GB2307615A

GB2307615A - Multiple copy method in facsimile unit

Info

Publication number: GB2307615A
Application number: GB9624307A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sung-Hyun Kim; Jong-Seob Kim
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 1995-11-24
Filing date: 1996-11-22
Publication date: 1997-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-22
Also published as: CN1106753C; KR970031760A; GB2307615B; GB9624307D0; DE19648288A1; CN1155206A

Description

1 MULTIPLE COPY METHOD IN FACSIMILE UNIT

Background to the Invention This invention relates to a method of producing multiple copies of a document transmitted in a facsimile system.

2307615 Conventionally, when a document is transmitted and received through a facsimile system, the transmitting facsimile unit performs a protocol according to the regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as shown in FIG. 2, so that the document can be transmitted after the protocol is completed. A receiving facsimile unit performs the protocol according to the regulations of ITU, and the received document is printed out after the protocol is completed.

When several copies of the document are necessary in an office or a firm, the output document is copied through the facsimile unit or the receiving operation is repeatedly performed until the user has the desired number of copies.

In a facsimile unit equipped with a memory, the document received is stored in the memory and the stored document is sequentially printed out. If multiple copies of the document are necessary, the output document must be copied through the scanner of the facsimile or its receiving operation must be repeatedly performed until the user has the desired number of copies. This increases telephone charges and gives rise to interference in business.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved method by which multiple document copies may more effectively be transmitted.

Summary of the Invention

To achieve this object of the present invention, a method of obtaining multiple copies of a document transmitted in a facsimile system is provided which comprises:

2 transmitting with the document data from a transmitting facsimile unit additional data indicative of the number of copies of the document required; and receiving the document data and the additional data at a receiving facsimile unit and printing out as many copies of the received document data as are indicated by the additional data.

Preferably, the additional data comprises a f irst datum indicative of whether multiple copies are required and a second datum indicative of the number of copies.

Preferably, a single copy of the document is printed out if the first datum indicates that multiple copies are not required.

Preferably, the method further comprises setting the first datum to indicate that multiple copies of the document are required if a multiple copy function of the transmitting facsimile unit is selected. Preferably, the method further comprises setting the second datum to a number input to the transmitting facsimile unit after the multiple copy function is selected.

and Preferably, the method further comprises: determining from the first datum received whether multiple copies of the document are required; and if so: storing the received second datum and document data; printing out as many copies of the received document data as are indicated by the stored second datum.

Preferably, the first datum comprises a given bit in a communications protocol and the second datum comprises at least one further bit. The communications protocol may form part of a handshaking protocol in which information identifying whether the receiving facsimile unit recognizes the additional data is passed to the transmitting facsimile unit. Preferably, the additional data is transmitted only 3 if the receiving facsimile unit recognizes it. Preferably also, the transmitting facsimile unit displays a message indicating that a multiple copy function is being performed if the receiving facsimile unit recognizes the additional 5 data.

The present invention also extends to a multiple copy facsimile system comprising: a transmitting facsimile unit including means for transmitting with document data additional data indicative of the number of copies of the document required; and a receiving facsimile unit for receiving the document data and the additional data and printing out as many copies of the received document data as are indicated by the additional data.

Brief Description of the Drawings unit; The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional facsimile FIG. 2 shows the conventional ITU protocol; FIG. 3 shows the structure of a message transmitted or received to allow a multiple copy function according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the control process of the transmitting facsimile unit to carry out the method of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the control process of the receiving facsimile unit to carry out the method of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 1, a central processing unit (CPU) 110 controls the overall operation of a facsimile unit according to a predetermined program. It controls the multiple copy function in transmission mode or reception mode. A network control unit (NCU) 112 interfaces a 4 telephone line and a modulator-demodulator (modem) 114 under the control of the CPU 110. The modem 114 demodulates an analogue signal produced by the NCU 112 into a digital signal and modulates the digital signal from the CPU 110 5 into an analogue signal.

A scanner 116 scans a document to transmit or duplicate and send it to the CPU 110 after changing it into binary-coded information. A printer 118 prints out the document to copy or the received document under the control of the CPU 110.

An operating panel 120 has a key matrix with multiple keys including a selection key for selecting the multiple copy function. It sends the CPU 100 key data generated by key input.

When there is no recording paper supplied for the facsimile unit or when the document is received, the memory 122 stores the document in data format. A random-access memory (RAM) 124 installed in the CPU 110 has a buffer for provisionally recording the number of copies from the receiving facsimile unit when carrying out the multiple copy function.

The present invention uses a non standard facility (NSF) and a non standard set-up (NSS) which are utilized by manufacturers to record the substance of special functions. As shown in FIG. 2, the NSF transmitted from the receiving facsimile unit in the format of FIG. 3 includes data showing whether the receiving facsimile unit supports the multiple copy function. The NSS transmitted from the transmitting facsimile unit in the format of FIG. 3 includes data for selecting the multiple copy function and data showing the number of copies. In step 214, the document expected to be transmitted is transmitted to the receiving part.

As shown in FIG. 3, the NSS is composed of country code, maker code, and non-standard part. one byte (8 bits) is assigned to the country and maker codes, respectively, and three bytes (24 bits) are assigned to the non-standard part. The twentieth bit of the non-standard part is used for selecting the multiple copy function, and the bits from twenty-first to twenty-fourth are used for recording the 5 number of copies.

The NSF and NSS have the same construction. In the NSF, however, the twentieth bit of the non-standard part is used to show whether the receiving facsimile unit supports the multiple copy function.

Taking an example, in a facsimile manufactured by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, code 61 indicating that the product is manufactured in Korea is recorded in the country code, and code 00 which is the proper code of the manufacturer, Samsung, is recorded in the maker code.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the control of the transmitting facsimile unit to carry out the multiple copy function according to the present invention. AS shown in this chart, whether the selection key for selecting the multiple copy function is input is determined in a document transmitting mode. Then, the selecting bit and the bits recording the number of copies are set up through the NSS. After the multiple copy function is selected, the number of copies is input.

Then, if the facsimile unit supports the multiple copy function, whether of not the multiple copy function is selected is displayed and then the set up state is initialized after the document is completely transmitted. If the receiving facsimile unit does not support the multiple copy function, the selection of a general transmitting function is displayed after the NSS is initialized and then the transmission of the document is performed.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the control process of the receiving facsimile unit in order to carry out the multiple 6 copy function according to the present invention. As shown in this chart, whether or not the multiple copy function is set is determined. Then, the number of copies recorded in the NSS is read and stored, and the received document is stored. The received document is then printed out according to the recorded number.

As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 110 of the receiving part senses that the selection key for selecting the multiple copy function is input through the OPE 122 in step 412. If the selection key input is sensed, the number of copies is input through the OPE 122 in step 414. The CPU 110 examines that the number of copies input in the step 414 is an acceptable value not exceeding the maximum 15 copies in step 416. The maximum number of copies is limited to 15 because four bits are utilized for registering the number of copies in the non-standard part of the NSS as shown in FIG. 3.

If the accurate number of copies is input in the step 416, since the multiple copy function is selected in the step 412, the CPU 110 sets to "V' the multiple copy function selecting bit which is the twentieth bit of the non standard part of the NSS in step 418. In step 420, the CPU sets the number of copies input in the step 414 on the bits from the twenty-first to twenty-fourth of the non-standard part.

If the NSS is so set in the steps 418 to 420, the CPU 110 decides whether the receiving facsimile unit supports the multiple copy function after analysing the twentieth bit of the non-standard part of the NSF received from the receiving facsimile unit. The twentieth bit is the multiple copy function selecting bit. If the receiving facsimile unit has the multiple copy function, the twentieth bit which is the multiple copy function selecting bit is set as "V', otherwise the twentieth bit is set as "0".

If it is determined that the receiving facsimile unit 7 supports the multiple copy function in the step 422, the CPU 110 displays the fact that the multiple copy function is set up in the display unit of the OPE 120 in step 424. The CPU 110 controls each part of the facsimile unit so as to perform the general document transmitting function in step 426. After the transmission of the document is completed in the step 426, the CPU 110 initializes the transmitted message NSS.

On the other hand, if the multiple copy function selecting bit appears to be set as "0", the CPU 110 initializes the transmitted message NSS in step 430. In step 432, the CPU displays that the general transmitting function is set up in the display unit of the OPE 120 and performs the conventional document transmission.

As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 110 of the receiving part decides whether there is a transmitted message NSS from the transmitting facsimile unit in step 512. If there is an NSS input, the twentieth bit is analyzed, the multiple copy function selecting bit, in step 514. If the bit is set to "V', the number of copies is recorded in the provisional buffer of the RAM 124 installed in the CPU 110 after the bits from the twenty-first to twenty-fourth of the nonstandard part are analyzed in step 516. The CPU 110 stores the received document in the memory 122 in step 518. In step 520, the stored document is read and then printed out as many times as the number temporarily recorded in the RAM 124.

However, if the transmitted message NSS is not received in the step 512 (the NSS can be omitted because it is not the convention in the protocol process.), or if the multiple copy function selecting bit is set as "0" in the step 514, a general reception mode is performed in step 522.

As described above, the present invention can transmit multiple copies of the document to a certain place without occupying a telephone line for a long period of time.. so 8 that it is possible to save the expenses of using the telephone line and the time for transmission.

9

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of obtaining multiple copies of a document transmitted in a facsimile system comprising: transmitting with the document data from a transmitting facsimile unit additional data indicative of the number of copies of the document required; and receiving the document data and the additional data at a receiving facsimile unit and printing out as many copies of the received document data as are indicated by the additional data.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the additional data comprises a first datum indicative of whether multiple copies are required and a second datum indicative of the number of copies.

3. A method according to claim 2 in which a single copy of the document is printed out if the f irst datum indicates that multiple copies are not required.

4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3 further comprising setting the first datum to indicate that multiple copies of the document are required if a multiple copy function of the transmitting facsimile unit is selected.

5. A method according to claim 4 further comprising setting the second datum to a number input to the transmitting facsimile unit after the multiple copy function is selected.

6. A method according to any one of claims 2-5 further comprising: determining from the first datum received whether multiple copies of the document are required; and if so: storing the received second datum and document data; and printing out as many copies of the received document data as are indicated by the stored second datum.

7. A method according to any one of claims 2-6 in which the first datum comprises a given bit in a communications protocol and the second datum comprises at least one 5 further bit.

8. A method according to claim 7 in which the communications protocol forms part of a handshaking protocol in which information identifying whether the receiving facsimile unit recognizes the additional data is passed to the transmitting facsimile unit.

9. A method according to claim 8 in which the additional data is transmitted only if the receiving facsimile unit recognizes it.

10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9 in which the transmitting facsimile unit displays a message indicating that a multiple copy function is being performed if the receiving facsimile unit recognizes the additional data.

11. A method of obtaining multiple copies of a document transmitted in a facsimile system substantially as described herein with reference to FIGs. 3-5 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A multiple copy facsimile system comprising:

a transmitting facsimile unit including means for transmitting with document data additional data indicative of the number of copies of the document required; and a receiving facsimile unit for receiving the document data and the additional data and printing out as many copies of the received document data as are indicated by the additional data.

13. A system according to claim 12 in which the additional data comprises a first datum indicative of whether multiple copies are required and a second datum indicative of the 11 number of copies.

14. A system according to claim 13 in which a single copy of the document is printed out if the f irst datum indicates that multiple copies are not required.

15. A system according to claim 13 or claim 14 in which the transmitting facsimile unit comprises means for setting the first datum to indicate that multiple copies of the document are required if a multiple copy function of the transmitting facsimile unit is selected.

16. A system according to claim 15 in which the transmitting facsimile unit further comprises means for setting the second datum to a number input to the transmitting facsimile unit after the multiple copy function is selected.

17. A system according to any one of claims 13-16 in which the receiving facsimile unit further comprises: means for determining from the first datum received whether multiple copies of the document are required; means for storing the received second datum and document data; and means for printing out as many copies of the received document data as are indicated by the stored second datum.

18. A system according to any one of claims 13-17 in which the first datum comprises a given bit in a communications protocol and the second datum comprises at least one further bit.

19. A system according to claim 18 in which the communications protocol forms part of a handshaking protocol in which information identifying whether the receiving facsimile unit recognizes the additional data is passed to the transmitting facsimile unit.

20. A system according to claim 19 in which the additional 12 data is transmitted only if the receiving facsimile unit recognizes it.

21. A system according to claim 19 or claim 20 in which the transmitting facsimile unit comprises means for displaying a message indicating that a multiple copy function is being performed if the receiving facsimile unit recognizes the additional data.

22. A facsimile system substantially as described herein with reference to FIGs. 3-5 of the accompanying drawings.