JP2001028658A - Facsimile terminal, facsimile transmitter, facsimile receiver, facsimile system, facsimile control method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile terminal where number of times of accessing a network to download an application software program can be reduced. SOLUTION: The facsimile terminal accesses a network to download an application software program and to store it and conducts prescribed facsimile operations according to this application software program. A software management information registration circuit 28 registers a capacity and a frequency of use of the downloaded application software program, a delete sequence of the application software programs stored in a storage means is decided and an application software program in the storage means is deleted according to the delete sequence.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a function of accessing a network and downloading software, a facsimile transmitter having a function of transmitting software, a facsimile receiver having a function of receiving software, and the facsimile. The present invention relates to a facsimile system including an apparatus or facsimile transmitter and a facsimile receiver, a facsimile control method using the facsimile apparatus or facsimile transmitter and a facsimile receiver, and a storage medium for executing the facsimile control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional facsimile apparatus has a facsimile communication unit, a reading means and a recording means, and executes facsimile transmission, facsimile reception, and copying. These control programs are all stored in storage means of the facsimile machine, for example, ROM.

[0003] Further, this type of facsimile apparatus is provided by IT
The T.U. 4, T. 6 determines the encoding method. 30, the protocol is determined. 21, V.I. 27ter, V.A. 29, V.S. 17,
The modulation / demodulation method is determined by V34.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile apparatus, the memory capacity increases as the function of the apparatus increases, and software control becomes complicated. As a result, the time required for the development of the facsimile machine becomes longer, and the EP
Use of a ROM or the like has a problem that the cost is increased.

Therefore, recently, when a predetermined job is selected, a facsimile apparatus which downloads application software and executes facsimile communication by accessing the network every time, and deletes the application software from the memory after execution of the facsimile communication has been proposed. Proposed.

[0006] However, this downloadable facsimile machine has a problem in that it is extremely inefficient in use because it accesses the network every time to download application software.

On the other hand, if the facsimile receiver does not have a function of decoding information encoded by an encoding method capable of greatly reducing the communication time, for example, There is a problem that facsimile transmission cannot be performed by the encoding method.

As a solution to this problem, it is conceivable to transmit the application software of the above-mentioned encoding method from the transmitter side to the receiver side for each facsimile communication. However, this measure keeps confidentiality and secures communication reliability. Was not preferred from the viewpoint of

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a facsimile apparatus, a facsimile system, a facsimile control method, which can reduce the number of times of accessing a network and downloading application software.
And a storage medium.

A facsimile transmitter, facsimile receiver, and facsimile system capable of transmitting / receiving application software having excellent functions such as a drastic reduction in transmission time without being conscious of confidentiality and communication reliability. , A facsimile control method, and a storage medium.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus.
A facsimile apparatus having a download unit for accessing a network to download software and a storage unit for storing the software downloaded by the download unit, and performing a predetermined facsimile operation according to the software; According to the capacity and frequency of use, an erasing order determining means for determining an erasing order of the software stored in the storage means, and according to the erasing order determined by the erasing order determining means,
Erasing means for erasing software in the storage means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the use frequency is the number of times of use.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the use frequency is a use time.

In the facsimile apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the erasing order determining means may include a time required to access a network and download the software. In consideration of the above, the order of erasing the software stored in the storage means is determined.

In a facsimile apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the erasure order determining means refers to a time zone in which a network is accessed and stores the software stored in the storage means. In which the order of erasure is determined.

A facsimile transmitter according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a facsimile transmitter capable of transmitting software to a facsimile receiver having notification means for notifying information on a software reception function,
When receiving a notification of information on a software receiving function from the facsimile receiver, a means for designating the presence or absence of software transmission to the facsimile receiver based on the notification information is provided. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile transmitter according to the sixth aspect, when transmitting software to the facsimile receiver, the type of software to be transmitted is transmitted to the facsimile receiver. It is characterized by having means for notifying.

The facsimile transmitter according to the invention of claim 8 is provided with a means for registering, for each software, a destination to which the transmission of the facsimile transmitter software according to claim 6 or 7 is permitted or not permitted. It is characterized by.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile transmitter according to the eighth aspect, when the facsimile receiver does not have predetermined software, the facsimile receiver receives the facsimile information as notification information from the facsimile receiver. Upon receiving notification that there is a function to receive the specified software,
When the facsimile receiver is a destination to which the transmission of the predetermined software is permitted, a facsimile image signal is transmitted after transmitting the predetermined software.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile receiver, the notifying means for notifying the facsimile transmitter of information on the software receiving function, and the facsimile receiver based on the information on the receiving function notified by the notifying means. It is characterized by comprising receiving means for receiving software transmitted from a facsimile transmitter, and executing means for executing a predetermined facsimile operation according to the software received by the receiving means.

[0021] In a facsimile receiver according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the facsimile receiver according to the tenth aspect is characterized in that the notifying unit notifies the presence or absence of a receiving function corresponding to each software.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile system including the facsimile apparatus according to the first to fifth aspects.

A facsimile system according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention includes a facsimile transmitter according to the sixth to ninth aspects and a facsimile receiver according to the tenth or eleventh aspect. .

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile control method, comprising: download means for accessing a network to download software; and storage means for storing the software downloaded by the download means. Facsimile machine that performs facsimile operation of
The storage unit according to an erasing order determining process for determining an erasing order of the software stored in the storage unit according to a capacity and a use frequency of the software downloaded by the downloading unit, and the erasing order determined by the erasing order determining process. And an erasing process for erasing the software therein.

In a facsimile control method according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile control method according to the fourteenth aspect, the use frequency is the number of times of use.

In a facsimile control method according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile control method according to the fourteenth aspect, the use frequency is a use time.

In the facsimile control method according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile control method according to the fourteenth to sixteenth aspects, the erasing order determination processing is required to access a network and download the software. The erasing order of the software stored in the storage means is determined in consideration of the determined time.

[0028] In the facsimile control method according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile control method according to the seventeenth aspect, the erasure order determining means stores the time in the storage means with reference to a time zone when the network is accessed. The erasing order of the software is determined.

In the facsimile control method according to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the facsimile receiving apparatus is provided with a notifying means for notifying information on a software receiving function. When a notification of information on the software reception function is received from the device, the presence or absence of software transmission to the facsimile receiver is specified based on the notification information.

In a facsimile control method according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile control method according to the nineteenth aspect, when software is transmitted to the facsimile receiver, the type of software to be transmitted is determined by the facsimile reception method. It is characterized by notifying the device.

In the facsimile control method according to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile control method according to the nineteenth or twentieth aspect, it is preferable that the destination to which the transmission of the software is permitted or not is registered for each software. Features.

[0032] In the facsimile control method according to the present invention, when the facsimile receiver does not have predetermined software, notification information from the facsimile receiver is provided. When the facsimile receiver receives a notification that the predetermined software receiving function is provided, and the facsimile receiver is a destination that permits transmission of the predetermined software, a facsimile image signal is transmitted after transmitting the predetermined software. It is characterized by doing.

[0033] In the facsimile control method according to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the facsimile transmission method includes a notification process for notifying a facsimile transmitter of information on a software reception function, and the facsimile control based on the information on the reception function notified by the notification process. And a receiving process for receiving software transmitted from the transmitter, and performing a predetermined facsimile operation in accordance with the software received in the receiving process.

[0034] In a facsimile control method according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile control method according to the twenty-third aspect, the notifying process notifies the presence or absence of a receiving function corresponding to each software.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium, comprising: download means for accessing a network to download software; and storage means for storing software downloaded by the download means. A facsimile control method in a facsimile apparatus performing a facsimile operation, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, the facsimile control method, according to the capacity and frequency of use of the software downloaded by the download means, An erasing order determining step of determining an erasing order of the software stored in the storage means; and the software in the storing means according to the erasing order determined by the erasing order determining step. Characterized by comprising an erasing step of erasing.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium of the twenty-fifth aspect, the use frequency is the number of uses.

[0037] In a storage medium according to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-fifth aspect, the usage frequency is usage time.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-fifth to twenty-fourth aspects, the erasing order determining step includes a time required for accessing the network and downloading the software. And determining the order of erasing the software stored in the storage means.

In the storage medium according to the twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-eighth aspect, the erasure order determining means refers to a time zone during which access to a network is performed and stores the software stored in the storage means. Is determined.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, a facsimile control method in a facsimile transmitter capable of transmitting software is executed for a facsimile receiver having a notifying means for notifying information on a software reception function. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, wherein the facsimile control method, when receiving a notification of information on the software reception function from the facsimile receiver,
A step of designating the presence or absence of software transmission to the facsimile receiver based on the notification information.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, when the software is transmitted to the facsimile receiver,
The step of notifying the type of software to be transmitted to the facsimile receiver is provided.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, a storage medium according to the thirty-third or thirty-first aspect is provided with a step of registering, for each software, a destination to which transmission of the storage medium software is permitted or not permitted. And

In the storage medium according to the invention of claim 33, in the storage medium of claim 32, when the facsimile receiver does not have predetermined software, the facsimile receiver receives the notification information from the facsimile receiver as notification information. When receiving the notification that the reception function of the predetermined software is provided, and when the facsimile receiver is the destination to which the transmission of the predetermined software is permitted, transmitting the facsimile image signal after transmitting the predetermined software. It is characterized by.

In the storage medium according to the invention, a notification step of notifying a facsimile transmitter of information on a software reception function, and the facsimile based on the information on the reception function notified from the notification step. A receiving step of receiving software transmitted from the transmitter; and a step of executing a predetermined facsimile operation in accordance with the software received in the receiving step.

According to a storage medium of the present invention, in the storage medium of the present invention, the notifying step is a step of notifying whether or not there is a receiving function corresponding to each software.

[0046]

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

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This facsimile apparatus includes an NCU (network control unit) 2, a telephone 4, a hybrid circuit 6, a modem 8, a ANSam signal transmission circuit 10, and an addition circuit 12.

The NCU (network control unit) 2 connects to the terminal of the line in order to use the telephone network for data communication and the like.
It controls connection of the telephone exchange network, switches to a data communication path, and holds a loop. The NCU 2 connects the telephone line 2a to the telephone 4 when the signal level (signal line 20a) from the control circuit 20 described later is “0”, and connects the telephone line 2a when the signal level is “1”. Is connected to the facsimile machine side.
In a normal state, the telephone line 2a is connected to the telephone 4 side.

The hybrid circuit 6 separates the transmission system signal and the reception system signal, sends the transmission signal from the addition circuit 12 to the telephone line 2a via the NCU 2, and receives the signal from the other party via the NCU 2. , To the modem 8 via the signal line 6a.

The modulator / demodulator 8 is based on ITU-T Recommendation V. 8,
V. 21, V.I. 27ter, V.A. 29, V.S. 17, V.
The modulation and demodulation are performed based on 34, and each transmission mode is designated by the signal line 20c. The modem 8 receives the signal output on the signal line 20b, outputs the modulated data on the signal line 8a, receives the received signal output on the signal line 6a, and outputs the demodulated data on the signal line 8b. I do.

The ANSam signal transmission circuit 10 for transmitting the ANSam signal outputs the ANSam signal to the signal line 10a when the signal of the signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20d.
When the signal m is transmitted and the signal of the signal level "0" is output to the signal line 20d, no signal is output to the signal line 10a.

The addition circuit 12 receives the information of the signal line 8a, the information of the signal line 10a, and the information of the signal line 22a, and outputs the result of addition to the signal line 12a.

Further, the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a reading circuit 14, a recording circuit 16, and a memory circuit 1.
8, a calling circuit 22 and an operation unit 24 are provided.

The reading circuit 14 outputs read data to a signal line 14a, and the recording circuit 16 sequentially records information output to a signal line 20e line by line.

The memory circuit 18 is used to store raw information or encoded information of read data, or to store facsimile reception information, decoded information, information received from a network, or the like.

When a calling command pulse is generated on the signal line 20f, the calling circuit 22 inputs the telephone number information output on the signal line 20g, and outputs a DTMF selection signal on the signal line 22a. The operation unit 24 includes a one-touch dial, speed dial, numeric keypad, * and # keys, a start key, a set key, a stop key, a registration key to the circuits 26 and 27, and a function key. The signal is output to the signal line 24a.

Further, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment has a telephone number registration circuit 26 for registering the telephone number of the service provider (A), and a software information registration circuit 28 for registering information on application software accessed from the network. It has.

The telephone number registration circuit 26 registers the telephone number of the service provider (A) via the signal line 26a. The software management information registration circuit 28 is connected to the signal line 2
8a, the time of access from the network, the time required for access from the network, the number of times of use of the application software, the time of use of the application software, and the time of access to the application software accessed from the network. Store the memory capacity.

On the other hand, in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, N
The PSTN 40 is connected to the CU 2 via a signal line 2a.

The PSTM 40 is connected to another facsimile machine 42 via a signal line 42a, and also to a service provider (A) 50. The service provider (A) is connected to the Internet 60 via a signal line 50a. The Internet 60 is further connected to the service provider (B) 52 and the service provider (C) 54 via signal lines 52a and 54a.
Is connected. A PSTM 70 is connected to the service provider (B) via a signal line 52b.
Another facsimile machine 72 is connected to the STM 70.

The above components are controlled by the control circuit 20. The control circuit 20 mainly performs the following control related to the present invention. That is, the control circuit 20 accesses the network to download the application software, and stores the downloaded program in the built-in memory. Further, the order of erasing the application software stored in the internal memory is determined according to the capacity and the frequency of use (for example, the number of times of use) of the downloaded application software, and the application software in the internal memory is erased according to the determined erasing order.

The facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment performs the above control by the control circuit 20. 2 to 5 described later are stored in the built-in memory of the control circuit 20 in the form of a control program for implementing the control of the present embodiment.

FIGS. 2 to 5 show the control circuit 20 of this embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing control by the control.

In FIG. 2, at step S2, the information of the circuit 26 is cleared via the signal line 26a, and at the following step S4, the information of the circuit 28 is cleared via the signal line 28a.

In step S6, a signal of signal level "0" is output to the signal line 20d to turn off the CML. In step S8, a signal of signal level "0" is output to the signal line 20d and the ANSam signal is transmitted. do not do.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not facsimile reception has been selected.
4 and if not selected, the flow proceeds to step S12 to perform other processing, and then proceeds to step S in FIG.
Proceed to 58.

In step S14, a signal of signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20a, and the CML is turned on. In step S16, the pre-procedure is performed. Here, "there is a receiving function (decoding) of the encoding methods A, B, C, D, and E" is notified.

In step S18, the decoding application software of the encoding method designated for transmission is
It is determined whether or not it is stored in the internal memory. If the response is an affirmative response, the process proceeds to step S20 of FIG. 3A, and if the response is a negative response, the process proceeds to step S28 of FIG. 3B.

In step S20, the value of the number of times of use registered in the circuit 28 for the designated decryption application software is incremented by one via the signal line 28a. In step S22, image signals are received / recorded using the designated decoding application software, and in step S24, post-procedures are performed.

In step S26, the current communication time via the signal line 28a is added to the use time information of the decoding application software used this time, which is registered in the circuit 28 in correspondence with the software used.

On the other hand, in step S28, the image signal is received in the memory, and in subsequent step S30, the post-procedure is performed. Further, in step S32, a signal of the signal level "0" is output to the signal line 20a, and the CML is turned off.

After waiting for 10 seconds in step S34, a signal of signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20a in step S36, and the CML is turned on. Next, in step S38, a call is made to the service provider (A) using the calling circuit 22, and in step S40,
Executes the PPP protocol.

Further, in step S42 of FIG.
The ff-fx formatted decryption application software accessed this time is received by SMTP, and stored in the internal memory of the control circuit 20. Then, step S44
Then, it is determined whether or not the reception of the decrypted application software has been completed.
If not, the process proceeds to step S54.

In step S46, a name is given to the application software accessed from the network (for example, the decoding software of the encoding method A), and in accordance with this, various related management information is stored in the circuit via the signal line 28a. Set to 28. The management information includes the date and time of access from the network, the time required for access from the network, the capacity of the application software, the number of times the application software is used (1 is set in this case), and the There is a usage time (0 is set this time).

Then, in the subsequent step S48, a signal of the signal bell "0" is output to the signal line 20a, the CML is turned off, and in step S50, the information received in the memory is
This time, it decrypts and prints using the application software accessed from the network. Further, in step S52, the current print time is added via the signal line 28a to the use time information of the decoding application software used in the circuit 28 corresponding to the software application software used this time.

On the other hand, in step S54, it is determined whether there is a free space in the memory space for storing the application software accessed from the network. If there is a free space, the process returns to step S42. It returns to step S42.

In step S56, the information of the circuit 28 corresponding to the application software accessed from the network and stored in the memory is input.
The following equation (1) is obtained.

[0079]

(Equation 1) Here, Y0 is the current date and time, and Y1 is the date when the application software is downloaded.
C is the number of times the application software has been used.

The application software having the largest value (time) obtained by the above equation (1) is erased from the memory, and all the management information corresponding to the application software is erased from the circuit 28.

In step S58 of FIG. 5C, information on the signal line 24a is input, and it is determined whether or not registration with the circuit 26 has been selected. A) The telephone number is changed to signal line 2
Registered in the circuit 26 via 6a, if not selected, the process returns to step S6.

As described above, in the present embodiment, as the amount of downloaded application software is larger and the frequency of use (the number of times of use) is lower, the application software is preferentially erased, and the application software that is frequently used and does not monopolize the memory is used. Software can be left in memory. As a result, the number of times of accessing the network and downloading the application software is reduced.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the use frequency is first considered as the use frequency, and the time period during which the application software is downloaded from the network is considered. In consideration of the time required to download the application software, the order of erasing the application software stored in the memory is determined.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Only the control of different parts in the control shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 is shown.

In the case of a negative response in the process of FIG. 5B (step 70 in FIG. 6), the process proceeds to step S72. In step S72, the information of the circuit 28 corresponding to the application software accessed from the network and stored in the memory is input, and the following equation (2) is obtained.

[0086]

(Equation 2) Here, Y0 is the current date and time, and Y1 is the date when the application software is downloaded.
T0 is the usage time of the application software, T1
Is the time required to download the application software. On the other hand, α is a parameter indicating a time zone during which the user accesses the network.
From 6:00 to 5:00, from 6:00 to 8:00, from 3, 8:00 to 18:00, from 18:00 to 22:00, from 2 to 22
If it is 24:00 from the hour, it is set to 3.

The application software having the largest value (time) obtained by the above equation (2) is erased from the memory, and the management information related thereto is erased from the circuit 28.
Then, after the process of step S72, the process returns to step S42 shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is determined that the shorter the time required for downloading is, the faster the next download can be made, and the application software is preferentially erased. And the most suitable application software can be left in the memory. Further, since the time required to download the application software is taken into consideration of the time period during which the user has accessed the network, it is possible to accurately reflect situations such as difficulty in accessing the network during the day.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to those in FIG. The description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, in the configuration of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the telephone number registration circuit 26 and the software management information registration circuit 28 are removed, and the display circuit 12
6 and a transmission permission registration circuit 128 are provided. The operation unit 24 is provided with the transmission permission registration circuit 128.
You have a registration key to

The display circuit 126 receives the information of the signal line 20h and outputs, for example, "03-466-6666, which has just been called.
Can reduce communication time by sending application software of encoding method A. If you like, please register. "

The transmission permission registration circuit 128
Through a, corresponding to each application software,
Register destinations to which transmission is allowed. For example, encoding method A
The application software (encoding effective for halftone reading) is one-touch dial 01, 02, 0
3, 04 and 05 are permitted to be transmitted to the destination, and the encoding method B
(Encoding effective for halftone / character mixed reading) application software is one-touch dial 01,
02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 1
0, and application software of encoding method C (encoding effective for character reading) is one-touch dial transmission to all destinations.
And register it.

Each of the above components is controlled by the control circuit 20. The control circuit 20 mainly performs the following control related to the present invention. That is, when the facsimile apparatus functions as a transmitter, when the facsimile apparatus receives a notification of the presence / absence information of the application software receiving function from the receiver side, the control circuit 20 sends the notification information to the receiver side based on the notification information. Specify whether to send application software. Then, when transmitting the application software to the receiver side, the type of the application software to be transmitted is notified. Further, when the receiver does not have a function of decoding information encoded by the encoding method A, for example, it has a function of receiving application software for decoding the encoding method A as notification information from the receiver. Is received and the transmission of the application software is permitted, the facsimile image signal is transmitted after transmitting the application software.

On the other hand, when the facsimile apparatus functions as a receiver, the control circuit 20 notifies the transmitter of the presence or absence of a reception function corresponding to each application software. The application software transmitted from the transmitter is received based on the information on the presence or absence of the notified reception function, and a predetermined facsimile operation is executed according to the received application software.

The facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment performs the above-described control by the control circuit 20. 8 to 13 described later are stored in the internal memory of the control circuit 20 in the form of a control program for realizing the control of the present embodiment.

FIGS. 8 to 13 show the control circuit 2 of this embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the control by 0.

In FIG. 8, in step S102, the information of the circuit 128 is cleared via the signal line 128a.
In a succeeding step S104, the display circuit 126 is set to a non-display state via the signal line 20h. And step S
At 106, a signal of signal level "0" is output to the signal line 20a to turn off the CML, and furthermore, step S108
Output a signal of signal level "0" and do not transmit the ANSam signal.

In step S110, information on the signal line 24a is input, and it is determined whether registration to the circuit 128 has been selected. If selected, the process proceeds to step S112. If not, the process proceeds to step S114 in FIG. .

In step S112, the destination to which transmission is permitted is registered in the circuit 128 via the signal line 128a in correspondence with each application software. For example, the application software of the encoding method A (encoding effective for halftone reading) is one-touch dial 01, 0
2, 03, 04, 05 are permitted to be transmitted to the destination, and the application software of the encoding method B (encoding effective for halftone / character mixed reading) is one-touch dial 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 0
The transmission to the destinations 9 and 10 is permitted, and the encoding method C
The application software (encoding effective for character reading) is registered in such a manner that transmission of one-touch dialing to all destinations is permitted. Then, step S1
Proceed to 14.

In FIG. 9, in steps S114 and S116, it is determined whether reception or transmission is selected. When reception is selected, the process proceeds to step S120. When transmission is selected, step S156 in FIG. 11 is performed. If neither is selected, the process proceeds to step S118 to perform other processes, and then returns to step S106.

In step S120, a signal of signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20a to turn on the CML. In step S122, the pre-procedure is executed. In this pre-procedure, the presence of the application software receiving function is notified. Further, specifically, it notifies that each application software of the encoding method A, the encoding method B and the encoding method C has a reception function.

In step S124, it is determined whether or not transmission of the application software has been designated by the transmitter. If so, the flow proceeds to step S130 in FIG. 10, and if not, the flow proceeds to step S126.

In step S126, image signals are received / recorded. Here, an image signal obtained by encoding MH, MR, MMR, and JBIG is received. Then, step S12
After performing the post-procedure in step 8, the process returns to step S106.

In FIG. 10, in step S130,
The application software to be transmitted from the transmission side is determined. If it is the application software of the encoding method A, the process proceeds to step S132, where the application software of the encoding method A is received and stored in the built-in memory.
After executing the intermediate procedure in 134, in step S136,
The image signal encoded by the encoding method A is received / recorded, a post-procedure is executed in step S138, and the process returns to step S106. If it is the application software of the encoding method B, the process proceeds to step S140, the application software of the encoding method B is received and stored in the built-in memory, and the intermediate procedure is executed in step S142. Receiving / recording of the image signal encoded by the encoding method B, and then performing step S1
The post-procedure is executed at 46, and the process returns to step S106. Further, if it is the application software of the encoding method C, the process proceeds to step S148, where the application software of the encoding method C is received and stored in the built-in memory.
After executing the intermediate procedure at 150, at step S152,
The image signal encoded by the encoding method C is received / recorded, a post-procedure is executed in step S154, and the process returns to step S106.

Referring to FIG. 11, in step S156,
A signal of a signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20a to output the CM
L is turned on, and in the subsequent step S158, the calling circuit 22
Is used to make a call to the designated destination, and then the pre-procedure is executed in step S160.

In step S162, information on the signal line 24a is input, and the reading mode is determined. as a result,
If the mode is the halftone mode, the process proceeds to step S164,
If the mode is the halftone / character mixed mode, the process proceeds to step S184 in FIG. 12B, and if the mode is the character mode, the process proceeds to step S200 in FIG.

In step S164, it is determined whether or not the other party has a function of decoding the information encoded by the encoding method A. If the answer is affirmative, the flow advances to step S166 to execute the encoding method A. Are transmitted in step S168, and the post-procedure is executed in step S168.
Return to If the answer is negative, the process proceeds to step S170.

In step S170, the other party determines whether or not there is a function of receiving the application software of encoding method A. If the answer is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S172.
If the answer is negative, the process proceeds to step S180 in FIG.

In step S172, information on the signal line 28a is input, and the transmission destination is 01, 0 of the one-touch dial.
It is determined which of 2, 03, 04 and 05 it is, and if it is an affirmative response, the process proceeds to step S74. If it is a negative response, the process proceeds to step S180.

In step S174, the remaining pre-procedure is executed. Here, transmission of the application software is designated, and it is notified that the transmission application software is the application software of the encoding method A. In step S176, the application software of the encoding method A is transmitted, and after the intermediate procedure is executed in step S178, the process proceeds to step S166.

In step S180 of FIG.
The image signal encoded by H, MR, MMR, and JBIG is transmitted, a post-procedure is executed in a succeeding step S182, and the process returns to the step S106.

In step S184 of FIG. 12B, it is determined whether or not the other party has a receiving function of the encoding method B. If the answer is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S186 to encode the data by the encoding method B. Then, the post-procedure is executed in step S188, and the process returns to step S106.
If the answer is negative, the process proceeds to step S190.

In step S190, it is determined whether or not the other party has a function of receiving the application software of the encoding method B. If the answer is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S192; if the answer is negative, the process proceeds to step S180. .

In step S192, information on the signal line 128a is input, and the transmission destination is 0 for one-touch dialing.
1,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,0
It is determined whether the response is any one of 9 and 10. If the response is an affirmative response, the process proceeds to step S194. If the response is a negative response, the process proceeds to step S180.

In step S194, the remaining pre-procedure is executed. Here, transmission of the application software is designated, and the transmission application software is notified that it is the application software of the encoding method B. Then, after transmitting the application software of the encoding method B in step S196, an intermediate procedure is executed in step S198, and the process proceeds to step S186.

At step S200 in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the other party has a function of receiving the encoding method C. If the answer is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S202 to display the image encoded by the encoding method C. After transmitting the signal, the post-procedure is executed in step S204, and the process returns to step S106. If the answer is negative, the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, it is determined whether or not the other party has a function of receiving the application software of the encoding method C. If the answer is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S208; if the answer is negative, the process proceeds to step S180. .

In step S208, the remaining pre-procedure is executed. Here, transmission of the application software is designated, and it is notified that the transmission application software is the application software of the encoding method C. And
After transmitting the application software of the encoding method C in step S210, an intermediate procedure is executed in step S212, and the process proceeds to step S202.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in consideration of maintaining confidentiality and ensuring communication reliability, a destination to which transmission is permitted is previously stored in the transmission permission registration circuit 128 in correspondence with each application software to be transmitted. Since the registration is performed, for example, when transmitting the application software of the encoding method A to a specific destination, if it is determined that there is no problem from the viewpoint of confidentiality and communication reliability, the application software is set to be transmitted. On the other hand, if there is a problem from the viewpoint of confidentiality and communication reliability, transmission can be set to be disabled. This allows the user to
It is possible to transmit application software having excellent functions such as greatly shortening the transmission time without being conscious of confidentiality and communication reliability.

As a modification of the present embodiment, after the negative response in step S172, the message “03-311-1111, which has just been called, transmits the application software of the encoding method A to the display circuit 126. Can be shortened. If you like, please register. " This display is erased by any key operation. Similarly, step S19
The display step may be added after the negative response of 2. In this case, encoding method B is used instead of encoding method A.

The present invention is not limited to the apparatus of the above-described embodiment, and may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including a single device. A storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that it will be completed by doing so.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM can be used. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer performs the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the operations are performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the next program code. Needless to say, the extended function may be performed by a CPU or the like provided in an expansion board or an expansion unit to perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. No.

[0124]

As described in detail above, according to the invention of claims 1 to 5, the invention of claim 12, the invention of claims 14 to 18, and the invention of claims 25 to 29 For example, the more software you download,
In addition, software with a lower usage frequency (for example, the number of times of use) can be erased preferentially, so that software that is frequently used and does not monopolize the memory can be left in the memory. As a result, the number of times of accessing the network and downloading the software can be reduced, and the usage efficiency is improved.

According to the invention of claim 4, the invention of claim 17, and the invention of claim 28, it is determined that the shorter the time required for downloading is, the faster the next download can be, and the software is given priority. Then, the optimum software including the network access can be left in the memory.

According to the invention of claim 5, the invention of claim 18, and the invention of claim 29, the time required to download the software takes into account the time zone of accessing the network. This makes it possible to accurately reflect situations such as difficult access.

The invention of claim 6 to claim 11, claim 1
According to the invention of claim 3, the invention of claim 19 to claim 24, and the invention of claim 30 to claim 35, when transmitting software to a specific destination, there is no problem from the viewpoint of confidentiality and communication reliability. If it is determined that the software is not present, the software can be set to be transmitted. On the other hand, if there is a problem from the viewpoint of confidentiality and communication reliability, the transmission can be set to be disabled. As a result, the user can transmit / receive software having excellent functions such as a drastic reduction in transmission time without being conscious of confidentiality and communication reliability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating control by a control circuit 20 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating control by a control circuit 20 according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 11;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 NCU (Network Controller) 4 Telephone 6 Hybrid Circuit 8 Modulator / Demodulator 10 ANSam Signal Transmission Circuit 12 Addition Circuit 14 Reading Circuit 16 Recording Circuit 18 Memory Circuit 20 Control Circuit 22 Calling Circuit 24 Operation Unit 26 Phone Number Registration Circuit 28 Software Management information registration circuit 50, 52, 54 Service provider 126 Display circuit 128 Transmission permission registration circuit

Claims (35)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus, comprising: download means for accessing a network to download software; and storage means for storing the software downloaded by the download means, and performing a predetermined facsimile operation according to the software. An erasing order determining unit that determines an erasing order of the software stored in the storage unit according to a capacity and a use frequency of the software downloaded by the unit; and an erasing order determined by the erasing order determining unit. A facsimile apparatus comprising: erasing means for erasing software. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use frequency is a use count. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use frequency is a use time. 4. The erasing order determining means is configured to determine an erasing order of the software stored in the storage means in consideration of a time required for accessing the network and downloading the software. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 5. The erasing order determining means is configured to determine an erasing order of the software stored in the storage means with reference to a time zone when a network is accessed. Facsimile machine. 6. A facsimile transmitter capable of transmitting software to a facsimile receiver having notification means for notifying information on a software reception function, wherein the facsimile receiver notifies the facsimile receiver of information on the software reception function. A facsimile transmitter, comprising means for designating whether or not to transmit software to the facsimile receiver based on the notification information when the facsimile is received. 7. A facsimile transmitter according to claim 6, further comprising means for notifying the facsimile receiver of a type of software to be transmitted when transmitting the software to the facsimile receiver. . 8. The facsimile transmitter according to claim 6, further comprising means for registering, for each software, a destination to which the transmission of the software is permitted or not. 9. When the facsimile receiver does not have predetermined software, the facsimile receiver receives a notification from the facsimile receiver that there is a function of receiving the predetermined software as notification information, and 9. The facsimile transmitter according to claim 8, wherein when the destination is the destination to which the transmission of the predetermined software is permitted, the facsimile image signal is transmitted after transmitting the predetermined software. 10. A notifying means for notifying a facsimile transmitter of information on a software receiving function, and receiving software transmitted from the facsimile transmitter based on the information on the receiving function notified by the notifying means. Receiving means for performing a predetermined facsimile operation in accordance with software received by the receiving means. 11. The facsimile receiver according to claim 10, wherein said notifying unit notifies the presence or absence of a receiving function corresponding to each software. 12. A facsimile system comprising the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1. Description: 13. A facsimile system comprising a facsimile transmitter according to claim 6 and a facsimile receiver according to claim 10 or 11. 14. A facsimile apparatus having a download unit for accessing a network to download software and a storage unit for storing the software downloaded by the download unit, and performing a predetermined facsimile operation in accordance with the software. An erasing order determining process for determining an erasing order of the software stored in the storing device in accordance with a capacity and a use frequency of the software downloaded by the downloading device; And f) deleting the software. 15. The facsimile control method according to claim 14, wherein the use frequency is a use count. 16. The facsimile control method according to claim 14, wherein the use frequency is a use time. 17. The erasing order determining process determines an erasing order of the software stored in the storage unit in consideration of a time required for accessing the network and downloading the software. 17. The facsimile control method according to claim 14, wherein: 18. The facsimile control method according to claim 17, wherein said erasing order determining means determines an erasing order of said software stored in said storage means with reference to a time zone in which a network is accessed. . 19. A facsimile receiver capable of transmitting software to a facsimile receiver having notification means for notifying information on a software reception function, and using the facsimile receiver to notify the information on the software reception function from the facsimile receiver. A facsimile control method comprising: specifying whether to transmit software to the facsimile receiver based on the notification information when received. 20. The facsimile control method according to claim 19, wherein when transmitting software to said facsimile receiver, the type of software to be transmitted is notified to said facsimile receiver. 21. The facsimile control method according to claim 19, wherein a destination to which software transmission is permitted or non-permitted is registered for each software. 22. When the facsimile receiver does not have predetermined software, the facsimile receiver receives a notification from the facsimile receiver that there is a function of receiving the predetermined software as notification information, and 22. The facsimile control method according to claim 21, wherein, when the destination is a destination to which transmission of the predetermined software is permitted, a facsimile image signal is transmitted after transmitting the predetermined software. 23. A notifying process for notifying a facsimile transmitter of information relating to a software receiving function, and receiving software transmitted from the facsimile transmitter based on the information relating to the receiving function notified by the notifying process. A receiving process, and performing a predetermined facsimile operation in accordance with the software received in the receiving process. 24. The facsimile control method according to claim 23, wherein said notifying process notifies the presence or absence of a reception function corresponding to each software. 25. A facsimile control method in a facsimile apparatus having a download unit for accessing a network to download software and a storage unit for storing the software downloaded by the download unit, and performing a predetermined facsimile operation according to the software. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, wherein the facsimile control method further comprises: an erasing order of the software stored in the storage unit according to a capacity and a use frequency of the software downloaded by the download unit. And an erasing step of erasing the software in the storage unit in accordance with the erasing order determined by the erasing order determining step. A storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 26. The storage medium according to claim 25, wherein the use frequency is the number of uses. 27. The storage medium according to claim 25, wherein the use frequency is a use time. 28. The erasing order determining step is a step of deciding an erasing order of the software stored in the storage means in consideration of a time required for accessing the network and downloading the software. 28. The storage medium according to claim 25, wherein: 29. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein said erasure order determining means determines an erasure order of said software stored in said storage means with reference to a time zone when a network is accessed. 30. A computer-readable program for executing a facsimile control method in a facsimile transmitter capable of transmitting software to a facsimile receiver having notification means for notifying information on a software reception function. A storage medium, wherein the facsimile control method is configured to, when receiving a notification of information on a software reception function from the facsimile receiver, determine whether software is transmitted to the facsimile receiver based on the notification information. A storage medium comprising the step of specifying 31. The storage medium according to claim 30, further comprising a step of notifying the type of software to be transmitted to the facsimile receiver when transmitting the software to the facsimile receiver. 32. The storage medium according to claim 30, further comprising a step of registering, for each piece of software, a destination to which the transmission of the software is permitted or not. 33. When the facsimile receiver does not have predetermined software, the facsimile receiver receives a notification from the facsimile receiver that there is a function of receiving the predetermined software as notification information, and 33. The storage medium according to claim 32, wherein, when the destination is a destination to which transmission of the predetermined software is permitted, a facsimile image signal is transmitted after transmitting the predetermined software. 34. A notifying step of notifying a facsimile transmitter of information on a software receiving function, and receiving software transmitted from the facsimile transmitter based on the information on the receiving function notified from the notifying step. A receiving step of performing a predetermined facsimile operation in accordance with the software received in the receiving step. 35. The storage medium according to claim 34, wherein said notifying step is a step of notifying whether or not there is a receiving function corresponding to each software.