JP2001292268A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide facsimile equipment capable of recording data on suitable recording paper corresponding to the equipment, which instructs printing. SOLUTION: In the case of a print job from a personal computer 4, an attribute ('PC', for example), showing the print job is applied and that print job is written in the queue of the facsimile equipment 1. In the case of Internet FAX receiving through a mail server 3, on the other hand, an attribute ('I-FAX', for example), showing a print job with Internet FAX receiving is applied to the print job and that print job is written in the queue of the facsimile equipment 1. When there is no prescribed recording paper and the attribute is 'PC', it is reported to the personal computer 4. When there is no prescribed recording paper and the attribute is 'I-FAX', the data are recorded on the other recording paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus connected to a communication network by an option board.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication network system in which a facsimile apparatus, a mail server, a personal computer, and the like are connected to each other using a communication network has been widely used. For this reason, some recent facsimile machines are configured to connect to a communication network by adding an option board. For this reason, the facsimile machine connected to the communication network can be used as a communication network printer. That is, data from a personal computer connected to the communication network can be recorded by the facsimile machine. Also, by using such a facsimile apparatus as a mail client, Internet FAX using electronic mail is also available.
It can be recorded by a facsimile machine.

[0003]

However, in the print instruction from the personal computer, since the recording paper is determined based on the user's intention, it is necessary to always record on the recording paper desired by the user. On the other hand, when the facsimile apparatus is a mail client and the mail server receives an e-mail addressed to the facsimile apparatus, unless the e-mail is recorded first, it is determined to whom the e-mail is directed. Can not do. That is, in such a case, it is necessary to record the e-mail on the recording paper regardless of the recording paper.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and a purpose thereof is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of recording on an appropriate recording sheet according to an apparatus which has issued a print instruction. Is to provide.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus capable of connecting to a communication network, comprising: There is provided control means for judging whether the instruction is a print instruction and performing print processing of image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means assigns an attribute to a print instruction from a device connected to the communication network.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect, when the predetermined recording paper does not exist, the control unit issues a print instruction indicating that there is no recording paper based on the attribute. Or notifies the image data to another recording paper.

In the embodiments of the invention described below, the “connection means” described in the claims or the means for solving the problems corresponds to the option board 30, and the “control means” also corresponds to the MPU 11. , ROM1
2, RAM 13, MPU 31, ROM 32, and RAM
33.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication network system includes a facsimile apparatus (FA) having a telephone line L1.
X) 1, a gateway (HUB) interconnecting the gateway 2 connected to the Internet via the dedicated line L2, the mail server 3, a plurality of personal computers 4, and each of the devices 1-4.
5, a transceiver 6, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 7, an AUI cable 8, and a twisted pair cable 9.

The facsimile machine 1, gateway 2, mail server 3 and personal computer 4 are connected to a hub 5 via a twisted pair cable 9. Hub 5 is an AUI
It is connected to the transceiver 6 via a cable 8.
The transceiver 6 is connected to another transceiver 6 via an Ethernet cable 7. Facsimile machine 1, gateway 2, mail server 3, and personal computer 4
Has an interface for connecting to the twisted pair cable 9. The hub 5 is provided for connecting the twisted pair cable 9 and the AUI cable 8, and functions as a line concentrator in connection with the communication network T. The transceiver 6 is provided for connecting the AUI cable 8 and the Ethernet cable 7.

The facsimile machine 1 has a mail address as a client on the communication network T. The gateway 2 includes a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T. The gateway 2 also has a firewall function for preventing unauthorized entry into the communication network T.

The mail server 3 has a communication protocol (SMTP, POP3, etc.) used for electronic mail. When you send the e-mail with the image data attached,
Internet FAX can be realized.

The plurality of personal computers 4 includes a control unit for controlling the entire personal computer 4, and an LCD for displaying various information.
And a storage unit such as a keyboard and mouse for inputting predetermined characters and the like, and a hard disk, etc., for instructing various information displayed on the display unit. Further, the plurality of personal computers 4 are connected to the facsimile machine 1, the gateway 2, the mail server 3 and another personal computer 4, and between the facsimile machine 1 or the mail server 3 and the external facsimile machine via the gateway 2. It has a communication protocol for transmitting and receiving. The plurality of personal computers 4 have mail addresses as clients on the communication network T.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile machine 1
Are the facsimile machine body 1a and the option board 30
It is composed of The facsimile machine main body 1a
MPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, image memory 18,
It comprises a codec 19, a modem 20, an NCU 21 and an option board slot section 22, and the sections 11 to 22 are respectively connected via a bus 23.

The MPU 11 controls each part of the facsimile machine 1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the facsimile machine 1. RAM 13
Temporarily stores various information related to transmission and reception of the facsimile machine 1. Further, the RAM 13 includes a queue 13a for storing a job. And the queue 13
When a job is written in a, the job is automatically executed until the job is completed unless the job is deleted. When the execution of the job is completed, the job is automatically deleted from the queue 13a.

The reading unit 14 reads image data on a document and outputs black and white binary image data. The recording unit 15 is formed of an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data or image data of a document read by the reading unit 14 on recording paper in a recording operation or a copying operation of received image data.

The operation unit 16 includes a numeric keypad (including * and # keys) 16a for inputting a telephone number, an abbreviated key 16b for registering an abbreviated number or transmitting from an abbreviated number, a telephone number or a FAX number registered in advance. One-touch key 16c for designating a one-touch operation, a start key 16d for starting a document reading operation, and a "communication (FA)
X) Communication for setting "operation" or "copy" operation /
Various operation keys such as a copy key 16e are provided. LC
D, etc., of the facsimile apparatus body 1a
Various information such as the operating state of the device is displayed.

The image memory 18 is read out by the received image data and the reading unit 14 and is binarized.
The image data encoded according to the R system is temporarily stored. The image memory 18 temporarily stores image data transmitted from the personal computer 4 via the option board slot unit 22.

The codec 19 encodes the image data read by the reading unit 14 in accordance with the MH, MR, MMR system or the like for transmission. The codec 19 decodes the received image data.

The modem 20 conforms to ITU-T Recommendation T.30. Facsimile transmission control procedure according to V.30 and V.30. 17, V. 2
7ter, V.A. Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to 29 or the like are performed. The NCU 21 has functions of closing and opening the telephone line L1, detecting transmission and reception of a dial signal corresponding to the fax number of the other party, and the like.

The option board slot section 22 has an option board 3 for connecting to the communication network T.
0 is equipped. That is, the option board 30
Is provided in the option board slot section 22, the connection to the communication network T becomes possible.

As shown in FIG.
Is composed of an MPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an image memory 34, a data conversion unit 35, a PC card interface 36, a PC card type memory 37, a communication protocol control unit 38, and a network interface 39. Are connected via a bus 40.

The MPU 31 controls each part constituting the option board 30. The ROM 32 stores a basic program for controlling the option board 30. The RAM 33 temporarily stores various information regarding the option board 30. The image memory 34 stores the image data sent from the personal computer 4.

The data conversion unit 35 includes a TIFF, BM transmitted from the personal computer 4 via the communication network T.
Image data such as P, GIF, JPEG, PCX, DCX, etc. can be stored in MH, MR, MMR format, TIFF-MH, TIF
The image data is converted into image data of F-MR, TIFF-MMR or the like. Conversely, the MH, MR, MMR system, TIFF-MH, TIFF-
In order to convert image data such as MR, TIFF-MMR, etc. into a format that can be easily handled by a plurality of personal computers 4, a TIF
The image data is converted into image data such as F, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, and DCX.

The PC card interface 36 is
The PC card type memory 37 is accessed via the PC card adapter 36a based on the control signal from the PU 31. The PC card type memory 37 is "PC Card Standard"
Compliant with, for example, a flash memory (EEPROM), and stores data relating to transmission / reception via the option board 30. That is, even if the power of the facsimile machine 1 is stopped or a power failure occurs, data related to transmission and reception is not lost.

The communication protocol control unit 38 communicates with other devices on the communication network T via the network interface 39,
9 and a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T via the public line network or the like. Specifically, for example, SMTP (mail transmission protocol), POP3 (mail reception protocol), FT
P (File Transfer Protocol), ITU-T Recommendation T. Three
0, that is, a communication protocol of a facsimile transmission control procedure, a communication protocol for salutation defined by a salutation consortium, and the like.

Next, the operation of the option board 30 during reception will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is performed under the control of the MPU 31 based on a program stored in the ROM 32. Further, the option board 30 accesses the mailbox of the facsimile machine main body 1a in the mail server 3 every predetermined time (for example, one hour). That is,
The e-mail is monitored for incoming mailboxes at predetermined time intervals. And Internet FAX reception,
That is, if an e-mail has been received, the e-mail is received.

Now, the option board 30 receives some job (for example, print job, Internet FAX reception job, transmission job, etc.) from the communication network T, and transfers image data accompanying the job to the image memory 34. In step S1, it is determined whether the job is a print job from any of the personal computers 4 or an Internet FAX reception job. If the job is a print job from any of the personal computers 4 or an Internet FAX reception job, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if it is not a print job from any of the personal computers 4 or an Internet FAX reception job, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, a print job from any of the personal computers 4 or an Internet FAX
Since the job is not a reception job, a process corresponding to the job is executed, and the process ends.

In step S3, it is determined whether the job is a print job. If it is a print job, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if it is not a print job, that is, if it is an Internet FAX reception job, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S4, an attribute (for example, "PC") indicating that the print job is from one of the personal computers 4 is given to the print job, and the print job is queued in the queue 13 of the facsimile apparatus body 1a.
is written to a. Further, the image data stored in the image memory 34 is transferred to the image memory 18 of the facsimile apparatus main body 1a.

In step S5, the distribution destination of the image data is determined based on the Internet FAX reception job. Specifically, based on the mail address of the sender, etc., the Internet FA addressed to the facsimile
X reception or Internet F addressed to any PC 4
AX reception is determined.

In step S6, it is determined whether the Internet FAX reception is addressed to the facsimile machine main body 1a. If it is addressed to the facsimile machine body 1a, the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, if it is not addressed to the facsimile machine body 1a, that is, if it is addressed to any of the personal computers 4, the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S7, since the Internet FAX reception is addressed to the facsimile machine body 1a, it is determined that the Internet FAX reception job is a print job accompanying the Internet FAX reception, and the print job is associated with the Internet FAX reception. An attribute indicating the fact (for example, “I-FAX”) is added to the print job, and the print job is written to the queue 13 a of the facsimile apparatus main body 1 a. Further, the image data stored in the image memory 34 is transferred to the image memory 18 of the facsimile apparatus main body 1a.

In step S8, since the Internet FAX reception is addressed to any one of the personal computers 4, the Internet FAX is received based on the mail address of the transmission source.
X reception, that is, an e-mail is delivered to a specific personal computer 4. Specifically, Internet FAX reception, that is, electronic mail is delivered to the personal computer 4 using a salutation communication protocol.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus body 1a at the time of reception will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is executed under the control of the MPU 11 based on a program stored in the ROM 12.

When the facsimile machine body 1a receives any job (for example, a print job) from the option board 30, it is determined in step S11 whether or not there is a predetermined recording sheet based on the print job. If there is a predetermined recording sheet, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when there is no predetermined recording paper, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S12, a printing process associated with Internet FAX reception or a printing process based on a print instruction from the personal computer 4 is executed. That is, the image data stored in the image memory 18 is recorded on a predetermined recording sheet by the recording unit 15.

In step S13, it is determined whether the attribute of the print job is "PC". If the attribute of the print job is “PC”, step S1
Move to 4. On the other hand, the attribute of the print job is “PC”
If not, that is, if the attribute of the print job is “I-FA
If “X”, the process proceeds to step S15.

In step S14, the computer 4 instructing the print job is notified that there is no recording paper. That is, the fact that there is no recording paper is notified to the personal computer 4 via the option board 30. As a result, it is notified that there is no predetermined recording paper on the screen of the personal computer 4 which has issued the print job instruction. Further, the image data is maintained in a state of being spooled in the image memory 18. Then, when the predetermined recording paper is replenished, the print job is automatically executed. As a result, the image data is recorded on a predetermined recording sheet.

In step S15, the Internet FAX reception, that is, the electronic mail is recorded on another recording paper by the recording unit 15. That is, the image data stored in the image memory 18 is recorded on the recording paper by the recording unit 15. At this time, the image data is reduced or rotated as necessary, and is recorded on another recording sheet.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained. (1) If the job is a print job from any of the personal computers 4, an attribute (for example, “PC”) indicating that the job is a print job is added, and the print job is written to the queue 13a of the facsimile apparatus body 1a. It is. On the other hand, Internet FA via mail server 3
In the case of X reception, an attribute indicating that the print job is a print job accompanying Internet FAX reception (for example, “IF”)
AX ”) is given to the print job, and the print job is written to the queue 13a of the facsimile machine body 1a. Then, it is determined from which device connected to the communication network T the print instruction is issued, and based on the determination, the printing process is performed. That is, when there is no predetermined recording paper, and the attribute is “PC”
In this case, the fact is notified to the personal computer 4. On the other hand, when there is no predetermined recording paper and the attribute is “IF”
In the case of "AX", it is recorded on another recording paper. That is, in the case of a print job from any one of the personal computers 4, the purpose is to record on a predetermined recording sheet. If there is no predetermined recording sheet, the fact is notified. On the other hand, Internet FAX reception addressed to the facsimile machine body 1a,
In other words, in the case of an e-mail, it is not known to whom the e-mail is addressed, and if there is no predetermined recording paper, the recording is made on another recording paper. As a result, it is possible to determine to whom the electronic mail is based on the content recorded on another recording paper. In other words, in the case of an electronic mail addressed to the facsimile machine main body 1a, even if there is no predetermined recording paper, it is recorded immediately on another recording paper. Therefore, it is possible to record on an appropriate recording sheet in accordance with the device that has issued the print instruction.

(2) If the print job is from any one of the personal computers 4 and there is no predetermined recording paper, the fact is notified to the personal computer 4 which instructed the print job. As a result, based on the notification, appropriate processing such as replenishing the facsimile apparatus main body 1a with recording paper can be quickly performed.

(3) When the Internet FAX reception is an electronic mail addressed to any one of the personal computers 4, the electronic mail is distributed to a specific personal computer 4 based on the mail address of the sender. As a result, it is understood that the e-mail has been received.

(4) If the print job is from any of the personal computers 4 and there is no predetermined recording paper, the image data is spooled in the image memory 18. Therefore, there is no need to perform a print job again after replenishing a predetermined recording sheet. That is, when the predetermined recording paper is replenished, the print job is automatically executed. Therefore, the print job is reliably executed only by replenishing the predetermined recording paper, and the image data can be recorded on the predetermined recording paper.

The above embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. In the above-described embodiment, in the case where there is no predetermined recording sheet and the Internet FAX reception, that is, in the case of a print job associated with the Internet FAX reception, the recording unit 15 records on another recording sheet. Alternatively, if there is no predetermined recording paper and the Internet FAX reception, that is, a print job accompanying the Internet FAX reception, a specific personal computer 4 (for example, the administrator's personal computer 4) It may be configured to notify that there is no recording paper. According to this configuration, the recording paper is replenished to the facsimile apparatus main body 1a by, for example, the administrator. Therefore, even when receiving the Internet FAX addressed to the facsimile apparatus main body 1a, the recording paper is reliably recorded on the predetermined recording paper. Can be done.

In the above-described embodiment, the job is managed by the queue 13a of the RAM 13. Alternatively, a queue for managing the job may be provided in the RAM 33 of the option board 30.

In the above embodiment, the job is managed by the queue 13a of the RAM 13 and the image data of the job is managed by the image memory 18, but the job and the image data are managed only by the RAM 13. May be.

Further, technical ideas other than the claims grasped from the above embodiment and the like will be described below together with their effects. [1] In the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means is configured to output the predetermined recording paper when there is no predetermined recording paper and when a print instruction is issued from a communication terminal device connected to the communication network. Notify the communication terminal device that there is no
A facsimile machine that records an e-mail to its own device on another recording sheet in the case of a print instruction. With this configuration,
E-mail can be reliably recorded on recording paper.

[2] In the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the facsimile apparatus is composed of a facsimile apparatus main body and an option board, and the control means has an attribute in response to a print instruction from a device connected to the communication network by the option board. A facsimile apparatus that notifies the apparatus that has issued a print instruction that there is no recording paper in the facsimile apparatus main body based on the attribute, or records image data on another recording paper. With this configuration, it is possible to record on an appropriate recording sheet according to the apparatus that has issued the print instruction.

[3] In a communication network system in which a facsimile apparatus that can be connected to a communication network, a communication terminal apparatus, and a mail server are connected, the facsimile apparatus receives a print instruction from the communication terminal apparatus or a mail server. A communication network system that performs print processing of image data based on a print instruction of an electronic mail addressed to the own apparatus. The communication terminal device corresponds to the personal computer 4 in the embodiment. According to this configuration, the facsimile machine can record on an appropriate recording sheet according to the apparatus that has issued the print instruction.

[0053]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the invention described in any one of the first to third aspects, it is possible to perform recording on an appropriate recording sheet according to the apparatus that has issued the print instruction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication network system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an option board.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the option board at the time of reception.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of reception in the facsimile apparatus main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile machine, 11 ... MP which comprises a control means
U, 12: ROM configuring control means, 13: RAM configuring control means, 30: option board, 31: MPU configuring control means, 32: R configuring control means
OM, 33: RAM constituting control means, T: communication network.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus capable of connecting to a communication network, comprising: control means for judging which of the apparatuses connected to the communication network is a print instruction and performing a print process of image data. Facsimile machine. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adds an attribute to a print instruction from a device connected to a communication network. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when the predetermined recording paper does not exist, the control unit notifies the apparatus that has issued the printing instruction that there is no recording paper based on the attribute. Or a facsimile apparatus for recording image data on another recording paper.