JP2013115805A - Facsimile device and image forming apparatus provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile device capable of transmitting image data even when a region where a facsimile communications partner is present is in execution of blackout.SOLUTION: In transmitting image data via facsimile communication, when a region of a communications partner region name corresponding to an area code is not a target of planned blackout execution, a normal redialing waiting time T1 is set, and call origination is repeated for each redialing waiting time T1. When a region of a communications partner region name corresponding to an area code is a target of planned blackout execution, a redialing waiting time T2 for a blackout region is set and call origination is repeated for each redialing waiting time T2. The normal redialing waiting time T1 is set for example, about a few minutes to a few hours. Moreover, the redialing waiting time T2 of the blackout region is set longer than the normal redialing waiting time T1, for example, 24 hours or more.

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the facsimile apparatus.

  As this type of facsimile apparatus, there is an apparatus that automatically repeats a call when the terminal does not respond to the incoming call even when the call is made to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner or when the facsimile communication is interrupted.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, when a terminal of a facsimile communication partner is talking or out of order, a call is automatically repeated, and the interval and the number of calls can be designated by a dial operation. I have to.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, it is determined whether the terminal of the other party of facsimile communication does not respond to an incoming call because it is during a call or for other reasons, and when the cause is during a call, The call is made again, and when the cause is for other reasons, the call is made again to the substitute destination.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 3, although it is not directly related to such another call, the facsimile communication partners are grouped by region using the area code of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner, and one communication of the group Facsimile communication is performed with the other party, and thereafter, relay transmission of facsimile communication is performed within the group.

JP 58-14653 A Japanese Patent No. 2002-320081 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-172500

  By the way, there are various reasons why the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not answer the incoming call or the communication is interrupted. However, when communication with the facsimile communication partner is impossible, it is difficult to identify the cause. However, if the cause can be resolved in a short time, facsimile communication can be performed by repeating the call as in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  However, for example, when a planned power outage has been carried out in the area of the facsimile communication partner and the planned power outage continues for a long time, the communication operation by the terminal of the facsimile communication partner is impossible, so repeated call to this terminal is useless. A communication error occurs after a certain number of calls are repeated.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, the facsimile communication partners are grouped by region using the area code of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner, but the region of the planned power outage is not specified. The problems associated with planned power outages cannot be solved.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and includes a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting image data even when the area of a facsimile communication partner is the target of a power failure, and the facsimile apparatus. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention includes a facsimile communication unit that performs facsimile communication, an Internet communication unit that performs Internet communication, and a power failure information that acquires power failure information indicating a power failure region through the Internet communication unit. An acquisition unit; and a determination unit that determines a communication partner area of the facsimile communication partner based on a telephone number of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner and determines whether the communication partner area matches the power outage region. .

  In such a facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the power failure information indicating the power failure region is acquired through the Internet communication unit, the communication partner region of the facsimile communication partner is determined based on the telephone number of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner, and the communication partner region It is determined whether or not it matches the region. For example, if the communication partner area matches the power outage area, there is a high possibility that the communication partner area is out of power. For this reason, image data can be transmitted by an appropriate method to a facsimile communication partner who is highly likely to be out of power.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, for example, the determination unit determines the communication partner area based on an area code of a telephone number of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner.

  Furthermore, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the determination unit determines that the communication partner area matches the power outage region, and the terminal even if a call is made to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner by the facsimile communication unit. Does not answer the incoming call, it is determined that the communication partner area is out of power.

  In this way, if the communication partner area matches the power outage area, and the terminal does not respond to the incoming call even if a call is made to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner, the communication partner area is considered to be out of power. Can do.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the facsimile communication unit waits until a re-call is made to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner when the determination unit determines that the communication partner area is out of power. The time is set longer than the other waiting time set when the communication partner area is not in a power outage.

  In this case, since a re-call is made to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner after a long waiting time elapses, the possibility that the terminal will respond to the incoming call increases.

  The facsimile apparatus of the present invention further includes a communication partner storage unit that stores the telephone number and mail address of the facsimile communication partner terminal in association with each other, and the Internet communication unit is configured to determine the communication partner area by the determination unit. When it is determined that a power failure is occurring, a mail address corresponding to the telephone number of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner is read from the communication partner storage unit, an e-mail addressed to the mail address is created, and the facsimile Transmission image data for a communication partner is attached to the electronic mail and transmitted.

  In this case, an e-mail attached with transmission image data is transmitted even during a power failure in the communication partner area. This electronic mail is stored (backed up) by a mail server or the like in an operating state on the Internet. For this reason, when the area of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner returns from the power failure state, the facsimile communication partner takes in the e-mail from the mail server or the like to the personal computer through the Internet and acquires the image data attached to the e-mail. can do.

  Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the determination unit determines a communication partner area of each facsimile communication partner based on a telephone number of each of the facsimile communication partner terminals when performing broadcast communication to a plurality of facsimile communication partner terminals. Determining whether each communication partner area matches the power outage area, and the facsimile communication unit is a terminal of the facsimile communication partner in the communication partner area determined by the determination unit to match the power outage area The order of the broadcast communication is changed to a late order.

  In this way, if the terminal of the facsimile communication partner that has a high possibility of power outage is changed to a slower order, priority is given to the call to the terminal that is not in power outage and the possibility of power outage is high. Calls to terminals can be postponed, calls to each terminal can be made sequentially, and broadcast communication can be performed efficiently.

  On the other hand, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

  Such an image forming apparatus of the present invention also has the same effects as the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

  In the present invention, the power failure information indicating the power outage area is acquired through the Internet communication unit, the communication partner area of the facsimile communication partner is determined based on the telephone number of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner, and the communication partner area is changed to the power outage area. It is determined whether or not they match. For example, if the communication partner area matches the power outage area, there is a high possibility that the communication partner area is out of power. For this reason, image data can be transmitted by an appropriate method to a facsimile communication partner who is highly likely to be out of power.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention is applied. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for transmitting a document image performed when there is one facsimile communication partner terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the transmission procedure following FIG. 3A. It is a figure which shows notionally the station number storage table according to area. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the broadcast communication performed when there are multiple terminals of the facsimile communication partner. It is a figure which shows notionally the broadcast communication storage table. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a document image transmission procedure performed when there is one facsimile communication partner terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the transmission procedure following FIG. 7A.

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

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention is applied. The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 1 corresponds to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), or a single color (for example, black). This corresponds to the monochrome image used. For this reason, in the printing unit 5, the developing device 12, the photosensitive drum 13, the drum cleaning device 14, and the charger 15 are provided in four each for forming four types of toner images corresponding to the respective colors. Are associated with black, cyan, magenta and yellow to form four image stations Pa, Pb, Pc and Pd.

  In each of the image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd, after the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is removed and collected by the drum cleaning device 14, the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is set to a predetermined potential by the charger 15. It is charged uniformly, the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is exposed by the optical scanning device 11, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface, and the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13 is developed by the developing device 12, A toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 13. As a result, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 13.

  Subsequently, while the intermediate transfer belt 21 is moved in the direction of the arrow C, the residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is removed and collected by the belt cleaning device 25, and then each color toner image is transferred onto the surface of each photosensitive drum 13. The toner images are sequentially transferred onto the belt 21 and overlapped to form a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21.

  A nip area is formed between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 26a of the secondary transfer device 26. The intermediate transfer is performed while the recording paper conveyed through the paper conveyance path R1 is sandwiched and conveyed in the nip area. The color toner image on the surface of the belt 21 is transferred onto the recording paper. Then, the recording paper is sandwiched between the heating roller 31 and the pressure roller 32 of the fixing device 17 and heated and pressed to fix the color toner image on the recording paper.

  On the other hand, in the paper feed unit 6, the recording paper is sequentially pulled out from the paper feed tray 18 one by one by the pickup roller 33, and sent out to the S-shaped paper transport path R1.

  The recording paper is carried out to the paper discharge tray 39 via the secondary transfer device 26 and the fixing device 17 and via the paper discharge roller 36. In this paper conveyance path R1, after the recording paper is temporarily stopped and the leading edges of the recording paper are aligned, recording is performed in accordance with the transfer timing of the color toner image in the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the transfer roller 26a. A set of registration rollers 34 for starting the conveyance of the sheet, a plurality of sets of conveyance rollers 35 for urging the conveyance of the recording sheet, a set of discharge rollers 36, and the like are arranged.

  Further, when printing not only on the front side of the recording paper but also on the back side, the recording paper is conveyed in the reverse direction from each discharge roller 36 to the reverse path Rr, and the recording paper is turned upside down. The image is guided again to each registration roller 34, and an image is printed and fixed on the back surface of the recording paper, similarly to the front surface of the recording paper, and the recording paper is carried out to the paper discharge tray 39.

  Next, the document reading device 2 mounted on the upper body of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. In the document reading device 2, the document conveying unit (ADF) 42 is pivotally supported on the inner side of the first reading unit 41 by a hinge (not shown) and moves up and down the front portion. By opening the document conveying section 42, the document sheet can be placed on the platen glass 44 of the first reading section 41.

  In the first reading unit 41, the first scanning unit 45 illuminates the original paper surface on the platen glass 44 with the light source 51 while moving in the sub-scanning direction, and reflects the reflected light by the first reflecting mirror 52. Guide to the second scanning unit 46. The second scanning unit 46 reflects the reflected light from the original paper by the second and third reflecting mirrors 53 and 54 while moving following the first scanning unit 45. The reflected light is condensed on a CCD 48 (Charge Coupled Device) by the imaging lens 47, and the original image is read by the CCD 48.

  When reading the image on the surface of the original sheet conveyed by the original conveying section 42, the first scanning unit 45 is moved to a reading position below the original reading glass 55 as shown in FIG. The second scanning unit 46 is positioned according to the position. In this state, the original paper on the original tray 57 is pulled out by the pickup roller 56, the original paper is conveyed through the original conveyance path 58, and the surface of the original paper is passed through the original reading glass 55 by the light source 51 of the first scanning unit 45. Illuminated, the reflected light from the original paper is guided to the imaging lens 47 by the respective reflection mirrors of the first and second scanning units 45, 46, the original image on the paper surface is read by the CCD 48, and the original paper is discharged to the original paper discharge roller. The paper is discharged from 61 to the document discharge tray 62.

  A second reading unit 43 (Contact Image Sensor (CIS)) built in the document conveying unit 42 passes under the second reading unit (CIS) 43 and moves to the document discharge tray 62. The back side of the discharged original paper is illuminated, the reflected light from the back side of the original paper is received, and the original image on the back side of the paper is read.

  The original image read by the CCD 48 and the CIS 43 in this manner is input to the optical scanning device 11 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the original image is recorded on the recording paper in the image forming apparatus 1, and this recording paper is output as a copy original. The

  Next, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main control unit 71, a document reading device (scanner) 2, a printing unit (printer) 5, a paper feeding unit 6, a facsimile communication unit 72, an Internet communication unit 73, and an operation panel 74. , An image processing unit 75, a storage device 76, a timer 77, a RAM 78 used as a work memory of the main control unit 71, a ROM 79 storing programs and the like.

  The main control unit 71 includes a CPU, various interfaces, and the like, and controls the image forming apparatus 1 in an integrated manner.

  The facsimile communication unit 72 includes an NCU 82 that performs disconnection control on the network (public telephone network) TN, a modem 83 that executes a facsimile communication protocol with a facsimile communication partner terminal via the network TN, and an image memory that stores image data. 84, and an I / F control unit 87 that controls output of image data to the Internet communication unit 73.

  The Internet communication unit 73 is connected to the Internet IN, sends / receives various data to / from terminals on the Internet IN, and accesses web pages. The Internet IN may be partially shared with the network TN in the physical layer.

  The operation panel 74 includes a display unit 91 including a liquid crystal display device, a keyboard 92, and the like. On the screen of the display unit 91, an illustration, a message, a display button, and the like for supporting the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 are displayed. In addition, a transparent touch panel is overlaid on the screen of the display unit 91. When the finger touches a display button or the like displayed on the screen, the position of the display button or the like on the screen is detected by the touch panel. Various instructions can be given to the main control unit 71 by operating the keyboard 92 or operating the display buttons on the screen of the display unit 91.

  The storage device 76 is a RAM, a hard disk device (HDD), or the like, and stores various data. For example, the storage device 76 stores image data indicating a document image read by the CCD 48 and the CIS 43 of the document reading device 2 or received by the facsimile communication unit 72. In the storage device 76, a telephone number storage table 76a, an area-specific station number storage table 76b, and a broadcast communication table 76c are registered.

  The telephone number storage table 76a stores telephone numbers of one or more terminals that are facsimile communication partners. When the telephone number of the other party of the facsimile communication is input by operating the keyboard 92 or the display button on the screen of the display unit 91, the telephone number is stored and registered in the telephone number storage table 76a.

  The area-specific area number storage table 76b stores the area code of the telephone number and the area name in association with each other. The area code is set to the first to fourth digits of the telephone number. In addition to the area code, the country code and the area code used for international calls may be stored in association with the area name (including the country name).

  The broadcast communication storage table 76c includes the telephone numbers of a plurality of facsimile communication partner terminals to be broadcasted and a power outage area flag A indicating whether the area of each terminal is a planned outage area (described later). Is stored in association with each other.

  The image processing unit 75 performs various image processing on the image data indicating the document image in the storage device 76 and performs compression / decompression processing on the image data.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 having such a configuration, when copying a document, the document copying process is instructed by operating the keyboard 92 of the operation panel 4 or the display button on the screen of the display unit 91. In response to this, the main control unit 71 controls the document reading device 2, the printing unit 5, the paper feeding unit 6, the image processing unit 75, etc., and causes the document reading device 2 to read the document image to show the document image. The image data is temporarily stored in the storage device 76, the image data is processed by the image processing unit 75, the image data is output to the printing unit 5, and the recording paper is fed from the paper feeding unit 6 to the printing unit 5. Then, the document image is recorded on the recording paper by the printing unit 5.

  Further, when transmitting a document image by facsimile communication, the telephone number of the terminal that is the facsimile communication partner and the transmission of the document are instructed by operation of a display button on the screen of the keyboard 92 or the display unit 91. In response to this, the main control unit 71 outputs the telephone number of the terminal that is the facsimile communication partner to the facsimile communication unit 72. In response to the instruction of the telephone number of the terminal which is the facsimile communication partner, the telephone number of each terminal is read from the telephone number storage table 76a of the storage device 76, and a list of telephone numbers of each terminal is displayed on the screen of the display unit 91. This is done by selecting and instructing the display position of the telephone number of one terminal in the above list with a finger, or inputting the telephone number by operating the keyboard 92.

  The main control unit 71 also controls the document reading device 2, the image processing unit 75, etc., causes the document reading device 2 to read a document image, temporarily stores image data indicating the document image in the storage device 76, and After the image data is compressed by the processing unit 75, the image data is transferred to the image memory 84 of the facsimile communication unit 72.

  The facsimile communication unit 72 inputs the telephone number of a terminal that is a facsimile communication partner to the NCU 82 and makes a call from the NCU 82 to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner through the network TN. When the terminal of the facsimile communication partner answers the incoming call, the facsimile communication unit 72 and the terminal are connected through the network TN.

  The modem 83 executes a facsimile communication protocol with a terminal of a facsimile communication partner after the incoming call, and transmits image data indicating a document image in the image memory 84.

  When receiving a document image by facsimile communication, an incoming call from the terminal of the facsimile communication partner via the network TN is received by the NCU 82 of the facsimile communication unit 72, and an incoming call response is made by the NCU 82. A communication partner terminal is connected through the network TN. Then, the modem 83 implements a facsimile communication protocol with a terminal of a facsimile communication partner, receives image data indicating a document image, temporarily stores it in the image memory 84, and transfers this image data to the storage device 76. To do.

  The image data in the storage device 76 is decompressed by the image processing unit 75 and then output to the printing unit 5, recording paper is fed from the paper feeding unit 6 to the printing unit 5, and an original image is created by the printing unit 5. Recorded on recording paper.

  By the way, when transmitting a document image by facsimile communication, even if communication with a facsimile communication partner is impossible, if the cause can be resolved in a short time, the document image can be reproduced by repeating known calls. Transmission is possible. However, if a planned power outage has been carried out in the communication partner area of the facsimile communication partner and the planned power outage continues for a long time, the communication operation by the terminal of the facsimile communication partner is impossible. However, even if the call is repeated, the terminal does not respond to the incoming call, and a communication error occurs after a certain number of calls.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, planned power outage information indicating the name of the blackout area targeted for the planned power outage is acquired through the Internet communication unit 73, and the communication partner is based on the area code of the telephone number of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner. The area name is determined, it is determined whether or not the communication partner area name matches the power outage area name, and the determination result is used to enable transmission of the document image to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner.

  Next, a document image transmission process performed when there is one facsimile communication partner terminal will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the locations where the processing is connected are indicated by (A) and (B).

  First, the internet communication unit 73 accesses a web page through the internet IN every time a predetermined time is counted by the timer 77 or every time when the time measured by the timer 77 reaches a preset time, and plans from the web page. The power failure information indicating the name of the power outage area targeted for the power outage is acquired, and the power outage region name indicated by the power outage information is stored in the storage device 76 (step S101). Thereby, the blackout area name of the planned blackout is periodically acquired and stored in the storage device 76. For example, the power failure information indicating the blackout area name of the planned blackout is acquired by accessing the web page of each power company. Or the web page which provides the power failure information which shows the power failure area name of a planned power failure may be created, and power failure information may be acquired from this web page. At this time, the blackout area name of the planned blackout may be acquired not only in Japan but also in each country overseas.

  On the other hand, when transmitting a document image by facsimile communication, the transmission of the document is instructed by operating the display button on the screen of the keyboard 92 or the display unit 91, and the telephone number of the terminal that is the facsimile communication partner is instructed (step). S102). In response to this, the main control unit 71 causes the document reading device 2 to read the document image, temporarily stores image data indicating the document image in the storage device 76, and causes the image processing unit 75 to compress the image data. Then, the image data is transferred to the image memory 84 of the facsimile communication unit 72.

  Further, the main control unit 71 sets the number of calls B to an initial value “1”, and sets the power outage area flag A to an initial value “0” (step S103). Then, the main control unit 71 obtains the area code of the input telephone number, and searches for the communication partner area name corresponding to this area code from the area-specific area number storage table 76b of the storage device 76 (step S104). . Based on the number of digits in the phone number, it can be specified whether it is a domestic phone number or an overseas phone number, and each digit of the specified phone number is an area code (or country code and area code) Can be obtained as

  FIG. 4 illustrates an area-specific station number storage table 76b. In the area-specific station number storage table 76b, the first to fourth digits of the telephone number and the communication area name are registered in association with each other. There may be one or more communication partner area names corresponding to the city code. For example, a plurality of city names may be registered in association with one city code, or a city name and a plurality of village names belonging to the city name may be registered in association with each other. Such an area-specific station number storage table 76b is set in advance.

  Subsequently, the main control unit 71 reads the planned power outage area name obtained in step S101 from the storage device 76, and determines whether or not the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code matches the planned power outage area name. Is determined (step S105).

  Here, for example, if the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code does not match the blackout area name of the planned power outage (“No” in step S105), the area of the communication partner area name is the target of the planned power outage implementation. Absent. In this case, the main control unit 71 notifies the input telephone number to the NCU 82 while maintaining the initial value “0” of the power failure area flag A without proceeding to step S106. The NCU 82 transmits the telephone number to the switching center via the network TN, makes a call to the facsimile communication partner terminal corresponding to the telephone number, and calls the facsimile communication partner terminal (step S107).

  When the terminal of the facsimile communication partner responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the facsimile communication unit 72 and the terminal are connected through the network TN. The modem 83 implements a facsimile communication protocol with the other terminal of the facsimile communication, and transmits image data indicating a document image in the image memory 84 (step S109). And the main control part 71 complete | finishes the transmission process of FIG. 3, maintaining the initial value "0" of the power failure area flag A (step S110).

  If the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108), the NCU 82 ends the connection state with the terminal of the facsimile communication partner and stops calling. Then, the main control unit 71 determines whether or not the number of calls B exceeds the preset number of times C (step S111). At this time, since the call count B is the initial value “1”, the main control unit 71 determines that the call count B does not exceed the specified count C (“No” in step S111), and the power failure area flag. It is determined whether or not A is a value “1” (step S112). Since the power failure area flag A is the initial value “0”, the main control unit 71 determines that the power failure area flag A is not the value “1” (“No” in step S112). Is selected, the timer 77 starts to measure the normal re-call waiting time T1, and when the normal re-call waiting time T1 ends (step S113), that is, waits for the normal re-calling. When the time T1 has elapsed, the number of calls B is counted up from the initial value “1” to the value “2” (step S114), and the process returns to step S107.

  Subsequently, another call is made to the facsimile communication partner terminal (step S107). When the facsimile communication partner terminal responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the image data in the image memory 84 is transmitted ( In step S109), the initial value “0” of the power failure area flag A is maintained (step S110), and the transmission process of FIG.

  If the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108), the outgoing call is stopped, and it is confirmed that the outgoing call number B does not exceed the prescribed number C (step S111). "No"), after confirming that the power outage area flag A is not "1" ("No" in step S112), after the normal re-call waiting time T1 has passed (step S113), the number of calls B is counted up (step S114), and the process returns to step S107 again.

  Similarly, when the terminal of the facsimile communication partner responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the image data in the image memory 84 is transmitted (step S109), and the terminal of the facsimile communication partner responds to the incoming call. If not ("No" in step S108), after the normal re-call waiting time T1 has elapsed (step S113), the number of calls B is counted up (step S114), and the call to the facsimile communication partner terminal is made. repeat. Then, when the number of calls B exceeds the specified number of times C (“Yes” in step S111), the main control unit 71 determines that there is a communication error (step S115), and the initial value “0” of the power failure area flag A Is maintained (step S110), and the transmission process of FIG. 3 is terminated.

  Next, if the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code matches the blackout area name of the planned power outage (“Yes” in step S105), the area of the communication partner area name is the target of the planned power outage implementation. , This area may be out of power. In this case, the main control unit 71 updates the initial value “0” of the power outage area flag A to the value “1” (step S106), notifies the NCU 82 of the input telephone number, and sets the telephone number to that telephone number. A call is made to the terminal of the corresponding facsimile communication partner (step S107).

  For example, if the terminal of the facsimile communication partner responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the image data in the image memory 84 is transmitted (step S109), and the value “1” of the power failure area flag A is set. After returning to the initial value “0” (step S110), the transmission process of FIG. 3 is terminated.

  If the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108), the outgoing call is stopped, and it is confirmed that the outgoing call number B does not exceed the prescribed number C (step S111). "No"), it is determined whether or not the power outage area flag A is the value "1" (step S112).

  Since the power failure area flag A is updated to the value “1” in the previous step S106, the main control unit 71 determines that the power failure area flag A is the value “1” (“Yes” in step S112). ) Based on this determination result, the call waiting time T2 in the blackout area is selected, the timer 77 starts the call waiting time T2 in the blackout area, and the clocking of the call waiting time T2 in the blackout area ends. Then (step S116), that is, when the re-call waiting time T2 in the power failure area elapses, the number of calls B is counted up from the initial value “1” to the value “2” (step S114), and the process returns to step S107.

  That is, the area of the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code is the target of the planned power outage (“Yes” in step S105), and the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108). ]), It is considered that the communication partner area is in a power failure state, and a re-call waiting time T2 in the power failure area is set (step S116).

  Then, another call is made to the facsimile communication partner terminal (step S107), and when the facsimile communication partner terminal responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the image data in the image memory 84 is transmitted (step S108). S109) After the value “1” of the power failure area flag A is returned to the initial value “0” (step S110), the transmission process of FIG. 3 is terminated.

  If the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108), the outgoing call is stopped, and it is confirmed that the outgoing call number B does not exceed the prescribed number C (step S111). After confirming that the power outage area flag A is “1” (“Yes” in step S112), after the call waiting time T2 in the outage area has elapsed (step S116), The number of calls B is counted up (step S114), and the process returns to step S107 again.

  Similarly, when the terminal of the facsimile communication partner responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the image data in the image memory 84 is transmitted (step S109), and the terminal of the facsimile communication partner responds to the incoming call. Otherwise, after the re-call waiting time T2 in the power outage area has elapsed (step S116), the call count B is counted up (step S114), and the call to the facsimile communication partner terminal is repeated. When the number of calls B exceeds the specified number C (“Yes” in step S111), a communication error occurs (step S115), and the power failure area flag A is returned to the initial value “0” (step S110). Then, the transmission process of FIG.

  Thus, the area of the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code is not the target of planned power outage (“No” in step S105), and the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (in step S108). In the case of “No”), a normal re-call waiting time T1 is set (step S113), and the call is repeated every normal re-call waiting time T1.

  The area of the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code is the target of planned power outage (“Yes” in step S105), and the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108). ”), It is considered that the communication partner area is in a power outage state, a re-call waiting time T2 in the power outage area is set (step S116), and a call is repeated every re-call waiting time T2 in the power outage area. .

  Here, the normal re-call waiting time T1 is set to about several minutes to several hours, for example. Further, the re-call waiting time T2 in the power outage area is set sufficiently longer than the normal re-call waiting time T1, and is set to 24 hours or more, for example.

  Therefore, if the area of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner is in a power failure state, the call to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner is repeated every 24 hours (one day), and this call is repeated several times over several days. Thus, the power failure is restored within a few days, and the terminal of the other party of the facsimile communication responds to the incoming call, and there is a high possibility that the facsimile communication is normally terminated.

  On the other hand, if a call to the facsimile communication partner's terminal is repeated every few minutes to several hours even though the area of the facsimile communication partner's terminal is in a power failure state, the facsimile communication partner's terminal will arrive. Calls cannot be answered and there is a high possibility of communication errors.

  Next, broadcast transmission processing performed when there are a plurality of facsimile communication partner terminals will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same processes as those in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

  First, the Internet communication unit 73 periodically accesses a web page through the Internet IN, acquires the name of the power outage area targeted for the planned power outage from the web page, and stores the name of the power outage area of the planned power outage as a storage device. 76 (step S101).

  On the other hand, when performing broadcast communication, an instruction for broadcast communication of an original is instructed by an operation of a display button or the like on the screen of the keyboard 92 or the display unit 91, and a plurality of facsimile communication partner terminals to be subjected to the broadcast communication. Telephone numbers are sequentially input (step S201). In response to this, the main control unit 71 causes the document reading device 2 to read the document image, temporarily stores image data indicating the document image in the storage device 76, and causes the image processing unit 75 to compress the image data. Then, the image data is transferred to the image memory 84 of the facsimile communication unit 72.

  When the main control unit 71 is instructed to perform broadcast communication, the main control unit 71 once initializes the broadcast communication storage table 76c of the storage device 76, and each time the telephone number of each facsimile communication partner terminal is input, the input telephone The numbers are sequentially recorded in the broadcast communication storage table 76c.

  At this time, the main control unit 71 obtains the area code of the inputted telephone number, and searches the communication area name corresponding to the area code from the area-specific area number storage table 76b of the storage device 76 (step S104). ), The planned power outage area name obtained in step S101 is read from the storage device 76, and it is determined whether or not the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code matches the planned power outage area name (step S105). ).

  If the main control unit 71 determines that the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code does not match the blackout area name of the planned power outage (“No” in step S105), the main telephone numbers are entered in the order of input. The power failure area flag A corresponding to the inputted telephone number is written to the broadcast communication storage table 76c and maintained at the initial value “0” (step S202).

  If the main control unit 71 determines that the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code matches the blackout area name of the planned power outage (“Yes” in step S105), the main telephone number 71 stores the input telephone number in the broadcast communication storage table. 76c is added to the end of the telephone number already written, the order of the inputted telephone numbers is set to the last order, and the power failure area flag A corresponding to the inputted telephone number is set to the value “1”. "(Step S203).

  Further, the main control unit 71 ensures that the order of the telephone numbers corresponding to the initial value “0” of the blackout area flag A is always higher than the order of the telephone numbers corresponding to the value “1” of the blackout area flag A. Adjust the order of each phone number.

  FIG. 6 illustrates the broadcast communication storage table 76c. In this broadcast communication storage table 76c, the telephone number of each terminal of the facsimile communication partner to be broadcast is recorded, and the initial value “0” or the value “0” of the power outage area flag A is associated with each telephone number. 1 "is recorded. The terminal with the telephone number corresponding to the initial value “0” of the blackout area flag A is not in the blackout area where the planned blackout is performed, and the terminal with the telephone number corresponding to the value “1” of the blackout area flag A is It is in the power outage area where planned power outages are implemented. Further, the order of the telephone numbers corresponding to the initial value “0” of the blackout area flag A is higher than the order of the telephone numbers corresponding to the value “1” of the blackout area flag A.

  In this way, the order of the phone numbers of terminals that are not in the blackout area where the planned power outage is implemented is set higher than the order of the phone numbers of terminals in the blackout area where the planned power outage is carried out. The telephone number of the other party of the facsimile communication is written into the broadcast communication storage table 76c.

  Thereafter, the main control unit 71 reads each telephone number in the broadcast communication storage table 76c from the top (in higher order), notifies the NCU 82 of the read telephone number, and transmits the facsimile communication partner corresponding to the telephone number. Make a call to the terminal (step S107). When the facsimile communication partner terminal responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the modem 83 transmits the image data in the image memory 84 (step S109), and the telephone number of the terminal is stored in the broadcast communication. Delete from table 76c.

  Subsequently, the main control unit 71 confirms whether or not there is a next telephone number in the broadcast communication storage table 76c (step S204), and if there is a next telephone number (“Yes” in step S204). ), Returning to step S107, the next order telephone number is read from the broadcast communication storage table 76c, the next order telephone number is notified to the NCU 82, and the facsimile communication partner corresponding to the next order telephone number Make a call to the terminal.

  Further, if the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108), the main control unit 71 stops the outgoing call and obtains the telephone number of the terminal from the broadcast storage table 76c. Whether or not there is a next-order telephone number in the broadcast communication storage table 76c without being deleted (step S204), and if there is a next-order telephone number ("Yes" in step S204) ”), The next telephone number in the next order is read from the broadcast communication storage table 76c, the telephone number in the next order is notified to the NCU 82, and the facsimile communication partner corresponding to the telephone number in the next order is returned to step S107. Make a call to the other terminal.

  Accordingly, each telephone number in the broadcast communication storage table 76c is read from the head (from the higher order), and each time a call is made to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner corresponding to the telephone number, When responding to the incoming call, the image data is transmitted, the telephone number of the terminal is deleted from the broadcast storage table 76c, and if the terminal does not respond to the incoming call, the image data is not transmitted and the terminal Are stored in the broadcast communication storage table 76c.

  When a call is made to the terminal with the telephone number in the last order in the broadcast communication storage table 76c, it is confirmed whether or not there is a telephone number left in the broadcast storage table 76c without being deleted ( Step S205) If there is a remaining telephone number (“Yes” in Step S205), the remaining telephone numbers are sequentially read from the head, a re-call is performed (Step S107), and an incoming call response is received. If there is (“Yes” in step S108), the image data is transmitted (step S109), the telephone number is deleted from the broadcast communication storage table 76c, and if there is no incoming call response (“No” in step S108). ), The image data is not transmitted, and the telephone number is left in the broadcast storage table 76c. Thereafter, the re-calling is repeated in the same manner, and when there are no remaining telephone numbers (“No” in step S205), the processing in FIG. 5 ends. Further, even if the re-calling of all the remaining telephone numbers is repeated a predetermined number of times, the processing in FIG.

  In this way, in broadcast communication, the order of the phone numbers of terminals that are not in the power outage area where planned power outages are performed is set higher than the order of the phone numbers of terminals in the power outage areas where planned power outages are performed. Since the terminals of the telephone numbers are called in order, priority is given to the call to the terminal that is highly likely to receive an incoming call response without a power outage, and the possibility of a power outage is high. Calls to terminals that are unlikely to be made can be postponed, calls to each terminal can be made sequentially, and broadcast communication can be performed efficiently.

  Next, another example of a document image transmission process performed when there is one facsimile communication partner terminal will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. 7A and 7B, the same reference numerals are given to the processes similar to those in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and the locations where the processes are connected are indicated by (c) and (d).

  In the processing of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the re-call waiting time T2 in the power outage area is not set as in the processing of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Instead, the image data is attached to the e-mail and sent to the facsimile communication partner. doing.

  The Internet communication unit 73 periodically accesses a web page through the Internet IN, acquires the name of the power outage area targeted for the planned power outage from the web page, and stores the name of the power outage area of the planned power outage in the storage device. 76 (step S101).

  On the other hand, when transmitting a document image by facsimile communication, the transmission of the document is instructed by operating the display button on the screen of the keyboard 92 or the display unit 91, and the telephone number and mail address of the terminal that is the facsimile communication partner are instructed. (Step S301). In response to this, an original image is read by the original reading device 2, image data indicating the original is compressed by the image processing unit 75, and the image data is transferred to the image memory 84 of the facsimile communication unit 72.

  Further, the main control unit 71 sets the number of calls B to an initial value “1”, and sets the power outage area flag A to an initial value “0” (step S103).

  Further, the main control unit 71 stores the input telephone number and mail address in association with each other in the storage device 76 (step S302). Further, the main control unit 71 obtains the area code of the input telephone number, and searches the communication area name corresponding to the area code from the area-specific area number storage table 76b of the storage device 76 (step S104). .

  Subsequently, the main control unit 71 reads the planned power outage area name obtained in step S101 from the storage device 76, and determines whether or not the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code matches the planned power outage area name. Is determined (step S105).

  For example, if the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code does not match the blackout area name of the planned power outage (“No” in step S105), the area of the communication partner area name is not the target of the planned power outage implementation. In this case, the input telephone number is notified to the NCU 82 of the facsimile communication unit 72 while maintaining the initial value “0” of the power failure area flag A without proceeding to step S106, and corresponds to the telephone number. A call is made to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner (step S107).

  When the facsimile communication partner terminal responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the modem 83 transmits the image data in the image memory 84 (step S109). And the transmission process of FIG. 7 is complete | finished, maintaining the initial value "0" of the power failure area flag A (step S110).

  If the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108), the outgoing call is stopped. Then, the main control unit 71 determines that the number of calls B (= initial value “1”) does not exceed the specified number C (“No” in step S111), and the power failure area flag A (= initial value “ 0 ”) is not the value“ 1 ”(“ No ”in step S112), the normal re-call waiting time T1 is selected, and when the normal re-call waiting time T1 elapses (step S113), a call is made. The number of times B is incremented from the initial value “1” to the value “2” (step S114), and the process returns to step S107.

  Subsequently, another call is made to the facsimile communication partner terminal (step S107). When the facsimile communication partner terminal responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the image data in the image memory 84 is transmitted ( In step S109), the initial value “0” of the power failure area flag A is maintained (step S110), and the transmission process of FIG. 7 is terminated.

  If the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108), the outgoing call is stopped, and it is confirmed that the outgoing call number B does not exceed the prescribed number C (step S111). "No"), after confirming that the power outage area flag A is not "1" ("No" in step S112), after the normal re-call waiting time T1 has passed (step S113), the number of calls B is counted up (step S114), and the process returns to step S107 again.

  Similarly, when the terminal of the facsimile communication partner responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the image data in the image memory 84 is transmitted (step S109), and the terminal of the facsimile communication partner responds to the incoming call. If not (“No” in step S108), the call count B is incremented (step S114), and the call to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner is repeated. Then, when the number of calls B exceeds the specified number of times C (“Yes” in step S111), the main control unit 71 determines that there is a communication error (step S115), and the initial value “0” of the power failure area flag A Is maintained (step S110), and the transmission process of FIG. 3 is terminated.

  Next, if the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code matches the blackout area name of the planned power outage (“Yes” in step S105), the area of the communication partner area name is the target of the planned power outage implementation. , This area may be out of power. In this case, the main control unit 71 updates the initial value “0” of the power outage area flag A to the value “1” (step S106), notifies the NCU 82 of the input telephone number, and sets the telephone number to that telephone number. A call is made to the terminal of the corresponding facsimile communication partner (step S107).

  For example, if the terminal of the facsimile communication partner responds to the incoming call (“Yes” in step S108), the image data in the image memory 84 is transmitted (step S109), and the value “1” of the power failure area flag A is set. After returning to the initial value “0” (step S110), the transmission process in FIG. 7 is terminated.

  If the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108), the outgoing call is stopped, and it is confirmed that the outgoing call number B does not exceed the prescribed number C (step S111). "No"), it is determined whether or not the power outage area flag A is the value "1" (step S112).

  Since the power failure area flag A has been updated to the value “1” in the previous step S106, the main control unit 71 determines that the power failure area flag A has the value “1” (“ Yes "), the mail address of the facsimile communication partner corresponding to the telephone number stored in the storage device 76 in step S302 is acquired, an e-mail addressed to this mail address is created, and this e-mail is sent to the Internet communication unit 73. Output to. The internet communication unit 73 acquires the image data in the image memory 84 through the I / F control unit 87, attaches the image data to an e-mail, and transmits the e-mail to the internet IN (step S303).

That is, the area of the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code is the target of the planned power outage (“Yes” in step S105), and the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108). ”), The communication partner area is regarded as being in a power failure state, and an e-mail addressed to the mail address of the facsimile communication partner is created and transmitted to the Internet IN.

  Thereafter, the value “1” of the power failure area flag A is returned to the initial value “0” (step S110), and the transmission process of FIG. 7 is ended.

  Thus, the area of the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code is not the target of planned power outage (“No” in step S105), and the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (in step S108). In the case of “No”), a normal re-call waiting time T1 is set (step S113), and the call is repeated every normal re-call waiting time T1.

  The area of the communication partner area name corresponding to the area code is the target of planned power outage (“Yes” in step S105), and the terminal of the facsimile communication partner does not respond to the incoming call (“No” in step S108). )), It is considered that the communication partner area is in a power failure state, and an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address of the facsimile communication partner is created. The image data in the image memory 84 is attached to the e-mail, This electronic mail is transmitted to the Internet IN.

  This e-mail is stored (backed up) in a mail server or the like in an operating state on the Internet IN. For this reason, when the area of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner returns from the power failure state, the facsimile communication partner takes in the e-mail from the mail server or the like to the personal computer or the like through the Internet IN, and sends the image data attached to the e-mail. Can be acquired.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Document reader 4 Operation panel 5 Printing part 6 Paper feed part 11 Optical scanning device 12 Developing device 13 Photosensitive drum 14 Drum cleaning device 15 Charger 17 Fixing device 21 Intermediate transfer belt 26 Secondary transfer device 71 Main Control unit (power failure information acquisition unit, determination unit)
72 Facsimile communication unit 73 Internet communication unit 74 Operation panel 75 Image processing unit 76 Storage device (communication partner storage unit)
77 Timer 78 RAM
79 ROM

Claims (7)

A facsimile communication unit for performing facsimile communication;
An Internet communication unit that performs Internet communication;
Through the Internet communication unit, a power outage information acquisition unit that acquires power outage information indicating a power outage area,
And a determination unit that determines a communication partner area of the facsimile communication partner based on a telephone number of a terminal of the facsimile communication partner and determines whether or not the communication partner area matches the power outage area. Facsimile device. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1,
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the communication partner area based on an area code of a telephone number of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The determination unit determines that the communication partner area coincides with the power outage region, and the terminal does not respond to an incoming call even if a call is made to the facsimile communication partner terminal by the facsimile communication unit. A facsimile apparatus that determines that the communication partner area is in a power outage. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3,
The facsimile communication unit determines whether the communication partner area is not in a power outage when waiting for a re-call to the terminal of the facsimile communication partner when the determination unit determines that the communication partner area is in a power outage. A facsimile apparatus characterized in that it is longer than the other waiting time set at times. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3,
A communication partner storage unit that stores the telephone number and mail address of the facsimile communication partner terminal in association with each other;
The Internet communication unit reads the mail address corresponding to the telephone number of the terminal of the facsimile communication partner from the communication partner storage unit when the determination unit determines that the communication partner area is out of power, A facsimile apparatus, wherein an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address is created, and transmission image data for the facsimile communication partner is attached to the e-mail and transmitted. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The determination unit determines a communication partner area of each facsimile communication partner based on a telephone number of each of the facsimile communication partner terminals during broadcast communication to a plurality of facsimile communication partner terminals, Determine whether it matches the power outage area,
The facsimile apparatus, wherein the facsimile communication unit changes the order of the broadcast communication to a late order for the terminal of the facsimile communication partner in the communication partner region determined to match the power failure region by the determination unit.   An image forming apparatus comprising the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1.

Images