JP2000278499A - Communication terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a communication terminal device, capable of receiving image data such as confidential reception and a bulletin board or image data for relay distribution, while an image memory will not be filled. SOLUTION: A main control part 1 stores received image data in an image memory 8, when the memory residual quantity of the memory 8 is equal to or more than a 1st level or when received image data, e.g. image data for confidential reception and relay is essential to be stored in the memory 8, and also the memory residual quantity of the memory 8 is equal to or more than a prescribed 2nd level being smaller than the 1st level.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a communication terminal device such as a facsimile device having a memory receiving function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus having a memory receiving function, image data in a received encoding format is temporarily stored in an image memory, and is then transferred from the image memory by an encoding and decoding circuit (CODEC). Data is decoded while being read, and the decoded image data (or bitmap format) is output to a printer and recorded.

[0003]

However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus having the above-mentioned memory receiving function, the received image data is stored in the image memory, so that when a large number of image data are received, The image memory is often full, and when the image memory is almost full, facsimile reception that must always be stored in the image memory, such as confidential reception or bulletin board or image data for relay distribution, is performed. There was a problem that it was not possible.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide a communication terminal device capable of receiving image data such as image data for confidential reception, bulletin boards, or relay distribution without filling the image memory. To provide.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal device for storing received image data in an image memory, wherein the remaining amount of the image memory is a first level. In the above case, or when the received image data is image data that is essential to be stored in the image memory and the remaining amount of the image memory is equal to or more than a second level smaller than the first level, the image data is stored in the image memory. It is characterized by comprising control means for storing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the communication terminal apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising mode setting means for setting whether or not the received image data is stored in the image memory. The control means is configured such that the received image data is image data that is not essential to be stored in the image memory and the remaining memory capacity of the image memory is the first level even if the setting is to store the image memory in the image memory by the mode setting means. When the value is less than the above, the received image data is output without being stored in the image memory.

Further, a communication terminal device according to a third aspect of the present invention,
2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising mode setting means for setting whether to store the received image data in the image memory, and wherein said control means is configured to set the image data not to be stored in the image memory by the mode setting means. Even if the received image data is image data that must be stored in the image memory and the remaining amount of the image memory is equal to or higher than the second level, the received image data is stored in the image memory. When the remaining amount of the image memory is less than the second level, the image data is not received.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a facsimile apparatus 2 having a memory receiving function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a 0. The facsimile apparatus 20 of this embodiment is a facsimile apparatus including the image memory 8, and the main control unit 1 determines that the remaining memory capacity of the image memory 8 is equal to or higher than a predetermined first level (step S2 in FIG. 3). (YES or YES in step S5), or the received image data is image data such as confidential reception, bulletin board, or image data for relay distribution that must be stored in the image memory 8 (step S9). Y
ES) and when the remaining memory capacity of the image memory 8 is equal to or higher than a predetermined second level smaller than the first level (YES in step S10), the received image data is stored in the image memory 8 (step S11). It is characterized by:

The main controller 1 outputs the received image data to the printer 3 without printing it in the image memory 8 and prints it (hereinafter, referred to as printer reception processing).
And a printer priority setting mode for executing the priority. Here, the printer priority setting mode can be set or released by the operation unit 5. When the printer priority setting mode is released, the received image data is stored in the image memory 8 and then output to the printer 3. And printing (hereinafter referred to as memory reception processing) is performed with priority. Even if the setting is such that the printer priority setting mode is canceled and the image data is stored in the image memory 8 (NO in step S4), the main control unit 1 determines whether the received image data is, for example, an image for confidential reception, a bulletin board, or relay distribution. If the image data is image data that is not essential to be stored in the image memory 8 such as image data of normal reception other than the data (NO in step S6) and the remaining memory capacity of the image memory 8 is less than the first level (step S6). (S5: NO), and prints out the received image data without storing it in the image memory 8 (step S8).

Further, even when the printer priority setting mode is set by the operation unit 5 (YES in step S4), the main control unit 1 determines whether the received image data is
For example, if the image data is essential to be stored in the image memory 8 such as image data for confidential reception, a bulletin board, or relay distribution (YES in step S9), the remaining memory capacity of the image memory 8 is equal to the second memory amount. When the level is equal to or higher than the level (YES in step S10), the received image data is stored in the image memory 8 (step S11). On the other hand, when the remaining memory of the image memory 8 is lower than the second level (step S10). NO), the image data is not received (step S12).

In FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 20 comprises
It has a facsimile communication function such as the conventional G3 system and a memory reception function. The main control unit 1 is specifically constituted by a CPU, is connected to the following hardware units via a bus 13, controls them, and executes various software functions to be described later.
The scanner 2 includes a charge-coupled device (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 2a and an image reading processing circuit 2b. The scanner 2 reads an original using the CCD 2a, and performs signal processing by the image reading processing circuit 2b to perform black and white binary. Is converted into dot image format image data and output. The printer 3 is a printer device of, for example, a thermal system, which includes a line head 3a and an image recording processing circuit 3b. The printer 3 receives the data from a facsimile device of the other party by facsimile communication, and then performs a coding and decoding process. The image data in the decoded image format is printed out as a hard copy and recorded.

An encoding and decoding circuit (CODEC) 9
Represents an image format image memory output from the scanner 2 and stored in the image format image memory 8a in the image memory 8 by M which is defined by the standard of facsimile communication.
H, MR, MMR, etc.
Using an image memory 8c for communication processing such as M, the image data is converted into image data in an encoding format and output to and stored in an encoding format image memory 8b in the image memory 8. On the other hand, when the printer priority setting mode is set, the encoding / decoding circuit 9 communicates the image data in the encoding format received by the fax modem 10 in accordance with a decoding scheme reverse to the above encoding scheme. The image data is converted into image data in an image format using the processing image memory 8 c and output to the printer 3. When the printer priority setting mode is released, the encoding / decoding circuit 9 outputs the fax modem 10
According to the above-mentioned encoding method, the image data in the encoding format received by the image memory 8b and stored in the encoding format image memory 8b in the image memory 8 is transmitted using the communication processing image memory 8c.
The image data is converted into image format image data and output to the printer 3 via the image format image memory 8a.

The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display. The display unit 4 displays the operation state of the facsimile machine 20, and displays image data of a document to be transmitted and received image data. Display. The operation unit 5 includes a character key, a numeric keypad for dialing, a speed dial key, a one-touch dial key, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the facsimile machine 20. In the present embodiment,
The operation unit 5 includes a dedicated key for setting or canceling the printer priority setting mode. The display unit 4 may be configured to be a touch panel type so that some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 5 can be substituted.

The ROM 6 stores in advance various software programs necessary for the operation of the facsimile machine 20 and executed by the main control unit 1, wherein the programs include at least the program for the incoming call processing shown in FIG. including. The processing memory 7 includes, for example, an SRAM or a flash memory, and is used as a working area of the main control unit 1 and stores temporary data generated when a program is executed. When a flash memory is used as the processing memory 7, even if the power is cut off due to a power failure, movement of the apparatus, or the like, the contents of the data are not lost. The image memory 8 is composed of a DRAM or the like,
(1) an image format image memory 8a for storing image format image data read by the scanner 2 or recorded by the printer 3, and (2) an encoded format image for storing received or transmitted encoded format image data A memory 8b;
(3) a communication processing image memory 8c for temporarily storing image data being processed by the encoding and decoding circuit 9; In the present embodiment, the image memory 8 has a memory capacity of, for example, 1.2 megabytes, and as shown in FIG. 2, (1) an image for receiving image data that must be stored in the image memory 8 A first level (for example, 0.2 megabytes), which is a memory remaining amount criterion of the memory 8;
(2) A second level (for example, 0.1 megabytes), which is a criterion for determining the remaining memory capacity of the image memory 8 for receiving image data not necessarily stored in the image memory 8, is set. And the second level can be changed by the operation unit 5. Incidentally, the processing memory 7 and the image memory 8 may be constituted by a hard disk memory.

Here, image data that must be stored in the image memory 8 means image data stored in a predetermined memory box in the image memory 8, such as image data for confidential reception, a bulletin board, or relay distribution. It is. On the other hand, image data that is not essential to be stored in the image memory 8 refers to image data other than these.

The fax modem 10 is connected to a public telephone line L
And demodulates the data of the outgoing telephone number information received as the FSK signal and outputs it to the main control unit 1. NCU (Network control circuit: Networ
k Control Unit) 11 is a hardware circuit that performs closing and opening operations such as a DC loop of the analog public telephone line L and has an automatic dial function. Connecting.
Here, the NCU 11 detects an ID receiving terminal activation signal and a normal telephone call signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service, and transmits a primary response signal and a secondary response signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service as necessary. can do. The NCU 11 is connected to a predetermined terminal adapter and a DSU (Digital Service Unit: Digital Service).
Unit) may be connected to a digital line of the baseband transmission system (for example, an ISDN line).

The facsimile apparatus 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above has a memory receiving function in addition to a normal facsimile communication function of the G3 system or the like. In the facsimile communication function, the image data in the dot image format read by the scanner 2 is encoded by the encoding / decoding circuit 9 in accordance with an encoding system such as MH, MR, MMR, etc., which is defined by the standard of facsimile communication. After being encoded into the image data of the facsimile, the fax data is transmitted from the fax modem 10 to the facsimile machine of the other party.
Conversely, the encoded data received from the other party's facsimile machine is also decoded by the encoding and decoding circuit 9 into image data in an image format, output to the printer 3 line by line, and output from the printer 3 as a hard copy. . The image memory 8 stores image data in an image format or image data in a coding format as necessary, and outputs the stored image data as necessary.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an incoming call process executed by the main control unit 1 of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 3, the processes from steps S1 to S3 and steps S2 and S3 to the end are processes of the related art.

In FIG. 3, it is first determined in step S1 whether or not the printer 3 is operating. If YES, the process proceeds to step S2, while if NO, the process proceeds to step S4.
Proceed to. In step S2, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of the image memory 8 is equal to or higher than the first level. If YES, the memory receiving process is executed in step S7, and then the line is opened in step S12 to terminate the incoming call process. I do. On the other hand, if NO in step S2, in step S3, a memory command indicating confidential reception, a bulletin board, or relay distribution in an F-code signal such as a received sub-address signal (SUB) or a non-standard function command signal (NSS) is received. Is determined, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S10, while if NO, the process proceeds to step S12 to release the line and end the incoming call process.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the printer priority setting mode is set. If YES, the process proceeds to step S9, while if NO, the process proceeds to step S5.
Then, it is determined whether the remaining amount of the image memory 8 is equal to or higher than the first level. When YES is determined in the step S5, the memory receiving process is executed in a step S7, and then the step S5 is performed.
At 12 the line is released and the incoming call processing is terminated. On the other hand, if NO in step S5, it is determined whether a memory command has been received in step S6. If YES, a printer reception process is executed in step S8, and then, in step S12, the line is released and the incoming call process is performed. To end. On the other hand, if YES in step S6, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not a memory command indicating confidential reception, a bulletin board, or relay distribution has been received in the received F code signal such as a sub address signal (SUB) or a non-standard function command signal (NSS). If YES, the process proceeds to step S10, while if NO, the printer reception process is executed in step S13, the line is opened in step S12, and the incoming call process ends. In step S10, the image memory 8
It is determined whether the remaining amount of memory is equal to or higher than the second level.
In the case of ES, after executing the memory receiving process in step S11, the line is opened in step S12 and the incoming call process ends. On the other hand, if NO in step S10, the line is opened in step S12 without receiving the image data, and the incoming call process ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the remaining amount of the image memory 8 is equal to or higher than the predetermined first level (YES in step S2 in FIG.
5 is YES) or the received image data is image data that must be stored in the image memory 8 such as image data for confidential reception, a bulletin board, or relay distribution (YES in step S9), and A predetermined second memory capacity of the image memory 8 smaller than the first level;
(Step S10: YES), the received image data is stored in the image memory 8 (step S10).
11). Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility of receiving image data such as confidential reception or bulletin board or relay distribution without filling the image memory 8 as much as possible. Further, the memory of the image memory 8 can be effectively used depending on the case.

Further, according to the present embodiment, even if the printer priority setting mode is canceled and the image data is stored in the image memory 8 (NO in step S4), the received image data is stored in, for example, a confidential reception or a bulletin board. Or an image memory 8 such as image data for normal reception other than image data for relay distribution.
When the image data is not essential to be stored in the image memory 8 (NO in step S6) and the remaining amount of the image memory 8 is less than the first level (NO in step S5), the received image data is stored in the image memory 8 Is printed out without being stored in the memory (step S8). Therefore, since the image memory 8 is not wasted, the memory can be used effectively.

Further, even when the printer priority setting mode is set (YES in step S4), the received image data is stored in an image memory such as confidential reception, a bulletin board, or image data for relay distribution. 8 is required to be stored in the image data (step S
If the remaining amount of the image memory 8 is equal to or higher than the second level (YES in step S10), the received image data is stored in the image memory 8 (step S9).
11) On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the image memory 8 is less than the second level (NO in step S10), the image data is not received (step S12). Therefore, when the remaining memory capacity of the image memory 8 is equal to or higher than the second level, the memory reception processing is executed. Therefore, even when the printer priority setting mode is set, for example, confidential reception, bulletin board, or relay distribution It is possible to increase the possibility of receiving image data. Further, the memory of the image memory 8 can be effectively used depending on the case.

In the present embodiment, the case where the printer priority setting mode is released means that the received image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 8 and then printed, and the received image data is received by the image memory 8. The data reception speed is high (that is, the sub-scanning time of the printer is unnecessary), and the communication time can be saved. In this case, the data is stored in the image memory 8 and printed after the line is disconnected. In addition,
Printing may be started while the image data is stored in the image memory 8.

<Modification> In the above embodiment, the example of the facsimile apparatus 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is connected to a public network such as a public telephone network or a public digital network. For example, the present invention can be applied to a communication terminal device including a telephone, a data communication device, and the like.

[0028]

As described above in detail, according to the communication terminal device of the first aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device for storing received image data in the image memory, the remaining memory capacity of the image memory is reduced. When the received image data is at least the first level, or when the received image data is image data that must be stored in the image memory and the remaining amount of memory in the image memory is at least the second level that is smaller than the first level Control means for storing the data in the image memory. Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility of receiving image data such as confidential reception and bulletin board or relay distribution without filling the image memory 8 as much as possible. Further, the memory of the image memory 8 can be effectively used depending on the case.

According to the communication terminal device of the second aspect, the communication terminal device of the first aspect further includes a mode setting means for setting whether to store the received image data in the image memory. The control means may be configured such that the received image data is image data that is not essential to be stored in the image memory and the remaining memory capacity of the image memory is the first even if the setting is to store the image memory in the image memory by the mode setting means. , The received image data is output without being stored in the image memory. Therefore, since the image memory is not wasted, the memory can be used effectively.

Further, according to the communication terminal device of the third aspect, the communication terminal device of the first aspect further includes a mode setting means for setting whether to store the received image data in the image memory. Even if the setting is not to be stored in the image memory by the mode setting means, the control means may determine that the received image data is image data that must be stored in the image memory. Is higher than the second level, the received image data is stored in the image memory. On the other hand, when the remaining memory of the image memory is lower than the second level, the image data is not received. Therefore, when the remaining memory capacity of the image memory is equal to or higher than the second level, the memory reception processing is executed. Therefore, even when the printer priority setting mode is set, for example, confidential reception, bulletin board, relay distribution, etc. Is more likely to be received. Further, the memory of the image memory can be effectively used depending on the case.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus 20 having a memory reception function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a memory map showing a remaining memory capacity with respect to a total storage capacity in an image memory 8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an incoming call process executed by a main control unit 1 of the facsimile machine of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main control part, 3 ... Printer, 3a ... Line head, 3b ... Image recording processing circuit, 4 ... Display part, 5 ... Operation part, 6 ... ROM, 7 ... Processing memory, 8 ... Image memory, 8a ... Image format 8b: Image memory for encoding format, 8c: Image memory for communication processing, 9: Encoding and decoding circuit, 10: Fax modem, 11: NCU, 13: Bus, 20: Facsimile machine, L: Public telephone Line.

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a communication terminal device for storing received image data in an image memory, when the remaining memory capacity of the image memory is equal to or higher than a first level, or when the received image data is stored in the image memory. A communication terminal device comprising: control means for storing image data as essential image data and storing the image data in the image memory when the remaining amount of the image memory is equal to or higher than a second level smaller than the first level. And a mode setting means for setting whether to store the received image data in an image memory,
The control means may be configured such that the received image data is image data that is not essential to be stored in the image memory and the remaining memory capacity of the image memory is the first memory even if the setting is to store the image memory in the image memory by the mode setting means. 2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when the level is lower than the level, the received image data is output without being stored in the image memory. 3. A mode setting means for setting whether to store received image data in an image memory,
Even if the mode setting unit does not store the image data in the image memory by the mode setting unit, if the received image data is image data that must be stored in the image memory, the remaining memory capacity of the image memory may be reduced. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the received image data is stored in the image memory when the level is equal to or higher than the second level, and the image data is not received when the remaining memory capacity of the image memory is lower than the second level.
The communication terminal device according to claim 1.