JPH02299362A - Facsimile machine operation display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the power consumption and to improve the external appearance by sending an on-signal in terms of a radio signal from a facsimile equipment main body to an operation display device and blinking a light emitting element. CONSTITUTION:A transmission unit TU sends the information from a facsimile equipment FX. A reception display unit RU receives transmission information from the unit TU and applies lighting display when the equipment FX is in operation. A signal light such as an infrared ray is outputted from an output window TW formed to a tip of the unit TU and the unit RU receives the signal light at its reception light window RW. A signal SX representing the operating state of the equipment FX is given from a system control section 1 of the equipment FX and a power supply are given to the unit TU. The fact of the equipment FX in operation is informed from the display window DW of the unit RU with the blink of a light emitting diode 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an operation display device for a facsimile machine that is disposed at a high place with good visibility and lights up to indicate when the facsimile machine is transmitting/receiving.

[Prior Art] Generally, a facsimile machine is shared by multiple people, so when you go to the facsimile machine to send certain image information, you may find that another operator is transmitting image information or that the information is not being received. If it was running,
The operator may not be able to transmit the image information as intended, resulting in a waste of time.

To solve this problem, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-219863, a lamp placed at a clearly visible position is turned on to indicate that it is in operation. A facsimile machine has been proposed.

This conventional device is very convenient because it can be clearly determined whether or not the facsimile machine can be used depending on the lighting status of the lamp.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, this conventional device uses a signal line to connect the lamp to the main body of the facsimile machine. This caused the inconvenience of detracting from the aesthetic appearance of the building.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an operation display device for a facsimile machine that can display the operating status of the facsimile machine without detracting from its aesthetic appearance.

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, an on signal is wirelessly transmitted from the main body of the facsimile machine to the operation display device, and a light emitting element is dimmed.

[Function] Therefore, there is no need for a signal line to connect the main body of the facsimile machine and the operation display device, so the beauty of the surrounding area is not spoiled. Furthermore, since the light emitting elements are dimmed, power consumption is reduced, thereby extending the battery life of the operation display device.

[Example 1] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an operation display device for a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the transmitting unit TU transmits information from the facsimile machine FX, and the receiving display unit RU receives the transmitted information from the transmitting unit TO, and when the facsimile machine FX is in operation, , to indicate that fact by lighting.

In addition, in this case, the transmitting unit TO outputs signal light such as infrared light from the output window TV formed at the tip, and the receiving display unit RU transmits the signal light to the light receiving window R.
I'll take it in 1. Further, the display window DV formed in the reception display unit RU is for transmitting the output light from the light emitting element (the path shown in the figure) housed inside the unit.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the transmitting unit TU is arranged near the facsimile machine FX and is connected to the facsimile machine FX by a signal cable CB, and the receiving display unit Rtl is placed near the facsimile machine FX, for example, on a wall near the ceiling. , located at a high location with good visibility. However, transmitting unit T
The position and direction of each unit are set so that the signal light output from the output window TV of LI is received by the light receiving window RW of the light receiving display unit RU.

FIG. 3 shows the control system of the device shown in FIG.

In the figure, a system control unit 1 of a facsimile machine FX is for controlling the operation of this facsimile machine FX, and the system control unit 1 is used to control the operation of the facsimile machine FX via a cable CB. A signal SX and power are supplied to the transmitting unit Tu.

In the transmission unit Tυ, when the signal Sx output from the system control unit l is raised to the logic H level, the transmission control unit 2 continuously forms transmission data DT in a predetermined format and switches it. transistor 3
Output to.

Here, the transmission data DT is a synchronization signal consisting of a predetermined bit pattern, as shown in FIG.
It consists of an identification code to identify the device, and data to indicate when the device is in operation.

The switching transistor 3 is for turning on and off the light emitting diode 4, and the light output when the light emitting diode 4 is turned on is passed through the output window T- as a signal light.
Output via . Note that light efficiency can be improved by inserting an optical element such as a lens that converts the output light of the light emitting diode 4 into parallel light between the light emitting diode 4 and the output window.

In the reception display unit RU, the phototransistor 5
is for receiving signal light incident through the light receiving window rtw, and its light receiving signal R8 is output to the reception display control section 6.

When receiving the light reception signal R5, the reception display control unit 6 first synchronizes the bits of the reception data with the first synchronization signal and extracts the identification code and data. If the content of the identification code is detected by the transmitting unit TU, it is determined that the received light signal R5 is obtained as a result of receiving the signal light output from the transmitting unit TO, and the data is activated. When the content is showing that there is a hailstorm inside, the display signal DD output to the switching transistor 7
Raise it to logic 1 level.

The switching transistor 7 is for turning on and off the light emitting diode 8, and the light output when the light emitting diode 8 is on is displayed on the outside of the reception display unit RU via the display window. .

Furthermore, power is supplied to the phototransistor 5, reception display control section 6, switching transistor 7, and light emitting diode 8 from a battery 9.

With the above configuration, the system control section 1 performs processing as shown in FIG. 5 when performing a receiving operation or a transmitting operation. It should be noted that the configuration and operation of the facsimile machine FX are similar to those of the conventional apparatus, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

First, a timer for measuring the lighting period TA in the blinking display cycle of the light reception display unit RU is started (process 101), and the signal Sx is raised to the logic H level (process 102).

In this state, the timer waits until the lighting period TA has elapsed (No loop of judgment 103), and when the lighting period TA has passed and the result of judgment 103 becomes YES, the light is turned off in the blinking display cycle of the light receiving display unit RU. Processing to start the timer for timing period TB 104) Signal S
x is lowered to logic L level (process 105).

In this state, the timer waits until the light-off period TB has elapsed (No loop of judgment 106), and when the light-off period TB has passed and the result of judgment 106 becomes NO, processing 101
Return to

Therefore, when the facsimile machine FX is in the receiving operation and in the sending operation, the system control unit 1 sets the open signal SX of the lighting period TA to a logic high level, as shown in FIG. 6(a).
After holding the level, the open signal Sx during the light-off period TB is held at the logic L level, and this operation is repeated.

As a result, during the lighting period TA in which the signal Sx is raised to the logic H level, the transmission control unit 2
As shown in , the transmission data DT is continuously output, and as a result, the switching transistor 3 is turned on and off according to the bit pattern of the transmission data I)T, so that a signal light corresponding to the transmission data DT is output from the light emitting diode 4. be done. That is, after the signal light is output during the lighting period TA, the output is stopped during the lighting period T8, and this is repeated while the facsimile machine FX is in operation.

This signal light is received by the phototransistor 5 of the reception display unit RU, and the reception signal R5 is applied to the reception display control section 6. The reception display control unit 6 identifies the contents of the light reception signal R5, first performs bit synchronization using the synchronization signal of the transmission data DT, and then extracts the subsequent identification code and data.

At this time, since the content of the identification code indicates that it is issued by the transmitting unit, the display signal DD is raised to the logic H level.

Furthermore, since the reception signal R8 is not obtained during the light-off period T8 following the lighting period TA, the reception display control section 6 lowers the display signal DD to the logic L level.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the display signal DD maintains the logic H level during the lighting period TA, and then changes to maintain the logic L level during the lighting period TB.
As a result, the 1 light emitting diode 8 is lit during the lighting period TA and then turned off during the lighting period TB, and this process is repeated, so that the display windows Dw of the light receiving display units 1 to RU are lit during the lighting period TA. A blinking lighting display is performed such that the light goes out during the light-off period TB.

As a result, the fact that the facsimile machine FX is in operation is notified to the outside by dimming the display window DV of the reception display unit RU.

As described above, in this embodiment, the operator is notified that the facsimile machine FX is in operation by dimming the display window DW of the reception display unit Rυ, which is mounted at a high place with good visibility. It is possible to clearly know whether the facsimile machine FX is in operation or not.

Further, since the reception display unit RU is wirelessly connected to the facsimile equipment MFX, there is no need to route signal lines, and it is possible to prevent the appearance of the surrounding area from being spoiled.

Furthermore, since the signal is transmitted to the reception display unit RU using the transmission unit TU connected to the facsimile machine FX via the cable CB, the transmission unit TU
The degree of freedom in the arrangement of the reception display unit l-11 (
The mounting position of J also has a higher degree of freedom.

Further, since the display of the reception display unit RU is blinked, the power consumption of the reception display unit RU can be reduced, and the life of the battery 9, which is not used properly, can be extended.

By the way, in the embodiment described above, the facsimile machine FX
Since the system control unit 1 controls the blinking display of the reception display unit [<U, the processing load on the system control unit 1 increases. Therefore, another embodiment of the present invention that can reduce the processing load on the system control unit 1 will be described next.

FIG. 7 shows a reception display unit RU according to another embodiment of the invention. In this figure, the same parts and corresponding parts as in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals.

A manual switch 10 is used to set the operation mode of the reception display unit Rυ, and its on/off signal SF is applied to the reception display control section 11.

The oscillator 12 generates a clock signal CP, and the clock signal CP is applied to the reception display control section 11 and the counter 13.

The reset circuit 14 detects the rising edge of the battery 9 and outputs a reset signal RT, which is sent to the reception display control section 11 and the counter 3.
has been added to.

The counter 13 starts counting the clock signal cp when activated by the reception display control unit 11, and outputs a carry signal CY when the counted value overflows.
The carry signal CY is applied to the control signal input terminal of the power switch 15.

The power switch 15 is for applying power from the battery 9 to the phototransistor 5 and the reception display control means 11, and is turned on when the carry signal CY is applied.

The latch circuit @16 is for storing the display signal DD, and the switching transistor 9 is turned on and off depending on the stored contents.

In the above configuration, in the initial state, the carry signal CY is output from the counter 13, which turns on the switch 15 and turns on the power of the battery 9 to the transistor 1-1.
and is applied to the reception display control section 11, so that the phototransistor 5 and the reception display control section 11 become operable.

Furthermore, power from the battery 9 is always applied to the oscillator 12, counter 13, reset circuit 14°, and latch circuit I6, and these elements are always in an operable state.

When power is applied, the reception display control unit 11 operates in continuous lighting mode when the switch 10 is turned on and the on/off signal SF is at the logic L level,
In addition, when the switch 10 is turned off, the on-off signal SF
When the level is at logic 1 level, the dimming lighting mode is operated.

Here, first, the operation of system control section 1 in this embodiment will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the standby state, the system control unit 1 monitors whether an incoming call is detected or the operator inputs a command to start transmission (determination 20).
1, 202 (NO loop), when an incoming call is detected and the result of judgment 201 becomes YES, the signal Sx is raised to a logic H level (process 203), and then a predetermined facsimile reception process is executed to receive image information. When the process is completed, the signal SX is lowered to the logic L level (process 205).

Further, when a command to start transmission is input and the result of judgment 202 becomes YES, the signal SX is raised to the logic H level (process 206), and then a predetermined facsimile transmission process is executed to transmit the image information. 207), when the process is completed, the process moves to process 205 and the signal Sx is lowered to the logic L level.

In this way, the system control unit 1 raises the signal SX to the logic 1 level before the reception processing or the transmission processing, and lowers the signal SX to the logic L level when the reception processing or the transmission processing is completed. During the period in which the operation is being performed, the signal light of the transmission data DT is continuously output from the transmission unit TO.

Furthermore, since the process for transmitting data to the reception display unit RLI becomes very simple, the control load on the system control unit 1 is reduced.

Now, when the on/off signal SF is at the logic L level when the power is turned on, the reception display control section 11 shifts to the continuous lighting mode and executes the processing shown in FIG. 9.

That is, the received signal R3 is inputted (processing 301), and it is checked whether the signal light of the transmitted data DT is being outputted from the transmitting unit TO, and whether the content thereof is something that will cause a problem during the operation of the facsimile machine Fx. Judgment 302).

When the result of the judgment 302 is YES, data 1 is set in the latch circuit 16 to indicate that the facsimile machine Fx is in operation (process 303), and when the result of the judgment 302 is No, In order not to display the lighting, data O is set in the latch circuit 16 (
Process 304), start the counter 13 (Process 3゜5)
.

As a result, the counting operation of the counter 13 is started, and the carry signal CY from the counter 13 is turned off, which turns off the switch 15 and supplies power from the battery 9 to the phototransistor 5 and the reception display control section 11. No longer applied.

Here, since the oscillator 12 and the counter 13 are supplied with power from the battery 9, the clock signal CP is output from the first oscillator 12, and the counter 13 counts the clock signal CP.

Then, when the count value of the counter 13 overflows and the carry signal CY is output, the switch 15 is turned on, so that the power of the battery 9 is applied to the phototransistor 5 and the reception display control section 11. Therefore, the reception display control unit 11 executes the process of the continuous lighting mode described above.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 10(a) to 10(f), the phototransistor 5 and the reception display control section 11 operate during the period when the carry signal CY is output from the counter 13 and the switch 15 is turned on. However, when the signal light of the transmission data DT is being received from the transmission unit TU at that timing, data 1 is set in the latch circuit 16, so from then on, the switching transistor 7 is turned on and the light emitting diode 8 is lit. do.

Further, when the signal light of the transmission data DT is not received from the transmission unit TU, data 0 is set in the latch circuit 16, so that from then on, the switching transistor 7 is turned off and the light emitting diode 8 is turned on.

In this way, when the continuous lighting mode is set, the light emitting diode 8 lights up continuously while the facsimile machine FX is in operation, but the phototransistor 5 and reception display control unit 11, which consume power, do not light up intermittently. As a result, the life of the battery 9 can be extended.

Here, the number of digits of the counter 13 is determined by the time from the start of the counting operation to the over-puffing of the facsimile machine F.
It is preferable to set the time to a value that is shorter than the shortest time for one transmission/reception operation of X.

On the other hand, when the on/off signal SF is at the logic II level when the power is turned on, the reception display control section 11 shifts to the dimming lighting mode and executes the processing shown in FIG. 11.

That is, the received signal R3 is inputted (processed 401), and monitored until the signal light of the transmitted data D'r is outputted from the transmitting unit TO (judgment 402).
The result of judgment 402 is YE after receiving the transmission data DT from
When S is reached, a timer for measuring the lighting period TC in the blinking display cycle of the light emitting diode 8 is started (403), and the display signal DO of data 1 is transferred to the latch circuit 16.
(processing 404).

In this state, the timer waits until the lighting period TC has passed (No loop of judgment 405), and when the lighting period TC has passed and the result of judgment 405 is YES, the lighting period TD in the blinking display cycle of one light emitting diode 8 is set. Process 406) to start the timer for measuring time, and store the display signal DD of data O in the latch circuit 16 (process 407).
).

In this state, the timer waits until the light-off period TD has elapsed (No loop of judgment 408), and when the result of judgment 408 becomes NO after the light-off period TB has passed, processing 401
Return to

Therefore, when the facsimile machine FX is in operation and receiving transmission data DT from the transmission unit TO, the light emitting diode 8 is dimmed and lit at the blinking cycle of the lighting period TC and the lighting period TD.

In this way, when the dimming lighting mode is set, the light emitting diode 8 lights up dimming while the facsimile machine Fx is in operation, so that the life of the battery 9 can be extended.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the reception display unit is always operating, but the operator who actually checks the display contents of the reception display unit is not in the room late at night, so when a call arrives late at night, It would be wasteful to display a warning message when a call is in progress.

Therefore, in order to prevent such waste, for example, the facsimile machine should not perform transmission operations to the reception display unit during certain hours such as late at night.
Alternatively, the reception display unit may be provided with a clock function to stop the operation of the reception display unit.

In the embodiments described above, the transmitting unit and the receiving display unit communicate using light such as infrared light, but the carrier wave used is not limited to this.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, an on signal is wirelessly transmitted from the facsimile machine main body to the operation display device, and the light emitting element is dimmed, so that the facsimile main body and Since there is no need for a signal line to connect the operation display device, the aesthetics of the surrounding area will not be spoiled. In addition, since the light emitting elements are dimmed, power consumption is reduced, thereby extending the life of the battery of the operation display device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an operation display device of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a transmitting unit and a reception display unit, and FIG. 3 is a control diagram of the operation display device. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of transmission data, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the system control unit, and FIG. 6 is an operation for explaining lighting display. 7 is a block diagram showing a reception display unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the system control section, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the system control section. Flowchart 1-1 showing an example of processing FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the reception display 2-nit shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the reception display control unit. It is. FX...Facsimile machine, TO...Transmission unit, RU...Reception display unit, CB...Cable, 1...System control section, 2...Transmission control section, 3,
7... Switching transistor, 4, 8... Light emitting diode, 5... Phototransistor, 6, 11
...Reception display control section, 10...Switch, 12...
- Oscillator, 13... Counter, 15... Power switch, 16... Latch circuit. Agent Patent Attorney Crest 1) Makoto (1 ゛;/ Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 (c) DO'' □ Figure 7 Figure 11

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In an operation display device for a facsimile machine that is arranged at a high place with good visibility and lights up to indicate that the facsimile machine is transmitting/receiving, the signal transmission means arranged near the casing of the facsimile machine and the display device casing. a signal receiving means disposed on the facsimile machine; a main body control means for transmitting an on signal to the signal receiving means via the signal transmitting means at regular intervals for a certain period of time when the facsimile device is performing a transmitting/receiving operation;
1. A facsimile apparatus comprising a receiving section control means that lights up and displays a light emitting element disposed in a display device housing when an on signal is inputted through the signal receiving means. (2) In an operation display device for a facsimile machine that is installed at a high place with good visibility and lights up to indicate that the facsimile machine is transmitting/receiving, the signal transmitting means installed near the housing of the facsimile machine and the display device housing. a signal receiving means disposed on the body; a main body control means transmitting an on signal to the signal receiving means via the signal transmitting means when the facsimile machine is transmitting/receiving; and an on signal via the signal receiving means; What is claimed is: 1. An operation display device for a facsimile machine, characterized in that the operation display device for a facsimile machine is provided with a receiving section control means that lights up and displays a light emitting element disposed in a display device housing when the following information is input. (3) In an operation display device for a facsimile machine that is arranged at a high place with good visibility and lights up to indicate that the facsimile machine is transmitting/receiving, the signal transmitting means arranged near the casing of the facsimile machine and the display device casing. a signal receiving means disposed on the body; a main body control means transmitting an on signal to the signal receiving means via the signal transmitting means when the facsimile machine is transmitting/receiving; and an on signal via the signal receiving means; What is claimed is: 1. An operation display device for a facsimile machine, characterized in that the operation display device for a facsimile machine is provided with a receiving section control means that blinks and lights up a light emitting element disposed in a display device housing when inputting the following information.