installed in the facility used by a plurality of users and for identifying them. A plurality of adapter devices to which information is set and which can be temporarily assigned to specific users, a facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, and a private branch exchange device and a public line network. In response to a facsimile number allocation request accompanied by identification information from the adapter device, an unallocated facsimile number is allocated among the possessed facsimile numbers and a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the allocated facsimile number is created. , When a fax information is received by any of the assigned fax numbers,
A center device that stores the facsimile information in a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number, and an external line and an extension line that are connected to a public line network through the private branch exchange device and are predetermined by the center device. Responds to it when called via
A calling device for making a call to the extension number of the called party sent from the center device and notifying the adapter device connected to the extension device of the receipt of the facsimile information to the center device; Upon receiving a notification of the arrival of the facsimile information from the device to the center device, the device sends the information to the center device and connects the facsimile device connected to the own device to the center device to receive the facsimile information. Therefore, the pager conventionally required for receiving the facsimile information transmitted from the external facsimile apparatus by the target facsimile apparatus becomes unnecessary. Therefore, since radio waves are not used, there is no influence of the structure or place of a hotel or the like, and the use of the hotel is prevented. Also,
By eliminating the need for pagers, contract fees and monthly rental costs are eliminated, and there is no need to prepare various types of adapter devices for locations such as hotels, so only one type is required, which is very economical. It is also easy to manage. Further, since pager signals such as light and sound are not converted into electric signals, unstable parts in operation are eliminated, and stable operation can be performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the extension information is connected to the extension of the private branch exchange installed in the facility used by a plurality of users, and the identification information for identifying them is set. , A plurality of adapter devices, each of which can be temporarily assigned to a specific user, a facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, the private branch exchange device and a public line network, and the adapter device. In response to a request for fax number assignment with identification information from, the fax number that has not been used the longest among the queues of fax numbers that have not been assigned is assigned to the assigned fax number. While creating the corresponding fax information storage part, fax to any of the assigned fax numbers. When there is an incoming call of a millimeter information,
A center device that stores the facsimile information in a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number, and an external line and an extension line that are connected to a public line network through the private branch exchange device and are predetermined by the center device. Responds to it when called via
A calling device for making a call to the extension number of the called party sent from the center device and notifying the adapter device connected to the extension device of the receipt of the facsimile information to the center device; Upon receiving the notification of the facsimile information arrival from the device to the center device, the facsimile device connected to the own device is connected to the center device through a line connection to the center device to receive the facsimile information. When the device receives an incoming call to an unassigned facsimile number, the device moves the facsimile number to the end of the unassigned queue. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, a false incoming call can be prevented. It is possible to prevent leakage of confidential information and the like. Further, it is not necessary to additionally hold the number of dial-in lines of the center device in case of an incorrect incoming call, and it is possible to reduce the cost for opening and maintaining the center device.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, similarly, the identification information for connecting to the extension of the private branch exchange installed in the facility used by a plurality of users and identifying them is provided. A plurality of adapter devices that are set, each of which can be temporarily assigned to a specific user, a facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, and a private branch exchange device and a public network are connected, In response to a facsimile number allocation request accompanied by identification information from the adapter device, a facsimile number which has not been used for the longest among the queues of unassigned facsimile numbers among the facsimile numbers held is assigned and assigned. While creating the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the facsimile number, one of the assigned facsimile numbers When a facsimile information is received, a center device that stores the facsimile information in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number and a public line network via the private branch exchange device are connected to the center. When called from the device through a predetermined external line and internal line, it responds to it,
After the response, the center device is provided with a calling device for making a call to the extension number of the called party, and notifying the adapter device connected to the extension of the arrival of the facsimile information to the center device. When receiving a notification of the receipt of facsimile information from the calling device to the center device, a call is sent to the center device and the facsimile device connected to the own device is line-connected to the center device to receive the facsimile information. Since the center device does not use the facsimile number for a certain period when there is an incoming call to the unassigned facsimile number, the same effect as in claim 2 can be obtained.

On the other hand, according to the invention described in claim 4, the extension information is connected to the extension of the private branch exchange installed in the facility used by a plurality of users, and the identification information for identifying them is set. , A plurality of adapter devices, each of which can be temporarily assigned to a specific user, a facsimile device connected to each of these adapter devices, the private branch exchange device and a public line network, and the adapter device. In response to a number allocation request accompanied by the identification information from, the unallocated number is allocated and the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the allocated number is created, while the facsimile call is received via a specific external line. If there is, the prompt for input of the assigned number is sent to the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the entered assigned number. When it is connected to the central device for storing and the public line network through the private branch exchange device and is called from the center device through a predetermined external line and internal line, it responds to it, and after the response, it is sent from the center device. A calling device for making a call to an extension number of the incoming call destination and notifying the adapter device connected to the extension of the arrival of the facsimile information to the center device, wherein the adapter device is provided from the calling device to the center device. When receiving the notification of the arrival of the facsimile information to the center device, the facsimile device connected to the own device is connected to the center device to receive the facsimile information. In addition to the effect of 1, it is not necessary to use the dial-in, which is a fee for the center device. There is an effect that it is possible to greatly reduce the maintenance costs.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a facsimile communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an adapter device in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a check-in operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a facsimile number assigning operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a facsimile communication procedure of the center apparatus in the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a facsimile communication procedure of the calling device in the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a facsimile communication procedure of the adapter device in the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the center device in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the center device in still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional facsimile communication device.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a facsimile number assigning operation in the above conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Hotel 2 Private branch exchange device 3 Public line network 4 Facsimile device 5 Adapter device 5a Pager receiver 6 Facsimile management device 7 Center device 7a, 7b Correspondence table 8 Pager originating station 9 Facsimile device 10 Telephone device 11 Calling device 50 Microcomputer 51 Incoming call detection circuit 52 Tone dialer 53 16Hz generation circuit S1, S2 switch T1-Tm extension terminal device R1-Rm guest room M1-Mn mailbox

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location H04N 1/32

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users, identification information for identifying them is set, and each is temporarily assigned to a specific user. A plurality of adapter devices that can be assigned to each of the adapter devices, a facsimile device that is connected to each of the adapter devices, a private branch exchange device and a public line network, and a facsimile number assignment that includes identification information from the adapter device. In response to a request, an unallocated facsimile number is assigned among the possessed facsimile numbers, and a fax information storage unit corresponding to the assigned fax number is created, while fax information is received at any of the assigned fax numbers. When the call is received, the fax information corresponding to the received fax number is stored. When a center device that stores the facsimile information in a section is connected to a public line network through the private branch exchange device and is called from the center device through a predetermined outside line and extension line, responds to it and after a response , A calling device for making a call to an extension number of an incoming call destination sent from the center device and notifying an adapter device connected to the extension of the arrival of facsimile information to the center device, wherein the adapter device is the When receiving the notification of the arrival of the facsimile information from the calling device to the center device, it is possible to call the center device and connect the facsimile device connected to the own device to the center device to receive the facsimile information. Characteristic facsimile communication device. 2. An extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users, identification information for identifying them is set, and each is temporarily assigned to a specific user. A plurality of adapter devices that can be assigned to each of the adapter devices, a facsimile device that is connected to each of the adapter devices, a private branch exchange device and a public line network, and a facsimile number assignment that includes identification information from the adapter device. In response to a request, a facsimile number that has not been used for the longest time is allocated from the queue of unallocated facsimile numbers among the facsimile numbers that are held, and a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the allocated facsimile number is created. , When a fax information is received by any of the assigned fax numbers, The center device that stores the facsimile information in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number, and the external line and the extension line that are connected to the public line network through the private branch exchange device and that are predetermined by the center device. When it is called via the telephone, it responds to it, and after answering, calls the extension number of the receiving destination sent from the center device, and notifies the adapter device connected to the extension of the receipt of the facsimile information to the center device. When the notification of the arrival of the facsimile information from the calling device to the center device is received from the calling device, the adapter device sends a call to the center device to send the facsimile device connected to the center device to the center device. The center device receives the facsimile information by connecting to the When there is an incoming call to the millimeter number, facsimile communication apparatus characterized by moving the facsimile number to the end of the unassigned queue. 3. An extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users, identification information for identifying them is set, and each is temporarily assigned to a specific user. A plurality of adapter devices that can be assigned to each of the adapter devices, a facsimile device that is connected to each of the adapter devices, a private branch exchange device and a public line network, and a facsimile number assignment that includes identification information from the adapter device. In response to a request, a facsimile number that has not been used for the longest time is allocated from the queue of unallocated facsimile numbers among the facsimile numbers that are held, and a facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the allocated facsimile number is created. , When a fax information is received by any of the assigned fax numbers, The center device that stores the facsimile information in the facsimile information storage unit corresponding to the received facsimile number, and the external line and the extension line that are connected to the public line network through the private branch exchange device and that are predetermined by the center device. When it is called via the telephone, it responds to it, and after answering, calls the extension number of the receiving destination sent from the center device, and notifies the adapter device connected to the extension of the receipt of the facsimile information to the center device. When the notification of the arrival of the facsimile information from the calling device to the center device is received from the calling device, the adapter device sends a call to the center device to send the facsimile device connected to the center device to the center device. The center device receives the facsimile information by connecting to the When there is an incoming call to the millimeter number, facsimile communication apparatus, characterized in that not the facsimile number using a predetermined period. 4. An extension of a private branch exchange installed in a facility used by a plurality of users, identification information for identifying them is set, and each is temporarily assigned to a specific user. , A facsimile device connected to each of the adapter devices, a private branch exchange device and a public line network, and a number assignment request accompanied by identification information from the adapter device. Depending on the number, you can assign an unassigned number among the numbers you have and create a facsimile information storage unit that corresponds to the assigned number.If you receive a facsimile call via a specific outside line, enter the assigned number. A center device for prompting and storing the facsimile information in the facsimile information storage section corresponding to the assigned allocation number; When connected to a public line network through a switching device and called from the center device through a predetermined external line and extension line, it responds to the call, and after receiving a response, the extension number of the called destination sent from the center device. And a calling device for notifying the adapter device connected to the extension of the arrival of the facsimile information to the center device, wherein the adapter device notifies the receiving of the facsimile information from the calling device to the center device. Upon receipt of the information, the facsimile communication apparatus transmits the information to the center apparatus, connects the facsimile apparatus connected to the apparatus itself to the center apparatus, and receives the facsimile information.