JP2002027186A - Data processing unit, its method and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile terminal that can set parameters with a proper selection permissible range even when both of the facsimile and a personal computer setting the parameters with a common selection permissible range have not information denoting a selection permissible range in advance. SOLUTION: Information in response to a country in which the facsimile equipment 100 is installed is read from selection permissible range information of parameters specified by countries stored in a ROM 103 and stored in a RAM 102, and transferred to the personal computer 300 via an external interface section 109 so as to reflect the information on the setting at the personal computer 300 side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing device connected to an external device and having predetermined parameters set, a data processing method between such a device and another device, and controlling the same. For a computer-readable storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a system in which a facsimile apparatus is connected to a personal computer and the facsimile apparatus is operated in accordance with an instruction from the personal computer.

In such a system, various parameters such as on / off of a certain function, the number of redials and intervals are set in the facsimile apparatus, and the personal computer is also used to give instructions to the facsimile apparatus. You need to make settings.

[0004] In a facsimile apparatus and the like, there are items which are indispensable in the installation country or the like and are subject to restrictions.

[0005] Therefore, in order to cope with this, in both the facsimile machine and the personal computer,
Information on the regulations and the like is held, and if the information is based on the country of establishment, the country of establishment is determined and the regulations corresponding to the country are reflected.

[0006]

However, in the past, despite the fact that both parties deal with common regulation information, both parties have to hold various patterns of regulation information, which is extremely wasteful. .

[0007] Further, if a different product is used for each regulation pattern, productivity will be significantly reduced.

Further, for example, when the restriction information is held only on the facsimile machine side, another inconvenience occurs if an instruction ignoring the restriction is received from a personal computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and makes it possible to set a parameter in an appropriate selection allowable range without having information indicating a parameter selection allowable range in both devices in advance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data processing device, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0010]

To achieve the above object, a data processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

[0011] That is, setting means for setting predetermined parameters, connecting means for connecting to an external device, and information indicating a permissible selection range of parameters set by the setting means are transferred to the external device via the connecting means. Transfer means for performing the transfer.

[0012]

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

FIG. 1 shows a facsimile apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as P
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data communication system in which a data transfer interface 200 is connected to the C) 300.

First, the configuration of the facsimile apparatus 100 will be described.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU (Central Pro) for controlling the operation of the facsimile apparatus 100 as a whole.
sessing Unit).

Reference numeral 102 denotes a random access memory (RAM) for storing setting data, system data, image data, and the like, which are various parameters of the facsimile apparatus 100, and used by the CPU 101 as a work area.
ess Memory). The setting data stored in the RAM 102 includes information on / off of various functions of the facsimile apparatus 100 (external / external line switching function, mercury function, econophone function, etc.), destination information, communication modes such as communication speed, and original reading. , A read mode, an image recording mode, an access code, a password, the number of redials, a redial interval, and the like. And RAM
Reference numeral 102 denotes information indicating the country in which the facsimile apparatus 100 is installed, a selection allowable range of these setting data determined based on the installation country (for example, a function that must be turned on, a limit on the number of redials, a selectable range of the redial interval, and the like). ) Is stored in each area. In addition,
Areas are allocated for various purposes. The RAM 102 is a non-volatile memory that is backed up by a battery and does not lose its contents even when the power of the main body is cut off.

A ROM 103 stores an operation program for the CPU 101 to control the operation of the facsimile apparatus 100, font data, table data indicating a permissible range of setting data for each country of installation, and other table data. (ReadOnly Memory)
It is. When information indicating the installation country is specified, this ROM 1
The information indicating the allowable range of the setting data corresponding to the installation country stored in the RAM 103 is read out.
Is stored in the area for the selection allowable range.

An operation unit 104 includes ten keys, one-touch keys, a mode key, a set key, and the like, and is used for manual input by an operator. An operation of registering or changing setting data stored in the RAM 102 is performed by an input from the operation unit 104.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a display unit which is constituted by an LCD or an LED and displays various information such as the operation status of the facsimile apparatus 100 and the registration status of the setting data, and notifies the operator of the various information.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an NCU (Network Co.)
control unit), a data / facsimile communication modem, a call signal detector, a line connection jack, etc., for performing communication via a communication line (a public network using a general telephone line). . The communication unit 106 performs a redial process for calling the designated destination and, if the communication cannot be completed properly, calling again according to the setting data registered in the RAM 102.

A reading unit 107 reads an image on a document set on the facsimile apparatus 100 and transfers image data based on the image to a read image area of the RAM 102.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a recording unit for reading out image data stored in a recording image area of the RAM 102 and printing an image based on the image data on recording paper.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a facsimile apparatus 100 and a PC
An external interface unit for transmitting / receiving various information to / from the external device 300. For example, USB I / F or IEEE
It is assumed that information is exchanged according to a procedure based on E1284.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a CPU bus for connecting the above components of the facsimile apparatus 100.

Reference numeral 200 denotes a facsimile apparatus 100 and a PC
It is an information transfer interface for externally connecting 300, and is a cable used for a general peripheral device. For example, USB interface or Bi-Cent
A ronics interface can be used.

The facsimile apparatus 100 is a facsimile apparatus that can operate as a stand-alone apparatus even when the PC 300 is not connected via the information transfer interface 200. The operation based on the instruction from the operation unit 104, the automatic reception and the recording operation of the received image can be performed independently.

Next, the configuration of the PC 300 will be described.

Reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU for controlling the operation of the PC 300 as a whole.

Reference numeral 302 denotes an operating system (O
S), a volatile RAM used as a work area for the CPU 301 for executing various drivers and application software.

Reference numeral 303 denotes a ROM in which a boot program and the like of the PC 300 are stored.

Reference numeral 304 denotes a storage unit in which various software is installed, and various setting data and the like are also stored in the storage unit 304. The storage unit 304 is a nonvolatile memory constituted by a hard disk.

Reference numeral 305 denotes the facsimile apparatus 100 and the PC
An external interface unit for transmitting / receiving various information to / from the external device 300. For example, Bi-Centroni
In the case of the csI / F, information exchange is performed according to a procedure based on IEEE1284, and the PC 300 takes the initiative to control the information exchange. That is, the direction for transmitting and receiving information is controlled while switching the state of the signal line under the control of the PC 300. After controlling the state of the signal line so that the information can be transmitted, the PC 300 issues a command to the facsimile apparatus 100 and changes the state of the signal line to a state in which a response from the facsimile apparatus 100 can be received. Receive.

Reference numeral 306 denotes an operation unit such as a keyboard and a mouse for the operator to give various instructions to the PC 300. It is also possible to refer to or change setting data stored in the RAM 102 of the facsimile apparatus 100 according to an instruction from the operation unit 306.

Reference numeral 307 denotes a display unit for visually displaying user interface screens such as setting data and operation screens of the PC 300 so as to be provided to an operator.
It is composed of a display such as an RT.

Reference numeral 308 denotes a CPU bus for connecting the components of the PC 300 to one another.

Note that general-purpose components can be used for the components constituting the PC 300. By installing specific application software for causing the storage unit 304 to perform the operation of the present embodiment, a general personal computer can be used. Can be realized.

Next, the facsimile machine 1 according to the present embodiment
00 and the processing operation of the PC 300 will be described. The facsimile apparatus 100 and the PC 300 operate in conjunction with each other by exchanging commands and data as described below. The facsimile apparatus 100 has a ROM 10 for performing processing according to the flow shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
The operation is controlled by the CPU 101 based on the program stored in the PC 3, and the PC 300 stores in the storage unit 304 for performing processing according to the flow shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
The operation is controlled by the CPU 301 based on the program stored in.

Here, a description will be given of a process of registering setting data held in common between the facsimile apparatus 100 and the PC 300 and exchanging the setting data.
The setting data is, for example, information on whether or not to perform redial, at what time interval, when to redial, how many times to perform, and whether or not to perform a service unique to each country.

First, the processing operation on the facsimile machine 100 side will be described. 2 and 3 show a facsimile machine 1.
9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the embodiment 00.

The facsimile apparatus 100 first sets the country of installation (performed at factory shipment or when a service person installs the facsimile apparatus 100). Step 20
In 1, when the country where the facsimile machine 100 is installed is designated from the operation unit 104, the country code is stored in the RAM 102.

Then, in step 202, based on this country code, information indicating a permissible range of setting values (parameters) in accordance with the regulations of the country is read out from a table in the ROM 103, and in step 203, the permissible range is set in the RAM 102. Write the indicated information.

Up to this point, the initial setting before using the facsimile apparatus 100 is performed.

During normal use, when the power is turned on, a predetermined start-up program is started, each unit in the apparatus is initialized, and processing from the next step is started.

In step 204, an input from the operation unit 104, an incoming call from the communication unit 106, the external interface unit 1
09 is in a standby state for various operations based on the reception of a command from the external interface unit 09.
09 to monitor the presence or absence of a command from the PC 300. When a command for inquiring the state is received from the PC 300, it is in a standby state and indicates that it is possible to respond to any request. This inquiry is for PC30
It is repeated periodically from 0. And
When a command is received via the external interface unit 109, the interface state is set (switched) to a command receivable state according to an instruction from the PC 300. When responding to a command, use a PC
The interface state is set (switched) in response to an instruction from 300 so that a response can be returned.

In step 205, it is determined whether a command requesting information indicating a permissible selection range has been received from the PC 300 via the external interface unit 109.
2 stores the information indicating the allowable range of selection according to the country where the facsimile apparatus 100 is installed in the external interface unit 1.
09 to the PC 300. As a result, it is possible to notify the PC 300 of information indicating the permissible selection range for the setting according to the installation country that the facsimile apparatus 100 has, so that the facsimile apparatus does not have such information on the PC 300 side. The information on the 100 side can be diverted, and the number of software design steps and the amount of data can be reduced.

In step 207, it is determined whether a command requesting the current setting value of the setting data stored in the RAM 102 has been received from the PC 300 via the external interface unit 109. PC 30 via the external interface unit 109
Transfer to 0. Thus, the PC 300 can confirm the contents of the setting data currently set in the facsimile apparatus 100. Here, it is assumed that all the setting values to be notified, that is, a plurality of setting data (variable data) handled in common with the PC 300 are transferred.

In step 209, it is determined whether a command indicating a request to change the setting data and its setting value have been received from the PC 300 via the external interface unit 109.
Convert to the format for registration in M102 and RAM
The data is written in a location corresponding to the setting data in 102, and the setting content is overwritten. Thereby, the setting value of the setting data can be synchronized with the PC 300 in accordance with an instruction from the PC 300 side. Note that, here, the PC 300 may rewrite individual setting data, or a plurality of setting data handled in common may be rewritten collectively.

In step 211, it is determined whether or not an instruction to change the setting value of the setting data has been given by operating the operation unit 104 by the operator. When the change of the set value is instructed, the contents of the corresponding portion of the RAM 102 are rewritten in step 212. It should be noted that the change here can be made only within a selection allowable range according to the installation country where the facsimile apparatus 100 set in step 203 is set. The operator is notified that the selection cannot be made by the warning display and the notification sound.

Subsequently, in step 213, it is determined whether or not the rewritten installation value is to be notified to the PC 300. Whether or not to notify this is displayed on a display unit in the operation unit 104 by prompting the operator to make an instruction, and it is determined for each setting data whether to judge based on the response or whether to notify in advance for each setting data. It shall be registered. When notifying, the setting value of the setting data whose setting value has been changed among the setting data is transferred to the PC 300 via the external interface unit 109 in step 214. In the present embodiment, the PC 300 is periodically connected to the facsimile machine 1.
00 is inquired about the change of the state, and the changed set value is sent to the RAM 102 for notification to the PC 300.
By writing to the area provided above, the PC 300
Shall be notified. Thus, the setting data rewritten by the operation from the operation unit 104 is notified to the PC 300, and the setting data that should be held in common with the PC 300 can be synchronized.

Then, in step 215, it is determined whether or not there is a start request for performing processing other than these. If there is, the processing is performed in step 216;
Return to step 4 and enter the standby state.

Next, the processing operation on the PC 300 side will be described from the point of installing application software specific to the facsimile apparatus 100. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing by the PC 300.

First, a CD storing an installer for installing application software for the facsimile apparatus 100 and a file group necessary for the installer.
-When a general medium such as a ROM or a floppy (registered trademark) disk is set in the disk drive provided in the PC 300, the installation of the application software on the operating system is started in step 301. When installation is completed successfully, PC30
0 stores each file for executing the application software.

The application software includes various instructions (designation of a destination, setting of reading, setting of recording, etc.) to the facsimile apparatus 100, confirmation and change of various setting data, management of facsimile transmission / reception data, management of a read image, and the like. It includes a graphical user interface for performing the operation, a resident tool for exchanging commands with the facsimile apparatus 100, and the like.

When the respective files are normally stored and the application software is started, as a process at the time of initial introduction, the facsimile apparatus 100 is requested to provide information indicating the permissible range of selection of each set data in step 302. In step 303, a response to this request is sent to the facsimile
0, that is, the facsimile apparatus 100 stores the facsimile apparatus 100 in the RAM 102 in step 203.
If it is determined that the data set as the selection allowable range according to the installation country has been transferred, the selection allowable range is stored in a predetermined location of the storage unit 304 in step 304 and set.
This eliminates the need for the PC 300 to have in advance information indicating the permissible selection range for the setting data specified for each country, so that the information held by the facsimile apparatus 100 can be easily used. it can.

Next, at step 305, it is determined whether or not a request to the facsimile machine 100 to transfer the set value of the currently set setting data is made. Here, it is assumed that the display unit 307 performs a display to that effect and specifies whether or not to request the operator. If the operator makes a request and determines in step 306 that there is a response from the facsimile machine 100, that is, that the current set value has been transferred from the facsimile machine 100 via the external interface unit 305, the set value is stored in the PC 300. It is stored and set in the storage unit 304 as the setting value of the setting data on the side.

Up to this point, the initial setting when application software for the facsimile apparatus 100 is installed in the PC 300 is performed.

Then, during normal use, the power is turned on,
When the boot program starts operation, initialization of each part of the PC 300 is performed, activation of the application software is instructed, and when normal operation of the facsimile apparatus 100 is confirmed, processing from the next step is performed.

Step 308 is a standby state such as an input from the operation unit 306 or an event via the external interface unit 305. In this step, the facsimile apparatus 100 is periodically and repeatedly inquired about the presence or absence of a change in the state. At this time, when issuing a command via the external interface unit 305, the external interface unit 109
And 305 are set (switched) so that command transfer is possible. When waiting for a response to the command, the external interface units 109 and 3 are ready to receive a response from the facsimile apparatus 100.
05 is set (switched).

In step 304, it is determined from the screen for confirming and changing the setting data of the application software whether the setting data has been changed using the operation unit 306. At the time of this change, the change can be made within the selection allowable range set in step 302. Of the setting data, those set by numerical values such as the number of redials and intervals are in a format that allows the operator to select a desired number from a pull-down list on the screen, but this selection allowable range is reflected in this pull-down list. is there. In the case of switching on / off, those which are required in the installation country are fixed on, and those which cannot be used in the installation country are fixed off. When it is determined that the set value of the setting data has been changed, the contents of the setting data storage area of the storage unit 304 are rewritten in step 310.

Next, at step 311, it is determined whether or not to transfer the rewritten set value of the set data to the facsimile apparatus 100. Whether this notification is to be made is displayed on the display unit 307 at the time of changing the set value so as to specify whether or not to transfer the contents, and the operator is left with the selection. Then, when the transfer is designated, the setting value of the setting data changed in step 312 is transferred to the facsimile apparatus 100 via the external interface unit 305, and the changed content is also reflected on the facsimile apparatus 100 side. Thus, the contents of the setting data can be easily synchronized between the PC 300 and the facsimile apparatus 100.

In step 313, the facsimile machine 10
It is determined whether the setting value of the setting data has been notified from 0. This is the one transferred from the facsimile machine 100 in step 208 or 214. Here, the data written in the notification area of the RAM 102 of the facsimile apparatus 100 is read by a periodic inquiry command of the PC 300. If the current setting value of the facsimile apparatus 100 has been received, step 314 is executed.
Then, the contents of the corresponding setting data area of the storage unit 304 are rewritten.

Then, in step 315, it is determined whether or not there is a start request for performing processing other than the above. If there is, the processing is performed in step 316;
Return to step 8 and enter the standby state.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information indicating the permissible selection range held by the facsimile apparatus side (the facsimile apparatus is required to have the permissible selection range because it operates as a stand-alone apparatus without a PC. Close to)
The setting data can be set in both the facsimile apparatus and the personal computer by using, so that the setting according to the regulation of the installation country can be easily made in both.

Further, a system corresponding to various installation countries can be easily realized.

Further, by transferring the setting contents of one to the other at an appropriate timing, the settings in each other can be easily synchronized.

Although the present embodiment has been described with an example of a selection allowable range according to the installation country, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a system having other restrictions.

Further, a system using a facsimile apparatus and a personal computer has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a combination of various apparatuses may be used.

A combination of devices of a system to which the present invention is applied, a host computer, an interface device,
Any of a reader, a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and the like may be used.

In order to operate the various devices to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment, software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is provided to an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in the system. The present invention also includes programs implemented by supplying a program code and causing a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to operate various devices according to stored programs.

In this case, the software program code itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code The stored storage medium constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer, or another program. Needless to say, even when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with application software or the like, such program codes are included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then stored in the function expansion board or the function storage unit based on an instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case where a provided CPU or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, 2
Even if the two devices do not previously have information indicating the allowable range of parameter selection, it is possible to set a parameter with an appropriate allowable range of selection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data communication system connecting a facsimile apparatus and a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the personal computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the personal computer according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 facsimile device 101 CPU 102 RAM 103 ROM 104 operation unit 105 display unit 106 communication unit 107 reading unit 108 recording unit 109 external interface unit (fax side) 110 CPU bus 200 information transfer interface 300 personal computer 301 CPU 302 RAM 303 ROM 304 storage Unit 305 External interface unit (PC side) 306 Operation unit 307 Display unit 308 CPU bus

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A setting unit for setting a predetermined parameter, a connecting unit for connecting to an external device, and information indicating a permissible range of parameter selection set by the setting unit is transferred to the external device via the connecting unit. A data processing device comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine an installation country of the apparatus, wherein information indicating a permissible selection range of a parameter set by the setting unit is changed according to the installation country determined by the determination unit. The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reception unit that receives an instruction from an external device via the connection unit, and performing a process based on the instruction received by the reception unit. The data processing device according to claim 1. 4. An operation unit for inputting a manual instruction by an operator, wherein a process is performed based on an instruction from the operation unit even when an external device is not connected via the connection unit. The data processing device according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer means transfers parameters set by said setting means and information indicating a permissible range of parameter selection. 6. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit for performing data communication via a telephone line network. 7. The data processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transfer unit transfers information indicating a permissible selection range of the number of redials when data communication is performed by said communication unit. 8. The data processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transfer means transfers information indicating a permissible selection range of a redial interval when data communication is performed by said communication means. 9. A data processing method between a first device and a second device that can be connected to each other, wherein: a setting step of setting a predetermined parameter to be set in the first device; A transfer step of transferring information indicating a permissible selection range of a parameter that can be set in the step to a second device. 10. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling data processing between a first device and a second device that can be connected to each other, wherein the program is a first device and a second device. A computer readable storage comprising: a setting step of setting a predetermined parameter to be set; and a transfer step of transferring information indicating a permissible selection range of the parameter settable in the setting step to a second device. Medium.