JP2000324332A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a facsimile equipment that designates in advance information denoting whether or not an image is to be added and added image data without increasing the cost in the facsimile equipment that transmits the original image with other image added thereto. SOLUTION: The facsimile equipment that transmits an original image with other image added thereto, is provided with an additional image storage section 11 that stores a plurality of additional image data, and a designated information storage section 12 that stores an identification code and added position information of the designated additional image data. A system control section 1 designates the additional image data to be added among additional image data, designates the added position and allows the designated information storage section 12 to store the designated additional image data and the designated added position information, reads the added image data with the stored identification code, adds the additional image data to the position of the added position information stored in the image data read from the original and transmits the resulting data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus or an information apparatus including a facsimile apparatus for transmitting an original image by adding a decorative image for expressing the originality of the sender to a margin of a document image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a facsimile apparatus, a technique of adding predetermined character information generated from a character font to an uppermost portion of a page has been conventionally implemented. In the facsimile apparatus shown in (1), the receiving-side facsimile apparatus can output image data expressing the urgency, speciality, originality of the transmission source, and the like in a blank space. That is, in this conventional technique, a plurality of additional image data are stored in a receiving facsimile apparatus, and the transmitting facsimile apparatus sends an identification signal of image data to be added together with facsimile image information, and the receiving facsimile apparatus Then, the image data associated with the identification signal is read and added. However, in such a method, the types of images are limited. In particular, image data expressing originality that should be unique to a transmission source is not sufficient unless the number of types of image data can be prepared by the number of transmission sources.
Therefore, in the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-252380, as shown in FIG. 11, the facsimile apparatus 22 on the image information transmitting side transmits the additional image information from the additional image information transmitting apparatus 21 via the line and the receiving means 23. The editing unit 26 adds the additional image information to the image information read from the document by the reading unit 25 and transmits the added image information.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the above-mentioned prior art shown in 5-252380,
Since a dedicated additional image information transmitting device is required, the cost increases, the image data to be added and the image adding position cannot be specified in advance, and the destination to send the mixed image with the added image is specified in advance. I can't do that either. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus which solves such a problem of the prior art and adds another image to a margin of a document image and transmits the image data without increasing the cost. The present invention provides a facsimile apparatus capable of designating a destination of a mixed image with an added image in advance.

[0004]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus which adds another image to a margin of an original image and transmits the image.
Additional image storage means for storing in advance a plurality of additional image data to be added to the transmission image information; and specifying additional image data to be added at the time of transmission from the additional image data and adding the additional image data in the additional page. An image addition designating means for designating a position; a designation information storage means for storing an identification code of addition image data designated by the image addition designating means and additional position information; Image adding means for reading the additional image data of the identification code and adding the additional image data to the additional position of the additional position information of the image data read from the document; and adding the additional image data by the image adding means. Transmission means for transmitting the obtained mixed image data. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus further comprises an image addition destination storage unit for storing whether to add the additional image data in association with the destination information. The transmitting means is configured to transmit the mixed image data with the additional image data added only to the destination in which the additional image data is to be added to the destination storage means. In the invention according to claim 3,
In the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the identification code and the additional position information of the additional image data are specified in association with the destination, and stored in the specified information storage means in association with each destination information. When transmitting the mixed image to each destination, the transmitting means is configured to transmit the mixed image data in accordance with the corresponding identification code and additional position information. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmission history storage unit for storing transmission history information relating to additional image data addition designation in association with the destination of the facsimile transmission, The transmitting means is configured to transmit the mixed image data or the image data to which no additional image is added according to the transmission history information. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a change instructing means for instructing that transmission is performed without following transmission history information. In the invention according to claim 6, in the invention according to claim 5, the transmission history transmitted without following the transmission history information is recorded as transmission history information, and the transmission is performed according to the latest history information from the next time. The transmission means is configured.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the additional image data to be added at the time of transmission is specified from the stored additional image data and the additional position in the additional page is specified, The identification code and the additional position information of the specified additional image data are stored, and at the time of transmission, the additional image data of the identification code is read out, and the additional data of the additional position information of the image data read from the document is stored at the additional position. The additional image data is added, and the mixed image data to which the additional image data is added is transmitted. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, whether or not to add the additional image data is stored in association with the destination information, and the destination to which the additional image data is to be added is stored in the destination. Only for this, the mixed image data to which the additional image data is added is transmitted. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the identification code and the additional position information of the additional image data are stored in association with the destination information, and the mixed image is transmitted to each destination. At this time, the mixed image data is transmitted according to the corresponding identification code and additional position information. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, transmission history information relating to additional image data addition designation is stored in association with the destination of the facsimile transmission, and mixed image data or additional image data is added in accordance with the transmission history information. Image data to which no image is added is transmitted. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, if an instruction is given to perform transmission without following the transmission history information, transmission that does not follow the transmission history information can be performed only that time. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, a transmission history transmitted without following the transmission history information is recorded as transmission history information, and transmitted next time according to the latest history information.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is
A system control unit 1 having a ROM with a built-in program and a CPU operating in accordance with the program, for managing and controlling the entire apparatus, a key for the user to give an instruction to the facsimile apparatus, and a message for the user Operation display unit 2 including display means for providing image information, and RA for temporarily storing image information and the like.
M3, a scanner 4 for reading an image on a document, a plotter 5 for outputting decoded received image information to recording paper, a network control device for setting a call with a remote facsimile device via a public telephone network (NCU) 6, for example, a communication control unit 7 for performing facsimile transmission and reception according to a G3 transmission control procedure;
An encoding / decoding unit (DCR) 8 for encoding transmission image information and decoding reception image information, a modem 9 including a low-speed modem and a high-speed modem, and an image memory 10 for storing image information are provided. . In a digital line, the NCU 16 and the modem 19 are DSUs. Further, an additional image storage unit (additional image storage means) 11 for previously storing a plurality of additional image data to be added to the margin of the transmission image information is provided in the image memory 10, for example. A designation information storage unit (designation information storage means) 12 for storing the identification number (identification code), additional position information, and whether or not to add the additional image data in association with the destination information is stored in the RAM 3, for example. The system control unit 1 and the operation display unit 2 are provided with an image addition designating unit for designating the additional image data to be added and the additional position in the additional page, and add the additional image data to the image data read from the document. The image adding means to be added is constituted by the system control unit 1, and the transmitting means for transmitting the mixed image data to which the additional image data is added is the system control unit 1. NCU6, communication control unit 7, DCR
8, a modem 9 and the like.

FIG. 2 shows the entire operation performed by such a facsimile machine. As shown in the figure, in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, whether registration of an additional image has been instructed (S1), facsimile transmission has been instructed (S3), facsimile reception has occurred (S5), and various settings have been instructed. It is monitored whether the registration has been performed (S7). When the registration of the additional image is instructed (Yes in S1), the additional image registration processing is executed (S2), and when the facsimile transmission is instructed (Yes in S3). ) Facsimile transmission processing is executed (S4), and when facsimile reception occurs (S4).
5) A facsimile receiving process is executed (S6), and when various settings are instructed (S7), various setting processes are executed (S8). Of these operations, a normal facsimile transmission process will be described first. In the case of the G3 transmission control procedure, in the transmission process, first, the system control unit 1 reads the image information into the RAM 3 by the scanner 4, encodes the image information by the DCR 8, and
Alternatively, it is stored in the image memory 10. Operation display unit 2
The system control unit 1 acquires the outgoing call designation information such as the destination designated by the above, and the NCU 6 to which the destination information has been passed sets a call with the designated destination. Subsequently, the communication control unit 7 executes the phase B via the low-speed modem, and then moves to the phase C, modulates the coded image information in the RAM 3 or the image memory 10 by the high-speed modem in the modem 9, and
Transmit via CU6. In the facsimile receiving process, after the NCU 6 sets up a call, the process enters a phase B,
Predetermined communication is performed via the low-speed modem, the phase C is entered, and encoded image information is received. Then, the image information is stored in the RAM 3 via the NCU 6 and the communication control unit 7, further decoded by the DCR 8, and output to the plotter 5 via the RAM 3 or stored in the image memory 10.

Next, according to the operation flow shown in FIG.
An operation of registering additional image data according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in the drawing, the user first instructs whether to register or delete the additional image data (S11). Then, when registration is instructed (“registration” in S11), the system control unit 1 causes the scanner 4 to read an image to be registered, and stores the read additional image data in the RAM 3 (S12). . Also,
The operation display unit 2 allows the user to input the additional image data name. Subsequently, the system control unit 1 determines whether there is a space in the identification number (identification code) of the additional image data (S
13). If there is a vacancy (Yes in S13), one of the vacant identification numbers is assigned to the additional image data read at this time, and corresponds to the identification number in the additional image data table provided in the RAM 3, for example. Then, the additional image data name is registered (S14). Further, the additional image data is stored in the additional image storage unit 11 by the file management system, and the file number obtained from the file management system is written in the additional image data table in association with the identification number (S14) (FIG. 4). reference). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that there is no empty identification number (No in S13), the system control unit 1 displays a message to that effect on the display device in the operation display unit 2 together with a message indicating that. A message requesting data erasure is displayed (S15). Then, an additional image data list similar to the additional image data table shown in FIG. 4 is displayed (S16), and selection of additional image data to be deleted is requested. When the user selects the additional image data to be erased by using the mouse or the like in the operation display unit 2 (S17), the system control unit 1 starts from the selected additional image data entry (record, one line of the table). The name of the additional image data and the file number are deleted, and the file of the file number is deleted by the file management system (S18). If the registration instruction has been issued (in this case, it has been performed), the additional image data is registered in association with the vacant identification number (S1).
4). Note that, even when an erasure is instructed in step S11 (“erase” in S11), the process from step S16 is executed.

Next, prior to transmission, an operation flow for setting whether or not to add an image in association with each destination and, if so, which additional image data to add to which additional position is shown in FIG. This will be described below. The operation flow shown in FIG. 5 is executed as one of the various setting processes shown in step S8 in FIG. First, a menu including various setting processing items is displayed, and when "designation of additional image data or the like" is selected from the menu by the user (S2).
1) The system controller 1 displays an additional image data list including additional image data names and the like. Then, if one additional image data in the additional image data list is selected by the user (Yes in S22),
The system control unit 1 determines that addition of the additional image data has been selected, determines that the additional image data has been designated, acquires the identification number of the additional image data, and associates the identification number with the destination information specified at that time. And store it in the designated information storage unit (designated information table) 12 in the RAM 3 (S23).
(See FIG. 6). At this time, the user can select the additional image data after displaying the additional image by specifying the “reference image” button (not shown) and specifying the identification number. Subsequently, the system control unit 1 causes the user to specify an additional position to which the specified additional image data is to be added. For example, "1" is added to the four corners of the page (first page), "2" is added to the upper two corners,
If it is added to the upper right corner, it is designated as "3". Then, the designated value is stored in the designated information storage unit 12 in association with the destination information (S24).
(See FIG. 6). In contrast, in step S22,
If it is instructed not to add the additional image (S22
No), for example, "0" is stored in the additional image data column of the designated information storage unit (designated information table) 12 in association with the designated destination information (S23) (see FIG. 6). Thereafter, the system control unit 1 determines whether or not the setting for all of the scheduled destinations has been completed (S25). If the setting has not been completed (No in S25), the same applies to other destinations from step S22. Repeat When the setting for all the destinations is completed (Yes in S25), the process exits from this operation flow.

Next, an operation at the time of transmission according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to an operation flow shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, first, the user performs a calling operation (S31), and the system control unit 1 transmits the acquired destination information (terminal number) to the NC.
Handover to U6 for line connection processing. If the line is connected (Yes in S32), the scanner 4 starts reading an image on the document (S33). At the same time, it acquires designation information associated with the destination information from the designation information storage unit 12 (S34), and determines whether the identification number is "0" (S35). Thus,
If it is determined that the value is not "0" (Yes in S35), it is determined that the addition of the additional image data is specified, and the additional image data specified by the identification number is obtained via the file management system. . Then, the addition position is determined according to the position information, which is one of the acquired designation information, and the mixed image data is created in order from the top line of the transmission image information according to the addition position (S36). When the addition position is determined, the line number and the pixel number of the additional image data are determined, and accordingly, the mixed image data is created. FIG. 8 shows the created mixed image. This mixed image data is passed to the DCR 8 in order from the first line, where encoding is performed, and the encoded data is transmitted to the communication control unit 7, the modem 9,
The data is transmitted via the NCU 6 (S37). On the other hand,
If it is determined in step S35 that it is "0" (No in S35), it is determined that the additional image is not added,
The image data (image information) read by the scanner 4 is directly encoded and transmitted (S38). Thus, according to this embodiment, since the image data to be added and the image addition position can be specified in advance, it is possible to transmit the mixed image in which the desired image is added to the margin without user intervention. . In addition, since an additional image information transmitting device or the like is not required, the cost does not increase. Note that a configuration that does not have a function of adding or not adding an additional image depending on a destination, and a function that does not have a function of changing image data to be added and an image addition position is also possible. However, in a configuration having such a function, it is possible to realize appropriate image addition according to the destination, and it is possible not to perform such image addition depending on the destination. Depending on the destination, such image addition may not be appropriate.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, a transmission history storage unit (transmission history storage means) 13 for storing transmission history information relating to addition of additional image data for each destination of facsimile transmission is provided ( The transmission means is configured to transmit the mixed image data according to the transmission history information. The transmission history storage unit 13 is provided together with the image memory 10 in, for example, a hard disk device. FIG. 10 shows an operation flow of this embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, first, the user performs an outgoing call operation (S41), and the system control unit 1 passes the acquired destination information (terminal number) to the NCU 6, and causes the NCU 6 to perform a line connection process. When the line is connected (Yes in S42), the scanner 4 starts reading an image on the document (S43). At the same time,
The transmission history storage unit 13 searches the transmission history information of the destination information in the transmission history storage unit 13 (S44). Since a transmission history similar to that shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the transmission history storage unit 13 every time transmission is performed, the system control unit 1 searches for a transmission history (for one line shown in FIG. 6) of the destination. is there. If there is the transmission history (Yes in S45), the latest (if there is a plurality) transmission history (designated information) associated with the destination information is displayed (S46), and if it is to be changed (S47). Yes) The designated information is designated (S48). Also, when it is determined in step S45 that there is no history (No in S45), designation information is similarly designated (S48). Subsequently, the system control unit 1 writes the transmission history for the current transmission to the transmission history storage unit 13 (S49), including the case where there is no change (S47). If the amount of the stored transmission history has reached the predetermined amount, the overwriting is performed from the oldest one.

Next, it is determined whether or not the identification number is "0" according to the designation information for the current transmission (S50). If it is determined that the identification number is not "0" (Yes in S50), the additional image data is determined. Is determined to be added, and the additional image data designated by the identification number is obtained via the file management system. Then, an addition position is determined in accordance with the position information, which is one of the acquired designation information, and mixed image data is created in order from the top line of the transmission image information in accordance with the addition position (S51). When the addition position is determined, the line number and the pixel number of the additional image data are determined, and accordingly, the mixed image data is created. Subsequently, the mixed image data is passed to the DCR 8 in order from the first line, where coding is performed, and the coded data is transmitted via the communication control unit 7, the modem 9, and the NCU 6 (S52). If it is determined in step S50 that it is "0" (No in S50), it is determined that no additional image is added, and the image data (image information) read by the scanner 4 is directly encoded and transmitted. (S53). Thus, according to this embodiment, whether to add additional image data or not, and if so, most of the image data to be added and the image addition position can be known without having to specify each time of transmission, Similarly to the first embodiment, a mixed image to which a desired image is added can be transmitted by a simple operation, and a partner can be selected and an additional image can be added. Moreover,
Since no additional image information transmitting device is required, the cost does not increase. Note that a configuration without a function of changing the designation information such as the identification number of the additional image data is possible. However, by providing such a function, different measures can be taken depending on the situation. In this embodiment, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which, when the designated information is changed and transmitted, the transmission history information is not recorded. In this case, the change is made only once.

[0013]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained. According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the additional image data to be added at the time of transmission is specified from the stored additional image data and the additional position in the additional page is specified, the identification code of the specified additional image data is set. And additional position information is stored, and at the time of transmission, the additional image data of the identification code is read, and the additional image data is added to the additional position of the additional position information of the image data read from the document, Since the mixed image data to which the image data is added is transmitted, the mixed image to which the desired image is added can be transmitted without the intervention of the user. In addition, since an additional image information transmitting device or the like is not required, the cost does not increase. Further, in the invention according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1,
Whether to add the additional image data is stored in association with the destination information, and the mixed image data with the additional image data added is transmitted only to the destination in which the additional image data is added. Therefore, the additional image can be added only to a destination to which the additional image is appropriate. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the identification code and the additional position information of the additional image data are stored in association with the destination information, and the mixed image is stored in each destination. At the time of transmission, the mixed image data is transmitted according to the corresponding identification code and additional position information, so that appropriate image addition according to the destination can be realized. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, transmission history information relating to additional image data addition designation is stored in association with the destination of the facsimile transmission, and the mixed image data is stored in accordance with the transmission history information. Alternatively, since the image data to which the additional image is not added is transmitted, the effect of the invention described in claim 2 or 3 can be realized in most cases. Also,
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when an instruction to transmit without following the transmission history information is given,
Only during that time, transmission that does not follow the transmission history information becomes possible, so that it is possible to deal with the situation. According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 4, the transmission history transmitted without following the transmission history information is recorded as transmission history information, and is transmitted according to the latest history information from the next time. , Regarding image addition transmission to each destination,
Depending on the situation, the contents to be transmitted can be different from the contents to be transmitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an operation flow chart of the facsimile apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another operation flowchart of the facsimile apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a data configuration diagram of the facsimile apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is another operation flow chart of the facsimile apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is another data configuration diagram of the facsimile apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another operation flow chart of the facsimile apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration block diagram of a main part of a facsimile apparatus showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation flow chart of the facsimile apparatus showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

And FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a configuration of a facsimile apparatus showing an example of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: System control unit 2: Operation display unit 3: RAM 4: Scanner 6: Network control unit 7: Communication control unit 10: Image memory 11: Additional image storage unit 12: Designated information storage unit 13: Transmission history storage unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus for adding another image to a margin portion of a document image and transmitting the image, and additional image storage means for preliminarily storing a plurality of additional image data to be added to transmission image information; Image addition designating means for designating additional image data to be added at the time of transmission from the additional image data and designating an addition position in an additional page; and an identification code of the additional image data designated by the image addition designating means. And designation information storage means for storing additional position information, and at the time of transmission, read out the additional image data of the identification code from the additional image storage means, and store the additional position information in the additional position information of the image data read from the document. An image adding unit for adding the additional image data, and transmitting the mixed image data to which the additional image data has been added by the image adding unit. Facsimile apparatus comprising: 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: designation information storage means for storing whether or not to add image data for addition in association with destination information, wherein the designation information storage means has A facsimile apparatus characterized in that the transmitting means is configured to transmit the mixed image data with the additional image data added only to the destination in which the image data is added. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification code of the additional image data and the additional position information are designated in association with the destination, and the designation information storage means is associated with each destination information. And transmitting means for transmitting mixed image data in accordance with the corresponding identification code and additional position information when transmitting the mixed image to each destination. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising transmission history storage means for storing transmission history information relating to additional image data addition designation in association with a destination to which facsimile transmission has been performed. A facsimile apparatus characterized in that the transmitting means is configured to transmit the mixed image data or the image data to which the additional image is not added according to the following. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising change instruction means for instructing transmission without following transmission history information. 6. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transmission means is configured to record a transmission history transmitted without following the transmission history information as transmission history information, and to transmit according to the latest history information from the next time. Facsimile machine characterized by the following.