JP2001045254A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate setting of a transmission start time reserved for time designation transmission newly registered in matching with a transmission start time reserved for time designation transmission having already been registered by displaying registration information reserved for time designation transmission having already been registered in the case of registering the time designation transmission. SOLUTION: A main control section 10 confirms whether or not a memory 11 stores registration information for time designation transmission with the same transmission time, and starts the time designation transmission on the basis of the registration information when the memory 11 stores the information. In the case of setting the time designation transmission, the main control section 10 allows a display section 501 to display information relating to all time transmission having already be set as a list. Then the memory 11 stores a plurality of time designation transmission reservations on the basis of the intention of an operator and when the transmission start time comes, the transmission processing as to a plurality of reservations is executed. Since a plurality of items of the transmission reservations is continuously processed, a power failure mode and a usual standby mode are not switched and no frequent changeover takes place.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a function of shifting to a power failure mode during standby and a function of transmitting a stored document at a time designated by a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to reduce power consumption during standby, there is a facsimile machine having a function of shifting to a power failure mode in which power supply to a printing unit and a display unit is stopped when a non-use period exceeds a predetermined period. . Further, in order to perform communication during a time period when communication charges are low, such as at night, the facsimile apparatus stores the read original contents as image data, and starts transmission of image data when a designated time comes. In many cases, a designated transmission function is provided.

Generally, at a specified time, a facsimile apparatus is often in a power failure mode, so at the specified time, the facsimile apparatus switches from a power failure mode to a normal standby mode (a state in which the facsimile apparatus can immediately operate). Then, the image data is transmitted. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the mode shifts again to the power failure mode.

[0004] When a large number of time-specified transmissions having different specified times are reserved, the transition from the power outage mode to the normal standby mode and the transition from the normal standby mode to the power outage mode are repeated. . There are many facsimile machines that need to be warmed up when shifting from the power failure mode to the normal standby mode. For example, in a facsimile apparatus having an electrophotographic printer unit, an extra heat time is required. If the warm-up is repeatedly performed in such a facsimile machine, the power consumption is not effectively reduced. In other words, even if it has the function of shifting to the power outage mode, if a large number of time-specified transmissions with different specified times are reserved, the power consumption saving effect is diminished.

In consideration of the case where a large number of time-specified transmissions with different specified times are reserved, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-294
Japanese Patent Publication No. 174 describes a facsimile apparatus that periodically alternates between a power failure mode and a normal standby mode when time-specified transmission is reserved. The cycle is set to such a time that warm-up such as residual heat is not required.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 10-23235 discloses that, when an operator performs a transmission operation, if another time-specified transmission with the same transmission time to the same destination is reserved, the transmission is performed collectively. A facsimile machine that can be performed is described. When such a facsimile apparatus includes a power failure mode transition function, the number of times of switching between the power failure mode and the normal standby mode is reduced, and as a result, the effect of reducing power consumption can be increased.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-2
In the facsimile apparatus described in U.S. Pat.
If at least one time-designated transmission reservation exists, the switching between the power failure mode and the normal standby mode is repeatedly performed over a long period of time. That is, the normal standby mode repeatedly appears for a long time. Then, in general, the designated time comes at night, and although the communication other than the designated time communication is unlikely to be performed, the switching to the normal standby mode is repeatedly performed. Power is not significantly reduced.

In the facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-23235, processing is not performed collectively unless a time-designated transmission reservation is made for the same destination.
In such a facsimile apparatus, when time-specified transmission reservations are made for various destinations, switching to the normal standby mode is repeatedly performed even if the power failure mode transition function is provided. Become
Power consumption is not significantly reduced. It should be noted that the facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-23235 is not actually conscious of the application of the power failure mode transition function. That is, since the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-23235 does not consider the application of the power failure mode transition function, it is impossible to apply the power failure mode transition function.

According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain a low power consumption effect by reducing the number of times of switching between a power failure mode and a normal standby mode when there is a time-specified transmission reservation, and to contradict a user's request for time specification. Not to provide a facsimile machine.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A facsimile apparatus not according to the present invention is a facsimile apparatus having a function of shifting to a power outage mode and having a time-designated transmission function. A registered information display control unit for displaying registered information of the time-specified transmission reservation on the display unit is provided. The registration information of the registered time-specified transmission reservation is displayed on the display unit when registering the time-specified transmission, and the operator can specify the time of the new registration according to the transmission start time of the registered time-specified transmission reservation. It becomes easy to set the transmission start time of the transmission reservation.

[0011] The registered information display control means displays at least the transmission start time of the registered time designation transmission reservation on the display unit.

When the transmission start time is selected from the registered information of the registered time-specified transmission reservation displayed on the display unit at the time of the new registration of the time-specified transmission, the facsimile apparatus changes the time to the new registration. A time-specified transmission registration unit that sets the transmission start time of the time-specified transmission reservation may be provided.
According to such a configuration, the operator can more easily adjust the transmission start time of the newly registered time-specified transmission reservation to the transmission start time of the registered time-specified transmission reservation.

[0013] In the facsimile apparatus, the time-designated transmission registering means performs registration processing including the degree of urgency in the time-designated transmission. It is also possible to provide a time-designated transmission execution means for starting the transmission process first for the designated time-specified transmission. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a transmission process for a transmission reservation that the operator wants to be processed at a strict time from being postponed by another transmission reservation.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. A facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.
0, a main power supply 80 for supplying power to the device unit 100, a main power supply control unit 70 for instructing a power supply pattern to the main power supply 80, and an auxiliary power supply 90 for supplying power to the main power supply control unit 70.

In the apparatus section 100, a main control section 10 controls the entire apparatus. The memory 11 stores registration information of time-designated transmission such as a designated time. The timer 12 detects that the designated transmission time of the designated time transmission has arrived.
The print unit 20 prints out a received document or the like, and the scanner unit 30 reads a transmitted document. Line control unit 40
Performs line control when transmitting and receiving a telephone line.
The operation unit 50 includes a display unit 501, and is used when the user performs various operations and registration. Also, the image memory 60
Stores, as image data, the contents of a document read when time-specified transmission is performed.

Next, the operation will be described. Main control unit 10
Instructs the main power control unit 70 to stop power when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, when the operation on the operation unit 50 has not been performed for a predetermined period or more, and the transmission operation, the reception operation, and the printing process by the printing unit 20 have not been performed for a predetermined time or more.

The main power supply 80 is connected to a commercial power supply, and supplies power to the apparatus section 100 when the facsimile apparatus operates and in the normal standby mode. When receiving an instruction to stop the power from the main control unit 10, the main power control unit 70 instructs the main power supply 80 to operate in the low power consumption mode. When receiving the instruction of the low power consumption mode, the main power supply 80 supplies power only to predetermined function blocks, and stops supplying power to other function blocks. The predetermined functional block is, for example, a part of the main control unit 10, the operation unit 50, the line control unit 40 for detecting an incoming call, the memory 11 storing the specified time of the time-specified transmission, and the arrival of the specified time. And an image memory 60 for storing image data.

The main power supply control unit 70 operates by the power from the auxiliary power supply 90 in the power failure mode, but is constituted by a simple switch. Therefore, power consumption is small.

When a predetermined start-up condition is satisfied, main controller 10 instructs main power controller 70 to stop the power failure mode. The main power supply control unit 70 instructs the main power supply 80 to supply power to the entire device unit 100 in response to the instruction. The main power supply 80 starts supplying power to the entire device unit 100 in response to the instruction. Here, the predetermined start-up condition is, for example, an operation on the operation unit 50 by an operator, detection of an incoming call in the line control unit 40, and detection of arrival of a designated time by the timer 12.

Hereinafter, the time designation transmission control of the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When performing the time designation transmission, the operator sets the document on the scanner unit 30 (step S11). Further, a code or the like for time designated transmission registration is input from the operation unit 50 (step S12). Subsequently, the destination telephone number is input according to the operation instruction displayed on the display unit 501 (step S13).

When time-specified transmission reservations are already stored in the memory 11, the main control unit 10 displays the contents on the display unit 501 as a list. The displayed list is, for example, the destination telephone number, the number of documents, and the transmission time. Here, the operator determines whether strict time designation is necessary for the currently registered transmission reservation (step S14). When it is considered that strict time designation is unnecessary, the operator checks the list displayed on the display unit 501 (step S15).

If there is an appropriate time in the list for the currently registered transmission reservation, that time is selected. The selection method is, for example, to move the cursor displayed on the display 501 to the corresponding time and press the completion key. The main control unit 10 performs a registration completion process according to the completion operation input to the operation unit 50 (step S19). That is, the selected transmission start time and the other party's telephone number are stored in the memory 11, and the scanner unit 30 is driven to read the original, and the read original is stored in the image memory 6.
Store to 0. Further, the number of documents is stored in the memory 11 in association with the previously stored time and the destination telephone number.

If the operator determines in step S14 that strict time designation is necessary,
If the operator determines in step 16 that there is no appropriate time in the list, a new transmission start time is input to the operation unit (step S18), and an operation indicating that registration has been completed is performed.
The main control unit 10 stores the input transmission start time and the destination telephone number in the memory 11 according to the completion operation input to the operation unit 50, and drives the scanner unit 30 to read the original, The read original content is stored in the image memory 60. Further, the number of documents is stored in the memory 11 in association with the previously stored time and the destination telephone number.

Next, the time designation transmission process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 in relation to the low power consumption mode. As described above, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the main control unit 10 instructs the main power supply control unit 70 to stop power supply, and shifts to a low power consumption mode (power consumption saving mode) (step S21, S22). The predetermined condition is that the operation on the operation unit 50 is not performed for a predetermined period or more.

In the power saving mode, when the transmission start time of the time-specified transmission comes, the timer 12 generates a coincidence signal indicating that the current time coincides with the reserved transmission start time (step S23). Then, as described above, the facsimile machine shifts to the normal standby mode (step S24). And the main control unit 10
Starts the time-designated transmission process based on the time-designated transmission registration information stored in the memory 11 (step S25).

That is, the main control unit 10 sends out the other party's telephone number to the line via the line control unit 40. Further, when connected to the partner device, a predetermined facsimile communication procedure is executed, and the image data in the image memory 60 is transmitted to the partner device. When the transmission of the image data is completed, a predetermined time-specified transmission end process is performed (step S26). For example, the registration information in the memory 11 and the image data in the image memory 60 are deleted, and the communication management information is set in a predetermined storage unit.

Next, the main control unit 10 checks whether or not there is registration information of time designation transmission having the same transmission time in the memory 11 (step S27). If there is such information, the designated time transmission process is started based on the registered information (step S28). When the transmission is completed, a time designation transmission end process is performed (step S29). Then, the determination process of step S27 is performed again.

If it is determined in step S27 that there is no registration information of the time-specified transmission having the same transmission time, the power-saving mode is entered after a lapse of a predetermined time (steps S21 and S22).

As described above, in this embodiment, at the time of setting the designated time transmission, the main control unit 10 displays a list of all the preset time transmission information on the display unit 501.
In the list display, at least the transmission start time is displayed, but the number of documents and the like need not be displayed. Therefore, if there is any of the preset transmission start times that can be used as the transmission start time of the time designation transmission set by the operator, the operator can use that time.

Then, a plurality of time-designated transmission reservations having the same transmission start time are stored in the memory 11 based on the operator's intention.
When the transmission start time arrives, transmission processing for a plurality of reservations is executed. Since a plurality of transmission reservations are continuously processed, switching between the power failure mode and the normal standby mode is not performed during that time. That is, since frequent switching does not occur, low power consumption is effectively realized.

In this embodiment, even if the transmission destination is different, the operator is urged to consolidate to the same transmission start time, so that the power consumption can be reduced more effectively. In addition, since the aggregation to the same transmission start time is not performed by the facsimile apparatus but by the intention of the operator, transmission at a time contrary to the intention of the operator is avoided.

When there are a plurality of time-specified transmission reservations having the same transmission start time, transmission processing for each transmission reservation takes a certain amount of time, so that transmission is not actually started at the same time. . Generally, the main control unit 10
Starts transmission processing in the registered order. However, when such control is performed, the transmission reservation is made in step S17 at a time earlier than the transmission reservation registered in step S18 because the strict time specification is necessary and the strict time specification is unnecessary. And the transmission start times are the same, a transmission reservation that requires strict time designation is processed last.
Then, the actual transmission start time is delayed even though the operator has made a transmission reservation on the assumption that strict time designation is required.

In order to avoid such a situation, the facsimile apparatus may be configured so that "urgency" can be set at the time of registration of time-specified transmission. In the facsimile apparatus configured as described above, the registration information stored in the memory 11 includes “urgency”. When the operator registers for the time-specified transmission, if the operator wants the time-specified transmission reservation to be processed at a strict time, the operator also inputs “urgent” from the operation unit 50. When a list of transmission reservations that have already been set is displayed on display 501, main controller 10 also displays the “urgency” of each transmission reservation. The displayed urgency is, for example, “urgent” or “no urgency”. The operator is "emergency" when registering timed transmission
Is not set, the main control unit 10 determines that there is no urgency.

When a match signal indicating that the transmission start time has arrived is output from the timer 12, the main control unit 10
Examines all registration information in the memory 11 whose transmission start time is that time. Then, transmission processing is first performed for a transmission reservation that is determined to be “urgent”. Then, transmission processing is performed next on the transmission reservation set to “no urgency”. If there are a plurality of transmission reservations that are set to "urgent", the transmission processing is performed first on the one registered at the earliest time. In addition, even when there are a plurality of transmission reservations that are set to “no urgency”, those transmission reservations are processed in order of earlier registration time.

As described above, the "urgency" can be set for the time-specified transmission reservation, and the transmission reservation set to "urgent" is processed first when the transmission start time arrives. For example, a transmission reservation that the operator wants to be processed at a strict time is transmitted almost as desired. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, a facsimile apparatus is configured so that the transmission start time of each time-specified transmission reservation can be aggregated in order to effectively operate the low power consumption mode. However, it is possible to prevent the transmission process for the transmission reservation that the operator wants to be processed at a strict time from being postponed by another transmission reservation.

When the transmission processing is completed for all transmission reservations having the same transmission start time, the mode shifts to the power failure mode after a fixed time, as in the first embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, the setting of “urgent” by the operator is enabled.On the other hand, if the transmission start time does not require much strictness, the operator sets “no urgency”, A time-designated transmission reservation without such a setting may be regarded as “urgent”.

[0037]

According to the present invention, a facsimile apparatus
The registered information display control means for displaying the registered information of the registered time-specified transmission reservation on the display unit when registering the time-specified transmission is provided. There is an effect that a transmission process that does not violate a user's request for time designation can be performed while maintaining a low power consumption effect by reducing the number of times of switching to the standby mode.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating time-designated transmission control of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a time designation transmission process associated with a low power consumption mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 main control unit 11 memory 12 timer 20 printing unit 30 scanner unit 40 line control unit 50 operation unit 501 display unit 60 image memory 70 main power control unit 80 main power supply 90 auxiliary power supply 100 device unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having a function of shifting to a power failure mode and having a designated time transmission function, wherein when registration of designated time transmission is performed, registration information of a registered time designated transmission reservation is displayed on a display unit. A facsimile machine comprising registration information display control means. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registered information display control means displays at least a transmission start time of the registered time designation transmission reservation on the display unit. 3. When the transmission start time is selected from the registered information of each registered time-specified transmission reservation displayed on the display unit at the time of new registration of the time-specified transmission, the selected time is newly registered. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a time-specified transmission registration unit that sets the transmission start time of the time-specified transmission reservation. 4. The time-designated transmission registration means performs a registration process including the degree of urgency in the time-designated transmission, and when a plurality of time-designated transmissions having the same time as the transmission start time are registered, the emergency is determined to be urgent. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a time-designated transmission executing means for starting a transmission process for the designated time-specified transmission first.