JPH09153973A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile equipment in which functions relating to a dial number are added by the dial number. SOLUTION: The facsimile equipment FAX 1 connecting to a personal computer PC and acting as a facsimile MODEM uses a non-standard signal to provide the capability of plural functions to the personal computer PC when a specific dial number is designated from the personal computer PC. The facsimile equipment executes a function when the personal computer PC designates the function. In this case, the plural functions are related to one dial number and the presentation of the capability of the functions and designation are executed by using a communication procedure made by non-standard signals.

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, and particularly has an additional function such as a printer function. The present invention relates to a facsimile machine.

[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.

The connection between this facsimile machine and a personal computer is RS-232C of the facsimile machine.
A function expansion board having an internal register is connected to the port, a personal computer is connected via the function expansion board, and a key for the expanded function is assigned to a key on the operation unit of the apparatus body. The above-mentioned RS-232C refers to an international standard convention that defines the connection condition between the data terminal device and the data communication device regarding serial data transfer with respect to electrical characteristics, mechanical characteristics, and functions. There is.

By mounting the function expansion board, in addition to the transmitting function for transmitting from the personal computer through the facsimile machine and the receiving function for receiving the personal computer through the facsimile machine, a printer function for using the facsimile machine as a printer of the personal computer. Further, it is possible to execute various kinds of extended functions such as a scanner function which is used as a scanner for inputting an image to the personal computer of the facsimile apparatus.

As described above, when the extended function board is mounted so that the facsimile apparatus has various kinds of extended functions, the printer or scanner originally required to be prepared on the personal computer side can be installed in the recording unit of the facsimile apparatus. Since it can be shared by the document reading unit and the document reading unit, it is extremely advantageous in that wastefulness can be saved without separately preparing an expensive device.

The operation of fetching the information received by the facsimile apparatus into the personal computer is as follows. First, the operation mode of the facsimile machine is changed from the normal operation mode to the PC-FAX mode. This PC-
The FAX mode can be set by control from a personal computer using a control command called an ATD command. The information received according to the facsimile communication procedure in the PC-FAX mode is given to the personal computer.

The printer function is a PC-FAX.
If a specific dial number (0000) is specified after the ATD command in the mode, the communication procedure is simulated without calling and the data from the personal computer is output by the facsimile device. In the scanner function, when a manuscript is set in a facsimile device in the PC-FAX mode and the start key of the device is pressed, the device behaves as if there was an incoming call from an outside line, simulating the incoming call operation, and a personal computer. When a specific dial number (0001) is received from the personal computer, the read data is sent to the personal computer. In this way, the printer function and the scanner function are distinguished by using different dial numbers (0000 and 0001).

[0008]

When various functions are further expanded between the personal computer and the facsimile apparatus by the above method, it is necessary to add dial numbers for each function. There was a drawback that the number increased significantly. Also, if a function is specified only by the dialed number, the P that supports that function
If it is C-FAX, it will operate normally, but when the PC-FAX is replaced with another PC-FAX, it is possible that the dial number issued by the PC-FAX does not match the function. Becomes

An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile machine which can add a function with one dial number. Another object of the present invention is to provide a new function as its function.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, when a specific dial number is designated in a facsimile machine which functions as a facsimile modem by connecting to an information processing apparatus, for example, After performing a procedural process such as presenting a plurality of functions to the information processing apparatus using a standard signal, the information processing apparatus is made to specify the functions. According to such a configuration,
A plurality of functions can be associated with one dial number, and the function can be presented and designated by a non-standard signal communication procedure.

In a facsimile machine, the key operation for registering a dial or the like is not necessarily good in operability because the space of the machine (hence, the space of the keyboard) is limited, but the registration data setting of the facsimile machine of the present invention is performed. In the method, the data to be registered in the facsimile device is set on the personal computer and the set data is registered in the facsimile device, so that the operability of the key operation is improved.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus, it is not possible to save the registered data somewhere, assuming that the registered data will be erased for some reason. However, if it is transferred to a personal computer, it can be stored in a floppy disk on the personal computer.

In the broadcast communication system of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, data to be communicated by designating broadcast communication from the personal computer to the facsimile apparatus and a plurality of destination data are transmitted from the personal computer to the facsimile apparatus. The data is stored in the memory of the facsimile device, and thereafter, the data stored in the memory is read out and broadcast to the plurality of destinations.

In this way, since the personal computer only has to send the data to the facsimile apparatus once, the load on the personal computer is reduced and a communication error caused by another processing operation of the personal computer is less likely to occur. .

In the relay broadcast communication system of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the data to be communicated by designating the relay broadcast communication from the personal computer to the facsimile apparatus and the relay destination and destination data are transmitted from the personal computer to the facsimile. The data is transmitted to the device and stored in the memory of the facsimile device, and thereafter, the data stored in the memory is read and relay broadcast communication is performed.

In the timer transmission system of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the timer transmission function is set on the facsimile apparatus side by the operation of the personal computer side, and the data to be transmitted is sent from the personal computer to the facsimile apparatus and the facsimile apparatus is operated. I try to keep it in memory.

In this way, the timer transmission is performed from the facsimile machine to another facsimile machine even after the personal computer is turned off. Further, it is not necessary to once output the document created by the personal computer on the recording paper and set it in the reading unit of the facsimile apparatus.

Further, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention has a confidential communication function of transferring data received from another facsimile apparatus to a personal computer.

Further, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention receives the data from the personal computer and holds it in the memory, and the polling transmission function is set by the operation of the personal computer. In this way, it is not necessary to once output the document created by the personal computer on the recording paper and set it in the facsimile device.

[0020]

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, and is stored in the memory area 1
One of them is a confidential box which will be described later. ROM1
Reference numeral 3 stores various parameters for overall control, and also stores RS-232C port 14, 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 a connection state between the main body of the apparatus and the function expansion board. As shown in FIG.
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 essential parts 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.

With such a configuration, the facsimile apparatus FAX1 can be controlled by the so-called ATD command from the personal computer PC, and the operation mode of the facsimile apparatus FAX1 changes from the normal operation mode to P.
It is automatically changed to C-FAX mode.

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 this case, facsimile transmission / reception can be performed through the facsimile device FAX1, and the facsimile device FAX1 can be used with various functions such as a printer (printer function) and a scanner (scanner function) of the personal computer PC.

Now, in the PC-FAX mode,
Personal computer PC and fax machine FAX
A communication procedure performed with the personal computer 1 by using the personal computer PC as a calling side will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, the ATD command ATD0000 is transmitted from the personal computer PC. D in this command indicates dial and 0
000 indicates a specific dial number T1. In response to this, the fax machine FAX1 sends NSF and CSI.
And DIS are returned to the personal computer PC. Here, NSF and CSI are non-standard signals, and DIS is a standard signal.

The NSF signal includes a plurality of non-standard function names. Therefore, a plurality of functions possessed by the facsimile apparatus FAX1 are presented to the personal computer PC by this NSF signal. Now, assuming that a maximum of 5 functions can be assigned to the dial number T1, if a function is to be expanded to 7, a new dial number T2 is provided and two functions can be assigned to this dial number. Good. In addition, the five or two mentioned here are
It is just an example.

The CSI signal is identification information (for example, dial number) of the called side (hence, the facsimile apparatus FAX1 side).
Represents The DIS signal indicates a standard receiving function. Next, the personal computer PC transmits the NSS signal, the TSI signal indicating the identification information of the transmitting side (therefore, the personal computer PC side), and the DCS signal to the facsimile apparatus FAX1. Here, the NSS signal is NSF
It is a setting command that responds to a signal, and specifies one of the above five functions.

As a result, the facsimile machine enters the designated function mode. For example, assuming that the designated function is the printer function, the communication procedure shown in FIG. 7A is performed, and the image data sent as a facsimile message from the personal computer PC is received and printed out.

In FIG. 7A, the personal computer PC first sends training check data TCF. The facsimile apparatus FAX1 sends back a CFR signal when the TCF is correctly received. According to this, the personal computer PC sends a message. When the message has been sent, the last page signal EOP is sent. When this EOP is received, the fax machine FAX
1 sends an MCF signal indicating that the message was completely received. After that, a communication disconnection command (end signal) DCN is sent from the personal computer PC to end the series of communication procedures.

The personal computer PC is the NSS
When the function for transferring the image data existing in the memory 12 of the facsimile apparatus FAX1 is designated by the signal, the communication procedure of FIG. 7B is executed. This procedure is performed in the same manner as in FIG. 7A except that the calling side and the called side are reversed.

FIG. 8 shows the CPU of the facsimile apparatus FAX1.
The flowchart of the control operation which 1a performs is shown.
First, in step # 5, the ATD command sent from the personal computer PC is received.
At 10, it is determined whether the dialed number matches a predetermined specific number (for example, T1). If they match, the process proceeds to step # 15 and the above-mentioned NSF,
CSI and DIS signals are transmitted. In the figure, NSF,
() Is attached to the CSI signal, which means that it is a non-standard signal.

Next, in step # 20, the NSS, TSI and DCS signals sent from the personal computer PC are received. When NSC, CIG, and DTC signals are sent instead of NSS, TSI, and DCS signals, the NSC, CIG, and DTC signals are received. Then, in step # 25, it is determined whether the NSS signal or the NSC signal is received.

If it is received, the NSS is received in step # 30.
Alternatively, the NSC determines whether the manufacturer codes match, and if they match, the function designated by the NSS or NSC is executed. If they do not match, the printer operates as the print mode. NS in step # 25
Even when any function is not known whether chosen because it does not receive the S or NSC signal, it operates as a printer mode.

That is, as long as the specific dial number (T1) is sent from the personal computer PC, it is thought that the user wants to perform one special function, and NSS or NSC is sent. Even if it does not exist, one specific function, for example, a printer function is executed. In this sense, the dial number T1 can be said to be a printer function number. As a result, the printer function is NSS or N
It is executed even if specified by the SC signal, NSS or NS
It will also be executed if no C signal is received.

Note that, unlike this embodiment, the printer function may not be presented by the NSF signal and may not be designated by the NSS or NSC, and the dial number T1 may represent the printer function. In this case, other functions except the printer function are presented in NSF and NSS or NSC
Can be specified with.

When the dial number is different from the specific numbers T1 and T2 in step # 10, the document created by the personal computer PC is sent to another facsimile machine (for example, FAX2) for normal transmission. Therefore, the process proceeds to step # 35 to perform the calling operation.

FIG. 9 shows a specific example of the functions performed in the unique mode. This function is for fax machine FAX1
A function of transferring the registration data registered in the personal computer PC to the personal computer PC and a function of setting the registration data edited by the personal computer PC in the facsimile device. The facsimile data of the same model can receive the registration data of the other party and can set the registration data to the other party. In the present embodiment, this function is performed by the PC-FAX (in this case, This is performed between the personal computer PC) and the facsimile apparatus FAX1.

By doing so, the following merits occur. That is, in the facsimile device, the key operation for registering a dial or the like is not necessarily good in operability because the space of the device (hence the space of the keyboard) is limited. Therefore, the data to be registered in the facsimile device FAX1 is edited on the personal computer PC using a keyboard with sufficient space, and the facsimile device F
If it is set to AX1, the operability of key operation will be improved.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus, it is not possible to save the registered data somewhere on the assumption that the registered data will be erased for some reason. However, if it is transferred to the personal computer PC, there is an advantage that it can be stored in a floppy disk on the personal computer PC.

In FIG. 9, step # 100 is executed when it is determined Yes in step # 30 of FIG. In this step # 100, the NSS signal or NSC
If the signal is identified and is an NSS signal, step # 10.
In step 5, it is determined whether the NSS signal specifies the registration data setting function.

In the case of the registration data setting function, the process proceeds to step # 115 to simulate the communication procedure with the personal computer PC and receive the setting data from the personal computer PC. Then step #
In step 120, it is determined whether the received data is normal, and if not normal, the process returns to step # 115 to perform reception again. The judgment as to whether or not it is normal is made based on, for example, ECM.

If the reception is normal, step # 12
In step 5, the setting data is held in the memory 12, and this is repeated until the final data is held (step # 130). After receiving all the data and holding it in the memory 12, step #
The communication with the personal computer PC is terminated at 135, and the backup data in the RAM 12 is updated at step # 140. If this backup data is updated during communication, there is a risk of data loss, so it is performed after all data has been normally received.

If it is determined in step # 100 that the signal is an NSC signal, the process proceeds to step # 110.
NSC is a polling command signal. Step # 1
At 10, it is determined whether or not the NSC signal specifies the registration data transfer function. If it is the registered data transfer function, then in step # 145, the procedure of polling transmission is entered, and in the subsequent steps # 150 and 155, the communication procedure with the personal computer PC is simulated, and all the setting data in the memory is personalized. It is transmitted to the computer PC, and the communication with the personal computer PC is terminated in step # 160. No in steps # 105 and 110
If it is determined that all of the functions are executed, the process proceeds to step # 165 to execute another function.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the broadcast setting function performed in the unique mode. Figure 11
As shown in (a), the same document created by the personal computer PC is designated by the personal computer PC, and the facsimile machines FAXA, FAXB, ...
.. is transmitted to the FAXN via the facsimile apparatus FAX1.

In this case, in the method (a), the personal computer PC-FAX is running on the personal computer PC until the communication with all the other parties is completed, so that the load on the personal computer PC becomes large. The software for this transmission operation is the personal computer P.
Since the processing is performed in the background on C, it may cause a communication error depending on other processing contents.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), first, the broadcast communication is designated from the personal computer PC to the facsimile apparatus FAX1, and the data is transmitted from the personal computer PC to the facsimile apparatus FAX.
1 to the memory 12 in the fax machine FAX1
To accumulate. At this time, the partner device FAXA, FAXB,
..., the data indicating FAXN is also the facsimile machine FA
Send to X1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the fax machines FAX1 to FAXA, FAXB, ...
・ Send the same data to FAXN. In this case, the personal computer PC only needs to transmit the data once to the facsimile apparatus FAX1, so that the load on the personal computer PC is reduced and a communication error caused by another processing operation of the personal computer PC is less likely to occur. Become.

In FIG. 10, step # 200 corresponds to FIG.
This is a step that is executed when it is determined Yes in step # 30, and it is determined whether or not the NSS signal specifies the broadcast setting function. If the NSS signal designates the broadcast setting function, the dial number of the broadcast destination is received in step # 205, and then the communication procedure with the personal computer PC is simulated in step # 210. Receive data from the computer PC.

Thereafter, in step # 215, it is determined whether or not the received image is normal. If not normal, the process returns to step # 210 to receive the data again. When a normal image is thus received, the process proceeds to step # 220, and the memory 12
Hold the data in. After this is done for all pages in step # 225, communication with the personal computer PC is terminated in step # 230. Then, in step # 235, the broadcast setting is completed in the facsimile device,
This flow ends. When it is determined No in step # 200, another function is executed in step # 240.

FIG. 12 shows the relay broadcast setting function performed in the unique mode. As shown in FIG. 13, in the relay broadcast, a document created by a personal computer PC is transmitted via the FAX apparatus FAX1 to FAXA1 and FAXA.
Facsimile device F
Send to AXB, FAXC, FAXD
Facsimile devices FAXE and FAXF that relay XA2
It is also intended to be sent.

In this relay broadcast as well, after the personal computer PC sends data to the facsimile apparatus FAX1 as shown in FIG. 13A, the personal computer PC relays FAX1 to FAXA1 and FAXA2 as shown in FIG. 13B. When sending to the designated destination, the data is not sent to the facsimile apparatus FAX1. The flowchart of FIG. 12 is exactly the same as the flowchart of FIG. 10 except that “broadcast” in FIG. 10 is “relay broadcast” in steps # 205 and 235. However, # 205 receives the relay destination and the broadcast destination dial number.

FIG. 14 shows the timer transmission setting function performed in the unique mode. In the conventional method, PC-F
When the transmission time is designated by the AX software, the personal computer PC must be ready to transmit at least until that time. However, in general, the personal computer PC is turned off when leaving the company, so that the transmission operation cannot be performed at midnight, for example.

Further, in order to set the timer transmission in the facsimile apparatus FAX1, it is necessary to output the document created by the personal computer on the recording paper once and set the timer transmission as the original. However, in this embodiment, the timer transmission function of the facsimile apparatus FAX1 is directly set by the operation on the PC-FAX, and if the setting is made, the facsimile is performed even after the personal computer PC is turned off. Timer transmission is performed from the apparatus FAX1 to another facsimile apparatus. Further, it is not necessary to once output the document created by the personal computer on the recording paper.

In FIG. 14, step # 300 corresponds to FIG.
This is a step to be executed after it is determined as Yes in step # 30, and it is determined whether or not the NSS signal specifies the timer transmission setting function. Here, if the NSS signal specifies the timer transmission setting function, step #
In step 305, the transmission time and the transmission destination dial number are received from the personal computer PC.

Steps # 310 to # 330 are the same as, for example, steps # 210 to # 230 in FIG. In step # 335, the timer transmission setting is completed for the facsimile apparatus FAX1. When it is determined No in step # 300, a subroutine for another function is executed in step # 340.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of the confidential box transfer function performed in the unique mode. Conventionally, when the facsimile apparatus edits the data received by the confidential communication function on the personal computer, it has to be taken into the personal computer by a scanner or the like. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to shift to the unique mode by performing a certain communication procedure with the personal computer PC and transfer the data in the confidential box of the facsimile apparatus to the personal computer in the unique mode.

In FIG. 15, step # 400 corresponds to FIG.
This is a step to be executed after it is determined Yes in step # 30, and it is determined whether or not the NSS signal specifies the confidential box transfer setting function. If so, the process proceeds to step # 405 to receive the confidential box number and confidential box ID from the personal computer PC, and proceeds to step # 410.

In step # 410, it is determined that there is data in the confidential box provided in the RAM 12 and the confidential box IDs match. If the result is Yes, the personal computer PC is selected in step # 415.
Simulates the facsimile communication procedure between and, and sends the confidential box data to the personal computer.

When the last page is transmitted in step # 420, this flow ends. Step # 410
If No in step # 425, the communication error is processed in step # 425, and then this flow is ended. If No in step # 400, the flow advances to step # 430 to execute other functions, and the present flow ends.

FIG. 16 shows the function of setting polling in the facsimile apparatus FAX1 in the unique mode. When a document created on a personal computer is used as an original for polling transmission of a facsimile apparatus, conventionally, the document had to be output once on a recording sheet.

However, in the present embodiment, the polling transmission function is directly set in the facsimile apparatus FAX1 by the operation on the personal computer PC in the above-mentioned unique mode, so that it is not necessary to temporarily output the recording sheet.

In FIG. 16, step # 500 corresponds to FIG.
This is a step to be executed after it is determined as Yes in step # 30, and it is determined whether or not the NSS signal specifies the polling setting function. If it is determined that the polling setting function is designated, the process proceeds to step # 505 to simulate a facsimile communication procedure with the personal computer PC and receive data from the personal computer PC.

Thereafter, if the received image is normal, data is held in the memory in step # 515, and when all pages are held, communication with the personal computer PC is ended in step # 525. Step # 530
Then, the setting for polling transmission to the facsimile is completed.
If the above step # 500 is No, step # 53
Proceed to step 5 to execute another function subroutine.

Step # 165 of FIG. 9 corresponds to the routine of FIG. 10, and step # 240 of FIG. 10 corresponds to the routine of FIG. In addition, step # 240 in FIG.
14 corresponds to the routine of FIG. 14, and step # 34 of FIG.
0 corresponds to the routine of FIG. Step # in FIG.
430 corresponds to the routine of FIG.

[0072]

According to the invention described in claim 1, a plurality of functions can be associated with one dial number, and the presentation and designation of the functions can be performed by a communication procedure of non-standard signals. The number of dialed numbers can be small even if the number of

In the facsimile machine, the key operation for registering the dial or the like is not necessarily good in operability because the space of the device (hence the space of the keyboard) is limited, but the registration data setting according to claim 4 By way of
Since the data to be registered in the facsimile device is set on the information processing device and the set data is registered in the facsimile device, the operability of key operation is improved.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus, it is not possible to save the registered data somewhere on the assumption that the registered data will be erased for some reason. However, if the data is transferred to the information processing device as in the registration data setting method, it can be stored in a floppy disk or the like on the information processing device.

According to the broadcast communication system of the facsimile apparatus described in claim 6, since the information processing apparatus only has to transmit the data to the facsimile apparatus once, the burden on the information processing apparatus is reduced and the information processing apparatus is provided. A communication error caused by another processing operation of the processing device is less likely to occur. Claim 7
The same effect can be obtained with the relay broadcast communication system described in (1).

According to the timer transmission system of the eighth aspect, the facsimile transmission is performed from the facsimile apparatus to another facsimile apparatus even after the information processing apparatus is powered off. Further, it is not necessary to once output the document created by the information processing device on the recording paper and set it in the reading unit of the facsimile device.

Further, according to the facsimile apparatus of the ninth aspect, it is convenient that data received from another facsimile apparatus by the confidential communication function need not be output once and then taken into the information processing apparatus.

Further, according to the facsimile apparatus of the tenth aspect, it is not necessary to once output the document created by the information processing apparatus onto the recording paper and set it in the facsimile apparatus.

[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 diagram showing a sequence of a communication procedure performed between the personal computer and the facsimile apparatus with the personal computer as a calling side in the PC-FAX mode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sequence of a communication procedure performed for a function designated by a personal computer.

FIG. 8 is a CPU of a facsimile machine in the procedure of FIG.
6 is a flowchart of the control operation performed by

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of registration data setting of the facsimile apparatus as a unique mode following FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a broadcast setting function performed in a unique mode.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the broadcast communication.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a relay broadcast setting function performed in a unique mode.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the relay broadcast communication.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a timer transmission setting function performed in a unique mode.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a confidential box transfer setting function performed in a unique mode.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a polling setting function performed in a unique mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 PC Personal computer FAX1 Facsimile device 1 Control unit 1a CPU 12 RAM

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshihiro Mori 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Inside Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuya Sugimoto 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile device which functions as a facsimile modem by connecting to an information processing device, and when a specific dial number is designated, a function is designated to the information processing device after performing a predetermined procedure. A facsimile machine characterized by the above. 2. The predetermined function is executed when the function is not presented by the information processing apparatus.
Facsimile apparatus described in 1. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined function is a printer function. 4. A registration data setting method for a facsimile device, wherein data to be registered in the facsimile device is set on an information processing device, and the set data is registered in the facsimile device. 5. The registration data registered in the facsimile device is transferred to the information processing device, the information processing device side edits the registration data, and the edited registration data is set in the facsimile device. A method for setting registration data of a facsimile apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The data to be communicated by designating broadcast communication from the information processing device to the facsimile device and a plurality of destination data are transmitted from the information processing device to the facsimile device and stored in the memory of the facsimile device. Then, the broadcast communication system of a facsimile apparatus, wherein the data stored in the memory is read out and broadcast to the plurality of destinations. 7. An information processing device to a facsimile device, wherein data to be communicated by specifying relay broadcast communication, relay destination and destination data are transmitted from the information processing device to the facsimile device and stored in a memory of the facsimile device. A relay broadcast communication system for a facsimile apparatus, which stores the data, and thereafter reads the data stored in the memory for relay broadcast communication. 8. A timer transmission function is set on the facsimile device side by an operation on the information processing device side, and data to be transmitted is sent from the information processing device to the facsimile device and held in a memory of the facsimile device. A timer transmission system for a facsimile machine, which is characterized in that 9. A facsimile device having a function of transferring data received from another facsimile device to an information processing device by a confidential communication function. 10. A facsimile apparatus, which receives data from an information processing apparatus, holds the data in a memory, and sets a polling transmission function by an operation of the information processing apparatus. 11. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a personal computer.