Data communicating apparatus and data communicating method capable of communicating through a plurality of kinds of networks

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a data communicating apparatus and a data communicating method which can communicate through a plurality of kinds of networks.

2. Related Background Art

Hitherto, a facsimile apparatus communicates image data through a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

In a computer communication, various data communications of voice, data, image, and the like through the internet are executed.

In recent years, what is called an internet facsimile for performing a facsimile communication through the internet has been proposed. The internet facsimile converts facsimile information to a format (for example, TIFF) of an annexed file of an electronic mail. The converted data is communicated as electronic mail data through the internet. The communication of the facsimile information through the internet has an advantage such that communication costs are cheap.

In case of the transmission by an electronic mail, however, even if a transmitting process is performed at a terminal on the transmitting side, whether the electronic mail has actually correctly reached the partner destination or not is obscure. If the electronic mail does not reach the communication partner, a notification that the electronic mail did not reach is sent after a little while after completion of the transmitting process. There is, consequently, a case where even if the operator on the transmitting source side performed the transmitting process of the electronic mail, the electronic mail does not actually correctly reach the partner destination.

On the other hand, although the conventional facsimile communication through the PSTN have higher communication costs than those of the communication of the facsimile information through the internet mentioned above, it has an advantage such that whether the facsimile information could certainly be transmitted to the communication partner destination or not can be immediately performed as compared with the communication of the electronic mail through the internet mentioned above.

By paying attention to the foregoing points, it is an object of the invention to provide a data communicating apparatus which can perform a data communication by properly selectively using a plurality of kinds of networks, for example, the internet and the public swicthed telephone network.

Another object of the invention is to provide a data communicating apparatus in which in the case where instantaneousness is required in a data transmission to a partner destination, data is transmitted through a network suitable for the instantaneousness and, on the other hand, when instantaneousness of the data transmission is not so important, the data is transmitted through a network of cheap communication costs.

The other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of a data communicating apparatus (facsimile apparatus) according to each of the first to third embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the third embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a construction of a data communicating apparatus (facsimile apparatus) according to each of the fourth to sixth embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the sixth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a construction of a data communicating apparatus (facsimile apparatus) according to the seventh embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the seventh embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the seventh embodiment; and

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the control operation in the seventh embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings.

In the following embodiments, a facsimile apparatus which can communicate image data through the internet and a general public telephone network such as PSTN or a public digital network such as ISDN will be explained as an example of a data communicating apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of a facsimile apparatus according to each of the first to third embodiments of the invention.

An NCU (network control unit) 2 connects a telephone network to a terminal on a line of this network in order to use the telephone network for a data communication or the like, performs a connection control of a telephone exchange network, performs a switching to a data communication path, and holds a loop. When the signal level (signal line 20 a ) from a control circuit 20 is equal to “0”, the NCU 2 connects a telephone line 2 a to a telephone set 4 side. When the signal level is equal to “1”, the NCU 2 connects the telephone line 2 a to a facsimile apparatus side. In an ordinary state, the telephone line 2 a is connected to the telephone set 4 side.

A hybrid circuit 6 separates a signal of a transmission system and a signal of a reception system, sends a transmission signal from an adding circuit 12 to the telephone line 2 a via the NCU 2 , receives a signal from the partner side via the NCU 2 , and transmits it to a modulator/demodulator (MODEM) 8 via a signal line 6 a.

The MODEM 8 executes a modulation and a demodulation based on the ITU-T recommendation V.8, V.21, V.27ter, V.29, V.17, and V.34. Each transmitting mode is designated for the MODEM 8 by a signal line 20 c. The MODEM 8 inputs a signal outputted to a signal line 20 b, outputs modulation data to a signal line 8 a, inputs a reception signal outputted to the signal line 6 a, and outputs demodulation data to a signal line 8 b.

An ANSam transmitting circuit 10 is a circuit for transmitting an ANSam signal (modulated tone signal based on the V.8 recommendation). When a signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to a signal line 20 d, the ANSam transmitting circuit 10 sends the ANSam signal to a signal line 10 a. When the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 20 d, the ANSam transmitting circuit 10 outputs no signal to the signal line 10 a.

The adding circuit 12 receives information on the signal line 8 a and information on the signal line 10 a and outputs an addition result to a signal line 12 a. A reading circuit 14 reads an image of an original and outputs the read image data to a signal line 14 a. A recording circuit 16 sequentially records information outputted to a signal line 20 e every line.

A memory circuit 18 is used to store original information or encoded information of the read data or to store received information, decoded information, or the like.

When a calling command pulse is generated onto a signal line 20 g, a calling circuit (or dialing circuit) 22 inputs telephone number information outputted to a signal line 20 f and outputs it to a signal line 2 b.

An operating unit 24 has a one-touch dial, an abbreviation dial, a ten-key, *, •, # keys, a set key, an @ key, a start key, a registration key to a called destination registering circuit 26 , a key to select a mode for a quick transmission, and other function keys. Information corresponding to the depressed key is outputted to a signal line 24 a.

The circuit 26 is a circuit for registering a destination using the internet and a destination using a public communication network through a signal line 26 a in correspondence to each destination of the one-touch dial or the abbreviation dial.

Personal computers (PCs) 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 , and 36 are connected to the LAN through a signal line 20 h. The signal line 20 h is connected to a network of the internet.

In the first embodiment of the invention, when the communication is selected, the control circuit 20 performs a control in a manner such that the communication through the internet is tried a predetermined number of times (3 times) and, when the communication is not established even if the communication was tried over the predetermined number of times, the communication using the telephone network is tried the maximum predetermined number of times (3 times). The control circuit 20 also performs a control in a manner such that after the communication through the internet was executed, if an acknowledgment of the reception cannot be obtained within five minutes, the communication via the internet is again started and, if a partner destination uses the telephone network and is busy or an error occurs during the communication, a call is generated to the same destination two minutes later by using the telephone network. Further, when the communication is established by the above controls, it is discriminated that the communication was finished.

FIGS. 2 to 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control circuit 20 in the first embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 2, the operation is first started in step S 0 . In step S 2 , the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 20 a and a CML relay of the NCU 2 is turned off. In step S 4 , the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 20 d, thereby setting the apparatus into a state where the ANSam signal is not transmitted.

In step S 6 , the information on the signal line 24 a is inputted and a check is made to see if the registration of the one-touch dial or the abbreviation dial has been selected. If it is selected, step S 8 follows. If NO, step S 10 follows.

In step S 8 , a telephone number of the telephone network and an IP (Internet Protocol) address of the partner destination of the internet are registered to the called destination registering circuit 26 through the signal line 26 a in correspondence to the one-touch dial or the abbreviation dial. After that, the processing routine advances to step S 10 .

In step S 10 , a check is made to see if the one-touch dial or the abbreviation dial has been depressed. When it is not depressed, step S 12 follows and the other process is executed.

When it is depressed, step S 14 follows and “1” is set in a counter (K) for counting the number of times of communication using the internet.

In step S 16 , the line is connected to the IP address registered in correspondence to the selected one-touch dial or the abbreviation dial by using the internet network. In step S 18 , a TCP/IP protocol is executed. Information to be transmitted is encoded according to the TIFF (tag image file format) format and is transmitted according to the MIME (multipurpose internet mail extensions).

In step S 20 , when the reception cannot be confirmed from the partner side after completion of the end of the communication by the internet, a time of five minutes is set in a timer as a time that is required to retry the communication by the internet.

In step S 22 , a check is made to see if the information of the reception confirmation has been received from a POP server of the destination connected just now. When it is an acknowledgment response, this means that the internet communication has been established. Therefore, the processing routine advances to step S 2 . When it is a negative response, step S 24 follows.

In step S 24 , a check is made to see if the timer has timed over. When it times over, step S 26 follows. If NO, step S 22 follows.

In step S 26 , a check is made to see whether the count value of the counter K is equal to or larger than 3 or not. When it is smaller than 3, step S 28 follows. The value of the counter K is increased by “1” and the internet communication is retried. When it is equal to or larger than 3, step S 30 follows in order to subsequently issue call to the telephone number using the public communication network.

In step S 30 , “1” is set in a counter L to count the number of times of communication using the public communication network. In step S 32 , a call is issued to the registered telephone number of the public communication network in correspondence to the selected one-touch dial or the abbreviation dial by using the calling circuit 22 .

In step S 34 , the signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to the signal line 24 a and the CML is turned on. A pre-procedure is executed in step S 36 . In step S 38 , a check is made to see if a busy tone has been detected from the partner side. When the busy tone is detected, the processing routine advances to step S 50 in order to interrupt the communication. When no busy tone is detected, step S 40 follows.

In step S 40 , a check is made to see if the pre-procedure has been finished. When the pre-procedure is not finished, the processing routine is returned to step S 36 . When the pre-procedure is finished, step S 42 follows.

In step S 42 , the image signal is transmitted. A procedure to execute the communication of a plurality of pages is also included in this processing routine. In step S 44 , a check is made to see if a communication error has occurred in the transmission of the image signal and the procedure. When the communication error occurs, the processing routine advances to step S 55 in order to interrupt the communication. When no communication error occurs, step S 46 follows.

In step S 46 , a check is made to see if the transmission of the image signal has been finished. When it is not finished, step S 42 follows. If it is finished, step S 48 follows and a post-procedure is executed. In step S 50 , the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 20 a and the CML is turned off.

In step S 52 , a check is made to see whether a count value of a counter E is equal to or larger than 3 or not. When it is equal to or larger than 3, the communication is abandoned, so that the processing routine advances to step S 2 . When it is smaller than 3, step S 54 follows and the value of the counter E is increased by “1”. In step S 56 , the apparatus waits for two minutes and step S 32 follows.

The second embodiment of the invention will now be described. According to the second embodiment, after the communication via the internet was executed in the foregoing first embodiment, a time that is required until communication via the internet is restarted owing to failure to establishment of the communication is gradually elongated during one communication.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a portion different from the first embodiment (FIGS. 2 to 5 ) in the operation of the second embodiment.

In FIG. 6, step S 60 corresponds to step S 18 mentioned above. In step S 62 , a value obtained by multiplying the count value of the counter K by three minutes is stored into the timer. In step S 64 , the processing routine advances to step S 22 mentioned above.

The third embodiment of the invention will now be described. According to the third embodiment, after the communication via the internet was executed in the foregoing first embodiment, if information indicative of a communication impossible state is received when the communication is not established, the communication via the internet is retried only a predetermined number of times (total three times) after the elapse of a predetermined time (for example, soon) from the timing of the reception of the communication impossible information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a portion different from the first embodiment (FIGS. 2 to 5 ) in the operation of the third embodiment.

In FIG. 7, step S 70 corresponds to the case of NO in step S 24 mentioned above. In step S 72 , a check is made to see if a message that the communication of the mail which was connected just now is impossible has been detected. When it is detected, step S 74 (S 26 ) follows. If it is not detected, step S 76 (S 22 ) follows.

In the forgoing first to third embodiments, although nothing is mentioned with respect to the parallel processes of a plurality of JOBs, another job may be executed during a predetermined waiting time after execution of the communication, via the internet or a waiting time until the redialing of the public-communication network, or the like.

The fourth embodiment of the invention will now be described.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a construction of a facsimile apparatus according to each of the fourth to sixth embodiments of the invention.

An NCU (network control unit) 102 connects a telephone network (public communication network) to a terminal of a line of this network in order to use the telephone network for a data communication or the like, performs a connection control of a telephone exchange network, performs a switching to a data communication path, and holds a loop. When the signal level (signal line 120 a ) from a control circuit 120 is equal to “0”, the NCU 102 connects a telephone line 102 a to a telephone set 104 side. When the signal level is equal to “1”, the NCU 102 connects the telephone line 102 a to a facsimile apparatus side. In an ordinary state, the telephone line 102 a is connected to the telephone set 104 side.

A hybrid circuit 106 separates a signal of a transmission system and a signal of a reception system, sends a transmission signal from an adding circuit 112 to the telephone line 102 a via the NCU 102 , receives a signal from the partner side via the NCU 102 , and transmits it to a modulator/demodulator (MODEM) 108 via a signal line 106 a.

The MODEM 108 executes a modulation and a demodulation based on the ITU-T recommendation V.8, V.21, V.27ter, V.29, V.17, and V.34. Each transmitting mode is designated for the MODEM 108 by a signal line 120 c. The MODEM 108 inputs a signal outputted to a signal line 120 b, outputs modulation data to a signal line 108 a, inputs a reception signal outputted to the signal line 106 a, and outputs demodulation data to a signal line 108 b.

An ANSam transmitting circuit 110 is a circuit for transmitting an ANSam signal. When a signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to a signal line 120 d, the ANSam transmitting circuit 110 sends the ANSam signal to a signal line 110 a. When the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 120 d, the ANSam transmitting circuit 110 outputs no signal to the signal line 110 a.

The adding circuit 112 receives information on the signal line 108 a and information on the signal line 110 a and outputs an addition result to a signal line 112 a. A reading circuit 114 reads an image of an original and outputs the read image data to a signal line 114 a. A recording circuit 116 sequentially records information outputted to a signal line 120 e every line.

A memory circuit 118 is used to store original information or encoded information of the read data or to store received information, decoded information, or the like.

When a calling command pulse is generated onto a signal line 120 g, a calling circuit 122 inputs telephone number information outputted to a signal line 120 f and outputs the selection signal to a signal line 102 b.

A called destination registering circuit 124 is a circuit for registering a destination (telephone number) to perform the G3 communication using the PSTN and a destination (IP address) for performing the data communication using the internet through a signal line 124 a in correspondence to a called destination of the one-touch dial or the abbreviation dial.

A direct transmission selecting button 126 is used when a direct transmission is selected. When the button 126 is depressed, a depression pulse is generated onto a signal line 126 a.

When a clear pulse is generated on a signal line 120 h, a direct transmission display circuit 128 is lit off. After that, each time the depression pulse is generated onto the signal line 126 a, the display circuit 128 repeats the light-on→light-off→light-on. When the direct transmission display circuit 128 is lit on, the signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to a signal line 128 a. When it is lit off, the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 128 a.

A reading mode selecting button 130 is used to select a reading mode. When the button 130 is depressed, a depression pulse is generated onto a signal line 130 a.

When a clear pulse is generated onto a signal line 120 i, a reading mode display circuit 132 displays “character mode”. After that, each time the depression pulse is generated onto the signal line 130 a, “halftone mode”→“character mode”→“halftone mode” are sequentially displayed. When the reading mode display circuit 132 displays “character mode”, the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to a signal line 132 a. When the display circuit 132 displays “halftone mode”, the signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to the signal line 132 a.

An operating unit 134 has a one-touch dial, an abbreviation dial, a ten-key, *, ∩, # keys, an @ key, a set key, a start key, a registration key to the circuit 124 , a key to select a mode for a quick transmission, other function keys, and the like. Information corresponding to the depressed key is outputted to a signal line 134 a.

A signal line 150 a is the LAN and PCs 140 , 142 , 144 , 146 , and 148 are connected to the LAN and are connected to a provider of an internet 150 . The signal line 102 a serving as a foregoing telephone line is connected to a PSTN (public switched telephone network) 152 .

In the fourth embodiment of the invention, when the communication is selected, the control circuit 120 performs a control in a manner such that the direct transmission is set to the communication via the public communication network and the memory transmission is set to the communication via the internet.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control circuit 120 in the fourth embodiment of the invention.

First, in FIG. 9, the operation is started in step S 100 . In step S 102 , a clear pulse is generated to the signal line 120 h and the direct transmission display circuit 128 is lit off.

In step S 104 , a clear pulse is generated to the signal line 120 i and the reading mode display circuit 132 displays “character mode”. In step S 106 , the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 124 a and the CML relay is turned off.

In step S 108 , the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 120 d, thereby setting the apparatus into a state where no ANSam signal is transmitted.

In step S 110 , information on the signal line 134 a is inputted and a check is made to see if the registration of an address has been selected. If it is selected, step S 112 follows the telephone number to be G3 communicated by using the PSTN and the IP address to be data communicated by using the internet are registered into an address registering circuit in correspondence to the calling destination through the signal line 124 a. If it is not selected, step S 114 follows.

In step S 114 , whether the calling has been selected or not is discriminated. When the calling is selected, step S 118 follows. If NO, step S 116 follows and other processes are executed.

In step S 118 , the information on the signal line 128 a is inputted and whether the direct transmission has been selected or not is discriminated. When the direct transmission is selected, step S 120 follows. When the memory transmission is selected, step S 130 follows.

In step S 120 , a call is issued to the designated destination by the calling circuit 122 by using the PSTN line.

In step S 122 , the signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to the signal line 120 a and the CML relay is turned on.

In step S 124 , a procedure of V.8 or V.21 is executed. In step S 126 , an image transmission of V.27ter, V.29, V.17, or V.34 is performed. In step S 128 , a procedure of V.34 or V.21 is executed.

In step S 130 , the transmission information is read encoded, and stored into the memory circuit 118 and, at the same time, a use amount of the memory for this communication is counted.

In step S 132 , a check is made to see if the reading operation of the transmission information has been finished. If NO, step S 130 follows. When it is finished, step S 134 follows. In step S 134 , the transmission information is connected to the designated destination through the internet.

In step S 136 , the TCP-IP protocol is executed. In step S 138 , the image data which was TIFF formatted according to the SMTP is transmitted according to the MIME.

The fifth embodiment of the invention will now be described. According to the fifth embodiment, when the memory transmission is selected in the foregoing fourth embodiment, if an amount of information to be transmitted is small, the communicating mode is set to the communication via the public communication network, while if the amount of information to be transmitted is large, the communicating mode is set to the communication via the internet.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a portion different from the foregoing fourth embodiment (FIGS. 9 and 10) in the operation of the fifth embodiment.

In FIG. 11, step S 140 corresponds to YES in step S 132 . In step S 142 , a check is made to see whether the information amount of the present communication stored in the memory in step S 130 is equal to or larger than 4 Mbits or not. When it is equal to or larger than 4 Mbits, step S 144 (S 134 ) follows. When it is smaller than 4 Mbits, step S 146 (S 120 ) follows.

The sixth embodiment of the invention will now be described. In the case where the memory transmission is selected in the fourth embodiment, when the “halftone mode” is selected as a reading mode at that time, the communicating mode is set to the communication via the internet. When “character mode” is selected, the communicating mode is set to the communication through the public communication network.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a portion different from the fourth embodiment (FIGS. 9 and 10) in the operation of the sixth embodiment.

In FIG. 12, step S 150 shows YES in step S 132 .

In step S 152 , a check is made to see if the reading mode when the information is stored into the memory is “halftone mode”. When the reading mode is “halftone mode”, step S 154 (S 134 ) follows. When it is “character mode”, step S 156 (S 120 ) follows.

When the quick transmitting mode is selected by a key input of the operating unit 134 , the facsimile communication via the PSTN is selected. If NO, the communication via the internet is selected.

The seventh embodiment of the invention will now be described.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a construction of a facsimile apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the invention.

An NCU (network control unit) 202 connects a telephone network to a terminal of a line of this network in order to use the telephone network for a data communication or the like, performs a connection control of a telephone exchange network, performs a switching to a data communication path, and holds a loop. When the signal level (signal line 220 a ) from a control circuit 220 is equal to “0”, the NCU 202 connects a telephone line 202 a to a telephone set 204 side. When the signal level is equal to “1”, the NCU 202 connects the telephone line 202 a to a facsimile apparatus side. In an ordinary state, the telephone line 202 a is connected to the telephone set 204 side.

A hybrid circuit 206 separates a signal of a transmission system and a signal of a reception system, sends a transmission signal from an adding circuit 212 to the telephone line 202 a via the NCU 202 , receives a signal from the partner side via the NCU 202 , and transmits it to a modulator/demodulator (MODEM) 208 via a signal line 206 a.

The MODEM 208 executes a modulation and a demodulation based on the ITU-T recommendation V.8, V.21, V.27ter, V.29, V.17, and V.34. Each transmitting mode is designated for the MODEM 208 by a signal line 220 c. The MODEM 208 inputs a signal outputted to a signal line 220 b, outputs modulation data to a signal line 208 a, inputs a reception signal outputted to the signal line 206 a, and outputs demodulation data to a signal line 208 b.

An ANSam transmitting circuit 210 is a circuit for transmitting an ANSam signal. When a signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to a signal line 220 d, the ANSam transmitting circuit 210 sends the ANSam signal to a signal line 210 a. When the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 220 d, the ANSam transmitting circuit 210 outputs no signal to the signal line 210 a.

The adding circuit 212 receives information on the signal line 208 a and information on the signal line 210 a and outputs an addition result to a signal line 212 a. A reading circuit 214 reads an image of an original and outputs the read image data to a signal line 214 a. A recording circuit 216 sequentially records information outputted to a signal line 220 e every line.

A memory circuit 218 is used to store original information or encoded information of the read data or to store received information, decoded information, or the like.

When a calling command pulse is generated onto a signal line 220 g, a calling circuit 222 inputs telephone number information outputted to a signal line 220 f and outputs a selection signal to a signal line 202 b.

An operating unit 224 has a one-touch dial, an abbreviation dial, a ten-key, *, •, # keys, an @ key, registration keys to the circuits 226 , 228 , and 230 , a set key, a start key, other function keys, and the like. Information corresponding to the depressed key is outputted to a signal line 224 a.

A called destination registering circuit 226 is used to register a calling destination. The address to be connected by using the internet and the telephone number using the public communication network are registered through a signal line 226 a in correspondence to each destination of the one-touch dial and abbreviation dial.

A registering circuit 228 is used to register a default value of a predetermined number A of times to try the communication via the internet through a signal line 228 a.

When the line cannot be connected even if the communication was tried the predetermined number A of times via the internet, a registering circuit 230 is used to register a default value of a predetermined number B of times through a signal line 230 a in order to subsequently retry the communication only the predetermined number B of times through the public communication network.

PCs 240 , 242 , 244 , and 246 are connected to the LAN via a signal line 220 h and are further connected to an internet 248 . The signal line 202 a serving as a telephone line is connected to a public communication network 250 .

The control circuit 220 executes a control in a manner such that when the communication is selected in the seventh embodiment of the invention, the communication through the internet is tried the predetermined number A of times, and when the communication is not established even if the communication was tried the predetermined number A of times, the communication using the public communication network is tried the maximum predetermined number B of times. Further, the control circuit 220 also executes a control to change the predetermined numbers A and B of times in accordance with the conditions.

For example, when the facsimile transmission is selected, an amount of information to be communicated is estimated. As for the predetermined number A of times, when the information amount is equal to or larger tan 10 Mbits, “2” is added to the value of A registered in the registering circuit 228 . When it is equal to or larger than 5 Mbits, “1” is added to A. When it is equal to or less than 0.5 Mbits, “2” is subtracted from A. When it is equal to or less than 1 Mbits, “1” is subtracted from A.

As for the predetermined number B of times, when the information amount is equal to or less than 0.5 Mbits for the number of times registered in the registering circuit 230 , “2” is added to B. When it is equal to or less than 1 Mbits, “1” is added to B. When it is equal to or larger than 10 Mbits, “2” is subtracted from B. When it is equal to or larger than 5 Mbits, “1” is subtracted from B.

FIGS. 14 to 19 are flowcharts showing the operation of the control circuit 220 in the seventh embodiment of the invention.

First, in step S 202 , the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 220 a and the CML is turned off. In step S 204 , the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 220 d, thereby setting the apparatus into a state where the ANSam signal is not transmitted.

In step S 206 , the information on the signal line 224 a is inputted and a check is made to see if the registration of the one-touch dial or abbreviation dial has been selected. When it is not selected, step S 210 follows. When it is selected, step S 208 follows.

In step S 208 , the telephone number of the public communication network and the IP address of the partner destination of the internet are registered into the called destination registering circuit 226 through the signal line 226 a in correspondence to the one-touch dial or abbreviation dial.

In step S 210 , the information on the signal line 224 a is inputted and whether the registration of the predetermined number A of times has been selected or not is discriminated. When it is selected, step S 212 follows. If NO, step S 214 follows.

In step S 212 , a default value of the number of times of trial of the communication, for example, 4 is registered into the registering circuit 228 through the signal line 228 a through the internet.

In step S 214 , the information on the signal line 224 a is inputted and whether the registration of the predetermined number B of times has been selected or not is discriminated. When it is selected, step S 216 follows. If NO, step S 218 follows.

In step S 216 , a default value of the number of times (for example, 3) of the communication to be filed via the public communication network, when the communication through the internet is impossible is registered into the registering circuit 230 through the signal line 230 a.

In step S 218 , the information on the signal line 224 a is inputted and a check is made to see if the one-touch dial or the abbreviation dial has been depressed. If YES, step S 222 follows. If NO, step S 220 follows and other processes are executed.

In step S 222 , the information to be transmitted is encoded into MR of (K=8) and stored into the memory circuit 218 and, at the same time, an encoding amount is counted.

In step S 224 , a check is made to see if the reading operation of all pages has been finished. If NO, step S 222 follows. If YES, step S 226 follows.

In step S 226 , the information on the signal line 228 a is inputted and the information stored in the registering circuit 228 is stored into an area of the predetermined number A of times.

In step S 228 , the information on the signal line 230 a is inputted and the information stored in the registering circuit 230 is stored into an area of the predetermined number B of times.

In steps S 230 , S 232 , S 234 , and S 236 , the encoding amount of the transmission information is discriminated. When it is equal to or less than 0.5 Mbits, “2” is subtracted from the value of the predetermined number A of times (S 238 ) and “2” is added to the value of the predetermined number B of times (S 240 ). When it is larger than 0.5 Mbits and is equal to or less than 1 Mbits, “1” is subtracted from the value of the predetermined number A of times (S 242 ) and “1” is added to the value of the predetermined number B of times (S 244 ). When it is equal to or larger than 10 Mbits, “2” is added to the value of the predetermined number A of times (S 246 ) and “2” is subtracted from the value of the predetermined number B of times (S 248 ). When it is equal to or larger than 5 Mbits and is less than 10 Mbits, “1” is added to the value of the predetermined number A of times (S 250 ) and “1” is subtracted from the value of the predetermined number B of times (S 252 ). In the other cases, the values of the predetermined numbers (A and B) of times are not changed. When a resultant value obtained by subtracting is less than 1, “1” is set.

In step S 254 , “1” is set in a counter to count the number of times of the call generation to the internet. In step S 256 , the line is connected to the registered IP address by using the internet network in correspondence to the selected one-touch dial or abbreviation dial.

In step S 258 , the TCP-IP protocol is executed and the transmission information is encoded according to the TIFF format and transmitted according to the MIME. In step S 260 , a time of three minutes is set into the timer.

In steps S 262 and S 264 , a check is made to see if a reception acknowledgment has been received from the POP server of the destination which is now connected before the timer times over. If the reception acknowledgment is received, step S 202 follows and the communication is finished. When the timer times over, step S 266 follows.

In step S 266 , a check is made to see whether the value of the counter is equal to or larger than the predetermined number A of times or not. If NO, step S 268 follows and the value of the counter is increased by “1”. If YES, step S 270 follows.

In step S 270 , “1” is set in the counter to count the number of times of the call generation to the public communication network. In step S 272 , a call is issued to the registered telephone number by using the calling circuit 222 in correspondence to the selected one-touch dial or abbreviation dial, thereby connecting the line to the public communication network.

In step S 274 , the signal at the signal level “1” is outputted to the signal line 220 a and the CML relay is turned on. In step S 276 , a pre-procedure is executed. In step S 278 , whether a busy tone has been detected or not is discriminated. When the busy tone is detected, step S 288 follows. If NO, step S 280 follows.

In step S 280 , a check is made to see if the pre-procedure has been finished. If it is finished, step S 282 follows. If NO, step S 276 follows.

In step S 282 , the transmission of the image signal and a post-procedure are executed. In step S 284 , a check is made to see if the communication has been finished. If it is not finished, step S 282 follows. When it is finished, step S 286 follows.

In step S 286 , a check is made to see if the processing routine is finished as an error. When it is normally finished, step S 202 follows. When it is finished as an error, step S 288 follows. In step S 288 , the signal at the signal level “0” is outputted to the signal line 220 a and the CML relay is turned off.

In step S 290 , a check is made to see whether the value of the counter is equal to or larger than the predetermined number B of times or not. When it is equal to or larger than the predetermined number B of times, step S 290 follows. When it is less than B, step S 292 follows and the value of the counter is increased by “1”. In step S 294 , the apparatus waits for two minutes.

In step S 296 , information showing that although the communication via the internet and the public communication network was tried, the communication is impossible is recorded into a communication result report. After that, step S 202 follows.

As described above, when the communication is selected, the communication via the internet is first executed and, even if the processes are finished as an error, the communication is tried a-plurality of number of times. Therefore, the user can execute the communication of high certainty and at low communication costs by the key operation of one time. When the communication is not established even if the communication via the internet was tried the predetermined number of times, the communicating mode can be shifted to the facsimile communication using the telephone network and the trial of a plurality of number of times can be performed here. Therefore, it is a rare case that the communication is impossible. An apparatus which can be easily used can be provided to the user.

When the communication via the internet is executed, it is presumed that in many cases, a time of the notification of the end of the reception is longer than a redialing interval of the communication using the telephone network. However, it is possible to properly cope with such a situation.

After the communication via the internet was executed, if the notification of the end of the reception is not returned, it is discriminated that the traffic is busy. Since a time until the communication through the internet is restarted is gradually elongated in one communication, a possibility of the communication via the internet can be raised.

When the communication is finished, the line is not again connected to the destination but the proper operation can be derived.

After the communication via the internet was executed, when a report indicating that the communication is impossible is sent, the proper control can be executed.

In the direct transmission, the communication via the telephone network can be performed and a transmitting speed is not fairly higher than a reading speed, so that the apparatus does not wait for the communication. Further high secrecy, certainty, and instantaneousness of the communication can be assured. On the other hand, in the memory transmission, the communication via the internet is executed, the communication can be performed at a very high speed, and the communication costs can be remarkably reduced.

When the information amount is large, the communication via the internet is executed, thereby realizing a large reduction of the communication costs. When the information amount is small, the communication via the telephone network is executed, thereby attaching importance to the secrecy, certainty, and instantaneousness and extremely suppressing an increase in communication costs.

In case of “halftone mode” in which an information amount is large, by performing the communication via the internet, a remarkable decrease in communication costs is realized. In case of “character mode” in which an information amount is small, by executing the communication via the telephone network, importance is attached to the secrecy, certainty, and instantaneousness and an increase in communication costs is also fairly suppressed.

In case of the quick transmitting mode, the facsimile transmission via the PSTN (telephone network) is executed. In case of a mode instead of the quick transmitting mode, the facsimile information is transmitted by an electronic mail via the internet. In this manner, the transmission according to the requirement (data to be transmitted) of the operator can be realized.

When the communication through the internet is preferable, the number of trial times of the communication via the internet is increased. In case of the communication such that the network can be soon switched to the telephone network, the number of trial times of the communication through the internet can be reduced. Thus, the calling control can be performed in accordance with an object of the user.

When an amount of information to be communicated is large, a priority is given to the communication costs and the number of trial times of the communication via the internet is increased. When an amount of information to be communicated is small, since a decrease in costs by the communication via the internet is small, the number of trial times of the communication via the internet is reduced, the communicating mode is switched to the communication via the telephone network, so that a priority can be given to the certainty, instantaneousness, and secrecy.

When an amount of information to be communicated is small, since the decrease in costs by the internet communication is small, the number of trial times of the communication via the telephone network in consideration of the certainty, secrecy, and instantaneousness is increased. When an amount of information to be communicated is large, the number of trial times of the communication via the internet is increased and, at the same time, the number of trial times of the subsequent communication via the telephone network is reduced, thereby enabling a priority to be given to the costs (communication costs).

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments but many modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the appended claims of the invention.