JP2000232570A - Facsimile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To utilize received title information as information to manage transmission reception and for retrieval by configuring a facsimile terminal such that NSS information integrating the code information of the title information by an NSS processing means is transmitted together with image information in the case of transmitting the image information to a facsimile terminal of a transmission opposite party. SOLUTION: Communication with an opposite terminal is set up by starting a communication control section 8 and title attached image information is transmitted to the opposite terminal via a MODEM 14 and a network controller 15 together with NSS information that is to inform the facsimile terminal of the transmission destination of the capability of its own terminal. In this case, the processing to integrate title information in the title attached image information into the NSS information is conducted. Then the title information is simply transmitted to the opposite terminal as part of the NSS information. Since the opposite terminal receiving the information can obtain the title information of the received image information from the NSS information as code information, the opposite terminal can utilize the code information as reception management information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to a facsimile apparatus having a function of transmitting title information corresponding to image information obtained by reading a document and a function of outputting a communication management report.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus can easily transmit and receive image information such as characters and figures, so that a
It is widely used as an A device. Some facsimile machines have various functions, and some have a function of outputting a communication management report, and can manage a document to be transmitted and received and a communication history.

For example, a facsimile apparatus described in JP-A-7-297977 in which a document number and a stored document are recorded in association with each other is described in JP-A-8-84244. Such as a conventional facsimile machine, capable of identifying and managing a received telegram related to a transmitted telegram, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-274.
There is a facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 924, for example, which can output a communication management report to which a title is added.

[0004] Among these facsimile apparatuses, the facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-274924 is
It can output a communication management report with a title added, and can also send the scanned image information with title information added, so you can check the sent original by referring to the communication management report, It becomes easy to confirm the contents with the recipient.

[0005]

However, such a conventional facsimile apparatus merely outputs the title information in a communication management report and adds the title information to a document to be transmitted to a receiving side. Utilization of title information was not considered. In other words, since the title information is only stored in the RAM, if it is stored for a long period of time, it is left as a communication management report or a description of the transmitted manuscript but not stored in the apparatus. Even after that, there was a problem that it could not be used at all.

Further, when the facsimile apparatus receives information from the other party, the title information is printed on paper as part of the image information as image information, but is not stored as data in the apparatus. There was also. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. In a facsimile apparatus, title information input for facilitating confirmation of a transmission original can be used as transmission / reception management and search information. The purpose is to do so.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving image information via a communication line, an image information reading and storing means for reading and storing image information of a document, Title information input means for inputting title information as a title for specifying the content of the image information, title information storage means for storing the input title information as code information, and code information for the stored title information. NSS (Non Standard fac) which is information for transmitting the capability of the own machine to the facsimile machine of the transmission partner.
ilitiesSetup) NSS processing means incorporated in the information, and when the image information read and stored by the image information reading and storing means is transmitted to the facsimile machine of the transmission partner by the transmission / reception means, the code information of the title information is Provided is a facsimile apparatus that transmits embedded NSS information together.

In this facsimile apparatus, for each transmission, the communication information for transmission is created by adding the code information of the title information to information indicating a transmission history such as a transmission date and time, a destination, the number of pages, and a transmission result. It is desirable to provide means and means for outputting a communication management report based on the communication management information. Further, the transmitted image information storage means for storing the transmitted image information and the code information of the title information in association with each other, and searching for the image information stored in the transmitted image information storage means using the title information as a search key Means and means for outputting the image information searched by the means may be provided.

In the facsimile apparatus, when image information from another facsimile apparatus is received by the transmission / reception means, the NSS information received together with the image information is analyzed to extract code information of title information. It is desirable to provide a means for converting the extracted code information into image data and embedding it in the received image information, and a means for printing and outputting the image information with the title information embedded thereby.

[0010] In this facsimile apparatus, for each reception, communication information for reception by adding code information of title information extracted from the NSS information to information indicating a reception history such as a reception date and time, a destination, the number of pages, a reception result and the like. Means for creating management information and means for outputting a communication management report based on the communication management information can be provided. further,
A received image information storage unit for storing the received image information and code information of title information extracted from the NSS information in association with each other, and searching the image information stored in the received image information storage unit using the title information as a search key And a means for outputting the image information searched by the means.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In this facsimile apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, respective components from the scanner 1 to the network control device 15 are connected directly or indirectly by a system bus 16.

The scanner 1 is image information reading means for reading image information written on a document. The scanner 1 scans the document surface to read the written or drawn image information and a CCD (Charge). And an A / D converter for binarizing an electric signal output from the image sensor and converting the electric signal into image data.

The document sensor 2 detects whether a document is set at a predetermined position of the scanner 1 and, if so, a signal indicating this is sent to a CPU 10 to be described later via a system bus 16. Send.

The plotter 3 is a printing means for printing and outputting binarized image data as image information on a sheet of paper, a method of directly printing on thermal recording paper, and a method of printing an ink sheet on plain paper. It is composed of a unit having a mechanism for writing on paper by indirectly printing or the like via a medium, and is similar to a thermal printer using a so-called thermal element. Alternatively, a printing unit such as an electrophotographic system, an inkjet system, and a toner jet system may be used.

The paper sensor 7 is provided in the plotter, and detects whether or not a paper for printing out received image information is present in a predetermined storage location. If not, a signal indicating the presence is provided. The data is transmitted to the CPU 10 via the system bus 16.

The operation display unit 4 is provided with an operation unit (predetermined numeric keys and character input keys, etc.) for inputting information to be registered such as telephone numbers and the like and title information to be described later, and operations for transmission / reception processing. Keyboard)
A display unit such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying operation input information from the operation unit and the operation status of the facsimile machine. The operation display unit 4 also has a role as title information input means as described above.

The image information storage means 5 is an image memory for temporarily storing image data obtained by binarizing image information obtained by reading an original by the scanner 1 and image data received from another facsimile apparatus. It has a storage capacity capable of sufficiently storing such image data. Also,
The transmitted image information (image data) and the code information of the title, and the received image information (image data) and the code information of the title information can be stored in association with each other. Therefore, the image information storage means 5 constitutes an image information reading and storage means together with the scanner 1, and also serves as a transmission image storage means and a reception image storage means.

The parameter memory 6 stores communication information in which title information input from the operation display unit 4 is associated with information relating to the transmission history of image information transmitted with the title information added thereto, or other information. A non-volatile memory that stores, as code information, communication management information and the like in which title information relating to image information received from a facsimile and information relating to a reception history are associated, and a hard disk, a non-volatile RAM, a memory card, or the like is used.

The communication control unit 8 executes processing in accordance with a communication procedure (communication protocol) corresponding to the facsimile of the G3 standard in response to an instruction from the CPU 10 to be described later, and
It functions as a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting and receiving in accordance with three standards. That is, the communication control unit 8 receives the instruction from the CPU 10 and
A PSTN which is a communication line (not shown) is controlled by controlling a modem 14 and a network control unit (NCU) 15 which will be described later.
(Public telephone line) Connects to a network and controls communication with the other party's facsimile machine.

The communication control section 8 sends various kinds of information relating to a transmission history or a reception history to the CPU 10 at the time of transmission and at the time of reception, respectively. The encoding / decoding unit 9 calculates G3
It comprises a compression unit for compressing image data in accordance with the standard facsimile to remove redundancy and a decoding unit for expanding compressed image data and restoring original data.

The CPU 10 is a microprocessor that controls the entire facsimile apparatus, executes processing in accordance with a predetermined program, controls various components including the scanner 1, and secures a function as the facsimile apparatus. Controls the sequence needed to Further, the functions of each means such as an NSS processing means, a communication management information creating means, a communication management report output means, an image information search means, a means for analyzing received NSS information and extracting code information of title information according to the present invention are also provided. Fulfill.

The ROM 11 stores a processing program required for the CPU 10 to execute the command, various fixed data, and the like, and the RAM 12 stores temporary information required for executing the command.

The receiving box 13 is a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data received via the communication control unit 8. The modem 14 modulates and demodulates image data to be transmitted or received in response to an instruction from the communication control unit 8.

A network control unit (NCU) 15 is a control unit that manages connection and disconnection with the PSTN line. The network control unit (NCU) 15 captures a line, transmits a selection signal as a destination telephone number, detects an incoming call, and performs a predetermined transmission. Perform call operation and incoming call operation. The system bus 16 is connected to the CP of the facsimile machine.
This is a route that connects the components such as U10 to each other, and through which data and command / response signals flow between the components.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. In this facsimile machine, the CPU 10
It operates by making each component function according to the processing program stored in the OM 11. In the following flowcharts, steps are abbreviated as “S”.

In the facsimile apparatus having the function of the first embodiment, when "transmission of image information" is selected after the power is turned on and the initial operation is performed, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Works. That is, when the power of the facsimile apparatus is turned on, the CPU shown in FIG.
The operation display unit 4 is started by the instruction of 10, and a menu screen for prompting selection of the processing content is displayed (not shown).

This menu screen is used for normal reading processing and transmission processing of image information described in a manuscript,
Various processes such as inputting title information and storing it in the parameter memory 6 can be selected. In the following description, it is assumed that title information as a title for specifying the content of the image information is added to the original to be transmitted.

Here, when "transmission of image information" for transmitting the image information described in the original is selected on the menu screen, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is started. First, in step 101, a message requesting that an original containing image information to be transmitted be set on the scanner 1 is displayed on the display screen of the operation display unit 4.

In accordance with this message, after the operator sets the original and presses the start button to instruct the start of reading, if the original is set correctly, the original sensor 2 transmits the original set information to the CPU 10 in step 102. . In response to this, the CPU 10 outputs a reading instruction to the scanner 1 in step 103. In step 104, the scanner 1 starts reading the original, reads the image information using the optical system and the image sensor while transporting the set original, and binarizes the electric signal corresponding to the brightness of the image. The image data as the input image information is input, and the image data is temporarily stored in the image information storage unit 5.

Thereafter, in step 105, a message requesting the input of title information is output on the display screen of the operation display unit 4, and in step 106, the system waits for the input while judging whether or not title information has been input. In accordance with this message, when the operator operates the keyboard provided on the operation unit of the operation display unit 4 and inputs desired title information, the CPU 10 determines in step 107 that a title has been input, and in step 107 the title information is input. Code information based on the character codes to be configured is stored in the parameter memory 6.

Then, in step 108, the CPU
10 activates the encoding / decoding unit 9 to perform a compression encoding process on the image information temporarily stored in the image information storage unit 5 and link the character code information of the title stored in the parameter memory 6 to the compressed data. Then, title-added image information is created.

Next, in step 109, the communication control unit 8 is activated to establish communication with the other device, and the title-attached information is transmitted via the modem 14 and the network control device 15 to determine the capability of the own device. The information is transmitted to the other party's machine (the other party's facsimile machine) together with the NSS information which is information to be transmitted to the other party's fax machine.

At this time, a process of incorporating the title information (character code information) in the title-attached image information into the above-mentioned NSS information is performed. As a result, NSS
It can be easily transmitted to the other party as part of the information. Then, the other device that has received it can obtain the title information of the received image information from the NSS information as code information, and can utilize it as reception management information.

Further, since the facsimile apparatus also has a communication management function, after transmitting the title-added image information, the communication management information is created (updated) in step 110, and the processing of "transmission of image information" is performed. finish. That is, the CPU 10
In step 110, the communication control unit 8 sends information on the communication history (in this case, transmission history) corresponding to the transmitted title-attached image information, such as transmission date and time, destination name, transmission page number, transmission result The communication management information is created by linking it with the title information added to the transmitted image information, and the communication management information is stored in the parameter memory 6.

Therefore, the communication management information shown in FIG.
The transmission history including the subject by the title information as shown in (1) is stored until the number of transmissions reaches a predetermined number or until the amount of data stored in the parameter memory 6 reaches a predetermined amount.
It is additionally stored (updated) for each transmission.

When the user requests "output of communication management report" while the menu screen is displayed,
Alternatively, the communication management report output program is started at a predetermined number of transmissions, and the communication management information stored and stored in the parameter memory 6 is laid out in a predetermined format and the print data converted into image data is sent to the plotter 3. A communication management report in which the subject based on the title information is described is printed on paper and output.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the communication management report. This is based on the communication management information (transmission history) shown in FIG. 3, and for each transmission, the transmission date and time, the subject, the destination, the number of pages, and the transmission result (“OK” was transmitted without trouble) Is shown).

[0038] Upon receiving the title-added image information transmitted from the facsimile apparatus, the partner machine demodulates the received image data (compressed data) to restore the original image data, and analyzes the received NSS information to analyze the received NSS information. Extracts the title information (character code information) embedded in it, converts it to image data, lays it out in the margin of the restored image data along with reception information such as the reception date and time and the name of the sender, and prints it Create data. By sending the print data to the plotter 3 and printing it on paper, a print paper 30 as shown in FIG. 5 can be output.

The printing paper 30 shown in FIG. 5 includes an information description section 30a on which image information of a document is printed, a reception date (May 01, 1998),
It has a margin portion 30b in which a subject (“XX-PC estimate”) is described, along with reception information such as the source name (ABCD TODA) and the number of pages (p1 / 1). Since the title information embedded in the NSS information is character code information,
It can be used as it is as reception management information.

As described above, the title information indicating the subject is added to the image information to be transmitted, and the title information is embedded in the margin of the received image information and printed. There is an advantage that the title described in the document gives an outline of the content. Also, the transmitting side can easily confirm with the receiving side whether or not the transmitted original is the intended one. For example, "Did you receive a letter on the" New Model Development Conference "? Can be asked to the receiver.

This facsimile apparatus performs "search processing" for searching for image information stored in the image information storage means 5, in addition to "transmission of image information" and "output of communication management report" described above. Can be.

When the operator selects the item "search processing" on the initial menu screen, the CPU shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 10 functions as a search unit, and executes a search process shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this case, for each transmission stored in the parameter memory 6 as communication management information, the transmitted image information is associated with the character code information of the title and transmitted to the image information storage means (image memory) 5. It is stored as an information file.

When the search process is started, first, in step 201, a search condition input screen is displayed on the display unit of the operation display unit 4 in FIG. Wait for. As this search condition, the title information may be directly input, but the communication management information stored in the parameter memory 6 may be used.
(Transmission history as shown in FIG. 3) is read and converted into image data, which is displayed on an input screen, and a necessary subject can be selected from the input screen.

For example, the operator can designate one of the columns in the displayed communication history list with the cursor keys, and if the display unit is a combination of an LCD and a touch panel, the operator can select a desired column. It can also be specified by touching. By inverting the display of the designated column, the input result of the condition becomes clear.

When the search condition is input as described above,
The result of the determination in step 203 is YES, and the flow proceeds to step 203. Therefore, when the title information is input, it is searched whether or not the character code information of the title is present in the stored communication management information, and if the transmission history is specified, the title (title information) of the subject is searched. The character code information is extracted, and in each case, the character code information of the title is obtained.

Thereafter, in step 204, the image file stored in the image storage means 5 is searched using the code information as a search key, and image information corresponding to the code information is output. The image information is output by reading out the image information hit by the search, creating print data, sending it to the plotter 3, printing it on paper, and outputting it.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus can store the communication management information including the title information, and the image file in which the image information is associated with the character code information of the title. Since the search can be performed using the code information, the previously transmitted image information can be easily found together with the transmission history. Therefore, not only the title information is simply added to the image information to be transmitted, but also it can be effectively used as a search key for the communication management information and the transmitted image information.

As described above, since the title information is added to the communication management information, by outputting the communication management report, it is possible to see at a glance which original was sent to which location. Further, since the image information can be obtained from the title information of the transmission original by the above-described search processing, the content of the previously transmitted original can also be confirmed.

Next, the operation at the time of reception by the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side is not only the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention described above, but also a conventional facsimile apparatus having a function of embedding a title in image information as image information and transmitting the same, or transmitting title information. Even in the case of a conventional facsimile apparatus having no function of performing reception, the reception processing can be performed without any problem.

The facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 starts the reception operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 301, the CP
U10 causes the network control device 15 to transmit a signal responding to ringing from the partner device.

Thereafter, the image information transmitted from the partner machine is
In step 302, the received data is received by the network controller 15, the modem 14, and the communication control unit 8. In step 303, the encoding / decoding unit 9 is activated to decode and expand the received data, thereby obtaining the original image information (image information). Restore). Then
In step 304, the NSS information received together with the image information is analyzed to determine whether or not there is title information (character code information) in the NSS information.
The character code of the title information is extracted from the NSS information.

Then, in step 306, the communication control unit 8
From the reception date and time indicating the communication (in this case, reception) history, the name of the destination, the number of pages, the reception result and the like, and add the title information (character code information) indicating the subject,
Title information (subject) indicating the reception history as shown in FIG.
The communication management information for reception having a certain number is created and stored in the parameter memory 6. If communication management information for reception has already been stored, the reception history is additionally stored (updated) each time new reception is performed.

Thereafter, in step 307, the character code of the title information is converted into image data and embedded in the margin of the image information. In step 308, the image information is sent to the plotter 3 as print data, printed on paper, and output. Then, the receiving process ends. Thereby, a print sheet similar to the print sheet 30 shown in FIG. 5 is output.

If no title information is found in the NSS information in step 304, the flow advances to step 309 to create reception communication management information indicating a reception history having no title image. Then, in step 308, the image information is printed on paper and output as in the case described above. At this time, if title information is embedded in the image information as image data, the title information is also printed. If there is no title information, only the image information of the received document is printed.

According to this facsimile apparatus, the communication management report output program is started when the user requests “output of the communication management report” while the above-mentioned menu screen is displayed, or every predetermined number of times of transmission and reception, and the parameter is set. The communication data for transmission and reception stored and stored in the memory 6 is laid out in a predetermined format and converted into image data, and the print data is sent to the plotter 3, and the communication in which the subject based on the title information is described for each case is described. The management report can be printed out and output.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the communication management report. This is based on the communication management information for transmission indicating the transmission history shown in FIG. 3 and the communication management information for reception indicating the reception history shown in FIG. 8, and for each transmission and reception,
Date and time, subject, destination, number of pages, and result ("OK"
Indicates that transmission was successful).

Further, the facsimile apparatus can search the reception history and the received image information for the communication management information for reception relating to the reception history. However, for that purpose, it is necessary to store in the image information storage means (image memory) 5 a received image file in which each received image information is associated with the character code of the title information. The processing at the time of the search is the same as the case of searching the transmission history and the image information of the transmitted original described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0058]

As described above, the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention incorporates the title information for facilitating the identification of the transmitted original into the NSS information as code information and transmits the same. Can extract the code information of the title information from the NSS information received together with the image information, convert it into image data, embed it in the received image information, and print it.

Further, transmission communication management information indicating the transmission history including the code information of the title information or reception communication management information indicating the reception history can be created. Thereby, it is possible to output a communication management report having title information (subject) for each transmission or reception, and to search for previously transmitted / received image information described in the communication management report using the title information as a search key. Output.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of image information transmission processing by the facsimile machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of communication management information for transmission created by the transmission process.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a communication management report showing the transmission history.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a layout of a print sheet with a title output by a facsimile apparatus that has received image information transmitted by the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a search process by the facsimile machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a reception process by the facsimile machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of communication management information for reception created by the reception process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a communication management report showing the transmission / reception history.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Scanner 2: Document sensor 3: Plotter 4: Operation display unit 5: Image information storage means (image memory) 6: Parameter memory 7: Paper sensor 8: Communication control unit 9: Encoding / decoding unit 10: CPU 11: ROM 12: RAM 13: Inbox 14: Modem 15: Network controller 16: System bus

Claims (6)

[Claims] A transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving image information via a communication line; an image information reading / storing means for reading and storing image information of a document; and title information as a title for specifying the contents of the image information. Title information input means for inputting the title information, title information storage means for storing the title information input by the means as code information, and the facsimile apparatus of the transmission partner of the code information of the title information stored by the means NSS processing means for incorporation into NSS information that is information to be transmitted to the NSS information processing means. That the NSS information incorporating the code information of the title information is transmitted together. Facsimile apparatus according to. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein code information of the title information is added to information indicating a transmission history such as a transmission date and time, a destination, the number of pages, and a transmission result for each transmission. A facsimile apparatus comprising: means for creating communication management information; and means for outputting a communication management report based on the communication management information. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitted image information and code information of the title information are stored in association with each other, and the transmitted image information is stored as a search key. A facsimile apparatus comprising: means for searching for image information stored in transmission image information storage means; and means for outputting the image information searched by the means. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the transmission / reception means receives image information from another facsimile apparatus,
Means for analyzing the NSS information received together with the image information and extracting code information of the title information; means for converting the extracted code information into image data and embedding the image information in the received image information; Means for printing and outputting image information in which information is embedded. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein for each reception, code information of title information extracted from the NSS information is added to information indicating a reception history such as a reception date and time, a destination, the number of pages, and a reception result. A facsimile apparatus comprising: means for generating communication management information for reception; and means for outputting a communication management report based on the communication management information. 6. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said received image information and code information of title information extracted from said NSS information are stored in association with each other, and said title information is stored. A facsimile apparatus comprising: means for retrieving image information stored in the received image information storage means by using a search key as a search key; and means for outputting the image information retrieved by the means.