Facsimile device applying one-touch dialing operation for effecting automatic transmission by pre-registered destination facsimile numbers

• US 6,710,897 B1
• Filed: 05/12/1999
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Shimoyama, Atsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): WALLERSON, MARK E
• Application Number:
  US09/310,575
• Time in Patent Office: 1,777 Days
• Field of Search: 358/440, 358/402, 358/468, 358/444, 358/434, 358/403, 358/407, 379/100.04, 379/100.17
• US Class Current: 358/440
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32037 Automation of particular transmitter jobs, e.g. multi-address calling, auto-dialing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32058 Abbreviated dialing, e.g. one-touch dialing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32064 Multi-address calling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32074 Redialing, e.g. after failure to make a connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32085 Automation of other tasks, e.g. repetitive execution or sequencing

Abstract

A facsimile device comprising a back-up memory for storing a plurality of destination facsimile numbers each of which corresponds to a certain one-touch key provided on the device, a modem section for transmitting and receiving in accordance with a facsimile communication procedure, a communication control section for closing the subscriber telephone line when starting facsimile communication and opening the subscriber telephone line when terminating the facsimile communication, a facsimile transceiver section for transferring image information for transmission to the modem section, and for printing and outputting image information received from the modem section, and a main control section for controlling the modem section, the communication control section, and the facsimile transceiver section such that in response to a certain key being pressed, it dials a plurality of facsimile numbers of a designated destination, one at a time, in turn, so that an available destination facsimile number of a facsimile communication means of the designated destination is automatically selected, whereby facsimile communication directed to the designated destination is effected.

Claims

1. A facsimile device comprising:

a registration means for storing a plurality of destination facsimile numbers for a designated destination, each of which corresponds to a certain key among other arbitrary number of keys;

a modem means for transmitting and receiving facsimile signals between a remote device in accordance with a facsimile communication procedure;

a facsimile transceiver means for scanning loaded documents to transfer the scanned image information to the modem means, and for printing out and outputting image information which is being transferred from the modem means;

a communication control means for controlling closing and opening of a subscriber telephone line; and

a main control means for controlling the registration means to register thereto and read-out therefrom the destination facsimile numbers, and for performing control operations over the modem means, the communication control means, and the facsimile transceiver means, such that in response to a certain key being pressed at a time of facsimile communication, calling operation directed to a particular destination designated by the pressed key is executed by dialing a plurality of destination facsimile numbers, one at a time, in turn, so that an available destination facsimile number of a facsimile communication means of the designated destination is automatically selected, whereby facsimile communication directed to the designated destination is effected by the selected destination facsimile number, wherein

the main control means is constructed in such a way that at a time of one-touch key registration, it controls the registration means to determine a location for a block corresponding to each key in order to store an address of each block in a designated region, and to store in each block a value indicating the number of the registered destination facsimile numbers as well as the registered destination facsimile numbers themselves of a particular destination;

while at a time of one of the keys being pressed, it controls the facsimile transceiver means to immediately start scanning loaded documents so as to store the scanned image information, controls the registration means to read out registered destination facsimile numbers in a block designated by the pressed key in turn while also counting them, controls the modem means to call the designated destination by the registered destination facsimile numbers being read out, and controls the communication control means to close the subscriber telephone line and let the image information be transmitted from the facsimile transceiver means; and

while at a time of terminating the facsimile communication or detecting busy tone signals from the modem means, it gives instruction to the communication control means to open the subscriber telephone line,

wherein the opening of the subscriber telephone line in response to the instruction received by the communication control means occurs subsequent to and as a result of a pressing of a one-touch key, and

wherein the pressing of a one-touch key causes the main control means to set a first register equal to the number of destination facsimile numbers and to set a second register equal to “

1”

.

2. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the modem means is constructed in such a way that at a time of facsimile communication, it serves to execute transmission and reception of control signals between a remote device in accordance with a regulated facsimile communication procedure, detect busy tone signals indicating that the line is busy at a certain destination facsimile number, transmit facsimile image information signals to the destination, and receive facsimile image information signals from a remote device.

3. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the facsimile transceiver means effects bidirectional parallel data transmission between the modem means by digital data, such that at a time of facsimile transmission, image information obtained by scanning the loaded documents is transferred to the modem means, and at a time of facsimile reception, image information received from the modem means is printed and outputted.

4. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said keys are provided in such a way that upon any one of them being pressed, corresponding information is to be transmitted to the control means.

5. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the registration means includes regions for storing addresses of blocks each of which corresponds to a certain key, the registration means being constructed in such a way that each of said regions stores a value indicating a number of registered facsimile numbers of a particular destination corresponding to a certain key, and the registered facsimile numbers themselves.

6. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

the facsimile transceiver means effects bidirectional parallel data transmission between the modem means by digital data, such that at a time of facsimile transmission, image information obtained by scanning the loaded documents is transferred to the modem means, and at a time of facsimile reception, image information received from the modem means is printed and outputted.

7. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

the main control means is constructed in such a way that at a time of one-touch key registration, it controls the registration means to determine a location for a block corresponding to each key in order to store an address of each block in a designated region, and to store in each block a value indicating the number of the registered destination facsimile numbers as well as the registered destination facsimile numbers themselves of a particular destination;

while at a time of one of the keys being pressed, it controls the facsimile transceiver means to immediately start scanning loaded documents so as to store the scanned image information, controls the registration means to read out registered destination facsimile numbers in a block designated by the pressed key in turn while also counting them, controls the modem means to call the designated destination by the registered destination facsimile numbers being read out, and controls the communication control means to close the subscriber telephone line and let the image information be transmitted from the facsimile transceiver means; and

while at a time of terminating the facsimile communication or detecting busy tone signals from the modem means, it gives instruction to the communication control means to open the subscriber telephone line.

8. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said keys are provided in such a way that upon any one of them being pressed, corresponding information is to be transmitted to the control means.

9. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

the modem means is constructed in such a way that at a time of facsimile communication, it serves to execute transmission and reception of control signals between a remote device in accordance with a regulated facsimile communication procedure, detect busy tone signals indicating that the line is busy at a certain destination facsimile number, transmit facsimile image information signals to the destination, and receive facsimile image information signals from a remote device.

10. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

the main control means is constructed in such a way that at a time of one-touch key registration, it controls the registration means to determine a location for a block corresponding to each key in order to store an address of each block in a designated region, and to store in each block a value indicating the number of the registered destination facsimile numbers as well as the registered destination facsimile numbers themselves of a particular destination;

while at a time of one of the keys being pressed, it controls the facsimile transceiver means to immediately start scanning loaded documents so as to store the scanned image information, controls the registration means to read out registered destination facsimile numbers in a block designated by the pressed key in turn while also counting them, controls the modem means to call the designated destination by the registered destination facsimile numbers being read out, and controls the communication control means to close the subscriber telephone line and let the image information be transmitted from the facsimile transceiver means; and

while at a time of terminating the facsimile communication or detecting busy tone signals from the modem means, it gives instruction to the communication control means to open the subscriber telephone line.

11. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said keys are provided in such a way that upon any one of them being pressed, corresponding information is to be transmitted to the control means.

12. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

the facsimile transceiver means effects bidirectional parallel data transmission between the modem means by digital data, such that at a time of facsimile transmission, image information obtained by scanning the loaded documents is transferred to the modem means, and at a time of facsimile reception, image information received from the modem means is printed and outputted.

13. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said keys are provided in such a way that upon any one of them being pressed, corresponding information is to be transmitted to the control means.

14. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

the main control means is constructed in such a way that at a time of one-touch key registration, it controls the registration means to determine a location for a block corresponding to each key in order to store an address of each block in a designated region, and to store in each block a value indicating the number of the registered destination facsimile numbers as well as the registered destination facsimile numbers themselves of a particular destination;

while at a time of one of the keys being pressed, it controls the facsimile transceiver means to immediately start scanning loaded documents so as to store the scanned image information, controls the registration means to read out registered destination facsimile numbers in a block designated by the pressed key in turn while also counting them, controls the modem means to call the designated destination by the registered destination facsimile numbers being read out, and controls the communication control means to close the subscriber telephone line and let the image information be transmitted from the facsimile transceiver means; and

while at a time of terminating the facsimile communication or detecting busy tone signals the modem means, it gives instruction to the communication control means to open the subscriber telephone line.

15. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 14, wherein:

said keys are provided in such a way that upon any one of them being pressed, corresponding information is to be transmitted to the control means.

16. A facsimile device comprising:

a registration means for storing a plurality of destination facsimile numbers for a designated destination, each of which corresponds to a certain key among other arbitrary number of keys;

a modem means for transmitting and receiving facsimile signals between a remote device in accordance with a facsimile communication procedure;

a facsimile transceiver means for scanning loaded documents to transfer the scanned image information to the modem means, and for printing out and outputting image information which is being transferred from the modem means;

a communication control means for controlling closing and opening of a subscriber telephone line; and

a main control means for controlling the registration means to register thereto and read-out therefrom the destination facsimile numbers, and for performing control operations over the modem means, the communication control means, and the facsimile transceiver means, such that in response to a certain key being pressed at a time of facsimile communication, calling operation directed to a particular destination designated by the pressed key is executed by dialing a plurality of destination facsimile numbers, one at a time, in turn, so that an available destination facsimile number of a facsimile communication means of the designated destination is automatically selected, whereby facsimile communication directed to the designated destination is effected by the selected destination facsimile number, wherein

the registration means includes regions for storing addresses of blocks each of which corresponds to a certain key, the registration means being constructed in such a way that each of said regions stores a value indicating a number of registered facsimile numbers of a particular destination corresponding to a certain key, and the registered facsimile numbers themselves, and

the main control means is constructed in such a way that at a time of one-touch key registration, it controls the registration means to determine a location for a block corresponding to each key in order to store an address of each block in a designated region, and to store in each block a value indicating the number of the registered destination facsimile numbers as well as the registered destination facsimile numbers themselves of a particular destination;

while at a time of one of the keys being pressed, it controls the facsimile transceiver means to immediately start scanning loaded documents so as to store the scanned image information, controls the registration means to read out registered destination facsimile numbers in a block designated by the pressed key in turn while also counting them, controls the modem means to call the designated destination by the registered destination facsimile numbers being read out, and controls the communication control means to close the subscriber telephone line and let the image information be transmitted from the facsimile transceiver means; and

while at a time of terminating the facsimile communication or detecting busy tone signals from the modem means, it gives instruction to the communication control means to open the subscriber telephone line, and

wherein the opening of the subscriber telephone line in response to the instruction received by the communication control means occurs subsequent to and as

a result of a pressing of a one-touch key, and

wherein the pressing of a one-touch key causes the main control means to set a first register equal to the number of destination facsimile numbers and to set a second register equal to “

1”

.

17. A facsimile device comprising:

a registration means for storing a plurality of destination facsimile numbers for a designated destination, each of which corresponds to a certain key among other arbitrary number of keys;

a modem means for transmitting and receiving facsimile signals between a remote device in accordance with a facsimile communication procedure;

a facsimile transceiver means for scanning loaded documents to transfer the scanned image information to the modem means, and for printing out and outputting image information which is being transferred from the modem means;

a communication control means for controlling closing and opening of a subscriber telephone line; and

a main control means for controlling the registration means to register thereto and read-out therefrom the destination facsimile numbers, and for performing a control operations over the modem means, the communication control means, and the facsimile transceiver means, such that in response to a certain key being pressed at a time of facsimile communication, calling operation directed to a particular destination designated by the pressed key is executed by dialing a plurality of destination facsimile numbers, one at a time, in turn, so that an available destination facsimile number of a facsimile communication means of the designated destination is automatically selected, whereby facsimile communication directed to the designated destination is effected by the selected destination facsimile number, wherein

the registration means includes regions for storing addresses of blocks each of which corresponds to a certain key, the registration means being constructed in such a way that each of said regions stores a value indicating a number of registered facsimile numbers of a particular destination corresponding to a certain key, and the registered facsimile numbers themselves,

the modem means is constructed in such a way that at a time of facsimile communication, it serves to execute transmission and reception of control signals between a remote device in accordance with a regulated facsimile communication procedure, detect busy tone signals indicating that the line is busy at a certain destination facsimile number, transmit facsimile image information signals to the destination, and receive facsimile image information signals from a remote device, and

the main control means is constructed in such a way that at a time of one-touch key registration, it controls the registration means to determine a location for a block corresponding to each key in order to store an address of each block in a designated region, and to store in each block a value indicating the number of the registered destination facsimile numbers as well as the registered destination facsimile numbers themselves of a particular destination;

while at a time of one of the keys being pressed, it controls the facsimile transceiver means to immediately start scanning loaded documents so as to store the scanned image information, controls the registration means to read out registered destination facsimile numbers in a block designated by the pressed key in turn while also counting them, controls the modem means to call the designated destination by the registered destination facsimile numbers being read out, and controls the communication control means to close the subscriber telephone line and let the image information be transmitted from the facsimile transceiver means; and

while at a time of terminating the facsimile communication or detecting busy tone signals from the modem means, it gives instruction to the communication control means to open the subscriber telephone line, and

wherein the opening of the subscriber telephone line in response to the instruction received by the communication control means occurs subsequent to and as a result of a pressing of a one-touch key, and

wherein the pressing of a one-touch key causes the main control means to set a first register equal to the number of destination facsimile numbers and to set a second register equal to “

1”

.

18. A facsimile device comprising:

a registration means for storing a plurality of destination facsimile numbers for a designated destination, each of which corresponds to a certain key among other arbitrary number of keys;

a modem means for transmitting and receiving facsimile signals between a remote device in accordance with a facsimile communication procedure;

a facsimile transceiver means for scanning loaded documents to transfer the scanned image information to the modem means, and for printing out and outputting image information which is being transferred from the modem means;

a communication control means for controlling closing and opening of a subscriber telephone line; and

a main control means for controlling the registration means to register thereto and read-out therefrom the destination facsimile numbers, and for performing control operations over the modem means, the communication control means, and the facsimile transceiver means, such that in response to a certain key being pressed at a time of facsimile communication, calling operation directed to a particular destination designated by the pressed key is executed by dialing a plurality of destination facsimile numbers, one at a time, in turn, so that an available destination facsimile number of a facsimile communication means of the designated destination is automatically selected, whereby facsimile communication directed to the designated destination is effected by the selected destination facsimile number, wherein

the registration means includes regions for storing addresses of blocks each of which corresponds to a certain key, the registration means being constructed in such a way that each of said regions stores a value indicating a number of registered facsimile numbers of a particular destination corresponding to a certain key, and the registered facsimile numbers themselves,

the modem means is constructed in such a way that at a time of facsimile communication, it serves to execute transmission and reception of control signals between a remote device in accordance with a regulated facsimile communication procedure, detect busy tone signals indicating that the line is busy at a certain destination facsimile number, transmit facsimile image information signals to the destination, and receive facsimile image information signals from a remote device,

the facsimile transceiver means effects bidirectional parallel data transmission between the modem means by digital data, such that at a time of facsimile transmission, image information obtained by scanning the loaded documents is transferred to the modem means, and at a time of facsimile reception, image information received from the modem means is printed and outputted, and

the main control means is constructed in such a way that at a time of one-touch key registration, it controls the registration means to determine a location for a block corresponding to each key in order to store an address of each block in a designated region, and to store in each block a value indicating the number of the registered destination facsimile numbers as well as the registered destination facsimile numbers themselves of a particular destination;

while at a time of one of the keys being pressed, it controls the facsimile transceiver means to immediately start scanning loaded documents so as to store the scanned image information, controls the registration means to read out registered destination facsimile numbers in a block designated by the pressed key in turn while also counting them, controls the modem means to call the designated destination by the registered destination facsimile numbers being read out, and controls the communication control means to close the subscriber telephone line and let the image information be transmitted from the facsimile transceiver means; and

while at a time of terminating the facsimile communication or detecting busy tone signals the modem means, it gives instruction to the communication control means to open the subscriber telephone line, and

wherein the opening of the subscriber telephone line in response to the instruction received by the communication control means occurs subsequent to and as a result of a pressing of a one-touch key, and

wherein the pressing of a one-touch key causes the main control means to set a first register equal to the number of destination facsimile numbers and to set a second register equal to “

1”

.

19. A facsimile device as claimed in claim 18, wherein:

said keys are provided in such a way that upon any one of them being pressed, corresponding information is to be transmitted to the control means.