JP2001292260A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile equipment capable of efficiently managing transmitting jobs. SOLUTION: The transmitting jobs of ordinary FAX, salutation FAX and Internet FAX are stored in a queue 1?3c of a RAM 13. Therefore, even in the case inquiring plural kinds of transmitting jobs from a main body 1a of the facsimile equipment, an option board 30 or a personal computer connected through a communication network, it is possible to easily respond to the inquiry. Therefore, the transmitting jobs can be efficiently managed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus connected to a communication network by an option board.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication network system in which a facsimile apparatus, a mail server, a personal computer, and the like are connected to each other using a communication network has been widely used. For this reason, some facsimile machines in recent years have a configuration in which an option board is added to the main body of the facsimile machine to connect to a communication network.

[0003]

The transmission job includes a transmission job performed by the main body of the facsimile machine via a public line network as in a normal facsimile transmission, and an option board and a communication network such as an Internet facsimile transmission. There is a transmission job performed on the option board via. In some cases, the transmission job is inquired from the facsimile apparatus body or a personal computer connected to a communication network. For this reason, it is necessary to easily respond to inquiry requests from a plurality of request sources for a plurality of types of transmission jobs.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of efficiently managing transmission jobs.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a first connection means for connecting to a public network, a second connection means for connecting to a communication network, A first storage unit provided on the first connection unit side for storing the transmission job; and a control unit for storing the transmission job via the first and second connection units in the first storage unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the second connection means includes a second storage means for storing a transmission job, and the control means includes a first and a second connection means. Transmitting the job via the first and second means
It is stored in the storage means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first connecting means for connecting to the public line network, the second connecting means for connecting to the communication network and having the second storing means for storing the transmission job, and Control means for storing the transmission job via the first and second connection means in the second storage means.

[0008] In the embodiments of the invention described below, the "first connection means" described in claims or means for solving the problem corresponds to the NCU 21, and the "second connection means" is also referred to as "second connection means". Equivalent to option board 30,
Similarly, the “first storage unit” corresponds to the RAM 13, the “second storage unit” corresponds to the RAM 33, and the “control unit” also corresponds to the MPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13.

[0009]

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

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication network system includes a facsimile apparatus (FA) having a telephone line L1.
X) 1, a gateway (HUB) interconnecting the gateway 2 connected to the Internet via the dedicated line L2, the mail server 3, a plurality of personal computers 4, and each of the devices 1-4.
5, a transceiver 6, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 7, an AUI cable 8, and a twisted pair cable 9.

The facsimile machine 1, gateway 2, mail server 3 and personal computer 4 are connected to a hub 5 via a twisted pair cable 9. Hub 5 is an AUI
It is connected to the transceiver 6 via a cable 8.
The transceiver 6 is connected to another transceiver 6 via an Ethernet cable 7. Facsimile machine 1, gateway 2, mail server 3, and personal computer 4
Has an interface for connecting to the twisted pair cable 9. The hub 5 is provided for connecting the twisted pair cable 9 and the AUI cable 8, and functions as a line concentrator in connection with the communication network T. The transceiver 6 is provided for connecting the AUI cable 8 and the Ethernet cable 7.

The facsimile machine 1 has a mail address as a client on the communication network T. The gateway 2 includes a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T. The gateway 2 also has a firewall function for preventing unauthorized entry into the communication network T.

The mail server 3 has a communication protocol (SMTP, POP3, etc.) used for electronic mail. When you send the e-mail with the image data attached,
Internet FAX can be realized.

The plurality of personal computers 4 includes a control unit for controlling the entire personal computer 4, and an LCD for displaying various information.
And a storage unit such as a keyboard and mouse for inputting predetermined characters and the like, and a hard disk, etc., for instructing various information displayed on the display unit. Further, the plurality of personal computers 4 are connected to the facsimile machine 1, the gateway 2, the mail server 3 and another personal computer 4, and between the facsimile machine 1 or the mail server 3 and the external facsimile machine via the gateway 2. It has a communication protocol for transmitting and receiving. The plurality of personal computers 4 have mail addresses as clients on the communication network T.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile machine 1
Are the facsimile machine body 1a and the option board 30
It is composed of The facsimile machine main body 1a
MPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, image memory 18,
It comprises a codec 19, a modem 20, an NCU 21 and an option board slot section 22, and the sections 11 to 22 are respectively connected via a bus 23.

The MPU 11 controls each part of the facsimile machine 1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the facsimile machine 1. RAM 13
Temporarily stores various information related to transmission and reception of the facsimile machine 1. Specifically, the RAM 13 stores a normal F
A transmission log area 13a and a reception log area 13b for storing a transmission log and a reception log of the AX and the salutation FAX, and a transmission log and a reception log of the Internet FAX via the mail server 3 and the gateway 2 are provided. Further, the RAM 13 includes a queue 13c for storing the transmission job.

The reading unit 14 reads image data on a document and outputs black and white binary image data. The recording unit 15 is formed of an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data or image data of a document read by the reading unit 14 on recording paper in a recording operation or a copying operation of received image data.

The operation unit 16 includes a numeric keypad (including * and # keys) 16a for inputting a telephone number, an abbreviated key 16b for registering an abbreviated number or transmitting from an abbreviated number, a telephone number or a FAX number registered in advance. One-touch key 16c for designating a one-touch operation, a start key 16d for starting a document reading operation, and a "communication (FA)
X) Communication for setting "operation" or "copy" operation /
Various operation keys such as a copy key 16e are provided. LC
D, etc., of the facsimile apparatus body 1a
Various information such as the operating state of the device is displayed.

The image memory 18 is read out by the received image data and the reading unit 14 and is binarized.
The image data encoded according to the R system is temporarily stored. The image memory 18 temporarily stores image data transmitted from the personal computer 4 via the option board slot unit 22.

The codec 19 encodes the image data read by the reading unit 14 in accordance with the MH, MR, MMR system or the like for transmission. The codec 19 decodes the received image data.

The modem 20 conforms to ITU-T Recommendation T.30. Facsimile transmission control procedure according to V.30 and V.30. 17, V. 2
7ter, V.A. Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to 29 or the like are performed. The NCU 21 has functions of closing and opening the telephone line L1, detecting transmission and reception of a dial signal corresponding to the fax number of the other party, and the like.

The option board slot section 22 has an option board 3 for connecting to the communication network T.
0 is equipped. That is, the option board 30
Is provided in the option board slot section 22, the connection to the communication network T becomes possible.

As shown in FIG.
Is composed of an MPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an image memory 34, a data conversion unit 35, a PC card interface 36, a PC card type memory 37, a communication protocol control unit 38, and a network interface 39. Are connected via a bus 40.

The MPU 31 controls each part constituting the option board 30. The ROM 32 stores a basic program for controlling the option board 30. The RAM 33 temporarily stores various information regarding the option board 30. The image memory 34 stores the image data sent from the personal computer 4.

The data conversion unit 35 includes a TIFF, BM transmitted from the personal computer 4 via the communication network T.
Image data such as P, GIF, JPEG, PCX, DCX, etc. can be stored in MH, MR, MMR format, TIFF-MH, TIF
The image data is converted into image data of F-MR, TIFF-MMR or the like. Conversely, the MH, MR, MMR system, TIFF-MH, TIFF-
In order to convert image data such as MR, TIFF-MMR, etc. into a format that can be easily handled by a plurality of personal computers 4, a TIF
The image data is converted into image data such as F, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, and DCX.

The PC card interface 36 is
The PC card type memory 37 is accessed via the PC card adapter 36a based on the control signal from the PU 31. The PC card type memory 37 is "PC Card Standard"
Compliant with, for example, a flash memory (EEPROM), and stores data relating to transmission / reception via the option board 30. That is, even if the power of the facsimile machine 1 is stopped or a power failure occurs, data related to transmission and reception is not lost.

The communication protocol control unit 38 communicates with other devices on the communication network T via the network interface 39,
9 and a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T via the public line network or the like. Specifically, for example, SMTP (mail transmission protocol), POP3 (mail reception protocol), IT
U.T. Recommendation T. 30, ie communication protocol of facsimile transmission control procedure, salutation
It has a communication protocol for salutation specified by the consortium.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine body 1a when transmitting a normal FAX and a salutation FAX will be described. First, the facsimile apparatus main body 1a
The transmission instruction process from the transmission instruction to the writing of the transmission job will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is performed under the control of the MPU 11 based on the program stored in the ROM 12 (hereinafter, the same as the operation of the facsimile apparatus main body 1a).

In step S1, a normal FAX transmission instruction is issued from the operation unit 16. Specifically, communication /
After the copy key 16e is operated to switch to the communication (FAX) mode, the original is placed on the reading unit 14. Then, in the case of normal fax transmission, the fax number of the destination is input, and the start key 16d is operated. In step S2, the document is read by the reading unit 14,
The read image data of the document is
After being encoded according to the MR method or the like, it is stored in the image memory 18.

In step S3, if the transmission job is R
The data is written to the queue 13c of the AM 13. Next, a transmission instruction process from a salutation FAX transmission instruction to writing of a transmission job by one of the personal computers 4 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is performed under the control of the MPU 31 based on a program stored in the ROM 32.

In step S11, a transmission job and image data are transferred from any of the personal computers 4 to the option board 30, and are received by the option board 30.

In step S12, the image data is stored in the image memory 34 of the option board 30. In step S13, the transmission job is written to the queue 13c of the RAM 13.

Next, an operation when image data is transmitted by a normal FAX or a salutation FAX based on a transmission job from the facsimile apparatus body 1a or any of the personal computers 4 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. explain.

In step S21, the transmission job is read from the queue 13c of the RAM 13. In step S22, based on the transmission job, the image data stored in the image memory 18 of the facsimile apparatus main body 1a or the image memory 34 of the option board 30 is read.

In step S23, normal FAX transmission or salutation FAX transmission is performed to the other party. That is, the image data is transmitted to the destination by a normal FAX or salutation FAX.

In step S24, the transmission job is deleted from the queue 13c of the RAM 13. Step S
In step 25, transmission log data is created, and the transmission log data is stored in the transmission log area 13a of the RAM 13.

Next, a normal FAX and salutation FAX reception process in the facsimile machine body 1a will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
In step S31, when an incoming call is detected by the NCU 21, the image data is received, and the image data is stored in the image memory 18.

In step S32, reception log data is created, and the reception log data is stored in the reception log area 13b of the RAM 13. In step S33, it is determined whether distribution is necessary. Specifically, in the case of salutation FAX, it is determined whether or not distribution is necessary based on whether or not the user name of the distribution destination indicated in the salutation / facsimile transmission control procedure is stored. . If distribution is necessary, the process proceeds to step S34. On the other hand, if distribution is not necessary, that is, in the case of a normal fax, the process proceeds to step S35.

In step S34, image data distribution processing is performed based on the user name. Step S3
At 5, the normal FAX print processing is executed.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine body 1a when transmitting an Internet FAX will be described. First, the transmission instruction processing from the transmission instruction to the writing of the transmission job in the facsimile apparatus main body 1a will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S41, an instruction to transmit an Internet FAX is issued from the operation unit 16. Specifically, the address of the destination is input, and the start key 1
6d is operated.

In step S42, the original is read by the reading unit 14, and the image data of the read original is encoded by the codec 19 according to the MMR method or the like, and then stored in the image memory 18.

In step S43, the transmission job is written in the queue 13c of the RAM 13. Next, an operation of transmitting image data by Internet FAX based on a transmission job from the facsimile apparatus body 1a will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S51, a transmission job is read from the queue 13c of the RAM 13. In step S52, the image data stored in the image memory 18 of the facsimile machine main body 1a is read based on the transmission job.

In step S53, Internet FAX transmission is performed to the other party. Specifically, the image data in the electronic mail format is transferred to the mail server 3 via the option board 30. Then, the image data is transmitted to the destination via the Internet FAX via the gateway 2.

In step S54, the transmission job is deleted from the queue 13c of the RAM 13. Step S
At 55, transmission log data is created, and the transmission log data is stored in the transmission log area 13a of the RAM 13.

Next, the reception processing of the Internet FAX in the facsimile machine body 1a will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S61, when the Internet FAX is received by the mail server 3 via the gateway 2, the received mail is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus main body 1 via the option board 30.
a, and the received mail is stored in the image memory 18.

In step S62, reception log data is created, and the reception log data is stored in the reception log area 13b of the RAM 13. In step S63, print processing associated with Internet FAX reception is executed.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained. Normal FAX, Salutation FAX and Internet F
The transmission job of AX is stored in the queue 13c of the RAM 13. That is, based on instructions from the facsimile apparatus main body 1a and any one of the personal computers 4, a mail server based on normal facsimile transmission / reception and salutation facsimile transmission / reception performed by the facsimile apparatus main body 1a and an instruction from the facsimile apparatus main body 1a. The transmission job with Internet FAX transmission / reception performed via R3 is R
It is stored in the queue 13c of the AM 13. For this reason,
Even when inquiring a plurality of types of transmission jobs from the facsimile machine body 1a, the option board 30, and the personal computer 4 connected via the communication network, it is possible to easily respond. Therefore, transmission jobs can be managed efficiently.

The above embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. In the above embodiment, the RA of the facsimile machine body 1a
Although the transmission job was managed in M13,
Instead, the transmission job may be managed in the RAM 33 of the option board 30. With such a configuration, for example, an inquiry about a transmission job from the personal computer 4 can be made to the RAM 33 of the option board 30. Therefore, access from the personal computer 4 to the queue for managing the transmission job is improved. Therefore, transmission jobs can be managed efficiently.

In addition, the R of the facsimile machine body 1a
The transmission job may be managed by both the AM 13 and the RAM 33 of the option board 30. In the case of such a configuration, the facsimile apparatus main body 1a
It is necessary to maintain the same identity between the transmission job stored in the RAM 13 and the transmission job stored in the RAM 33 of the option board 30. Specifically, when the transmission job is updated in the queue, the facsimile apparatus main body 1a
It is necessary to update the transmission job for both the RAM 13 of the option board 30 and the RAM 33 of the option board 30.
However, with this configuration, for example, the inquiry of the transmission job from the personal computer 4 can be made to the RAM 33 of the option board 30, and the inquiry of the transmission job from the operation unit 16 can be made to the RAM 13. Can be. Therefore, access from the personal computer 4 and the operation unit 16 to the queue for managing the transmission job is improved. Therefore, transmission jobs can be managed efficiently.

The e-mail from the personal computer 4 without passing through the option board 30, that is, the e-mail from the personal computer 4 via the mail server 3 and the gateway 2 is broadcast to the facsimile apparatus main body 1a using the SMTP protocol of the mail server 3. The transmission / reception log from the personal computer 4 is also stored in the RAM 13 and the RAM of the option board 30.
33 or RAM 13 and RAM 3 of option board 30
3 may be managed.

Further, technical ideas other than the claims grasped from the above embodiment and the like will be described below together with their effects. [1] The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication is facsimile communication. Note that the facsimile communication is performed by a normal FAX or salutation FA in the above-described embodiment.
X and Internet FAX. With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently manage a transmission job in facsimile communication.

[2] In a communication network system to which a facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or [1] is connected, the communication network system comprises a mail server and a communication terminal device. A communication network system, wherein the mail server broadcasts an electronic mail from the communication terminal device to the facsimile device. The communication terminal device corresponds to the personal computer 4 in the embodiment. With this configuration, even if the electronic mail does not pass through the facsimile machine, the transmission job can be efficiently managed at least in the first or second storage unit.

[0055]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to efficiently manage a transmission job.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication network system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an option board.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating a transmission instruction process in the facsimile apparatus main body. (B) Flowchart showing transmission instruction processing from a personal computer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when image data is transmitted by a normal FAX or a salutation FAX based on a transmission job.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a normal FAX and salutation FAX reception process in the facsimile apparatus main body.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a transmission instruction process in the facsimile apparatus main body.

FIG. 8 shows an Internet FAX based on a transmission job.
5 is a flowchart showing an operation when transmitting image data in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an Internet FAX reception process.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile machine, 11 ... MP which comprises a control means
U, 12: ROM constituting control means, 13: RAM constituting control means and first storage means, 21: NCU as first connection means, 30: option board as second connection means, 33: second RAM as storage means, T ...
Communication network.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. First connection means for connecting to a public network,
A second connection unit for connecting to the communication network; a first storage unit provided on the first connection unit side for storing a transmission job; and a transmission job via the first and second connection units stored in the first storage unit. A facsimile machine having a control unit. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second connection unit includes a second storage unit that stores the transmission job, and the control unit stores the transmission job via the first and second connection units. A facsimile device to be stored in the first and second storage means. 3. A first connection means for connecting to a public network,
A second connection unit that is connected to the communication network and has a second storage unit that stores the transmission job; and a control unit that stores the transmission job via the first and second connection units in the second storage unit. Facsimile machine.