JPH05300283A - Master slave type facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To exclude waste of simultaneous print-out by plural slave sets by adding an identification code to each of the plural slave sets, and allowing a designated slave set to print out picture data when a facsimile communication opposite party designates the slave set via a master set. CONSTITUTION:An ID code is registered to a storage section of a master set A and each of plural slave sets B1-B3 in advance. Upon the receipt of data designating a slave set B1 from an external facsimile equipment C, the master set A reads the ID code of the slave set B1 from a storage section and outputs a control signal in a radio wave. On the other hand, when the ID code of only the slave set B1 is registered in the storage section among the slave sets B1-B3, the slave set B1 outputs a reply signal to the master set A and selects the reception mode. When the master set A receives the reply signal, the facsimile equipment C sends picture data and the slave set B1 receives the data and prints out the data onto recording paper. Thus, waste of simultaneous print-out by the plural slave sets is excluded to enhance the convenience.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a master-slave type facsimile machine composed of a master and a slave of a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, various facsimile machines having various functions have been developed. As an example of means for effectively utilizing a line to which a facsimile machine is connected by a plurality of facsimile machines, a parent-child facsimile machine is used. Is proposed. This master-slave type facsimile machine is composed of a facsimile master unit connected to a line and a facsimile slave unit separate from the master unit. When image data is received from the other party through communication, this image data is transmitted from the master unit to the slave unit in the form of a wireless signal,
The slave unit prints out the image data on recording paper. In such a parent-child type facsimile machine, the data of the received image can be printed out by the facsimile child machine which does not need the line connection. It is convenient and easy for users to obtain.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional parent-child type facsimile apparatus merely assumes a usage mode in which each of the parent device and the child device is used, and the parent device receives the image. While decoding the data and outputting it in the form of a predetermined wireless signal, the slave unit only has the function of receiving the image data wirelessly output from the master unit, demodulating it, and printing it on recording paper. Therefore, when a plurality of slave units are provided for one master unit, the image data wirelessly output from the master unit is received by all of these slave units and is printed out at once. Such waste occurs. As a result, conventionally,
Providing multiple slave units for each master unit, for example, by locating each slave unit in different departments within the company, select the department that receives the fax according to the other party and contents of the facsimile communication. It could not be done, and was inferior in flexibility of use.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and even when a plurality of slave units are provided for one master unit, all the slave units print received images. To provide a master-slave type facsimile apparatus which eliminates the problem that output is performed all at once and allows only a predetermined slave unit according to a request to be used for print output for facsimile reception.
That is the purpose.

[0005]

A parent-child type facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, which has been proposed to achieve the above object, comprises:
It has a master unit that wirelessly outputs the received image data and a slave unit that receives the image data signal wirelessly output from the master unit, and the slave unit has an identification code added to identify each of the slave units. When the master unit receives data designating a slave unit from a facsimile communication partner, the corresponding slave unit is identified by the identification code, and the image data is printed out by the identified slave unit. Is configured accordingly.

[0006]

In the parent-child type facsimile apparatus according to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, when the parent apparatus performs facsimile communication with an external facsimile apparatus, when predetermined data for designating the child apparatus is received from the communication partner. , The parent machine determines the specified child machine based on the data,
The designated child device is specified by an identification code such as a preset ID code. Then, when the master unit wirelessly outputs the image data transmitted from the external facsimile apparatus, the signal of the image data is received by the slave unit that is specified in advance by the identification code, and the print output is performed. No print output. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that all of the plurality of slave units output wasteful prints all at once, and the image data can be printed out only by the desired slave units.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall external view showing an example of use of a parent-child type facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a facsimile parent machine, and FIG. 3 is an example of a hardware configuration of a facsimile child machine. It is a block diagram shown. The master-slave type facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of facsimile slaves B for one facsimile master A.
(B1 to B3) are provided, the former facsimile master A is connected to the line L, but the latter facsimile slave B is not connected to the line L and performs predetermined wireless transmission / reception with the master A. It is a thing. Also, multiple facsimile slaves B
(B1 to B3) are configured so that unique ID codes different from each other can be attached to them as described later.

[Configuration of Master Unit] In FIG. 2, a facsimile master unit A includes a facsimile communication control unit 1 necessary for executing general facsimile communication, a signal processing unit 2 including a CPU and the like. There is. The signal processing unit 2 includes an operation unit 3 including various operation key switches,
A storage unit 4 including an RAM and a ROM, an image reading unit 5,
In addition to the print output unit 6 and a display unit (not shown) composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, a wireless transmission / reception unit 7 for performing wireless communication (wireless communication) with the facsimile subunit B is also connected. The facsimile communication control unit 1 is a line for detecting a ringing signal from a telephone exchange, and a line for switching the line connection to either the handset 8 side or the modem 1b side for image data communication. The control unit 1c, an encoding / decoding unit 1d for encoding and decoding image data, a procedure signal control unit 1e for generating and detecting a protocol signal necessary for facsimile communication, and a voice generating unit 1f are included. ing.

The radio transmitter / receiver 7 is composed of an image signal transmitter 7a and a procedure signal controller 7b. Here, the former image signal transmission unit 7a is for modulating the signal of the image data transmitted from the signal processing unit 2 into a radio signal such as an electric wave or an infrared ray and wirelessly outputting it from the antenna 7c. On the other hand, the latter procedure signal control unit 7b transmits a predetermined wireless control signal, which will be described later, to the antenna so that the image data signal wirelessly output from the image signal transmission unit 7a can be properly received by the specific facsimile subunit B. Fax machine B through 7c
It is for sending and receiving to and from each other.

When the signal processing unit 2 receives the ringing signal detection signal from the ringing signal detection unit 1a, at the time after the incoming call, from the voice generation unit 1f, for example, "If you have specified a cordless handset, press the cordless handset code." ] Voice message is sent to the calling party. In addition, after the voice message is transmitted, the signal processing unit 2 does not return a predetermined signal for designating a slave unit from the calling facsimile machine, and if a CNG signal is immediately transmitted, for example, the slave unit may transmit the slave message. Base unit A without operating any of unit B
Is configured to control each unit other than the wireless transmission / reception unit 7 (for example, the print output unit 6 and the like) so as to independently perform normal facsimile communication.

On the other hand, when a signal designating the slave unit B is transmitted from the calling side by, for example, a push tone signal (DTMF), it is determined which one of the slave units B1 to B3 is designated. After that, the procedure signal control unit 7b is controlled so that the control signal (procedure signal) to which the ID code for switching the specific handset to the reception mode is wirelessly output from the antenna 7c. The storage unit 4 has a memory area for storing the ID code of the facsimile subunit B, and the input of this ID code is, for example, a key operation of the operating unit 3 or an ID output from the slave units B1 to B3. This can be performed by receiving a wireless signal containing a code and decoding the data of the ID code.

The signal processing unit 2 wirelessly outputs a control signal for switching the specific slave unit B to the reception mode, and correspondingly, can receive image data from the specific slave unit B. When a predetermined procedure signal notifying that there is a reply is returned, the image data transmitted from the calling side is decoded by the encoding / decoding unit 1d, and then the image data is transmitted via the image signal transmitting unit 7a. It is configured to output wirelessly. When the EOP signal is received from the calling side, a control signal for returning the slave unit B, which was in the reception mode at that time, to the normal standby mode is wirelessly output.

[Arrangement of Handset Unit] In FIG. 3, the facsimile handset unit B has a radio transmitting / receiving unit 9 for performing radio communication with the base unit A, a signal processing unit 10, and the signal processing unit 1.
Storage unit 11, print output unit 12, and operation unit 1 connected to 0
3, a display unit (not shown), and the like. Here, the wireless transmission / reception unit 9 includes an image signal reception unit 9a and a procedure signal control unit 9b, and the former image signal reception unit 9a.
Is wirelessly output from the facsimile master A and the antenna 9
The signal of the image data received at c is demodulated and input to the signal processing unit 10. The latter procedure signal control unit 9b is for transmitting and receiving a wireless control signal, which will be described later, to and from the procedure signal control unit 7b on the base A side.

The operation unit 13 has means for inputting and setting an ID code peculiar to the slave unit to the RAM of the storage unit 11. For example, the slave unit B can be operated by operating a function key or the like.
Is set in the ID code input mode, and if an appropriate number is entered on the ten-key pad, this is registered in the RAM as the ID code of the slave unit. When the procedure signal control unit 9b receives a control command for switching the slave unit B to the reception mode from the facsimile master unit A, the signal processing unit 10 preliminarily stores the ID code added thereto in the RAM of the storage unit 11. When the ID code matches the registered ID code, the handset B is controlled to switch to the image data reception mode. Further, at that time, if the image data can be properly received without the recording paper being out of paper or other troubles, the procedure signal control unit 9b wirelessly outputs the control signal via the antenna 9c. It is configured. If the recording paper runs out, an error signal notifying that the recording cannot be received is wirelessly output to the master unit A side via the procedure signal control unit 9b. On the other hand, when the ID code received from the master unit A is not registered in the storage unit 11 in advance, the normal standby state in which the slave unit does not operate without shifting to the image data reception mode is maintained. It is configured to be controlled accordingly.

[Operation and Use Example of the Present Embodiment] In the parent-child type facsimile apparatus having the above-described structure, a plurality of child devices B1 to B3 are given unique ID codes in advance before starting facsimile communication. deep. To add such an ID code, a desired appropriate code may be registered in the storage unit 11 by operating a key on the operation unit 13 of the child device B shown in FIG. As the ID code, for example, the cordless handset B1 is set to “000
1 ”, B2 may be set to“ 0002 ”, and B3 may be set to“ 0003 ”, which can be arbitrarily determined. Along with this, the ID codes of the slaves B1 to B3 are also registered in the RAM of the storage unit 4 of the master A shown in FIG. By registering such an ID code in advance, the master device A
When the child device B is specified thereafter, the data of this ID code is read from the storage unit 4 and used.

Then, after the above setting, as shown in FIG.
When a call is made to the master unit A from the external facsimile apparatus C, after the call arrives at the master unit A, the voice generating unit 1f of the master unit A displays, for example, “If the slave unit is designated, the slave unit is Please press the code ”is sent to the calling side facsimile device C side. Then, if the calling side confirming this voice message does not specify any of the slave units B, after the handshake is performed according to a general facsimile communication procedure, the master unit A determines the facsimile device C.
The image data is received from the printer, and the image output unit 6 of the parent machine A prints the image data on recording paper. In such a case, none of the slaves B1 to B3 operate.

On the other hand, when the calling side designates any one of the slave units B1 to B3, the master unit A receives a predetermined push tone signal after the incoming call. The designation of the child device is, for example, “# 01” for the child device B1 and “# 0” for the child device B2.
2 ”or the like, and notify the calling side in advance of this. Then, for example, when the master unit A receives a push tone signal indicating that the slave unit B1 is designated by the ten key operation on the calling side of "# 01", the slave unit B1 receives image data from the procedure signal control unit 7b. A control signal for switching to the posture is wirelessly output via the antenna 7c.
This control signal is the I signal of the child device B1 read from the storage unit 4.
It is composed of D code data "0001" and control command data for switching the handset B1 to the image data reception mode.

On the other hand, of the slaves B1 to B3, only the slave B1 has the ID code "0001" registered in the storage unit 11 in advance, and the other slaves B2 and B3 have different ID codes. To do. Therefore, the child device B whose ID code does not match
In Nos. 2 and B3, the control signal from the master A is not received, and the mode does not shift to the image data reception mode. Only the child device B1 is switched to the image data receiving mode. Further, at this time, when the recording paper shortage or the like is not detected and the reception of the image data is not hindered, the child device B1 transmits a response signal notifying that the reception mode has been appropriately changed to the procedure signal control unit 9b. Wirelessly output to the base unit A side via. If the recording paper runs out, an error signal different from the above response signal is wirelessly transmitted to the master unit A side. In any case, the master unit A sends a predetermined response signal from the slave unit B1. If no is received, the master unit A side prints out the image data.

Then, the master unit A, which has received the predetermined response signal from the slave unit B1, receives the image data after performing a predetermined handshake with the calling side facsimile apparatus C. , The image signal transmitting unit 7a after being decoded
The signal is modulated into a wireless signal and is wirelessly output. Then, the wireless signal of the image data is properly received by the slave unit B1, demodulated by the image signal receiving unit 9a, and then printed out on the recording paper by the print output unit 12. However, it is also possible to temporarily store the data in the RAM or the like of the storage unit 11 without immediately printing it out. The slave device B1 returns to the original standby state at the time point when the master device A receives the EOP signal from the calling side facsimile device C and the control signal indicating the end of communication is received from the master device A. ..

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal transmission between the facsimiles when the facsimile subunit B1 operates properly among the above explanations. Steps 100 to 111 of the flowchart of FIG. 5 show an example of the above-described series of operation procedures of the facsimile master A. still,
In the figure, the CNG reception in step 109 is not an absolute condition for starting facsimile communication. Steps 200 to 207 of the flowchart in FIG. 6 show an example of a series of operation procedures of the facsimile subunit B.

In the above-mentioned parent-child type facsimile machine, for example, when this is used in one company, the parent machine A is the general affairs department, the child machine B1 is the development department, and the child machines B2 and B3 are the sales departments. When the calling side wants to perform facsimile transmission to the person in charge of the development department in the installed state, the calling side designates the child device B1 and causes the child device B1 to print out the transmission document. It is possible to quickly and clearly perform facsimile transmission to a desired person in charge. In addition, the person on the company side who installs the parent-child type facsimile device may notify the customer or the customer of the child device which is convenient for him or herself among the child devices B1 to B3 beforehand, so that the convenient specific child may be notified in advance. The machine will be able to perform facsimile reception.

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, the case where the slave unit B is configured as a device exclusively for printing out the received image data has been described, but the slave unit B according to the present invention is not limited to this. Not done. It may have other additional functions. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where three slaves B are used for one master A has been described.
The specific number of child devices B is not limited.

[0023]

As can be understood from the above description, according to the parent-child type facsimile apparatus of the present invention, even when a plurality of child machines are provided for one parent machine,
It is possible to eliminate the problem that the image data received by the parent machine is printed out at the same time by all the child machines. Therefore, it is convenient because the slave unit can print out according to various conditions such as communication content and communication partner.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a parent-child facsimile apparatus according to the present invention and an example of its use.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a facsimile master.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a facsimile subunit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of transmission states of various signals between a calling side facsimile device, a called side master device, and a slave device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a series of operation procedures of the parent device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a series of operation procedures of the child device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile communication control unit 2 Signal processing unit (base unit side) 3 Operation unit (base unit side) 4 Storage unit (base unit side) 7 Wireless transmission / reception unit (base unit side) 7a Image signal transmission unit (base unit side) 7b Procedure signal control unit (main unit side) 7c Antenna (main unit side) 9 Radio transmitter / receiver unit (slave unit side) 9a Image signal receiving unit (slave unit side) 9b Procedure signal control unit (slave unit side) 9c Antenna (slave unit) 10) Signal processing unit (slave unit side) 11 Storage unit (slave unit side) 12 Print output unit (slave unit side) 13 Operation unit (slave unit side) A Facsimile master unit B1 to B3 Facsimile slave unit C Calling side Facsimile device L telephone line

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A base unit for wirelessly outputting received image data,
A slave unit for receiving an image data signal wirelessly output from the master unit, the slave unit being provided with an identification code adding means for identifying each of the slave units, and the master unit being a facsimile communication partner. A master-slave type facsimile apparatus configured such that, when data for designating a slave is received, the slave corresponding to the slave is identified by an identification code, and image data is printed out by the identified slave.