JP2000092294A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To totally enhance the communication efficiency for a facsimile equipment having a memory reception function/a direct reception function that directly prints out data on recording paper when the data quantity of a received image in a lot and that receives data in a memory when the data quantity is a little. SOLUTION: While storing received image data sent from a transmitter side to an audio image storage device 15, an idle capacity of the audio image storage device 15 is checked at the same time. When a little image data are received, it is discriminated that much idle capacity is in existence, the reception system is left unchanged and the communication is finished. When a lot of image data are received, it is discriminated that remaining idle capacity is a little, the reception system is forced to change to the direct reception system and the communication is abnormally terminated. Since an opposite party discriminates occurrence of a communication error, the opposite party sends data again. Since the direct reception system is selected at the receiver side, the receiver side prints out the received image data on recording paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having an image storage device, and more particularly to a facsimile apparatus which automatically switches between a mode in which an image is stored in a storage device and a mode in which printing is performed by a direct printing device upon reception.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image storage device is provided, a memory reception for storing received image data in the storage device, a recording paper reception (direct reception) for directly printing the received image data, and a recording paper running out when receiving the recording paper. In such a case, a technique for switching to memory reception of a storage device is conventionally known.

[0003]

In the prior art, the memory receiving method for receiving data in the storage device is not limited by the printing time of the printing device, so that high-speed reception is possible.
Further, the stored image data can be used. On the other hand, since the capacity of the storage device is limited, an error may occur due to memory over depending on the image transmitted. As described above, the memory reception and the direct reception on the recording paper have advantages and disadvantages, respectively.

In direct reception, the communication speed is slower than memory reception and the communication cost is higher. However, when the number of pages of a document to be transmitted is large / halftone / fine image / halftone reception image data is recorded. be able to.
Also, the memory reception speed is faster than the direct reception and the communication cost is lower, but when the number of pages of the original document to be transmitted is large / halftone / fine image / halftone reception image data can be stored. It can be difficult.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has a memory reception mode and a direct reception mode for recording paper. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus which utilizes the advantages of both modes by automatically switching to an optimal reception mode.

More specifically, according to the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus having a memory reception / direct reception, when a data amount of a received image is large, the image is directly printed on a recording sheet, and when the data amount is small, the image is received in a memory. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of improving communication efficiency in total.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a transmitted image; a storing unit for storing the received image; and a printing unit for printing the received image or the stored image. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a detecting unit for detecting a free space of the storage device; a memory receiving device for storing received image data in the storage device and printing by the printing device; and storing a received image in the storage device. Switching means for switching between direct reception and direct printing by the printing means, wherein the switching means responds to the detection means, and when receiving image data is stored in the storage device by memory reception, free space is reduced. When the capacity becomes equal to or less than the specified capacity, the mode is automatically switched to direct reception after communication is completed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a transmitted image; a storage unit for storing the received image; and a printing unit for printing the received image or the stored image. Detection means for detecting the free space of the storage device, memory reception for storing received image data in the storage device and printing the data in the printing device, and receiving the image in the storage device without storing the received image in the storage device. Switching means for switching between direct reception and direct printing, wherein the switching means responds to the detection means, and when communication in direct reception ends, when the free space of the storage device remains equal to or greater than a specified capacity. Is characterized by automatically switching to memory reception.

A facsimile apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the facsimile apparatus in which the switching means responds to the detecting means and does not switch the receiving method when the free space of the storage device is equal to or less than a designated capacity.

A facsimile apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the facsimile apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the storage means stores the communicated voice data, and in an answering machine mode, the free space of the storage device is specified by the capacity. This facsimile apparatus automatically switches to memory reception when the above remains.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the storage means automatically performs direct reception when the free space of the storage device is equal to or less than a specified capacity during answering machine processing. This is a facsimile machine to be switched.

The facsimile apparatus according to the present invention has a memory reception mode and a direct reception mode for recording paper, and automatically performs an optimal reception according to a received image, a free space of an image storage device, and a state of a previous memory over. You can switch to the mode. In this regard, the advantages of both modes can be exploited. Therefore, in a facsimile apparatus having memory reception / direct reception, when the data amount of the received image is large, the image is directly printed on the recording paper, and when the data amount is small, the image is received in the memory, so that the communication efficiency can be improved as a whole.

[0013] Specifically, when reception is difficult in memory reception, the reception method is changed to the direct reception method, and in the direct reception, when the free space of the audiovisual storage device exceeds a designated capacity, the reception method is changed to the memory reception method. In addition, since the area in which the audio data and the received image data are stored is shared, the direct reception method or the memory reception method is also changed in the answering machine depending on the free space of the audio image storage device.

More specifically, while storing the received image data sent from the transmitting side in the audio / video storage device 15,
At the same time, the free space of the audio-video storage device 15 is checked. Therefore, when the amount of received image data is small, it is determined that the free space is large, and the communication is terminated while the receiving method remains unchanged. When the amount of received data is large, it is determined that the remaining amount of free space is small, and the communication is abnormally terminated by forcibly switching to the direct reception method. Therefore, the other party determines that a communication error has occurred, and transmits again. Since the receiving side has switched to direct reception, the received image data is printed on recording paper.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile apparatus of the present invention is connected by a telephone line network 11 and a network control device 12. The network controller 12 monitors the status of the line network 11 and switches the line between the modem 13 and the handset 111. The modem 13 modulates the digital image signal into an analog signal suitable for the network 11, and
The first analog signal is demodulated into a digital signal for printing.

The printing device 16 is a unit for printing a received or read image, and uses a thermal system, an electrophotographic system, an ink jet system, or the like. The image reading device 17 is a device for reading a document for transmission and copying, and a combination of a lens and a CCD line sensor, a contact sensor using a selfoc lens array, and the like are used. The audio image storage device 15 is a unit for storing a read image and a received image. By including this unit, many complicated functions such as image transfer and broadcast can be performed. Further, the same voice image storage device (which is shared by voice data and received image data) is also used to store voice mail.

The control unit 14, in conjunction with the storage unit 18, includes input information from the operation buttons 19 and dial buttons 110, information indicating the status from each unit of the apparatus, and the line 11
The operation of the entire apparatus is determined based on information such as signals from the apparatus, a command is given to the entire apparatus, and a display instruction is given to the display device. It is also responsible for compressing image information for shortening the transmission time and decompressing the compressed signal. Operation button 1
The 9-dial button 110 is a unit for the user to input information and instructions to the device. The display device 112 is a unit in which the facsimile device displays information and provides guidance to the user.

As a receiving method applied to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, a method of directly sending a received image to a printing apparatus immediately for printing (direct receiving) and a method of temporarily storing the image in a storage device and printing it later (memory receiving) There is.

In the case of direct reception, since the data is printed directly, it is necessary to consider the printing time of the printing device.
In the facsimile pre-procedure (Phase B), the printable time of the receiving side is notified to the transmitting side, and the transmitting side sends data in accordance with this. The printing time is usually 40ms /
line, 20ms / line, 10ms / line,
5 ms / line is standard. In a thermal printing method using a line thermal head and a thermal transfer method, printing is usually performed at 20 ms / line.

When the transmitting side compresses the read image data, the transmission time varies greatly from line to line, and in accordance with this printing speed, if the data of one line is shorter than 20 ms, the data having no information called fill is deleted. Add 20m
Adjust to s. Thereby, the transmission time becomes longer. On the other hand, in the case of memory reception, since the received image is temporarily stored in the storage device, there is no restriction on the transmission speed, and the maximum speed of one line can be selected, and the transmission time is shortened.

Once stored in the storage device, the facsimile device can be provided with advanced functions such as transferring the data in the storage device to another facsimile. Conversely, in memory reception, the capacity of the storage device is finite, and when a large amount of data is received, a memory overflow may occur.

Further, the storage device stores the image data sent in the past, and in the facsimile apparatus using the present invention, the recording of the received voice of the answering machine is also stored in this storage device. The free space changes every moment. The present invention utilizes the advantages of both receiving systems in such a situation.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the audio / video storage device 15 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which image data and audio data are stored in a mixed manner. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for realizing the present invention.

In FIG. 3, it is assumed that the memory receiving mode is set when the power is turned on (step 301 (hereinafter, referred to as a memory receiving mode).
Simply referred to as “S301”)). In the standby state, if there is received image data in the audio-video storage device 15, the received image data is printed on recording paper (S302). Alternatively, if there is recorded voice data in the voice image storage device 15, the voice data can be reproduced (S303). Alternatively, when the audio data stored in the audio-video storage device 15 becomes unnecessary, it can be deleted (S304). Alternatively, if a call is sent from the line to a standby place (S30)
5) The system enters the CNG signal detection system (about 5 seconds) (S3
06) If no CNG signal is detected, the other party is determined to be a human and the answering machine (S307) is performed. If a CNG signal is detected, the mode is entered into the facsimile reception mode (S308).

When entering the facsimile reception mode, it is determined whether or not the memory reception method is used (S309). Since the memory reception method is normally set, the process proceeds to S310 to start image data processing for one page (S310). ).
Next, it is determined whether or not the free space of the audio-video storage device is equal to or smaller than the specified space (described later) (S311).
If it is not less than the specified capacity, the received image data for one page is stored in the audio-video storage device 15 (S312).

Next, in the storing operation, it is determined whether or not the received image data has overflowed the storage capacity of the audio-visual storage device 15 (S313). If the overflow has not occurred, the communication termination is determined (S314). Then, the process returns to the reception of the next page, and thereafter, the same steps are repeated to receive the memory for one communication, and the communication ends.

In this memory reception, if it is determined in S311 that the free space is equal to or less than the specified space, the communication being received is abnormally terminated (S315), and the facsimile apparatus is switched from the memory reception system to the direct reception system (S315).
316). Therefore, the transmitting side can determine that a transmission error has occurred, re-insert the original, and execute transmission again.

If it is determined in S313 that the received image data has overflowed the storage capacity of the audio-video storage device 15 during the reception of the memory, the communication is similarly terminated.

Here, when the free space becomes equal to or less than the designated capacity or when the storage capacity overflows, the transmitting side intends to transmit a large number of pages of the original, or the original containing the halftone or fine image. This occurs when the voice data of the answering machine that also serves as the memory occupies a large amount.

In response to a communication error, a call is sent from the transmitting side again, and when a CNG signal is detected, the apparatus enters a facsimile receiving mode. According to the determination of S309, the process of the direct receiving method is started, and the received image data is sequentially printed on the recording paper without storing in the audio / video storage device 15 (S317). As long as there is no communication error, the data is reliably printed on the recording paper. When the communication ends (S318), the next S31
At 9, it is determined whether or not the free space of the audio-video storage device 15 is equal to or more than the specified capacity. S320).

In this embodiment, the memory reception is performed after the completion of one communication by the user's setting.
5 and calls the image data to be printed on the recording paper (reception is not possible during the printing), or receives a plurality of communications within a range that can be stored within the designated free space of the audio-video storage device 15. Thus, it is possible to select a cumulative printing method for printing all together.

The free space that can be specified in advance by user setting is, for example, 4% -A4, which is equivalent to one sheet, and 10% -A4.
4 is equivalent to 3 sheets, 30% -A4 is equivalent to 8 sheets, 50% -A4
There are four stages corresponding to 15 sheets. When it is determined that the free space becomes equal to or less than the predetermined set value due to the cumulative reception, the stored image data is printed on recording paper according to the audio image storage device 1.
Delete the image data stored in 5 and return the free area,
Prepare for the next new communication memory reception. In addition, the answering machine can be set by the user in three stages, for example, 20 seconds, 1 minute, and 3/3, so that a maximum of 14 minutes can be recorded.

When the receiving method is direct reception, the received image data can be reliably printed on the recording paper as long as there is no abnormality. However, since the communication speed is low, it is necessary to switch the reception method to memory reception. However, the free space of the memory of the audio-visual storage device 15 may become smaller than the specified capacity in the answering machine processing. Therefore, even in the case of the direct receiving system, the receiving system is continued depending on the free space of the memory of the audio-visual storage device 15. There is a need to continue to.

As described above, while the received image data sent from the transmitting side is stored in the audio / video storage device 15,
At the same time (or at a necessary time), the free space of the audio-video storage device 15 is checked. In the above-described embodiment, when the amount of received image data is small, it is automatically determined that the free space is large, and the communication is terminated while the receiving method remains unchanged. When the amount of received data is large, it is determined that the remaining amount of free space is small, and the communication is abnormally terminated by forcibly switching to the direct reception method.

In this case, by detecting the amount of received image data as in the above embodiment, the free space of the storage capacity is determined (that is, when the amount of received image data is small, it is automatically determined that the free space is large). Instead, it is a matter of course that the storage capacity of the received image data already stored in the audio-video storage device 15 may be particularly measured.

In any case, if the communication is abnormally terminated by forcibly switching to the direct reception system, the other party usually determines that a communication error has occurred and transmits the communication again. Since the receiving side has switched to direct reception, the received image data is printed on recording paper.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the answering machine processing. In the answering machine process (S401), the voice from the other party is stored in the audio-video storage device 15. Since the audio / video storage device shares the audio data and the received image data (FIG. 2), there may be cases where the free space of the memory for the audio data becomes less than the specified capacity. Therefore, it is necessary to switch the receiving method depending on the free space of the memory.

If the free space in the memory is less than the designated capacity, the receiving system is switched to direct receiving (S402).
Similarly, if the free space remains equal to or greater than the specified capacity, the reception method is switched to memory reception (S403). Thereafter, the routine becomes the routine A of the flowchart of FIG. 4 and continues to the routine A of the flowchart of FIG.

The audio / video storage device 15 has been described as storing both audio data and received image data (FIG. 2). However, the present invention is not limited to this. The storage device for storing audio data and the received image data It goes without saying that the storage device for storing data may be a different device.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0042]

According to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, when reception is difficult in memory reception, the method is changed to the direct reception method. On the other hand, in direct reception, the free space of the storage capacity of the audio-video storage device is designated. When the capacity is equal to or larger than the capacity, the memory reception method can be changed. In addition, since the area in which the audio data and the received image data are stored is common, it is possible to change to the direct reception method or the memory reception method depending on the free space of the audio / video storage device even in answering machine processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which audio data and image data are commonly stored in the audio-video storage device 15 in the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a reception mode switching method in the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an answering machine process in the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Telephone line network 12 Network control device 13 Modem 14 Control device 15 Voice image storage device 16 Printing device 17 Image reading device 18 Storage device 19 Operation button 110 Dial button 111 Handset 112 Display device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A receiving means for receiving an image to be transmitted,
In a facsimile apparatus including a storage unit that stores a received image and a printing unit that prints a received image or a stored image, a detection unit that detects a free space of the storage device, and stores the received image data in the storage device. Switching means for switching between memory reception for printing by the printing means and direct reception for printing directly by the printing means without storing the received image in the storage device, wherein the switching means A facsimile apparatus in which, in response to storing received image data in the storage device by memory reception, if free space becomes equal to or less than a specified capacity, the mode is automatically switched to direct reception after communication is completed. 2. A receiving means for receiving an image to be transmitted,
In a facsimile apparatus including a storage unit that stores a received image and a printing unit that prints a received image or a stored image, a detection unit that detects a free space of the storage device, and stores the received image data in the storage device. Switching means for switching between memory reception for printing by the printing means and direct reception for printing directly by the printing means without storing the received image in the storage device, wherein the switching means A facsimile apparatus which responds and automatically switches to memory reception when the free space in the storage device is equal to or larger than a specified capacity at the end of communication in direct reception. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said switching means responds to said detecting means and does not switch the receiving method when the free space of said storage device is equal to or less than a designated capacity. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means stores the communicated voice data, and in an answering machine mode, when a free space of said storage device is larger than a specified capacity. Is a facsimile machine that automatically switches to memory reception. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said storage means automatically switches to direct reception when a free space of said storage device is equal to or less than a designated capacity during answering machine processing.