JPH09153972A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile equipment in which data received from other facsimile equipment are received by a personal computer as they are at a future convenient time of the personal computer when the personal computer is not in a receiving state of data. SOLUTION: The facsimile equipment FAX 1 connecting to a personal computer PC acts as a facsimile MODEM. The facsimile FAX 1 has a function of storing received data to a memory and transfers the received data to the personal computer PC through the communication procedure with the personal computer PC on request from the personal computer PC when the received data are in existence in the memory.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile device which can be connected to an external information processing device such as a personal computer to operate as a facsimile modem.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Documents such as documents and drawings created by a personal computer can be directly transmitted by facsimile,
The function of receiving an image transmitted by facsimile via a telephone line is commonly called PC-FAX.
This PC-FAX function can be realized by connecting a personal computer to a facsimile machine having a data communication port such as RS-232C,
In this case, the facsimile machine functions as a facsimile modem.

[0003]

In such a facsimile machine, when it is determined that the personal computer is not powered on or the PC-FAX is not ready to receive the data, the facsimile machine itself performs the receiving operation. Has become. And, in this case, originally PC-F
Even if the user wants to receive by AX (personal computer), the data cannot be taken into the personal computer.

If data is to be taken in by a personal computer, when the personal computer is ready, the data output by the facsimile machine must be input to the facsimile machine by the scanner and converted into data for transmission. It was Not only is this troublesome, but image degradation may occur during repeated output and input, which is not desirable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when the personal computer does not accept the data, the data received from the other facsimile apparatus is directly transferred to the personal computer when it is convenient. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile device that can be loaded.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a function of storing received data in a memory in a facsimile apparatus which functions as a facsimile modem by connecting to an information processing apparatus, When there is a request from the information processing device when there is received data in the memory, the received data is transmitted to the information processing device by performing a communication procedure with the information processing device.

In this way, when the data cannot be transferred to the information processing device due to the information processing device side when the data is received from the other facsimile device, this data is stored and held in the memory, and the information processing device is later processed. It can be forwarded when requested by.

Further, according to the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus which functions as a facsimile modem by connecting to the information processing apparatus, A issued from the information processing apparatus
A memory content transfer function is assigned corresponding to a specific dial number of a TD command, and when the specific dial number is received, the memory content transfer function is presented to the information processing device by a DIS signal, and the information processing device When the memory content transfer function is designated by the DTC or NSC signal from the above, the received data stored and held in the memory is transferred to the information processing apparatus.

In this way, the data received from another facsimile machine can be stored and held in the memory and transferred when the information processing apparatus requests it later. At that time, the specific dial number is not dedicated to the memory content transfer function and can be used for other functions.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configuration of a facsimile apparatus and a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the facsimile device FAX1 is connected to the facsimile device FAX2 of the other party by a public telephone line L wired via a line switch S installed in a relay station, and also serves as an external information processing device. It is connected to a personal computer PC via an RS-232C cable C.

FIG. 2 shows the overall structure of the facsimile apparatus FAX1. In this figure, reference numeral 1 is a control unit composed of a microcomputer system, which controls the entire apparatus main body. Image data from the image processing unit 2 is given to the control unit 1. The image processing unit 2 performs halftone processing or other predetermined image processing on an output signal of a reading unit (scanner) 3 that optically reads a document to be transmitted, and creates image data. Reference numeral 4 is an operation unit equipped with various operation keys such as a start key, and 5 is a liquid crystal display element.
(LCD) is a display unit configured to display various modes, display the telephone number of the other party, display the current time, and the like.

Reference numeral 6 is an encoding / decoding circuit, 7 is a modem unit, 8 is an NCU (network control unit), and a receiving unit (of course also functions as a transmitting unit) for receiving an image signal of another facsimile apparatus FAX2. The control unit 1 is connected to the public telephone line L via the encoding / decoding circuit 6, the modem unit 7 and the NCU 8.

A transmission function unit 9 encodes image data by a predetermined encoding method, and creates a control signal necessary for facsimile communication. Reference numeral 10 denotes a reception function unit that executes decoding of a received code into image data and a predetermined reception control procedure. Reference numeral 11 is a recording unit (print unit) for recording a received image or the like on a recording sheet, 12 is a RAM, 13 is a ROM, and 14 is an RS-232C port which is an interface for data communication.

The RAM 12 is backed up by a battery (not shown) which is a separate power source. The ROM 13 stores various parameters for overall control, as well as the RS-232C port 14, an ATD command control program, and other necessary software.

FIG. 3 shows a connection state between the control unit 1 and other components. As shown in this figure, the CP of the control unit 1
U1a includes a reading unit 3, a recording unit 11, an operating unit 4, and RA.
The components of the M12, the ROM 13, the modem 7, and the RS-232C port 14 are connected to each other through the data bus 15.

Since the structure of the facsimile apparatus FAX2 is the same as that of the facsimile apparatus FAX1, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 shows the connection state between the main body of the apparatus and the function expansion board. As shown in this figure, RS-232
The C port 14 is connected to a function expansion board 17 having an internal register 16 so that the function expansion board 1
7 to the personal computer PC via the RS-232C cable C, and the facsimile apparatus FAX1
Can be used as a facsimile modem. In this case, by installing the function expansion board,
One of the plurality of keys on the operation unit 4 is specified and assigned to the facsimile modem function transition. The control unit 1 also registers the function of the specific key 15 in the RAM 12.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main part of the mechanical structure of the facsimile apparatus FAX1. As shown in this figure, the operation unit 4 is provided with a plurality of keys 18 for inputting a telephone number and for setting various functions on the upper surface of the main body of the apparatus. A document table 19 for setting the document is provided. Reference numeral 20 is a main board on which the control unit 1 is mounted, and 21 is an RS-232C port connector.

In such a configuration, by setting the personal computer PC in the mode in which the personal computer PC operates with the PC-FAX software, the personal computer PC and the facsimile device FAX1 can communicate with each other, and the facsimile device FAX1 can be communicated with the personal computer PC. Can be controlled.

Here, the normal operation mode is an operation mode in which data is not exchanged between the facsimile apparatus FAX1 and the personal computer PC, that is, a so-called facsimile mode, and normal transmission / reception by the facsimile apparatus FAX1 alone. It is set when the function or copy function is used. Also, PC-FAX mode (mode in which the personal computer PC operates with PC-FAX software)
In, it can be used with various functions such as a polling function.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the control operation by the CPU 1a of the facsimile apparatus FAX1 in this embodiment. In the figure, when there is an incoming call from the second facsimile apparatus FAX2 in step S1, the CPU 1a performs a receiving operation in step S3. At this time, R
Whether or not it is the S mode (RS-232C mode) is determined in the next step S5. If it is not the RS mode, it is the normal operation mode, so the process proceeds to step # 100 and the received image data is output to the recording paper. To do.

If it is the RS mode, the process advances to step S10 to determine whether or not the PC-FAX reception is possible. RING the call to the personal computer PC if possible
Data sent and received by a personal computer PC
Try to transfer to step S15, but if not possible, step S15
Then, the received data is stored and held in the memory (RAM) 12.

In this state, it waits for an ATD command from the personal computer PC (step S20).
When the ATD command is received, step S25
Determines whether or not the command matches a specific dial number. If it does not match the specific dial number, it means that the dial number specifies the dial number of another facsimile apparatus, and therefore, step S20.
The process proceeds to 0 to call another facsimile machine through the telephone line.

If it matches the specific number, step S28.
Then, the process proceeds to and it is determined whether or not there is received data in the memory 12. If there is received data, the process proceeds to step S30 and D
After sending the IS signal to the personal computer PC, the process proceeds to step S35. When the DIS signal is sent, the ninth bit in the DIS signal, which means that the facsimile document is ready for sending, is set (set to "1") and sent. This is to inform that polling transmission is possible.

In step S35, it is determined whether or not the DTC signal indicating that the personal computer PC is the receiving side has been received from the personal computer PC.
When this DTC signal is received, the process proceeds to step S40 to send the DCS signal to the personal computer PC, and further sends the training check data TCF to the personal computer PC in step S45.

Then, in the next step S50, the process waits until the CFR signal indicating that the check data has been correctly received is received from the personal computer PC. At this time, when the CFR signal is not received, steps S40 and S
45 is repeatedly executed.

When the CFR signal is received, the original image data stored in the memory 12 is processed in steps S55 and S6.
0, S65 is sent to the personal computer PC page by page. The MPS signal in step S65 is a signal indicating that there is a remaining page.

When the image data of all the originals have been sent, an EOP signal indicating the end of the last page is sent to the personal computer PC in step S70, and an MC indicating that the previous messages have been completely received in step S75.
The F signal is received, and D as a disconnection command is received in step S80.
The CN signal is transmitted, and this flow ends.

When the DTC signal cannot be received in step S35, a communication error process is performed in step S85, the DCN signal is subsequently transmitted to the personal computer PC in step S90, and this flow ends.

In step S28, if there is no received data in the memory, an error response to the personal computer PC is returned to the dial command.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the data received from another facsimile device cannot be transferred to the personal computer PC due to the personal computer PC side, the data is temporarily stored and held in the memory 12. After that, when it becomes convenient for the personal computer PC side, the data is transferred using the polling function.

In the above flowchart, step S
You may delete 10. By doing so, when in the RS mode, the personal computer PC is connected to the PC-FA.
The reception data is always stored in the memory 12 regardless of whether X reception is possible.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the procedure of storing and holding the data received from another facsimile apparatus in the memory 12 and then transferring the data to the personal computer PC is significantly different from the embodiment of FIG.

That is, from the personal computer PC to A
With respect to the dial number transmitted by the TD command, a plurality of functions other than the print function are assigned in advance, and the function is transmitted from the facsimile machine to the personal computer PC.
When the personal computer PC specifies the function, and the personal computer PC specifies the memory content transfer function, the data stored in the memory 12 is transferred to the personal computer PC.

When there is an incoming call from the facsimile apparatus FAX2 in step # 1, the CPU 1a proceeds to step #
At 3, the receiving operation is performed. At this time, it is determined in the next step # 5 whether the RS mode is set. If the RS mode is not set, the normal reception mode is set. Therefore, the process proceeds to step # 100 to output the received image data to the recording paper.

In the RS mode, the process proceeds to step # 8 to store and hold the received image data in the memory 12. Thereafter, in step # 10, a dial command is received from the personal computer PC, and it is determined whether or not the dial number matches a predetermined number 0000 (step # 12). If they do not match, it means that the dial number specifies the dial number of another facsimile machine, and therefore the process proceeds to step # 200 to make a call to another facsimile machine through the telephone line.

If they match, the process proceeds to step 15 and D
The IS signal is transmitted to the personal computer PC. At this time, the DIS signal includes various function names,
One of them is a memory content transfer function. Thereafter, in step # 18, the signal from the personal computer PC is received, and in the next step, it is determined whether or not DCS is received.
If the DCS signal is received, the process proceeds to step # 35 to execute the print function.

If the DCS signal is not received, the process proceeds to step # 23 and it is determined whether or not it is the DTC / NSC signal.
If it is a DTC / NSC signal, it is determined in the next step # 25 whether or not the manufacturer codes of the facsimile machines match, and whether or not the memory content transfer function is designated. Here, if it is determined Yes, Step # 3
It proceeds to 0 and determines whether or not there is received data in the memory 12. In steps # 40 to # 80 subsequent to this determination, FIG.
The data in the memory 12 is transferred to the personal computer PC as in steps # S40 to S80.

When it is determined No at steps # 23, # 25, and # 30, communication error processing is performed at step # 85, and DCN is performed at step # 90.
Is transmitted to the personal computer PC, and this flow ends.

Compared with the embodiment of FIG. 6, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, when the image data received from another facsimile device is in the RS mode, it is temporarily stored in the memory 12 regardless of the convenience of the personal computer side. To do. In this regard,
In the embodiment of FIG. 6, when the personal computer PC is convenient, the received image data is transferred to the personal computer PC without being stored in the memory 12.

When the received image data stored and held in the memory 12 is transmitted to the personal computer, in FIG.
The dial number of the TD command is dedicated to memory data transfer, and the dial number cannot be used for other functions. On the other hand, in FIG. 7, one dial number (for example, the dial number for the print function) is assigned with other functions such as a memory content transfer function, a registration data setting function, and a broadcast communication function. Other functions are presented by DIS signal, DTC or NS
Specified by the C signal. Here, the memory content transfer function is designated.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when data cannot be transferred to the information processing device due to the information processing device side when the data is received from another facsimile device, this data is stored and held in the memory. Then, the information can be transferred later when requested by the information processing device. In this way, the data can be transferred to the information processing apparatus, which is convenient, and the information processing apparatus can edit the data, thus improving workability.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the data received from the other facsimile apparatus can be stored and held in the memory and transferred when the information processing apparatus requests it later. At that time, the specific dial number is not dedicated to the memory content transfer function and can be used for other functions. Further, the received data can be transferred in the form of data to the information processing apparatus, which is convenient, and the information processing apparatus can edit the data, which improves workability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a system configuration of a facsimile device and a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection state between a control unit and other components.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a connection state between a facsimile apparatus main body and a function expansion board.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of a facsimile device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control operation performed by a CPU of a facsimile device for data processing received from another facsimile device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another mode of the control operation performed by the CPU of the facsimile apparatus for data processing similarly received from another facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 PC Personal computer FAX1 Fax machine FAX2 Other fax machines 1 Control unit 1a CPU 12 RAM

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Toshihiro Mori 1-22 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuya Sugimoto 1-2-2 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Engineering Stock In the company

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile device that functions as a facsimile modem by connecting to an information processing device, has a function of storing and holding received data in a memory, and if the memory has received data, the information processing device sends the received data to the information processing device. A facsimile apparatus, which, when requested, performs a communication procedure with the information processing apparatus and transmits the received data to the information processing apparatus. 2. A facsimile device which functions as a facsimile modem by connecting to an information processing device, wherein a memory content transfer function is allocated in correspondence with a specific dial number of an ATD command issued from said information processing device, DI when a specific dialed number is received
The memory content transfer function is presented to the information processing apparatus by an S signal, and the information processing apparatus sends the DTC or NSC.
When the memory content transfer function is specified by a signal,
A facsimile apparatus, which transfers received data stored in a memory to the information processing apparatus.