JP2501775B2 - Fax machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and particularly to a communication partner No. (ID), communication start time, send /
The present invention relates to storage of communication management information such as the number of received sheets, sending / receiving errors, and if necessary, sending / receiving speed, resolution, and reading and recording thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In managing a facsimile apparatus, it is important to know when and what was sent / received, whether communication failed, etc. In particular, when a reception error occurs during reception, automatic reception is performed. Therefore, since the received print record does not remain, the management information has great significance in maintenance of the facsimile apparatus.

For this reason, conventionally, a facsimile device is provided with a printer for issuing management information, and the management information is issued each time communication is completed. However, a printer is added for printing out only the management information. Therefore, the facsimile apparatus becomes expensive, and there are many mechanical device elements, and maintenance is complicated accordingly.

The applicant of the present invention stores the communication management information for each communication in a storage device, instructs the read / record by a copy switch when necessary, and prints out the communication management information of the storage device by a facsimile printer. Was developed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-34570). According to this, a separate printer is not required.

[0005]

However, since the stored information is printed out only when the switch of the operation board or the like is instructed, in order to prevent the stored information from being lost when the printout is not designated for a long period of time. Must make the storage device large in storage capacity. In this case, if you do not specify the printout for a long time and specify the printout at a certain time, the amount of storage will become huge, and it will take a lot of recording paper and recording time to print out the information of the latest part that you currently need, and communication Obtaining and analyzing communication information for management becomes difficult. Therefore, it is desired that a relatively small-capacity storage means can be used and that communication management information is not lost.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile machine which can use a relatively small-capacity storage means and in which communication management information is not lost.

[0007]

A facsimile apparatus of the present invention includes a communication means for transmitting or receiving image information, a recording means for printing out the image information received through the communication means, and the above-mentioned transmission / reception. A storage unit (RAM2) for storing communication management information, a storage control unit (CPU) for controlling reading and writing of communication management information from and to the storage unit, and a storage control indicating a storage state of the communication management information that changes with the transmission and reception. The storage control information and the detection means (CPU) that detects information
When the storage control information is detected by the initialization means (CPU) and the detection means for initialization , and the storage control information reaches a predetermined value, the communication control information is read by the storage control means. management information for printing the communication management information in said recording means
Distribution print control means (CPU, SCU) and confirm the normal termination of the indicia shaped
If the communication is normally completed , the management information for initializing the storage control information is initialized by the initialization means after the communication management information is printed.
And information initialization control means (SCU, CPU). Understanding
The parentheses are shown in the drawings to facilitate
The reference numerals of corresponding elements in the examples are added for reference.

[0008]

The detecting means detects the storage control information, and when the storage control information reaches a predetermined value, the storage control means reads the communication management information and prints the communication management information by the recording means.
When the printing is normally completed, the initialization unit initializes the storage control information after the completion of the printing, so that the communication management information generated thereafter can be managed by the new storage control information. When the printing is not normally completed, the storage control information is not initialized, so that the communication management information is not lost. If the printed communication management information is stored, all the communication management information can be grasped, and since the printed communication management information has no duplication, it is easy to analyze and organize the communication management information.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 10 shown in FIG. 1 shows a conventional facsimile device element, and reference numeral 20 shown in FIG. 2 is a portion added to implement the present invention and connected to the conventional facsimile device element 10.

First, referring to FIG. 1, a description will be given of an outline of the conventional portion 10, in which all the facsimile information signal forms are serial signals and the information transfer speed is high. A control signal related unit having a relatively low transfer rate is separated, and an I / O interface is installed in one-to-one correspondence with each unit or module. The control of the control signal unit and the mechanism is realized by a μ-CPU (micro-computer). One function constitutes one unit as much as possible. Each functional unit (scanner ISA, data compression / reproduction device DCR, modem LSM, HSM
Etc.) are interface circuits (scanner interface INF4, data compression / reproduction device interface INF3,
It is designed to be controlled by the system control SCU through the modem interface INF2, etc.).
The signal from the telephone line is distributed to each modem LSM and HSM by the data switch DSU through the network control circuit NCU. The image data of the demodulated signal is configured to drive the writing circuit WE through the data compression / reproduction device DCR and the read / write buffer RWB, and reproduce the information by the writing device REC.

On the other hand, at the time of transmission, the image signal processed by the video processor VPU is compressed by the data compression / reproduction device DCR via the buffer RWB and enters the modulation / demodulation devices FSK, HSM, LSM.

The transmission / reception procedure follows CCITT Recommendation T30, and the outline is as follows.

Calling: The other station is called by dialing a telephone.

Called station confirmation: Sends out a 2100 Hz tone to indicate that the called station is a facsimile terminal.

Function confirmation: The called station function is notified by using the low-speed modem FSK of 300 bps.

Command information: Using low speed modem FSK,
Notify the transmission parameters (transmission speed of high-speed modem HSM, document size, etc.).

Training: Match the line of the high-speed modem HSM, send a predetermined data pattern, and check the data transmission error rate.

Post-training response: If the data transmission error rate after training is less than or equal to a certain value, “ready for reception” is notified, and if it is more than a certain value, “retraining request” is returned.

Document information transmission: Document information is transmitted by a high-speed modem.

End information: Notify whether the next original exists.

Incoming call confirmation: Notifies the result of receiving the document information.

The transmission data processing is as follows.

(1) Document information: A scanner ISA optically reads a document in units of one line (1 / 7.7 mm), performs optical / electrical conversion, and then converts it into a binary value of 1,0 by a video processor VPU. To do. Output from VPU is read / write buffer RWB
The document is advanced by one line by the pulse motor while being stored in. R upon request of data compression / reproduction device DCR
The output from the WB is led to the high-speed modem HSM via the data switch DSU after the data amount is reduced (data compression) by the DCR without losing the original information. The signal modulated by the modem is sent to the line via the data switch DSU and the network control unit NCU.

(2) Transmission control information: All information for transmission control is organized by a program. After the parallel data output from the system control SCU is converted into a serial signal by the data switch interface INF2, a check bit is added to check the transmission error, and it is led to the high speed modem HSM or low speed modem LSM through the data switch DSU. . The signal modulated by the modem is sent to the line through the data switch DSU and the network control unit NCU.

The received data processing is as follows.

(1) Document information: The modulated signal input from the line is guided to the high speed modem HSM via the network control unit NCU and the data switch DSU. After being demodulated into a digital signal by the modem HSM, it is output to the data compression / reproduction device DCR via the data switch DSU, where it is reproduced as original information and stored in the read / write buffer RWB. In the read / write buffer RWB, when the stored information exceeds one line, it is output to the write drive circuit WE in units of one line and the received paper is advanced by one line (1 / 7.7 mm). WE, Plotter R
It has the function of driving the EC at high voltage and forming an electrostatic latent image on the recording paper.

(2) Transmission control information: All transmission control information can be read by software (program). The signal input from the line is guided to the high speed modem HSM or the low speed modem LSM via the network control unit NCU and the data switch DSU.
After demodulated into a digital signal by the modem, it is output to the interface INF2 through the data switch DSU and I
The transmission error is checked by NF2, converted into a parallel signal, taken into the system control SCU and read.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, an additional portion 20 for implementing the present invention will be described. A microcomputer CPU for management information read / write control is connected to the data and address line BAS connected to 10, and a non-volatile random access memory RAM2 for storing management information and data at the time of information processing are connected to this CPU. Random access memory for temporary storage RAM1, data holding circuit (data latch) DML, chip selector CSE, read-only memory ROM storing management information read / write control program data, clock circuit TGC, and expansion I / O port IOP are connected Has been done. The RAM2 is constantly supplied with power by the battery backup chip BBC and always holds write data. A charactor code (code that specifies letters and numbers) is given to the data holding circuit DML, and this is given to the read-only memory CHR for the charactor generator that stores pixel data for each charactor in advance, and the charactor image signal is read. The column code is given to CHR by the CPU via the I / O port IOP. The CHR readout image signal is multiplexed by charactor row unit.
Given to MLX. The multiplexer MLX has a built-in timing pulse generation circuit that serializes parallel image signals in charactor column units into the read / write buffer RWB, receives the system clocks of the recording unit (EW, REC, RMD) and RWB, and outputs lines from RWB. While requesting data, an interrupt request is sent to the CPU on a character-by-character basis in synchronization with this.

In the facsimile shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elements existing in the prior art are also slightly modified to implement the present invention. One is that the operation section display section OPB is equipped with a key for designating the management information printout and a lamp that indicates that this key was operated. The other is the read / write buffer.
The multiplexer MLX is connected to the RWB, and in the print mode, the image information from the circuit 20 is sent to the FAX.
In the mode, image information from the data compression / reproduction device DCR is selected. Yet another is system control
The communication partner No. The point is that a program for giving (ID), contents of send / receive fail, end of transmission / reception, management information printout command, RAM2 clear command, etc. to the CPU and a program for creating these data are added.

3 to 5 show the control information read control operation of the CPU based on the program data of the ROM of the circuit 20. Storage and recording of management information and printout will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, referring to FIG. 3, the system control SCU attaches the other party's No. (ID) and the sending / receiving identification code to the CPU at the time when the line is connected to the other party of communication, and attaches the ID identification code to the head. , The ID end code is added to the end and sent. When the CPU receives the ID identification code, it stores the code, the next destination No. (ID), and the sending / receiving identification code in RAM 1, and when this is completed and the ID end code is received, the start time identification code Is continuously stored in RAM2, the start time is read from the clock circuit TGC and stored in RAM2.
The ID identification code and the other party's ID are read from RAM1 and stored in RAM2, and 2 is added to the recording amount data in RAM2 to update the sum. The above is the contents of the “memory flow of communication destination No.” in FIG.

If the transmitting side or the receiving side becomes unable to communicate during communication or if an error exceeding the specified value occurs in the sending / receiving image information, the identification code indicating the fail content and the number of sending / receiving fail occurrence pages are indicated. Send the code. The CPU stores these codes in RAM2, and adds 1 to the recording amount data in RAM2.
And add and update the sum. The above is the “memory flow of transmission / reception fail data” in FIG.

Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. When the sending / receiving is completed, the system control SCU releases the line, and the code indicating the sending / receiving end and the sending / receiving final page N
o. is given to the CPU. The CPU stores the code indicating the end of transmission / reception and the code indicating the final page number in the RAM 2 and sets the recording amount data to +1. The above is the “memory flow of communication end data” in FIG.

Next, the CPU compares the recording amount data of the RAM 2 with a predetermined value, and if it is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, instructs the SCU to print out. The above is the "printout command flow for a predetermined amount of management information memory amount" in FIG.

Next, please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. When the printout is instructed by the CPU or the operation unit OPB, the SCU instructs the printout if there is no abnormality in the recording system of the facsimile main unit 10, and instructs the CPU to output the management information data. In response to this command, the CPU reads the data in RAM2 for one line (character line), stores it in RAM1, and stores it in RAM1.
At the end of one memory data, one stop code is stored (data set for one line). Then, the CPU notifies the read / write buffer RWB of the image information transmission ready of one line (pixel line). Next, in accordance with the line data request from the RWB and the interrupt request that is generated in synchronization with the system clock and is input in character units, the data (character code) is sequentially read from the RAM 1 and the data holding circuit D
Output to ML. On the other hand, the CPU gives a code indicating the first line (pixel line) to the charactor generator CHR through the port IOP. As a result, the image signal of the first pixel line of the first character line is written in the read / write buffer RWB and printed out at the timing of the printer system.
Further, the CPU sends the line data request signal to the input / output port I
Monitoring is performed via the OP, and when the request signal turns off (1
At the end of receiving the line image information), the CHR readout is changed to the second pixel line.

Next, the data ready signal is sent to the RWB, and similarly to the previous time, the first character code of the first character line is sequentially read from the RAM 1 in synchronization with the data request signal from the RWB and the system clock, and is stored in the data holding circuit DML. Output. In this way, when the image information output of the first character line is completed, the data of the second character line of the data in the RAM 2 is read and the image information output is similarly performed. The same applies hereinafter.

As described above, the RAM2 data is read out and printed out. When all reading out of RAM2 data and printing out are completed, the CPU sends the end of recording to the SCU. The above is the "printout flow" of FIG.

The SCU confirms that the printer type sensors are not abnormal, and if normal, instructs the CPU to clear RAM2, and the CPU erases the data in RAM2 and terminates the erase to the SCU. Inform. As a result, the recording data amount of the RAM 2 becomes zero. The above is the “management information clear flow” in FIG.
Is.

When the management information printout command arrives from the operation unit OPB, the SCU specifies the printout to the printer system and commands the CPU to send the management information data. This allows the management information to be printed out in RAM2.
When the amount of data in the printer reaches the specified amount, or when the printout is instructed by the OPB, it is performed on condition that there is no abnormality in the printer system (especially paper trouble). The data in RAM2 is erased on condition that there is no abnormality in the system.

Next, another embodiment and modification of the present invention will be described. In the above embodiment, the management information is the destination ID, the communication start time, the fail content, and the number of communication pages. The transmission / reception mode such as speed and resolution may be included, or the end time may be included. When including both, set the SCU to C with the send / receive mode
It is assumed that it is given to the PU, the CPU is the "communication destination No. memory flow", the send / receive mode is also written to the RAM2 together with the ID, and the CPU is the "transmit / receive fail data memory flow" and "communication end data memory" In both cases of "flow", the flow of reading the data of the clock circuit TGC and writing it in the RAM 2 may be executed.

In the above embodiment, the RAM 1 for storing data at the time of use is used separately from the RAM 2, but the RAM 1 is omitted and the RAM is omitted.
2 may be shared. Communication number data is SCU
The SCU informs the CPU of the end of page communication for each page communication, counts it in the CPU, and writes the count data to the RAM2 when a communication failure or communication end is received from the SCU. You may do it. Further, in the above embodiment, the charactor generator CHR
Although the fax number is used,
CHR may be omitted when a character generator is provided for printing out such as, or when the printer system can emboss characters by code input.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the detection means detects the storage control information, and when the storage control information reaches a predetermined value, the storage control means reads the communication management information to the recording means. When the communication management information is printed by using the new storage control information, the initialization unit initializes the storage control information after the printing is completed normally. Can be managed. When the printing is not normally completed, the storage control information is not initialized, so that the communication management information is not lost. If the printed communication management information is stored, all the communication management information can be grasped, and since the printed communication management information has no duplication, it is easy to analyze and organize the communication management information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an element block 10 mainly provided conventionally according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an element block 20 added for implementing the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a part of a control operation of a microcomputer CPU for controlling reading / writing of management information shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of a control operation of the management information read / write control microcomputer CPU shown in FIG. 2;

5 is a flowchart showing a part of a control operation of a microcomputer CPU for controlling management information read / write shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

REC: Plotter RAM2: RAM CPU: Microcomputer SCU: System control

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A communication means for transmitting or receiving image information, a recording means for printing out the image information received via the communication means, and a storage means for storing communication management information generated at the time of transmission and reception. A storage control unit that controls reading and writing of communication management information to and from a storage unit, a detection unit that detects storage control information indicating a storage state of the communication management information that changes with transmission and reception, and an initialization that initializes the storage control information. The storage control information is detected by the conversion means and the detection means, and when the storage control information reaches a predetermined value, the storage control means reads the communication management information and the recording means manages the communication. a management information print control means for printing the information, if check the normal termination of the indicia shaped successful completion, after printing is completed in the communication management information, to initialize the memory control information by the initialization means Facsimile apparatus comprising: a management information initialization control means. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage control information is detected by the detecting means at the end of transmission / reception.