JPS60206367A - fax machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To solve a trouble related to a rate of a public utilization type facsimile equipment by summing up the charging in the course of a facsimile transmission by adding a tariff corresponding to a call tariff and a fixed tariff of every call, collecting its tariff, and also setting a tariff value to ''0'' in case a facsimile terminal is abnormal so that the tariff can be refunded. CONSTITUTION:When it is detected by a mode switching detecting part 5 that a call mode is switched to a facsimile mode, the output of the detecting part concerned 5 is inputted to a fixed charging part 3 after the facsimile communication is ended, and the number of pulses N2 corresponding to a fixed tariff value of every call required for the facsimile communication is outputted to an adder 4. On the other hand, when the facsimile transmission is being executed, in case the facsimile device itself is at fault such as an original jam, etc., a counting value of N1 counted up before that time is reset to ''0''. As a result, a rate spent for the facsimile transmission is adjusted to ''0''. Accordingly, a problem related to a rate due to impossibility of the facsimile communication, which is not responsible for a user himself is solved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (1) Description of the field to which the invention pertains The present invention relates to a publicly available factor cutting device having a fee collection mechanism.

(2) Description of the Prior Art It is expected that facsimile machines for public use will be realized, which can be installed in local public institutions and the like, and allow the general public to freely communicate by facsimile. In such a public facsimile machine, the necessary communication charges are calculated and the necessary charges are collected using coins or magnetic cards.

In addition, it is assumed that the public use factor ξ device is used by switching between the telephone call function and the facsimile transmission function, and if the charges during the call period and the charges during the facsimile transmission period are different, charges will be charged for both modes. Control must be carried out rationally. ``Although single service/single rate systems such as public telephones have already been commercialized, no consideration has been given to rate control technology when telephones and facsimile services are alternately used.

(3) Purpose of the Invention In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention accumulates charges during facsimile transmission by adding a charge equivalent to a call charge and a fixed charge for each call, and collects the charge. In addition, if the facsimile terminal is abnormal, the charge value is set to O and the charge can be refunded, and the purpose is to solve problems regarding charges of public facsimile machines.

(4) Description of structure and operation of the invention FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a billing signal converter, 2 is a call billing section, 3 is a fixed billing section, 4 is an adder, and 5 is a call billing section. A mode switching detection section between the mode and facsimile mode, 6 a facsimile terminal internal state monitoring section, and 7 a charge storage section.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail.

The user first inserts the minimum necessary amount of coins or cards and dials the number of the other party with whom he or she wishes to communicate, completing the connection with the other party via the telephone network.

It is assumed that the home position of the communication mode after the call is connected is the call mode. At this time, if the user only wishes to make a call, the same operation as a public telephone is performed. That is, while a call is made to the other party, the required charge is collected based on the operation of the call charging section 2 by receiving charging pulse signals, which are different for each communication destination, issued from the telephone network during the call, until the end of the call.

After the call is connected, when a facsimile communication button (not shown) mounted on the facsimile device is pressed, the mode switching detection section 5 detects that the call mode has been switched to the facsimile mode.

On the other hand, immediately after the call is set up, the billing signal converter 1 converts a high-voltage billing pulse signal issued from the telephone network into a low-voltage logic circuit level signal. The output is led to the call charging section 2, which counts up the number of pulses Ns from immediately after the call is connected until the end of the communication. When the mode switch detection unit 5 detects that the call mode has been switched to the facsimile mode,
After the facsimile communication is completed, the output of the detecting section 5 is input to the fixed charge section 3, which outputs the number of pulses N2 corresponding to the fixed charge value for each call necessary for facsimile communication to the adder 4. The adder 4 counts up the total number of pulses (N1+Nz) until the call ends. This total number of pulses (Nl +N
The fee corresponding to a) is stored in the fee storage box by the fee storage section 7. In the case of a card type, the card is processed to indicate that the required number of times has been used.

On the other hand, if the facsimile machine itself malfunctions, such as a document jamming, during facsimile transmission, the N
Reset to O, which is a count value of 1.

As a result, the cost expended for factor ξ transmission is O
will be settled. Therefore, the problem of charges caused by failure of facsimile communication through no fault of the user can be solved.

In addition, when a facsimile transmission is performed after a certain period of talking after the call is connected, and then another call is made, the total number M of pulses detected with respect to the call time is counted up. Therefore, in this case, a fee corresponding to the total number of pulses (M+Ns +Na) will be collected. At this time, if the facsimile machine breaks down, the action to be taken is to not reset M, but to
It is processed so that l+N*=0.

Figure 2 shows the first
1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the illustrated adder. The illustrated counter 8 adds up the pulses N1 or M from the call billing section 2. Further, when the pulse N2 from the fixed charging section 3 is set in the shift register 9, the output from the register 9 is accumulated in the counter 8. At the time of the above failure, the contents of the counter 8 are reset.

(5) Description of effects As explained above, according to the present invention, when calls and facsimile transmissions are switched over time, it is possible to separate call charges and facsimile communication charges, which is unique to facsimile communications. It is possible to add charges and also to settle the charges in the case of failure of facsimile communication, so it is possible to provide convenience to the user.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the structure of an adder, which is the basic part of the structure shown in FIG. In the figure, 1 is a billing signal conversion section, 2 is a call billing section, 3 is a fixed billing section, 4 is an adder, 5 is a mode switching detection section, 6 is a facsimile terminal internal state monitoring section, and 7 is a charge storage section. represent. Patent applicant Hiroshi Mori, patent attorney representing Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a facsimile machine having a fee collection mechanism, a means for detecting whether it is used in a call mode or a facsimile mode, a means for constantly detecting a failure or abnormal state in the facsimile machine, and a call mode and a factor J% remote. When the facsimile mode is set, it has a different charge calculation mechanism corresponding to
A facsimile device characterized in that charge calculation is started in the same way as in a call mode that depends on communication time, and a fixed charge for each call is added at the end of the facsimile mode.