JP2001053926A - Image communication device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely process a BFT(binary file transfer) file at the side of a receiver by notifying a transmitter of the presence or absence of a function that uploads the BFT file received by a receive into a personal computer or a server and making the transmitter designate to the receiver whether the file to undergo the BFT is processed at the receiver side or uploaded into the personal computer or the sever. SOLUTION: A control circuit 20 of a facsimile machine performs the BFT and notifies the presence or absence of a function that uploads a received BFT file into a personal computer PC1 that is directly connected to the circuit 20 or the personal computers PC2-PC5 of a LAN and a personal computer PC6 that is used as a server. Then it is designated whether the BET file is processed at the receiver side or uploaded into the computers PC1-PC6. When the BFT file is uploaded into the computers PC1-PC6, the facsimile machine converts the BFT file into a printable format.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to an image communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus capable of BFT (binary file transfer) transmission.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional facsimile apparatus capable of BFT transmission declares that a BFT transmission reception function is provided by a DIS signal, and transmits a DCS signal from a transmitter to a receiver.
Specifies BFT transmission.

[0003]

However, in the BFT transmission, since a strict definition has not been determined for the attribute of the file, the transmitter and the receiver transmit the B
It is often transmitted after recognizing the attributes of the FT file.

[0004] For this reason, after the transmitter and the receiver recognize the BFT file to be sent from now on, the communication is executed, so that the transmission is possible only when the transmitter and the receiver are made by the same maker. However, there is a problem that it is not possible to make effective use by mutually entering with other people.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-use image communication apparatus that can reliably process a BFT file on the receiver side.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image communication apparatus which can be directly connected to a personal computer or can be connected to a LAN, for executing BFT transmission;
Notifying means for notifying the transmitter of the function of uploading a file by BFT transmission received by the receiver to the personal computer or a network server to the transmitter, and a file to be transmitted by BFT on the receiver side. An image communication apparatus characterized in that the transmitter has designation means for designating the receiver as to whether to perform processing or upload to the personal computer or a network server.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect,
A BFT file specified to be uploaded to a personal computer or a network server from the transmitter to the receiver is uploaded as it is without any processing on the receiver side, and information indicating that fact is added, On the other hand, BFT files that are not specified to be uploaded to a personal computer or a network server from the transmitter to the receiver are processed on the receiver side,
An image communication device characterized by not uploading.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the image communication apparatus is a facsimile apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in an image communication apparatus which can be directly connected to a personal computer or can be connected to a LAN, a means for executing a BFT transmission and a file which is received by a receiver and transmitted by the BFT transmission are transmitted to the personal computer. Alternatively, the receiver notifies the transmitter of the presence or absence of the function of uploading to the network server, and the receiver processes the file to be transmitted by BFT on the receiver side,
Alternatively, the image communication apparatus having the designation means for designating the receiver as the receiver by the transmitter and the BFT file designated to be uploaded to the PC or network server can be uploaded to the PC or the network server. When the BFT file is specified to be printed on a personal computer directly connected to the facsimile device or a personal computer connected to the network, the personal computer converts the BFT file into a format that can be printed by the facsimile device. And a personal computer for performing a print operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect,
A BFT file specified to be uploaded to a personal computer or a network server from the transmitter to the receiver is uploaded as it is without any processing on the receiver side, and information indicating that fact is added, On the other hand, BFT files that are not specified to be uploaded to a personal computer or a network server from the transmitter to the receiver are processed on the receiver side,
An image communication system characterized by not uploading.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the image communication system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the image communication device is a facsimile device.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, an NCU (network control unit) 2 connects a telephone network to a terminal of the line in order to use the telephone network for data communication and the like, controls connection of a telephone exchange network, and connects to a data communication path. And the loop is maintained. The NCU 2 is connected to the control circuit 20
If the signal level (signal line 20a) is “0”,
The telephone line 2a is connected to the telephone, and the signal level is "1".
Then, the telephone line 2a 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 a transmission system signal and a reception system signal, sends a transmission signal from the addition circuit 12 to the telephone line 2a via the NCU 2, and receives a 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.I. 29, V.I. 17, V.I.
34, a modulator and a demodulator that performs modulation and demodulation based on C.34.
Each transmission mode is specified 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 8a.
b.

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

The addition circuit 12 inputs the information of the signal line 8a and the information of the signal line 10a, and adds the result of the addition to the signal line 12a.
output to a.

The read circuit 14 transmits read data to a signal line 14.
output to a.

The recording circuit 16 sequentially records information output to the signal line 20e line by line.

The memory circuit 18 is used to store raw information or encoded information of read data, and to store received information or decoded information.

The operation unit 22 has a one-touch dial, abbreviated dial, numeric keys, * / # keys, a start key, a set key, a stop key, and other function keys, and pressed key information is output to a signal line 22a. .

The BFT transmission selection button 24 is used to select BFT (binary file transfer) transmission.
When the BFT transmission selection button 24 is pressed, a pressing pulse is generated on the signal line 24a.

The BFT transmission display circuit 26 is connected to the signal line 20f.
When a clear pulse is generated, nothing is displayed and the signal line 2
4A, every time a pressing pulse is generated, “BFT transmission (FA
X) → “BFT transmission (processing on PC)” → “Nothing is displayed” → “BFT transmission (FA
X processing) designation "is displayed. When nothing is displayed, a signal “0” is output to the signal line 26a and “BF” is output.
When "T transmission (processing by facsimile)" is displayed, signal "1" is output to signal line 26a, and when "BFT transmission (processing by personal computer)" is displayed,
The signal "2" is output to the signal line 26a.

The personal computer PC1 is a personal computer directly connected to the facsimile machine, and includes personal computers PC2, PC3, PC
4, PC5 and PC6 are personal computers connected via a network, and Pasoko PC6 is used as a server.

The control circuit 20 is an example of a means for executing binary file transfer (BFT) transmission in a facsimile apparatus which can be directly connected to a personal computer or connectable to a LAN. This is an example of a notification means for notifying the presence or absence of a function of uploading a file to a personal computer or a network server. The transmitter determines whether a file to be transmitted by BFT will be processed on the receiver side or uploaded to a server on a personal computer or a network. This is an example of a designation means for designating a receiver, in which the designation of uploading to a personal computer or a network server is such that the BFT file that was in the receiver from the transmitter is uploaded without any processing on the receiver side, And add information to that effect, while on the PC or internet server Specifies the uploading is, BFT file is not in the receiver from the transmitter, it processes the receiver side,
Do not upload.

Here, when a BFT file specified to be uploaded to a personal computer or a network server is uploaded, a print designation of the file is made on a personal computer directly connected to the facsimile apparatus or a personal computer connected to the net. Then, the personal computer converts the data into a format printable by the facsimile machine and performs a printing operation.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are flowcharts showing the control operation of the control circuit 20.

First, a clear pulse is generated on the signal line 20f, a BFT transmission is not displayed on the BFT transmission display circuit 26 (S2), a signal of signal level "0" is output on the signal line 20a, and the CML is turned off. (S4). And the signal line 20
The signal of the signal level "0" is output to d, and the ANSam signal is not transmitted (S6).

It is determined whether transmission or reception has been selected (S8, S10). If transmission is selected, step S1 is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to step S56, and if neither reception nor transmission is selected, the process proceeds to step S12 to perform other processes.

It is determined from the personal computer or the network whether or not there is a file recording designation in the server of the personal computer or the network (S14). If there is a file recording designation, the process proceeds to S80. It returns to step S4.

The information of the signal line 26a is input, and the method of designating the BFT transmission is checked (S16). If the BFT transmission is not selected, the process proceeds to step S18, where the FFT on the receiver side is performed.
If BFT transmission, which performs processing by AX itself, is selected,
Proceeding to step S26, if BFT transmission to upload to a directly connected personal computer or network server is selected without performing any processing by the FAX itself on the receiver side, the process proceeds to step S40.

The signal of the signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20a, and the CML is turned on (S18).

A pre-procedure is performed (S20).
Do not specify transmission of T. Then, the image signal is read / transmitted (S22), and the post-procedure (S24) is performed.

A signal of signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20a, the CML is turned on (S26), and the pre-procedure is performed (S26).
28).

It is determined whether or not the other party has a BFT receiving function (S30). If it has a BFT receiving function, the process proceeds to step S32. If not, the process proceeds to step S38.

The remaining pre-procedure is performed (S32), where
BFT transmission is specified, and processing is performed by the receiver itself without uploading to a personal computer connected to the receiver or a network server.

The BFT file is transmitted (S34), and the post-procedure is performed (S36).

Since the receiver does not have a BFT receiving function,
The fact that the FT transmission is to be stopped is displayed on a display unit (not shown) (S38). Here, this display is erased by any key operation.

A signal of signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20a, the CML is turned on (S40), the pre-procedure is performed (S42), and it is determined whether or not the other receiver has a BFT receiving function. If there is a BFT receiving function (S44), the process proceeds to step S46. If there is no BFT receiving function, the process proceeds to step S38.

The other party's receiver determines whether the personal computer connected to the receiver or the server on the network has an upload function (S46). If there is an upload function, the process proceeds to step S48. If there is no upload function, the process proceeds to step S54.

The remaining pre-procedure is performed (S48), where
BFT transmission is specified, and uploading to a personal computer or network server connected to the receiver is specified. Then, the BFT file is transmitted (S
50), a post-procedure is performed (S52).

Since the receiver does not have a function of uploading to a personal computer or a network server connected to the receiver, a message to stop BFT transmission is displayed on a display unit (not shown) (S54). Here, this display is erased by any key operation. Then, a signal of the signal level "1" is output to the signal line 20a to turn on the CML (S56),
A pre-procedure is performed (S58). Here, the presence of the BFT receiving function is notified, and the personal computer connected to the own device or the server of the network is notified that the function of uploading is available.

It is determined whether or not BFT transmission has been designated (S60), and if BFT transmission has not been designated by the transmitter,
An image signal is received / recorded (S62). Perform post-procedure (S6
4).

When BFT transmission is specified (S60), it is determined whether or not uploading to a personal computer or network server connected to the receiver is specified from the transmitter (S66). When uploading to the server is specified by the transmitter, the BFT file is received in the memory (S72), and the post-procedure is performed (S74).

If it is not specified by the transmitter to upload to a personal computer or a network server,
The BFT file is received / received by the receiver itself, for example, a recording process is performed (S68), and a post-procedure is performed (S7).
0).

A signal of signal level "0" is output to the signal line 20a, and the CML is turned off (S76). The BFT file received in the memory is uploaded to a personal computer or a network server (S78). The information uploaded to the personal computer or network server is converted into a file that can be processed by the receiver on the personal computer or network, and the file is received and recorded (S80).

Although the above-described embodiment is a facsimile apparatus, the above-described embodiment may be applied to another image communication apparatus such as a personal computer capable of transmitting and receiving image information, such as a personal computer.

According to the above-described embodiment, the operator on the transmitter side makes a decision and, depending on the type of file, processes the file on the receiver or uses a personal computer connected directly to the receiver or via a network. Since it is possible to specify whether or not to process the BFT file, the BFT file can be reliably processed on the receiver side, and it is easy to use.

According to the above embodiment, the BF specified to be uploaded to the personal computer or the network server is specified.
When the T file is uploaded, when the BFT file is specified to be printed on a personal computer directly connected to the facsimile machine or a personal computer connected to the network, the personal computer is in a format that the facsimile machine can print. The BFT file, which is designated to be processed by the personal computer from the transmitter, can be processed by the facsimile machine after being processed by the personal computer, and the BFT transmission can be effectively used. .

[0050]

According to the first, second and third aspects of the present invention,
The operator on the transmitter side can judge and, depending on the type of file, specify whether to process with the receiver or to process with a personal computer connected directly to the receiver or via a network, The BFT file can be reliably processed on the receiver side, and it is easy to use.

According to the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, a BFT file designated to be processed by a personal computer from a transmitter can be reliably processed by a facsimile apparatus after being processed by a personal computer. It has the effect that it can be used effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of a control circuit 20;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of a control circuit 20;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of a control circuit 20;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the control circuit 20.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the control circuit 20.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 20: control circuit, 24: BFT transmission selection button, 26: BFT transmission display circuit, PC1: personal computer directly connected to the facsimile machine, PC2 to PC5: personal computer connected via a network, PC6: used as a server computer.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Daisuke Suga 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshiaki Saito 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Yuji Kurosawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA14 AA25 AA35 AB38 AB41 AB42 AC22 AE14 AE15 BA00 5C073 AA06 AB02 BA01 BB01 CD22 CE08 5C075 AB02 CA14 CD09 CD13 CD22 CF05 FF90 5K101 KK01 KK02 NN03 NN06 NN18 NN21 TT06

Claims (6)

[Claims] A direct connection to a personal computer or LA
Means for performing a BFT transmission in an image communication apparatus connectable to the N; BFT received by the receiver
A notifying means for notifying the transmitter of the function of uploading the file by transmission to the personal computer or the server of the network to the transmitter; whether the file to be transmitted by BFT is processed on the receiver side, or Specifying means for the transmitter to specify to the receiver whether to upload to the personal computer or the server of the network. 2. The BFT file according to claim 1, wherein the designation of uploading to a personal computer or a network server is such that a BFT file that has been sent from the transmitter to the receiver is uploaded without any processing on the receiver side. The BFT file for which the specification of uploading to a personal computer or a network server is not provided from the transmitter to the receiver is added.
An image communication device characterized in that it is processed on the receiver side and is not uploaded. 3. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication device is a facsimile device. 4. A direct connection to a personal computer or LA
N, in the image communication apparatus connectable to the N, means for executing the BFT transmission, and whether or not the receiver has the function of uploading the file by the BFT transmission received by the receiver to the personal computer or the network server. Notification means for notifying the receiver that the file to be transmitted by the BFT is to be processed by the receiver or to be uploaded to the personal computer or a network server by the transmitter. When a BFT file specified to be uploaded to a personal computer or a network server is uploaded, the BFT file is printed on a personal computer directly connected to the facsimile apparatus or a personal computer connected to the network. When specified, the above PC Image communication system characterized by having a; facsimile apparatus in a printable format, converting the BFT file, and the computer performs the printing operation. 5. The BFT file according to claim 4, wherein the designation of uploading to a personal computer or a network server is such that a BFT file which has been transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver is uploaded without any processing on the receiver side. The BFT file for which the specification of uploading to a personal computer or a network server is not provided from the transmitter to the receiver is added.
An image communication system characterized by processing at the receiver side and not uploading. 6. The image communication system according to claim 4, wherein the image communication device is a facsimile device.