JPH04213951A - Cordless facsimile device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow the distribution of documents from a master to a slave by providing the small-sized and inexpensive slave which can print received images and transmit documents. CONSTITUTION:Only the radio section 4 which communicates with the master 1 and reading section 3 and recording section 19 for image data are provided in the sleeve 2. A coding/encoding section 11 and a communication section 8 to a circuit network are provided in the master 1 alone. The image data received in the master 1 is combined in the code decoding section 11 of the master 1 and is communicated from the radio section 7 to the slave 2. The signals are transmitted via the code decoding section 11 of the master 1 in the case of transmission from the slave 2.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cordless facsimile machine equipped with a base unit and a slave unit that communicate with each other wirelessly.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, facsimile machines have become very popular, and facsimile machines are often installed in offices.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in a large office where several people are present, the distance from each person's seat to the facsimile machine is long, and each person must leave his or her seat to reach the facsimile machine each time he or she sends or receives a message. It's a hassle to go.

[0004]Facsimile machines are often installed in corners of rooms due to telephone line limitations, and this also makes the facsimile machines far away. Increasing the number of facsimile machines installed is convenient for use, but
Facsimile machines each having independent functions have problems in that they are expensive, large in size, and require a large installation space. Furthermore, when distributing the received manuscript or other manuscripts to each person in the office, the necessary number of copies of the manuscript must be made and carried around, which is time-consuming.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a cordless handset that is small and inexpensive, and that allows each handset to print received images and send originals, and to distribute documents from the base unit to the handsets. To provide a facsimile machine.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The structure of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 which corresponds to an embodiment. This cordless facsimile device consists of a base unit (1) and a slave unit (2). The slave unit (2) has a wireless section (4) that communicates with the base unit (1).
and image data reading section (3) and recording section (19).
). The base unit (1) includes a wireless unit (7) that communicates with the slave unit (2), a code/decoder unit (11) that encodes and decodes image data, a reading unit (10), and a recording unit (9). ) and a communication unit (8) that performs communication via a communication line network.

[0007]

[Operation] According to this configuration, the image data received by the base unit (1) is sent to the encoder/decoder (11) of the base unit (1).
The data is decoded by the wireless unit (7) and transferred to the handset (2). The child device (2) prints the image data transferred from the parent device (1) using the recording unit (19). Cordless handset(
2) When sending from the reader (3) of the handset (2)
) The image data read by the wireless unit (4) is transferred to the base unit (1), and the encoder/decoder unit (11) of the base unit (1)
After encoding, the data is sent to the communication network from the communication unit (8) of the base unit (1). The handset (2) is composed of a radio section (4), a reading section (3), and a recording section (19), and has no communication section, code/decoding section, etc., so it can be miniaturized.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. This cordless facsimile device is composed of a base unit 1 and a plurality of slave units 2. Each handset 2 basically includes a reading section 3, a recording section 19, and a wireless section 4, and is provided with a control section 5 and an operation section 6 for controlling these sections. The reading section 3 includes an image sensor such as a CCD and a document feeding device. The recording unit 19 is a means for printing on recording paper such as a roll, and has a paper-out detector 20 that detects when the recording paper runs out. The radio section 4 is
Communication with the base device 1 is performed wirelessly instead of using a cord, and image data is transmitted and control signals are transmitted and received. The control unit 5 is provided with a paper break detection signal transmitting unit 25 that causes the wireless unit 4 to transmit a detection signal from the paper break detector 20 . The operation unit 6 is composed of a group of key switches for dialing and for starting and stopping transmission.

[0009] The base device 1 has functional means for use with the handset 2, such as a wireless section 7 for communication with the handset 2 and an image storage memory 12, in addition to the functional means as a general facsimile machine. It is. The main device 1 basically includes a communication section 8, a recording section 9, a reading section 10, and a code/decoding section (CODEC) 11.
, the wireless section 7 , and an image storage memory 12 , which are controlled by the control program of the main control section 17 and the operation of the operation/display section 15 .

The main control section 17 is composed of a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM in which a control program is written. The main control section 17 is provided with a handset distribution destination registration means 21 and a distribution destination changing means 22 when paper runs out, and the data registration section is set in a battery-backed memory area. The communication unit 8 includes a network control unit (NCU) 1 connected to the line 18.
3 and a modem 14. The operation/display section 15 has a dial means 23 consisting of a numeric keypad or the like, a handset distribution command means 24, and various function keys (not shown) for starting and stopping transmission, etc., and a liquid crystal display device, etc. is provided. The handset distribution command means 24 consists of a group of key switches for inputting the identification number of each handset 2 and instructing data transfer to the handset 2.

The recording section 9 includes a printer that prints the received image on recording paper. The reading section 10 includes an image sensor and a document feeder. The code/decoder 11 is a means for compressing the image data for transmission and sending it to the modem 14, as well as decoding the received image data. Image storage memory 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a memory device that stores received image data and image data transmitted from the handset 2. The additional function means 16 is representative of various additional function means that perform speed dialing, sender display, etc.

The usage and operation of the above configuration will be explained. FIG. 2 schematically shows operations during reception and the like. At the time of reception (R1), base device 1 temporarily stores the received image data in image storage memory 12 (R2). Thereafter, print is made to the desired slave device 2 when necessary. To print with the handset 2, after inputting the identification number of the handset 2 of each distribution destination using the handset distribution command means 24 in the operation display section 15 of FIG. 1 (R3), turn on the distribution command key. (R4). As a result, the image data stored in the image storage memory 12 is
The information is transferred by wireless communication to each handset 2 selected by the input described above (R5), and printed by the recording unit 19 of the handset 2.

The received data may be stored in the image storage memory 12 as a compressed code as it has been demodulated by the modem 14, or may be stored in the encoder/decoder 1.
The data decoded in step 1 may be stored. If the data is stored as a compressed code, the code decoder 11 decodes the data and transfers the data to the handset 2. The above-mentioned input (R3) of the identification number of the distribution destination handset 2 may be performed by registering the identification number in the handset distribution destination registration means 21 in advance by group according to various purposes, and then selecting the group. .

If paper runs out in the recording section 19 of the handset 2 when starting or during the transfer of image data to the handset 2, a detection signal thereof is sent to the base device 1. The base device 1 changes the distribution destination to another preset slave device 2 in response to the detection signal by the paper-out distribution destination changing means 22. In addition, according to this cordless facsimile device, when documents need to be distributed in an office, each handset can be
can be printed with. That is, the document is read by the reading unit 10 of the base device 1, and the read image data is stored in the image storage memory 12 (R6, R7). After this,
Input of the handset number (R) without giving a transmission command (R8)
3) and a distribution command (R4), documents can be distributed to each handset 2 in the same manner as when receiving. Step R
When a transmission command is given in step 8, the stored image data is transmitted to the communication line (R9).

Next, the case of transmitting from the handset 2 will be explained. When transmitting from the handset 2, the dial number of the destination is input on the operation section 6, and the reading section 3 is caused to read the document. The dial number input may be a number using a speed dial function of base unit 1 or the like. The dial number data and the read image data are transmitted from the wireless unit 4 to the wireless unit 7 of the base unit 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the base unit 1 stores the dial number data received by the wireless unit 7 in a predetermined memory area of the main control unit 17.
S1), the image data is temporarily stored in the image storage memory 12 (S2). Thereafter, the transmission priority is determined (S3), and if it is the first priority, the network control device 13 sends a dial signal based on the stored dial number data (S4).

[0016] The transmission priority order is from multiple slave units 2 to base unit 1.
Appropriate settings are made in the main control unit 17 depending on the case where image data is stored in the image storage memory 12 due to transmission to the main unit 1, the case where the main unit 1 is used, the case where redialing is to be performed, etc. When not transmitting from other handset 2 or base unit 1,
Immediately after image storage, a dial signal is sent out.

When reception becomes possible (S5) by sending the dial signal (S4), that is, when the line is connected and a reception ready signal is detected from the called terminal, the dial number corresponding to the dial number is The image data stored in the image storage memory 12 is then transmitted (S6). In this case, the image data is compressed by the code/decoder 11 and sent from the modem 14. Note that the image storage memory 12
The data may be compressed by the code/decoder 11 and then stored. In the determination process of step S5, if the destination is in a state where reception is not possible, such as when the destination is busy, the priority order is waited again (S3) and redial is performed. In this way, transmission from handset 2 is performed.

In this cordless facsimile device, the handset 2 is equipped with only reading, recording, and wireless functions, and the code/decoder 11 and communication section 8 are made to use the base unit 1. Machine 2 will be smaller and cheaper. Therefore, a plurality of slave units 2 can be installed at a low cost and without causing problems in the arrangement space, and as described above, each slave unit 2 can print received images and send original documents. Moreover, by having the parent device 1 read the document and transferring it to the slave device 2 as described above, the document can be distributed, and the conventional effort of making copies and carrying the document can be saved.

In the above embodiment, the handset 2 is provided with an operation section 6 for inputting a dial number, but the handset 2 does not necessarily need to be provided with dialing means. For example, if the destination is always the same, the dial number of the destination of the handset 2 may be set in the base device 1. The image storage memory 12 also does not necessarily need to be provided.

[0020]

Effects of the Invention The cordless facsimile device of the present invention is composed of a base unit and a slave unit, and the slave unit has reading, recording, and
Since the main unit is equipped with only radio-related functions and the code/decoder and communication unit use the base unit, the slave unit becomes small and inexpensive. Therefore, you can use multiple handsets at a low price.
Moreover, it can be installed without causing any space problems, and each slave unit can print received images and send originals. Furthermore, documents can be distributed by having the parent device read the documents and transfer them to the slave devices, which has the effect of saving the traditional effort of making copies and carrying the documents.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of control operations during reception, etc. in a base unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the control operation of the base unit during transmission from the slave unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Base unit, 2... Slave unit, 3... Reading unit, 4... Wireless unit, 7... Wireless unit, 8... Communication unit, 9... Recording unit, 10... Reading unit, 11...
code/decoding unit, 12... image storage memory, 17... main control unit,
18... Line, 19... Recording section, 22... Distribution destination changing means when paper runs out, 24... Handset distribution destination commanding means

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: Consists of a base unit and a slave unit, the slave unit comprising:
The base unit has a wireless unit that communicates with the base unit, and an image data reading unit and a recording unit, and the base unit includes a wireless unit that communicates with the slave unit, and an encoding/decoding unit that encodes and decodes image data. A cordless facsimile device comprising: a recording section and a reading section for image data; and a communication section for communicating via a communication line network.