JP3253275B2 - Data communication device, data processing method, and storage medium storing program - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication device for performing data communication with another device, an adapter attachable to the data communication device, and an LA connected via the adapter.
The present invention relates to a data communication device applicable to a data communication system according to N, a data processing method, and a storage medium storing a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a facsimile machine has been used.
Connects to a LAN and transfers the data received by the facsimile
The facsimile reception data can be handled by another terminal on the LAN.

[0003]

However, the received data may not be able to be transferred to another terminal on the LAN for some reason. In such a case, it is necessary to keep the received data in the memory until the data can be transferred. Therefore, when the memory becomes full, there is a disadvantage that the data cannot be received.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a data communication apparatus, a data processing method, and a storage storing a program capable of appropriately processing received data when received data cannot be transferred. The purpose is to provide a medium.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, a data communication apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, a mounting portion for mounting an adapter for connecting to a LAN, a receiving means for receiving data, a first output means for outputting data received by the receiving means,
A second output unit that outputs the data received by the receiving unit via an adapter mounted on the mounting unit; a determining unit that determines whether an adapter is mounted on the mounting unit; If it is determined that the adapter is not attached, control is performed so that the data received by the receiving unit is output by the first output unit. If the determination unit determines that the adapter is attached, the adapter is Control means for switching between data output by the first output means and output by the second output means, based on an instruction from the receiver.

[0007]

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

The facsimile apparatus 1001 includes a facsimile copy control unit 1001 for controlling facsimile communication and copying of a document image, and a printer I / F for controlling a printer I / F and interpreting a printer description language and developing an image. And a control unit 1002. The printer I / F control unit 1002 is provided on an independent board, and is connected to the system bus of the facsimile / copy control unit 1001 so as to be able to be inserted and removed.

The CPU 101 is a system control unit.
Facsimile machine 1001 via system bus 115
Take control of the whole.

The ROM 102 stores a control program for the CPU 101, an operating system (OS) program, and the like. RAM 103 is an SRAM
, Etc., for storing program variables and the like. The set values registered by the operator, management data of the apparatus, and various work buffers are also stored in the RAM 103. The image memory 104 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that various programs stored in the ROM 102 are controlled by software such as scheduling and task switches under the control of the OS stored in the ROM 102.

An operation unit 105 includes various keys, LEDs, and LCs.
D, etc., for performing various input operations by the operator, displaying the operation status of the facsimile apparatus 1001, and the like.

The reading control unit 107 is constituted by a CS image sensor, a document conveying mechanism, and the like.
The reading control unit 107 optically reads the image of the document using the CS image sensor, converts the image into electrical image data, and performs various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing by the image processing unit 108. And output high-definition image data. The converted image data is encoded according to a predetermined encoding method via the encoding / decoding control unit 112, and is stored in the image memory 104.

The recording control unit 113 includes a recording image processing control unit for smoothing processing and the like, a printer output control unit for outputting image data to the printer 114, and the like. In the recording control unit 113, the image data to be recorded is decoded by the encoding / decoding processing unit 112, and the recording control unit performs various image processing such as smoothing processing and recording density correction processing to convert the image data into high-definition image data. The output is to the printer 114.

The communication control unit 110 is composed of a MODEM or the like, and controls modulation and demodulation of facsimile transmission / reception signals. An NCU (network control unit) 111 sends a selection signal (dial pulse or tone dial) to an analog communication line (PSTN) 120, detects a call signal, and performs line control such as automatic incoming call control. The image data stored in the image memory 104 is decoded by the communication encoding processing unit 111, and the resolution conversion processing unit 106 performs millimeter-inch resolution conversion, enlargement / reduction processing, and the like. The resolution-converted image is subjected to encoding processing by the encoding / decoding processing unit 112 in accordance with the capability of the transmission destination, and transmission is controlled.

The I / F control unit 116 controls the interface with the network adapter 118 for connecting to the LAN 119. In the present embodiment, the interface is a bidirectional parallel interface (IE).
EE1284). The network adapter is connected to the LAN 119,
It is possible to receive a request for remote operation such as transmission and printing from the facsimile server 119.

The external memory 109 is a storage medium such as a magnetic disk, and can store image data, data described in a printer description language, or a program executed by the CPU 101.

The printer formatter 117 performs control for expanding data described in a predetermined page description language into image data, and is used when printing control of data from an information processing terminal on the LAN 119 is performed. In the present embodiment, the printer formatter 117
It is connected to the I / F control unit 116 by a parallel interface, and the image developed into the image data is directly transmitted to the recording control unit 113 without passing through the system bus 115 and is printed from the printer 114.

Remote operations such as transmission from the network adapter 118 to another facsimile machine connected to the facsimile machine 1001 via the communication line 120, printing by the printer 114, and data registration use predetermined commands, parameters, data, and the like. I / F control unit 1
The transmission is performed by transmitting the data to the facsimile apparatus 1001 via the FAX 16.

The network adapter 118 includes an I / F control unit 120, a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 12.
3. It is composed of a LAN I / F 124. The network adapter 118 is a unit that can be attached to and detached from the facsimile machine 1001 by an operator. When the network adapter 118 is attached to the facsimile machine 1001, the network adapter 118 receives power supply from the facsimile machine 1001 and enters an active state.

The I / F control unit 120 is a facsimile machine 1
I / F control unit 1 for exchanging data with 001
16 for controlling the interface with the I / F 16.
In the present embodiment, the interface is a bidirectional parallel interface (compliant with IEEE1284).

The CPU 121 is connected to the network adapter 11
8 to control the operation of the process. ROM 122 is CPU
Reference numeral 121 denotes a memory in which a control program for performing a control operation and the like are stored. The RAM 123 is a memory that temporarily stores program variables and various setting data, and is used as a work buffer.

The LAN I / F 124 is an interface for exchanging data with a terminal on the LAN 119.

FIG. 2 shows the facsimile apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system in which a network adapter 01 and a network adapter 118 are connected to a LAN 119.

The facsimile apparatus 1001 is connected to a LAN 119 via a network adapter 118.

A network adapter 118 is a dedicated network adapter for connecting the facsimile machine 1001 to a LAN. With this adapter,
The protocol processing with the facsimile server on the LAN 119 and the data transfer processing to the facsimile apparatus 1001 are performed.

Reference numeral 201 denotes various service queues such as a facsimile transmission queue, a facsimile reception queue, and a print queue in order to provide a facsimile machine 1001 with a facsimile service and a print service to an information processing terminal (client) on the LAN 119. Is a FAX print server that manages the fax.

Reference numerals 202 and 203 denote client machines for requesting services such as a network FAX and a network print from the FAX / print server 201.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a file server which performs file management and the like of file information transferred and received over the entire LAN 119 shown here.

These are all connected via the LAN 119.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram from the activation of the facsimile apparatus 1001 and the network adapter 118 to the connection to the facsimile server 201. In FIG. 3 and its description, it is assumed that the network adapter 118 receives a high power supply from the facsimile machine 1001 and starts up at the same time. Further, the exchange between these devices is performed by a predetermined command.

After starting, the network adapter 118 requests initial data from the facsimile apparatus 1001 when securing communication with the facsimile apparatus 1001 (S30).
1). The facsimile apparatus 1001 transmits initial data including model-specific information such as the model name to the network adapter 1.
18 (S302).

The network adapter 118 that has received the initial data issues a command for shifting the facsimile machine 1001 to the server non-connection mode (S30).
3). Facsimile machine 10 receiving this command
01 stores the value of the server non-connection mode in the area where the own device mode is stored, which is mapped in the RAM 103, and returns a response (S304).

Thereafter, the network adapter 118 periodically requests data for confirming the status of the facsimile apparatus 1001, such as the reception status (S305). Upon receiving this request, the facsimile machine 1001 returns its status to the network adapter as a response. If the facsimile machine 1001 does not receive this command for a certain period of time, it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the network adapter 118 connected to the server 201, and shifts its own mode to the server non-connection mode.

The network adapter 118 issues a connection request command to the server when the communication with the facsimile machine 1001 proceeds to the phases of S305 and S306. The data of this command includes the model data received in S302, whereby the facsimile server 201 can confirm which model is connected. Also, the command is issued periodically until the facsimile server 201 returns a response, during which the mode of the facsimile apparatus 1001 is maintained in the server non-connection mode. When the facsimile server 201 confirms this command, it returns a response (S308), and the network adapter 118 that has received the response issues a command for shifting the facsimile apparatus 1001 to the server connection mode (S309). The facsimile apparatus 1001 stores the value of the server connection mode in the area for storing the own mode, which is mapped in the RAM 103, and returns a response (S310).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the facsimile apparatus 1001 when switching between the server connection mode and the server non-connection mode (operation as a stand-alone machine) as described above. This flowchart shows the flow of control performed by the CPU 101 based on data indicating a program stored in the ROM 102.

First, in S401, it is determined whether or not the network adapter 118 is mounted. If not, the server is set to the server non-connection mode in S406.
To set the LED indicating the server non-connection mode of the operation unit 105 to O.
N.

If it is determined that the network adapter 118 is attached, the server connection mode (S404, S405) and the server non-connection mode (S409, S410) are set based on commands (S403, S408) from the network adapter 118. Switch.

However, if a command is not sent from the network adapter 118 until a predetermined time has elapsed in S412, the network adapter 118 or the LAN 1
It is determined that some abnormality has occurred in 19, and the facsimile apparatus 1001 is set to the server non-connection mode in S413 in order to operate alone, and the LED indicating the server non-connection mode is turned on in S414.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the network adapter 118 for switching the facsimile machine 1001 between the server connection mode and the server non-connection mode. This flowchart is ROM1
22 based on the data indicating the program stored in CP 22
It shows the flow of control performed by U121.

First, when the network adapter 118 is attached to a predetermined position of the facsimile machine 1001, it receives power supply from the facsimile machine 1001 and performs initialization and other processes (S301 to S306). Then, in step S501, the fax / printer server 201
A command is issued to make a connection request as in step S307. Response to this command (S308)
Is sent from the FAX / printer server 201.

Upon receiving a response from the FAX / printer server 201, it is determined in step S503 whether the response is a response indicating that processing can be performed normally.
Sends an instruction command to the facsimile apparatus 1001 to set the facsimile apparatus 1001 to the server connection mode.

On the other hand, if the response does not return even after the lapse of a predetermined time, or if the response indicates that processing cannot be performed normally, it is determined that the FAX / printer server 201 does not operate normally for some reason. Sends an instruction command to the facsimile apparatus 1001 to set the facsimile apparatus 1001 to the server non-connection mode.

FIG. 6 shows the image data received by the facsimile apparatus 1001 via the network adapter 118.
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram up to the transfer to the facsimile server 201. In this sequence diagram, it is assumed that the facsimile apparatus 1001 has just finished receiving and the received document is stored in the facsimile apparatus 1001.

The network adapter 118 transmits a status data request command to the facsimile machine 1001 to confirm the status of the facsimile machine 1001 (S
601). This command is sent to the facsimile machine 1 periodically.
001 is the command transmitted.

Facsimile machine 1 that has received the command
001 transmits status data to the network adapter 118 as a response (S602). In this sequence diagram, it is assumed that this response data includes information of “there is a received image”.

The network adapter 118 which has received the information indicating that the received document is present in the status data transmits a received data upload request to the facsimile server 201 in order to upload the received document to the facsimile server 201 (S603). Facsimile server 2
In 01, a response to this command is returned as soon as the reception data is ready to be received (S604).

Next, the network adapter 118 sends a received data download request to the facsimile apparatus 201 (S605), and transfers the received data sent from the facsimile apparatus 1001 as it is to the facsimile server 201 as it is (S606). The reception data includes not only the reception image but also reception information such as a reception time and a destination. The received image data is data encoded by MR compression or the like often used in facsimile communication.

In the facsimile server 201, when the received data is completely received, the network adapter 11
8 is returned (S607). Upon receiving the response from the facsimile server 201, the network adapter 118 notifies the facsimile apparatus 1001 that the transfer of the received data has been completed (S608).

The facsimile apparatus 1001 that has received this command deletes the image data and the received information stored in the internal memory and returns a response (S609).

It is to be noted that here, a document unit (file unit)
Although this processing is performed in step (1), it may be performed in page units or block units.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when facsimile apparatus 1001 receives data via telephone line 120. This flowchart is ROM
C based on the data indicating the program stored in 102
3 shows a flow of control performed by the PU 101.

In step S701, the process waits for an incoming call via the telephone line 120. When an incoming call is received, a normal G3 mode facsimile reception process is performed in step S702, the received image data is stored in the image memory 104, and reception information on the received image data is stored in the RAM 103.

Then, in step S703, information indicating that there is received data is written in a predetermined area of RAM 103 (an area that network adapter 118 can check).

When the receiving process is completed, the process proceeds to step S704 where the RAM
The facsimile apparatus 1 reads a value stored in an area for storing the state of the self-machine mode mapped in the facsimile apparatus 103.
001 is set to the server connection mode connected to the facsimile server 201.

If the server non-connection mode has been set as described above, the flow advances to step S705 to check whether or not the data received from the other party includes information designating the recipient. The information for specifying the receiver is specified by a sub-address signal specified by the transmission source.
If the recipient is specified by the sub-address, the received data is converted into a predetermined format in S710 and then stored in the image memory 104 in order to perform the transfer process of the received data after the connection with the facsimile server is established.
Is written in a predetermined area of the data to be transferred.

If it is determined in step S705 that the data received does not include information for specifying the recipient, the process proceeds to step S70.
In step S707, the received data is deleted from the image memory 104, and the received information about the received data stored in the RAM 103 and the "received data""Yes" information is deleted (excluding log information).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the server connection mode has been set in step S704, the process advances to step S708 to perform a transfer process of the received data to the facsimile server 201 via the network adapter 118 as shown in FIG. .
If the transfer processing has been performed normally, the process proceeds to S709 in S709.
A deletion process is performed in the same manner as in step 7.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the LAN
By printing out received data when transfer of the received data cannot be performed due to an error in the adapter or an adapter, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the reception processing is hindered due to memory full or the like.

If the receiver is specified, it is set so that the received data is saved even if transfer is not possible.
Data that the sender wishes to transfer can be transferred after recovery from the failure.

Also, When the server non-connection mode is set, the operation unit 105 clearly indicates the setting, so that the operator can promptly take measures. In other words, it is possible to make a setting to prompt the elimination of a network abnormality or to forcibly receive a memory.

The present invention may be applied to a system comprising a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer with a modem, an interface device, a printer, etc.) or to an apparatus comprising one device (for example, a facsimile machine).

Further, software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is provided to an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in the system so as to operate various devices for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. The present invention also includes a case where the present invention is implemented by supplying a program code and causing a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to operate various devices according to a stored program.

In this case, the software program code itself implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code The stored storage medium constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer or another program code. Needless to say, even when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with application software or the like, such program codes are included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then stored in the function expansion board or the function storage unit based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case where a provided CPU or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, when transfer processing of received data cannot be performed, the received data can be appropriately processed so that reception cannot be disabled. In addition, even if the received data can be transferred, the receiving station can switch between transferring and not transferring.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus and a network adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a connection configuration of a system in which the facsimile apparatus and the network adapter of FIG. 1 are connected to a LAN.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1001 and the network adapter 118 from the start of the facsimile / printer server 20.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sequence up to connection to 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a facsimile apparatus that switches between a server connection mode and a server non-connection mode.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a network adapter for switching a facsimile apparatus between a server connection mode and a server non-connection mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sequence when data received by the facsimile apparatus 1001 is transferred to the FAX / printer server 201 via the network adapter 118.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing when the facsimile apparatus receives data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Image memory 105 Operation unit 106 Resolution conversion processing unit 107 Reading control unit 108 Image processing control unit 109 External memory 110 Communication control unit 111 NCU 112 Code decoding processing unit 113 Recording control unit 114 Printer 115 System bus 116 I / F control unit 117 Printer formatter 118 Network adapter 119 LAN 120 I / F control unit 121 CPU 122 ROM 123 RAM 124 LAN I / F

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] A receiving section for receiving data; a first output section for outputting data received by the receiving section; a receiving section for receiving data received by the receiving section; A second output unit that outputs data via an adapter attached to the attachment unit; a determination unit that determines whether an adapter is attached to the attachment unit; and the adapter is not attached by the determination unit. Is determined, the data received by the receiving unit is controlled to be output by the first output unit, and the adapter is determined by the determining unit.
If it is determined that the
The data received by the receiving means based on the first
Whether to output by the output means or to output by the second output means
A data communication device having control means for switching . 2. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first output unit is a printer that records and outputs a visible image on recording paper. 3. Further, also claim 1 characterized in that it has a display means for displaying to that effect may not output the data received by the receiving means in said second output means
Is the data communication device according to 2 . 4. The control means, when an adapter is mounted on the mounting part by the determination means, the first means receives the data received by the receiving means when there is no access from the adapter for a predetermined period. data communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outputting by the output means. 5. A data processing method in a data communication device for performing data communication with another device, an adapter attachable to the data communication device, and a LAN connected via the adapter, the data communication method comprising: It is determined whether or not the adapter is attached to the device.If it is determined that the adapter is not attached, the data received by the data communication device is processed in the data communication device, and the adapter is attached. If it is determined that
Received by the data communication device based on instructions from the adapter
Process the processed data in the data communication device,
A data processing method characterized in that the data is transferred or switched to a LAN via a connector . 6. When the adapter is attached to the data communication device, the adapter attempts communication with a server on the LAN, and when communication with the server cannot be performed, the adapter transmits received data to the data communication device. 6. The data processing method according to claim 5 , wherein an instruction is given to perform processing within the data communication device. 7. The data processing method according to claim 5 , wherein the data communication device prints out the received data when processing the received data in the data communication device. 8. The data communication device, when it is determined that the adapter is attached, processes received data in the data communication device when there is no access from the adapter for a predetermined period. Claims 5 to 7
The data processing method according to any one of the above. 9. A data communication device for performing data communication with another device, an adapter attachable to the data communication device, and a data communication device for controlling the data communication device in a data communication system using a LAN connected via the adapter. In a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, the program includes a receiving step of receiving data from another device; a determining step of determining whether or not the adapter is attached; and If it is determined that the adapter is not attached, control is performed so that the data received in the receiving step is processed in the data communication device.
If it is determined that the
The data received in the receiving step is decoded based on an instruction from
Processing in the data communication device or LAN via the adapter
And a control step of switching to output to the storage medium. 10. A data communication device for performing data communication with another device, an adapter attachable to the data communication device,
In a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling an adapter in a data communication system by a LAN connected via the adapter, when the program is mounted on the data communication device, A step of trying to communicate with a server, a determining step of determining whether communication with the server can be performed, and a mode for processing the received data to the data communication device according to a determination result in the determining step. A storage medium having an instruction step of instructing.