GB2321825A

GB2321825A - A system for editing the option data stored in a facsimile machine using a personal computer

Info

Publication number: GB2321825A
Application number: GB9727426A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joo-Seung Park
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 1997-01-31
Filing date: 1997-12-29
Publication date: 1998-08-05
Also published as: KR19980067459A; GB9727426D0

Abstract

The system comprises a personal computer connected to a fax machine. The personal computer downloads option data from the fax which can then be edited by the operator using an option menu displayed on the computer monitor. The edited data is then transferred to the fax machine where it is stored. If an error occurs when the option data is transferred to the fax machine a request for re-transmission is generated and the computer transmits the option data a second time. On-screen help messages explaining how to edit the option data are displayed if requested by the operator.

Description

METHOD OF MANAGING FACSIMILE OPTION DATA BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a data communication between a facsimile and a computer and in particular, to a method for managing option data of a facsimile using a computer in a complex system.

With recent diversification of electronic products and popularization of the computer, there have been increasing demands for complex systems, such as a complex facsimile in which a facsimile is combined with a personal computer via a communication cable through which data is transferred. The computer prints data using a printer provided in the facsimile.

The facsimile performs particular functions according to option data which is set in advance by the user.

Conventionally, the user registers, deletes and edits the option data using the facsimile, when necessary. For example, if the option data for setting the number of ring signals is set to a particular value, the facsimile will switch to an automatic answering mode upon detecting the preset number of ring signals.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating conventional editing of the facsimile option data. As illustrated in the drawing, the facsimile checks at a step 210 whether key data requesting editing of the option data is received following operation of the relevant key by the user. If such key data is received, the facsimile requests the user to select one of the options on an option menu to be edited, at a step 212. Here, the term "options" refers to functions of the facsimile, such as a memory dialling function, a relay function, a reserved transmission function and so forth.

When the user selects one of the options by operation of the relevant key in response to the option selection request, the facsimile requests the user to input in sequence new option data at a step 214 so as to edit the current option data with the new option data. The facsimile checks at a step 216 whether the user has completed editing of the option data. If the option data is completely edited, the facsimile replaces the current option data stored in memory with the new option data at a step 218. After completion of editing the option data, the facsimile operates based on the edited option data.

In the light of the foregoing description, it will be understood that the user must be aware of the detailed procedure for editing the option data in advance, to enable accurate editing of the option data. Thus, the user must suffer the inconvenience of referring to a user's manual to allow him to edit the option data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a improved method of managing option data of a facsimile which addresses the above problems.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of operating a complex system including a facsimile and a computer, comprising: editing option data of the facsimile in the computer; and transferring the edited option data to the facsimile.

Preferably, the option data is edited in accordance with instructions entered via an input device of the computer. The input device may be a keyboard or keypad or a mouse or other pointing device.

Preferably, the method further comprises displaying a facsimile option menu on an output device of the computer, upon receipt of an option data edit request via the input device. The output device my be a monitor.

Preferably, the method further comprises displaying a help message explaining how to edit the option data on the output device.

Preferably, the method further comprises: determining whether the facsimile generates retransmission request data in response to the edited option data received from the computer; and if so, re-transmitting the edited option data to the facsimile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a common complex system including a facsimile and a computer; Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing the conventional option data editing process; and Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the facsimile option data editing process according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Fig. 1 illustrates a common complex system including a facsimile and a computer 30. In the facsimile, a controller 10 controls the overall operation of the facsimile according to a control program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22. A line interface unit (LIU) 12 connects a telephone line (i.e., a central office line) to a modem 14 under the control of the controller 10 and detects a ring signal of an incoming call to transfer the ring signal detected to the controller 10. The modem 14 demodulates a modulated signal received from the line interface unit 12 and modulates a signal to be transferred to the telephone line via the line interface unit 12. The ROM 22 stores the control program for the controller 10 and the option data of the facsimile. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 24 temporarily stores image data received from a calling facsimile or scanned by a scanner 18 and the data generated in the course of performing unique functions of the facsimile.

The scanner 18 scans an original document in a transmission mode or a copying mode, under the control of the controller 10. The image data scanned is transferred to the controller 10. A printer 20 prints the image data on a recording sheet under the control of the controller 10. An operating panel equipment (OPE) 16 includes a plurality of keys for setting the functions of the facsimile and generating key data according to key operations of the user. Further, the operating panel equipment 16 includes a display for displaying the operational status of the facsimile under the control of the controller 10.

An interface 26 interfaces between the controller 10 and the computer 30. The computer 30 includes a monitor, a computer body and a keyboard and communicates with the facsimile. In accordance with the present invention, the user can manage the option data of the facsimile in the computer 30 and the computer 30 transfers the edited option data to the facsimile so as to cause the facsimile to perform a particular function based on the edited option data.

Referring to Fig. 3, the operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The computer 30 checks at a step 310 whether key data requesting editing of the facsimile option data is received following operation of the relevant key by the user. If such key data is received, the computer 30 is set to an option edit mode at a step 312.

Then, at a step 314, the computer 30 displays on a monitor the option menu corresponding to all functions of the facsimile.

As the user selects one of the options on the option menu by operation of the relevant key, referring to the message displayed on the monitor, the computer 30 edits the option data according to the user's request (i.e., the user's key input) at a step 316.

If the user requests a help message, the computer 30 reads the details of the options stored in memory and displays them on the monitor. The computer 30 checks at a step 318 whether the user has depressed an edit completion key to complete the edit of the option data. If the option data edit is complete, the computer 30 converts at a step 320 the edited option data into a particular transmission format and transfers the option data converted to the facsimile via a communication cable connected between a serial port of the computer 30 and the interface 26 of the facsimile. Here, data communication between the computer 30 and the facsimile is achieved based on a protocol which is commonly used in a general complex system.

In the meantime, the facsimile checks whether the edited option data is safely received from the computer 30 via the interface 26. If the edited option data is normally received from the computer 30, the facsimile replaces the current option data stored in the ROM 22 with the received option data in the conventional manner and then transmits acknowledge data to the computer 30. However, if the edited option data is not normally received from the computer 30, the facsimile transmits re-transmission request data to the computer 30. The computer 30 checks at a step 322 whether the acknowledge data is received from the facsimile. Upon receiving the acknowledge data from the facsimile, the computer 30 stores the edited option data into memory and completes the procedure. However, if the re-transmission request data is received, the computer returns to the step 320 to re-transmit the edited option data.

Although the foregoing descriptions are limited to the procedure for editing the option data, it will clearly be understood that the computer 30 may register new option data or delete the registered option data in a similar manner as described above. As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the user can manage the option data of the facsimile by using the computer which provides a help function. Thus, the user may easily edit, register and delete the option data without referring to the user's manual.

Claims

1. A method of operating a complex system including a facsimile and a computer, comprising: editing option data of the facsimile in the computer; and transferring the edited option data to the facsimile.

2. A method of operating a complex system according to claim 1 in which the option data is edited in accordance with instructions entered via an input device of the computer.

3. A method of operating a complex system according to claim 2 in which the input device is a keyboard or keypad.

4. A method of operating a complex system according to claim 2 in which the input device is a mouse or other pointing device.

5. A method of operating a complex system according to any one of claims 2-4 further comprising displaying a facsimile option menu on an output device of the computer, upon receipt of an option data edit request via the input device.

6. A method of operating a complex system according to claim 5 in which the output device is a monitor.

7. A method of operating a complex system according to claim 5 or claim 6 further comprising displaying a help message explaining how to edit the option data on the output device.

8. A method of operating a complex system according to any preceding claim further comprising: determining whether the facsimile generates retransmission request data in response to the edited option data received from the computer; and if so, re-transmitting the edited option data to the facsimile.

9. A method of operating a complex system including a facsimile and a computer7 the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings.