JPH10271310A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively utilize the memory transfer mode of a facsimile equipment (FAX) 1, capable of setting up a PC-receiving mode (facsimile data direct receive mode) and the memory transfer mode. SOLUTION: A computer 13 is communicably connected to the FAX 1 through an interface part 9. The memory transfer mode for transferring image data received from a memory to another specified FAX 16 and the PC receiving mode, capable of directly receiving image data by the computer 13 can be set up in the FAX 1. The FAX 1 has a mode control part 122, and when the memory transfer mode and the PC-receiving mode are set up in an overlapped state, the mode control part 122 operates the memory transfer mode prior to the PC-receiving mode. Since facsimile data transmitted within a memory transfer time band are received in the memory transfer mode, even in the PC- receiving mode, the effective utilization of the memory transfer mode is attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a PC receiving function which enables a computer to be connected to an external device and allows the computer to directly receive facsimile data, and a facsimile apparatus which receives facsimile data received in memory from a designated facsimile apparatus. The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a memory transfer function for transmitting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus having a so-called memory transfer function is known. In the memory transfer function, when facsimile data is transmitted within a preset time zone (hereinafter referred to as a memory transfer time zone), a memory reception is performed once, and then the memory is transferred to another set facsimile apparatus. The received facsimile data is transmitted.

A facsimile apparatus having a memory transfer function is, for example, a time zone for performing a memory transfer process using an operation key on an operation panel of the facsimile apparatus main body, that is, a memory transfer time zone and a fax number of a destination to be transmitted. Conditions can be set. When the memory transfer condition is set, if the time at which the facsimile data is received in the memory is within the memory transfer time zone, the facsimile data is transmitted to another set facsimile apparatus.

A facsimile apparatus having an interface such as RS-232C or a parallel interface and capable of functioning as a facsimile modem for an externally connected computer has been known. In this facsimile apparatus, facsimile data is transmitted to a facsimile apparatus. There is also known a facsimile apparatus capable of selecting whether to receive the data by the main body or directly by a computer via the facsimile apparatus. In this facsimile apparatus, for example, a switch of a reception mode is provided on an operation panel of the facsimile apparatus main body, and the reception method can be selected by this switch.

When a mode of direct reception of facsimile data by a computer (hereinafter, this mode is referred to as a PC reception mode) is set, the facsimile apparatus functions as a facsimile modem. A predetermined code signal (RIN
G code) is transmitted, and when a predetermined reception command is transmitted from the computer in response to the code signal, facsimile data is received and the data is sequentially transferred to the computer.

Further, a facsimile apparatus having a PC reception function and a memory transfer function is also known. In such a facsimile apparatus, when the PC reception mode is set, the PC reception control is performed prior to the facsimile reception in the facsimile apparatus body. Therefore, even if the memory transfer mode is set, the PC reception mode is set. Then
The facsimile data is received in the PC reception mode prior to the memory transfer mode.

[0007]

In a conventional facsimile apparatus having a PC receiving function and a memory transfer function, a PC
Since the reception mode functions prior to the memory transfer mode, there is an inconvenience that when the PC reception mode is set, the memory transfer function cannot be practically used. In particular, when the memory transfer mode is set and the interrupt processing in the PC reception mode is performed and the computer operator is not present without releasing the PC reception mode, the memory transfer mode is activated. In addition, since normal facsimile reception is not performed, a situation occurs in which facsimile data cannot be received.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a facsimile apparatus capable of effectively utilizing a memory transfer function.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a PC reception mode in which a computer is externally connectable, operates as a FAX modem, and enables the computer to directly receive facsimile data, and a memory transfer time set in advance. In a facsimile apparatus that can be set to a memory transfer mode for transmitting facsimile data received in a band to another preset facsimile apparatus, when both the PC reception mode and the memory transfer mode are set, The receiving process of facsimile data in the memory transfer time zone is performed in the memory transfer mode prior to the PC reception mode.

According to the above configuration, when a call is made from the other party's facsimile apparatus in a state where both the PC reception mode and the memory transfer mode are set, the time of the call is set to the memory transfer time set in the memory transfer mode. If it is in the band, the facsimile machine body receives facsimile data from the other party's facsimile machine in memory, and then calls another facsimile machine to be transmitted by calling the facsimile number set in the memory transfer mode, and Send the received facsimile data.

On the other hand, if the time of the call is not within the memory transfer time zone, a "call" is made to the externally connected computer.
When a predetermined reception command is transmitted from the computer in response to the code signal, the facsimile data is received, and the data is sequentially transferred to the computer to transmit the data to the computer. Enable reception.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

The facsimile machine 1 includes a computer 13
Is externally connectable, and has a communication function for performing processing in accordance with a command from the connected computer 13 in addition to a normal facsimile function.

In particular, in the communication function, a PC reception mode can be set. In this PC reception mode, facsimile data transmitted from the other party's facsimile apparatus 15 (hereinafter referred to as FAX 15) is externally connected. The data can be directly received by the computer 13.

In the facsimile function, a memory transfer mode can be set. In this memory transfer mode, the facsimile data transmitted from the other party's FAX 15 is temporarily received by the memory 5 and another specified facsimile is transmitted. The facsimile data transmitted from the other party's FAX 15 can be received by another facsimile apparatus by transmitting to the apparatus 16 (hereinafter, referred to as FAX 16).

The facsimile apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 2, an image processing unit 3, an image recording unit 4, a memory 5, an encoding / decoding unit 6, a modem (modem) 7, an NCU (network controller).
l unit) 8, an interface unit 9, an operation unit 10, a display unit 11, and a control unit 12.

The image reading section 2 reads an image of a document to be transmitted to another FAX 15 or 16. The image processing unit 3 performs predetermined signal processing (level correction, γ correction, A / D conversion, etc.) on the image signal read by the image reading unit 2.
Is applied. The image reading unit 2 includes an automatic document feeder that feeds a set document, a charge coupled device (CCD).
vice) An image pickup unit comprising a line image sensor is provided. The image pickup unit is scanned relative to the original to read the original image in the transport direction (line direction of the original) in line units, and the read data is processed by the image processing unit. Output to 3.

The image recording section 4 stores data read by the image reading section 2 (hereinafter referred to as read data) and other facsimile.
The data transmitted from the computers 15 and 16 (hereinafter referred to as received data) and the data transmitted from the externally connected computer 13 (hereinafter referred to as PC data) are recorded on paper. The image recording unit 4 includes, for example, a laser printer, and irradiates a photoconductor with laser light modulated with pixel data constituting an image to be recorded (hereinafter, referred to as a print image) to form a latent image of the print image. Then, toner is electrostatically attached to the latent image to make it visible, and this visible image is transferred to paper to form a print image.

The memory 5 is a memory for storing read data, received data and PC data, and is a large-capacity memory capable of storing, for example, about 100 standard size A4 originals. The memory 5 is used for receiving facsimile data in the memory in the memory transfer mode.

The encoding / decoding unit 6 compresses / encodes data (image data) to be transmitted by facsimile,
This is for expanding / decoding data (image data) received by facsimile. The modulation / demodulation unit 7 modulates the compressed / encoded image data into an audio signal and demodulates a facsimile-received signal (audio signal) into image data. The NCU 8 is a facsimile machine 1
Is connected to other FAXes 15 and 16 via a telephone line 14.

The interface unit 9 includes the computer 1
3 for external connection to the facsimile machine 1,
For example, it comprises an RS-232C interface. Note that the interface unit 9 is not limited to the RS-232C standard interface as long as the computer 13 can be communicably connected.

The control unit 12 includes a processing program and a communication program for performing a facsimile function and a communication function with the computer 13, or various processing data (for example, a light emission amount of a light source of the image reading unit 2, an image recording unit 4). ROM (Data on driving conditions such as development density, data on messages such as warnings, operating procedures, etc.)
ad Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for performing predetermined arithmetic processing according to the processing program.
y) built-in and transmitted from the computer 13
A data buffer for receiving data is also provided.

The facsimile apparatus 1 has, for example, a communication program using an AT command system, and
When it functions as a peripheral device for the device 3, it is controlled by an AT command from the computer 13. Note that the command system is not limited to the AT command system, but is arbitrary. For example, EIC (American Electronic Industries Association)
And a command system recommended as a class 1 command system and a class 2 command system.

The operation unit 10 transmits a fax number of a partner at the time of facsimile transmission. Input, an instruction to start / stop facsimile transmission, a one-touch key or an abbreviation No. The facsimile apparatus 1 is provided on the operation panel of the facsimile machine 1 and registers various modes and conditions such as a memory transfer mode and a PC reception mode.

The operation unit 10 has various key switches such as numeric keys and one-touch keys, and is used to set / receive a PC reception mode.
The release is performed by an independent key switch, and the setting / release of the memory transfer mode is performed by ten keys. To set the memory transfer mode, select the memory transfer mode menu using the numeric keypad, and select the memory transfer time zone and the fax number of the other party to be transferred. This is performed by setting

The display unit 11 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal D)
isplay) and an LED (Light Emitted Diode), and various information such as a line connection state, a transmission state, and a communication state with the computer 13, a name of a transmission destination in facsimile transmission, and a FAX No. Etc. are displayed in character information on the LCD, the presence / absence of a communication error, the setting mode (PC
The reception mode, the memory transfer mode, and the like, the reception image quality, the necessity of memory reception and maintenance, and the like are displayed by LEDs. The display unit 11 is also provided on the operation panel of the facsimile machine 1.

The control unit 12 is composed of a microcomputer, and controls the operation of each of the image reading unit 2 to the interface unit 9 and the display unit 11 to control the facsimile function, copy function, and data communication function of the facsimile apparatus 1. It centrally controls each function. The control unit 12 has a timer 1 for recording the facsimile transmission / reception time therein.
21 and a mode control unit 122 for adjusting the overlapping setting of the PC reception mode and the memory transfer mode.

When the PC reception mode is set, the facsimile apparatus 1 operates as a modem for the externally connected computer 13 in accordance with a command from the externally connected computer 13, and directly receives the transmitted facsimile data at the computer 13. to enable. In the facsimile mode, when the memory transfer mode is set in the facsimile mode, when facsimile data is transmitted from the other party's FAX 15 within the designated memory transfer time zone, the memory 5 The data is transmitted to another designated FAX 16.

In the PC reception mode, the facsimile apparatus 1 operates the facsimile machine 1 as a facsimile modem. Therefore, when this mode and the memory transfer mode, which is a function of the facsimile mode, are set in an overlapped manner, One or the other must be prioritized. The mode control unit 122 controls facsimile reception so that when the PC reception mode and the memory transfer mode are set to overlap, the memory transfer mode functions in preference to the PC reception mode within the memory transfer time zone. .

Therefore, the facsimile apparatus 1 transmits data from the other party's FAX 15 during the memory transfer time regardless of whether the PC reception mode is set or not.
After the alternate reception in the memory 5, the data is transmitted to another designated FAX 16.

Next, control of facsimile reception of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart relating to a receiving process when a call is made from the other party's FAX 15.

When there is a call from the other party's FAX 15, it is first determined whether or not the memory transfer mode is set (step S1). If the memory transfer mode is not set (NO in step S1), then , It is determined whether the PC reception mode is set (step S).
7).

If the PC reception mode has been set (YES in step 7), the computer 13 performs facsimile reception processing (hereinafter, referred to as PC reception processing). That is, the "RING" code is transmitted to the computer 13 in response to the FAX 15 call, and the "R" code is transmitted.
When the "data reception command" transmitted from the computer 13 is received in response to the "ING" code, the NCU 8 and the telephone line 14 are connected, and the signal (voice signal) transmitted from the FAX 15 is converted into an image by the modem 7. After being demodulated into data, the data is decoded by the encoding / decoding unit 6 and transferred to the computer 13 via the interface unit 9. Thus, the computer 13 can directly receive the facsimile data (image data) transmitted from the facsimile 15 via the facsimile machine 1.

On the other hand, if the PC reception mode is not set (NO in step 7), normal facsimile reception processing is performed. That is, the NCU 8 and the telephone line 14
And a signal (audio signal) transmitted from the FAX 15 is demodulated into image data by the modulation / demodulation unit 7, decoded by the encoding / decoding unit 6, and transmitted to the image recording unit 4 via the control unit 12. Is output to Then, the received image data is recorded on a sheet.

If the memory transfer mode is set in step S1 (YES in step S1), it is then determined whether or not the time counted by the timer 121 is within the memory transfer time zone (step S2). If it is not within the transfer time zone (NO in step S2), the process proceeds to step S7,
The above-described PC reception processing or ordinary facsimile reception processing is performed.

On the other hand, if the time is within the memory transfer time zone (YES in step S2), proxy reception by memory 5 is performed (step S3). That is, the NCU 8 is connected to the telephone line 14, and a signal (voice signal) transmitted from the FAX 15 is demodulated into image data by the modem 7, decoded by the encoder / decoder 6, and stored in the memory 5. It is memorized.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the image data has been normally received (step S4). If the reception is abnormal (NO in step S4), error processing such as outputting a report of a reception error is performed. On the other hand, if the reception is normal (YES in step S4), a memory transfer process is performed (step S5). That is, F of the designated transmission destination
AX No. And telephone line 1 to another FAX 16
4 is connected, the image data (F
The image data transmitted from the AX 15 is transmitted by facsimile.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a facsimile apparatus capable of setting a PC reception mode and a memory transfer mode, when both the PC reception mode and the memory transfer mode are set, the reception process of facsimile data within a memory transfer time zone is performed by the PC Since the transmission is performed in the memory transfer mode prior to the reception mode, facsimile reception in the memory transfer mode can be effectively utilized.

Further, even when the PC reception mode is set to the memory transfer mode redundantly, the operation of canceling the setting of the PC reception mode for validating the memory transfer mode is not required, and the setting of the memory transfer mode can be performed easily and easily. It can be performed reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control of facsimile reception of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile apparatus 2 Image reading part 3 Image processing part 4 Image recording part 5 Image memory 6 Encoding / decoding part 7 Modulation / demodulation part 8 NCU 9 Interface part 10 Operation part 11 Display part 12 Control part 121 Timer 122 Mode control part 13 Computer 14 Telephone line 15, 16 Other facsimile machine

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshihiro Mori 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Inside Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuya Sugimoto 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A computer is made externally connectable,
A PC reception mode that operates as a FAX modem and enables the computer to directly receive facsimile data, and a memory transfer mode that transmits facsimile data received during a preset memory transfer time period to another preset facsimile apparatus. When both the PC reception mode and the memory transfer mode are set in the facsimile apparatus that can be set as follows, reception processing of facsimile data within the memory transfer time zone is performed by the P
A facsimile apparatus wherein the transfer is performed in the memory transfer mode prior to the C reception mode.