JP2002010004A - Original reader/recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an original reader/recorder which can be utilized effectively by effectively using a memory having a limited capacity. SOLUTION: This original reader/recorder records and outputs the image read by means of a reading section 14 by means of a recording section 15 after storing the image in an image memory 20. When the capacity of the memory 20 is insufficient or the printing starting time is designated, the reader/ recorder transfers the image read by means of the reading section 14 to another facsimile equipment from an LAN interface 17 through a LAN 34. When a vacant space is produced in the memory 20 or the set time comes thereafter, the reader/recorder requests the facsimile equipment to read the image from the LAN interface 17 and records and outputs the image upon receiving the image returned from the equipment. Therefore, the reader/recorder can read images more than the capacity of the memory 20. In addition, since the reader/ recorder transfers images which occupy the memory 20 for a long time to another facsimile equipment, the reader/recorder can utilize the memory 20 for another processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document reading and recording apparatus connected to another apparatus via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a document can be copied using a document reading / recording apparatus which reads an image on a document and records the image. In recent years, document reading and recording devices have
They are also connected via a network such as an AN and used as a scanner or as a printer. Further, a system in which a plurality of document reading and recording apparatuses are connected to a network is also used.

When a document is copied using a document reading device, for example, various functions such as electronic sorting can be used by storing the read image on the document in a memory. . However, if the memory capacity of a commonly used document reading apparatus is small, the memory becomes insufficient when attempting to copy a large number of documents using such a function. Therefore, the user has to copy the original document little by little, or to go to a place where another original reading and recording apparatus having a large memory capacity is installed to carry out copying, which is inconvenient.

[0004] When a large number of copies are made, it takes a considerable amount of time to record and output, which hinders the use of other users. Therefore, a document reading and recording apparatus capable of designating the time of recording and output so that only the image on the document is read and the recording and output is performed during a time period when other users do not use the apparatus. Has also been developed. Even when such a function is used, the read image is stored in the memory until the set time comes. Then
When another user tries to use the function using the memory, there is a problem that the free space of the memory is small and the device cannot be used effectively.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a document reading / recording apparatus capable of effectively using the apparatus by effectively using a limited memory. The purpose is to do so.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a document reading and recording apparatus, in which a network connection means for communicating with another apparatus via a network, a reading means for reading an image on a document, and a storage means for storing an image. Recording means for recording and outputting an image, and transferring the image read by the reading means to the another device, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, reading the image from the other device and causing the recording means to record and output the image. It has a control means.

For example, when a large number of images on a document are read by the reading means and stored in the storage means, the capacity of the storage means may become insufficient. In such a case, an image to be recorded and output later is transferred to another device. As a result, it is possible to read an image larger than the capacity of the storage means, and it is possible to read the document to the end. In addition, for an image for which time designation or the like is performed and which is not recorded and output immediately, the image can be transferred to another relatively vacant device, so that the storage unit can be left empty. As a result, it becomes possible for another user to perform work such as copying by effectively using the storage means.

An image transferred to another device is read and recorded from another device when, for example, the transfer is performed due to a shortage of capacity, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied that the free space of the storage means becomes a predetermined value or more. What is necessary is just to record and output by means. In this manner, the image transferred to another device can be recorded and output. Such transfer and readout to and from another device are performed automatically, so that the user can use the device by ordinary operations.

When an image for which time is specified is transferred to another device, the image is read from the other device and recorded and output by the recording means on the condition that the set time arrives as a predetermined condition. I just need. In this way, even an image transferred to another device can be recorded and output at a set time. Also in this case, the user does not care at all that the data is being transferred to another device.

The function of transferring an image to another device is as follows.
For example, the present invention can be similarly used when a communication unit is provided and an image is transmitted by specifying time.
The data may be transferred to another device until the transmission time, and when the transmission time has arrived, the data may be read from the other device and transmitted. Also,
In the case of the image received by the communication means, if the recording output is not in time and a large amount of received images are stored in the storage means and the capacity of the storage means is insufficient, the received image is temporarily transferred to another device. In advance, the data may be read out from another device and recorded and output after the free space of the storage means increases.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of an image reading / recording apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a network system. . In the figure, 11 is a main control unit, 12 is a display unit, 13 is an operation unit, 14 is a reading unit, 15
Is a recording unit, 16 is a clock timer, 17 is a LAN interface, 18 is an NCU, 19 is a modem, 20 is an image memory, 21 is a RAM, 22 is a management table, and 23 is an RO.
M and 24 are buses, 31 to 33 are facsimile machines, 34
Is a LAN.

Here, it is assumed that a plurality of facsimile machines 31 to 33 are connected to the LAN 34 as shown in FIG. The LAN 34 has facsimile machines 31 to 3
3, one or more client devices or servers,
Any number of various network devices such as routers may be connected. The number of facsimile machines connected to the LAN 34 is not limited to three, but may be two or four or more.

Each of the facsimile apparatuses 31 to 33 has a function of mutually using an internal image memory, and transfers an image to another facsimile apparatus when the memory capacity of one facsimile apparatus is insufficient. Insufficient memory capacity can be compensated. Further, an image for which time designation or the like has been set can be transferred to another facsimile apparatus, and an internal image memory can be made available for use in other processing. Further, it has a function of accumulating images transferred from another facsimile machine and returning the images in response to a request.

Each of the facsimile apparatuses 31 to 33 does not need to have these functions. For example, a facsimile apparatus having a function of transferring and reading an image to another facsimile apparatus is different from a facsimile apparatus. The facsimile apparatus may have a capacity of an image memory, have a function of accumulating images transferred from another facsimile apparatus, and returning the image in response to a request.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a facsimile apparatus. Of course, the facsimile apparatuses 31 to 33 do not need to have the same configuration, but show an example. Figure 1
The facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has a facsimile transmission / reception function via a public line and a copy function. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, since it is connected to the LAN 34, a function of receiving a print request or facsimile transmission request from a client device or the like connected to the LAN 34 to perform recording output or facsimile transmission, or a function of facsimile reception It may have a function of transferring an image or a read image to a client device.

The main control section 11 controls the entire apparatus and operates each section to realize the various functions as described above. In particular, it is possible to transfer an image to another facsimile machine according to a predetermined condition, and to read an image transferred from another facsimile according to a predetermined condition. For example, when the capacity of the image memory 20 becomes insufficient at the time of facsimile reception or at the time of a copying function using the image memory 20, control is performed so that the image is transferred to another facsimile apparatus via the LAN interface 17. For example, when the recording operation proceeds and the shortage of the capacity of the image memory 20 is resolved, the image transferred to another facsimile apparatus is read, and the recording operation is continued. As a result, even when a large capacity facsimile is received or the copying function is insufficient, the receiving or reading can be performed without causing an error due to a memory shortage. Further, when performing facsimile transmission or recording processing at the time of copying by designating a time, an image to be transmitted and an image to be recorded are stored in the image memory 20 for a long time, and occupy the memory area. In the meantime, since other users must use the facsimile machine in an environment with a small memory capacity, control is performed so that the image whose time is designated is transferred to the other facsimile machine via the LAN interface 17. Then, when the designated time has arrived, the image transferred to another facsimile apparatus is read and transmitted or recorded. As a result, the image memory 20 can be used effectively. When an image transferred from another facsimile apparatus is received by the LAN interface 17, the image is stored in the image memory 20.
, And control is made so that it is returned when a read request is received later. Note that such an image transfer function is performed using the management table 22 in the RAM 21. Such transfer and readout of images, or storage and return of transferred images are performed automatically, so that no burden is imposed on the user.

The display unit 12 can display various information such as a message for the user, a message indicating the state of the apparatus, and operation guidance. Operation unit 13
Is used when the user makes various settings and instructions. In particular, a transmission time, a recording output time, and the like can be set in a facsimile transmission function, a copy function, and the like.
Of course, in addition to the above, various settings and instructions can be performed, such as setting the number of copies at copying and instructing a transmission destination, and instructing to start execution of a facsimile transmission function and a copying function.

The reading unit 14 is constituted by an image input device such as an image scanner, and reads an image to be transmitted by facsimile, copied, or externally transmitted by a scanner under the control of the main control unit 11.

The recording unit 15 records an image to be recorded by a facsimile receiving function, a copying function, a printing function, or the like on a recording medium under the control of the main control unit 11. As a recording method, for example, various methods such as an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, a heat-sensitive method, and a thermal transfer method can be adopted.

The clock timer 16 has a clock function for notifying the date and time. For example, when a time at which facsimile transmission is performed or a time at which recording output is started at the time of a copy function is designated, the clock timer 16 is used. Thus, the arrival of the set time can be known. The main control unit 11
In addition to returning a date and time in response to an inquiry from the user, the terminal may have a function of notifying the main control unit 11 by an interrupt or the like when a preset date and time is reached.

The LAN interface 17 is an interface for connecting a facsimile machine to the LAN 34. With this LAN interface 17, LAN
An image is exchanged with another facsimile machine via the. It can also receive various requests from client devices connected to the LAN 34 and transfer images and the like to the client devices.

The NCU 18 and the modem 19 are used for facsimile communication using a public line. The NCU 18 controls a line to communicate with an external device. Also, modem 1
9 modulates and demodulates image data to be transmitted and received.

The image memory 20 stores an image to be transmitted by facsimile, an image to be received by facsimile, an image read by the reading unit 14, an image to be recorded by the recording unit 15, and other images being processed. Further, images transferred from other facsimile apparatuses can be stored.

The RAM 21 is used when it is necessary to store data in the processing of the main control section 11 and other sections.
The management table 22 is stored in the RAM 21.
This management table 22 is for managing images transferred to other facsimile machines. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the management table. In the management table shown in FIG. 3, the terminal ID, the job ID, the page No. It consists of. From this management table, it is possible to know which page of which job and how many pages are transferred to which facsimile machine. For example, 1
In the record in the line, all pages of the job with the job ID # 1111 are transferred to the facsimile apparatus with the terminal ID of 1. In the records of the second and third rows, the job ID of # 1234 is 10
It is shown that the terminal ID is transferred to the facsimile apparatus with the terminal ID of 1 from page 21 to the facsimile apparatus with the terminal ID of 2 to the last page. As described above, it is possible to transfer an image to another facsimile apparatus in units of pages in a job in addition to a job unit, and the management table 22 can manage such a transfer state. If the number of jobs to be transferred is limited to one, the job ID column is not required. It is also possible to manage the received data in the same manner. For example, a management table for reception may be provided, or one of the fields in the management table shown in FIG. The flag may be stored. The management table 22 is stored in the RAM 21 and the image memory 2
0 may be stored.

The ROM 23 stores a program that defines the operation of the main controller 11, fixed data, and the like.

The bus 24 includes a main control unit 11, a display unit 12,
Operation unit 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, clock timer 1
6, LAN interface 17, NCU 18, modem 1
9, the image memory 20, the RAM 21, the ROM 23, etc., are interconnected to enable data transfer between them. Of course, various other devices such as an external storage device may be connected to the bus 24.

Next, the operation of an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of the document reading and recording apparatus of the present invention will be described. Here, as an example, the reading process and the recording output process at the time of the copying function will be mainly described. FIG.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a reading process at the time of a copy function in an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of the document reading and recording apparatus of the present invention. When copying a document, the user first operates the operation unit 13 to make various settings for copying. For example, in S41, the number of copies can be input, and other selections of paper and density adjustment can be performed. Further, if necessary, S42
In, the print start time can be set.
This is used, for example, when a large amount of copying is to be performed, when only reading is to be performed, and recording is to be performed during a relatively vacant night. In the case of copying only one copy, it is not necessary to input the number of copies in S41, and when recording and outputting immediately, it is not necessary to set the time in S42.
If there is no need to change other settings, no operation is required. The order in which the settings are made is also arbitrary.

After setting various settings in such a copying function and setting a document to be copied in the reading unit 14,
An instruction to start copying is issued from the operation unit 13. This copy start instruction is waited in S43, and when the copy start instruction is issued, the reading unit 14 starts reading the original.

In step S44, the image on the document set in the reading unit 14 is read and temporarily stored in the reading unit 14 or a buffer in the RAM 21. At this time, if the data is encoded, the data amount can be reduced. S
At 45, it is determined whether or not the free space of the image memory 20 is equal to or more than a predetermined value. If the free space is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the image in the buffer is stored in the image memory 20 at S46. Note that in a configuration having no buffer for one page of an image, it is first determined whether or not there is free space in the image memory 20, and after confirming that there is free space, the reading unit 14 reads an image. May be stored in the image memory 20.

After the reading process for one page is completed in this way, it is determined in S47 whether or not there is a next page document to be read. If there is a next page document, the process returns to S44. The image of the next page is read. In this manner, the image is sequentially read one page at a time.

An image on a document is read and stored in an image memory 20.
, The free space of the image memory 20 gradually decreases. If it is determined in S45 that there is not enough free space in the image memory 20, in the present invention, a process of transferring the read image to another facsimile machine is performed.

At S48, a terminal ID indicating one of the other facsimile machines is set to a variable n. Then, in S49, the terminal ID set in the variable n
Is inquired as to whether or not transfer is possible. If the response to the inquiry is not transferable or there is no response, in S51,
It is determined whether or not all other facsimile machines connected to the LAN 34 have been inquired. And if there is another unfamiliar facsimile machine,
In S52, the terminal ID is set to a variable n for one of the other unfamiliar facsimile machines, and in S49.
Returning to, an inquiry is made as to whether transfer is possible. if,
If the transfer cannot be performed to any other facsimile machine, the process ends with an error.

If a response indicating that transfer is possible is received from any of the other facsimile machines, this is detected in S50 and the process proceeds to S53, where the image stored in the buffer is deleted.
The data is transferred to another facsimile apparatus having the terminal ID indicated by the variable n via the LAN. Then, in S54, the transferred page number is registered in the management table 22. At this time, the job number in the copy function is associated with the terminal ID.

After transferring the image for one page in this way, it is determined in S47 whether there is a document of the next page to be read. If there is a document of the next page, the flow returns to S44 and returns to S44. The page image is read. After the transfer is started, there is a high possibility that the image of the subsequent pages will be transferred to another facsimile machine. When transferring images of successive pages to the same facsimile machine, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the page number can be updated without registering a new record in the management table. In this way, the image is read one page at a time until the last page.

The image read by the reading section 14 by the above-described reading process is stored in the image memory 20 and is transferred to another facsimile apparatus when the capacity of the image memory 20 is insufficient. After one or more pages of images have been read by such a reading process, or after image reading for one job has been completed, the recording unit 1
5 can be started.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of a recording output process at the time of a copying function in an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of the document reading and recording apparatus of the present invention. When the recording output process is started, first, in S61, it is determined whether or not the image of the page of the job to be recorded and output exists in the image memory 20. If the image exists in the image memory 20, the image is stored in the image memory 20 in S62.
, And recorded and output by the recording unit 15. If a sorter is added or a setting is made to output a plurality of copies for each page, a plurality of copies can be recorded and output at this time. Then, in S63, the area in the image memory 20 where the recorded and output image existed is released, and another image can be stored.

If there is no image to be recorded and output in the image memory 20 in S61, the image has been transferred to another facsimile apparatus, and the image is read from the other facsimile apparatus. . S65
, The management table 22 is checked to obtain the terminal ID of the facsimile machine in which the image of the page in the job exists. In step S66, an image reading request is issued from the LAN interface 17 to another facsimile apparatus via the LAN 34 based on the terminal ID acquired in step S65. Then, in S67, the image returned from the other facsimile machine which made the read request in S66 is received and stored in the image memory 20. When the image read from the other facsimile apparatus is not used thereafter, the memory area storing the image returned by the other facsimile apparatus may be released. Also, the page N registered in the management table 22
o. May also be deleted.

Thereafter, in the above-mentioned S62, the image read from the other facsimile apparatus is recorded and output, and
In S63, the area in the image memory 20 where the image recorded and output was present is released, and another image can be stored.

In this manner, the image stored in the image memory 20 is read out from the image memory 20 and recorded and output, and the image not stored in the image memory 20 is read out from another facsimile apparatus and recorded and output. Do. In S64, it is determined whether or not recording and output have been performed for all images to be recorded and output. If there is an image that has not been output yet, the process returns to S61 and the same processing is repeated for the image of the next page. Such processing,
What is necessary is just to repeat about all the images to be recorded and output.

As described above, when an image of a document is read at the time of the copying function, it is possible to read and record and output a large amount of images larger than the capacity of the provided image memory 20. At this time, the user does not need any special operation, and can make a copy without worrying about the capacity of the image memory 20.

In the above-described example, the case where a general original is copied by the copy function has been described. In this description,
Images were stored in the image memory 20 until the free space of the image memory 20 became equal to or less than a predetermined value. However, for example, S42
When the print start time is designated in step S1 and the like, it is not necessary to store all the images in the image memory 20 of the own apparatus until the print start time arrives. For example, when another facsimile apparatus having a large-capacity image memory is present, all or a part of an image for one job may be transferred to another facsimile apparatus. This avoids the situation where the image memory 20 cannot be used for other processing due to the image memory 20 being occupied for a long time, and the image memory 20 can be used effectively. The main control unit 11 monitors the arrival of the print start time by using the clock timer 16, and when the print start time comes, the recording output process shown in FIG. In such a case, if there is free space in the image memory 20, images for a plurality of pages may be read from another facsimile apparatus to the image memory 20 in advance before the recording output processing.

Various additional functions may be set as copy functions. For example, an additional function for changing the order of pages to be recorded, such as electronic sorting or booklet printing, may be set. In such a case, a page to be transferred to another facsimile machine at the time of reading can be determined according to the set additional function, and an image transferred to another device can be read. For example, when the electronic sort is set, the transfer to another facsimile apparatus may be performed from the first read image, and the newly read image may be stored in an empty area of the image memory 20. In this way, the recording output can be performed from the image stored in the image memory 20 at the start of the recording output processing. Further, in the electronic sorting, the process of recording and outputting one copy at a time for all pages is repeated by the required number of copies, so that the image cannot be deleted until the recording output of the last copy. Therefore, when the capacity of the image memory 20 is small, the image in the image memory 20 is transferred to another facsimile apparatus during recording and output, and the image to be recorded and output is read out from another facsimile apparatus and stored in an empty area. Is required.

The function of transferring an image to another facsimile apparatus as described above can be used not only for the copying function but also for other functions. For example, in the facsimile transmission function, the present invention can be applied to a case where a large amount of images are transmitted or a case where transmission time is specified. When transmitting a large amount of images, the processing shown in FIG. 4 described above may be performed at the time of reading, and the settings for the facsimile transmission function may be performed in S41 and S42. At the time of transmission, an image may be transmitted instead of recording output in S62 of the processing shown in FIG. 5, and the other processing is the same as the recording output processing. The same applies when the transmission time is specified. In this case, all the transmission images of one job may be transferred to another facsimile machine.

In the facsimile receiving function, for example, even when a large amount of images are received, if the image memory 20 is insufficient, it is possible to control the image data to be transferred to another facsimile apparatus. When recording the received image, the above-described processing in FIG. 5 may be performed as it is.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, an example is shown in which the original reading and recording apparatus of the present invention is mounted on a facsimile apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, NCU
It may be configured as a LAN-connectable copying machine that does not have the modem 18 and the modem 19. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an example in which an image is transferred to another facsimile apparatus via the LAN 34 has been described. For example, a server for storing the image is provided, and the It is also possible to perform a transfer and read request.

[0046]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, an image can be transferred to another device connected via a network, and the image can be read out under predetermined conditions. . Thus, for example, when the image memory is insufficient, if the image to be stored in the image memory is further transferred to another device, the processing can be continued without interruption due to the insufficient memory. Further, it is possible for the user to perform the process without worrying about the memory capacity. Further, the memory capacity of the device to be used may be small, and the cost of the device can be reduced. Also, for example, when time is specified for recording output or transmission, the image memory is occupied for a long time, but in this state, the amount of memory that can be used when performing other processing becomes small, and Depending on the case, processing may be hindered. In the present invention, an image that occupies the memory for such a long time can be effectively used by transferring the image to another device. In addition, when a predetermined condition such as a margin in the image memory or a designated time comes,
It is possible to read an image from another device, record and output or transmit the image. According to the present invention, there are various effects as described above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of an image reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a network system including an embodiment of the image reading and recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a management table.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a reading process at the time of a copy function in an example of a facsimile apparatus including the embodiment of the document reading and recording apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of a recording output process at the time of a copy function in an example of a facsimile apparatus including an embodiment of the document reading and recording apparatus of the present invention.

[Description of Signs] 11: Main control unit, 12: Display unit, 13: Operation unit, 14 ...
Reading unit, 15: recording unit, 16: clock timer, 17: LA
N interface, 18 ... NCU, 19 ... Modem, 20
... image memory, 21 ... RAM, 22 ... management table, 2
3. ROM, 24 bus, 31-33 facsimile machine, 34 LAN.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/21 H04N 1/21

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A network connection unit that communicates with another device via a network, a reading unit that reads an image on a document, a storage unit that stores an image, a recording unit that records and outputs an image, and the reading unit. A document reading / recording apparatus, further comprising: a control unit for transferring the image read by the apparatus to the other apparatus and reading the image from the other apparatus when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and causing the recording unit to record and output the image. 2. The document reading and recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reads an image from the another apparatus when a time set as a predetermined condition arrives. 3. The document reading and recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reads an image from the another device when a free space of the storage unit becomes a predetermined value or more as a predetermined condition. apparatus.