JP2002044307A - Facsimile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile terminal that enhances power-saving effect. SOLUTION: A table storage section 18 stores a table in which communication destinations and their recording conditions are stored. In the case of receiving a call in the power-saving mode, a control section 11 refers to the table on the basis of caller information of a communication opposite party to discriminate whether or not priority is placed on the communication opposite party on the basis of the caller information of the communication opposite party received by a communication section 12 in the case of the arrival of the call. When the control section 11 discriminates that priority is placed, the usual mode is restored from the power-saving mode, and a recording section 15 records a received image. Furthermore, when the control section discriminates that no priority placed on the communication opposite party, the power-saving mode is maintained and an image memory 19 stores the received image. The recording section 19 later records image altogether stored in the image memory 19 according to the recording condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a power saving function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a facsimile apparatus equipped with an electrophotographic recording unit, if the recording unit is set to a normal mode in which the recording unit is always in a standby state, power consumption is large and the life of components of the recording unit is shortened.

Therefore, in recent facsimile apparatuses, in order to reduce power consumption, for example, if there is no operation or operation for a predetermined time, the mode shifts to a power saving mode, and a recording unit or a recording unit which consumes a large amount of power. In many cases, the fixing device is turned off or the temperature of the fixing device is lowered. When an incoming call is received, the mode shifts from the power saving mode to the normal mode to start the heating of the fixing device, and the received image is temporarily stored in the image memory, and the fixing device is heated up to a predetermined temperature to enable recording. When this happens, the received image is read from the image memory and recorded.

[0004] However, for the user, the image that needs to be recorded immediately after receiving the call is only a part of the received image. In other words, it is necessary to immediately record images received from communication destinations that may send highly urgent information, but if images received from other communication destinations are collectively recorded later, Often it is enough.
However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, the received image is recorded after returning from the power saving mode every time an incoming call is received, regardless of the communication destination, so that the time for shifting to the power saving mode is shortened. Therefore, a sufficient power saving effect cannot be obtained even if the power saving mode is provided.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide a facsimile apparatus with further improved power saving effect.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus comprising: a communication unit, a recording unit, a storage unit;
When the image is received by the communication means during the power saving mode to reduce the power consumption, return from the power saving mode based on the information about the other party and record the received image by the recording means or receive it in the power saving mode And a control unit for selectively controlling whether the stored image is stored in the storage unit. By this means, when an image is received by the communication means, it is not necessary to return from the power saving mode and record all the received images indiscriminately. The power consumption can be reduced by collectively recording images received from other communication destinations later. In this way, the power saving mode can be lengthened to suppress power consumption and enhance the power saving effect.

[0007] Information on the destination is registered in a table stored in the storage means, and the control means determines whether or not the information on the destination obtained at the time of receiving the image is registered in the table. According to the result of the determination, it may be configured to determine whether to return from the power saving mode.

The image stored in the storage means is set such that recording conditions for recording the image by the recording means are set, and the recording means returns from the power saving mode in accordance with the recording conditions. Can be controlled. As the recording condition, for example, the time can be set, or the data amount of the image stored in the memory or the remaining amount of the memory can be set. This makes it possible to record images stored in accordance with the usage mode, for example, recording in the morning and evening or recording when the memory capacity becomes insufficient.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 11
Denotes a control unit, 12 denotes a communication unit, 13 denotes an operation unit, 14 denotes a power saving key, 15 denotes a recording unit, 16 denotes a fixing device, 17 denotes a RAM,
Reference numeral 8 denotes a table storage unit, 19 denotes an image memory, 20 denotes a power supply unit, and 21 denotes a public line. In this figure,
Only a portion related to recording of an image received in the power saving mode and the facsimile communication is shown, and may have various other configurations such as a reading unit.

The control unit 11 controls the entire apparatus, operates each unit, and at least receives an image by facsimile communication and records the received image. The control unit 11
Controls power consumption and switches between a normal mode and a power saving mode in which power consumption is reduced. For example, when the power saving key 14 is operated from the operation unit 13 or when an operation such as recording is not performed for a predetermined time, the mode can be shifted to the power saving mode. In the power saving mode, at least the recording unit 15
The power supply to the fixing device 16 is reduced or stopped to reduce the power consumption. Since the power consumption of the fixing device 16 is large even in the apparatus, the power consumption of the entire apparatus can be controlled only by controlling the power of the fixing device 16. Alternatively, the power supplied to each unit including the fixing unit 16 may be controlled by controlling the power supply unit 20.

When an incoming call is made in the power saving mode, the control unit 11 determines the communication destination of the call. For example, when the communication unit 12 receives the caller information of the communication partner from the exchange on the public line 21 at the time of the incoming call, the communication unit 12 reads the table related to the priority of the communication partner stored in the table storage unit 18 in the RAM 17 and receives the information. The obtained caller information is collated with each communication destination included in this table. Then, if a communication partner that matches the communication partner that made the call is found in this table, and the recording conditions included in the table also indicate that recording is to be performed immediately, Judge that there is a priority. Also, when the recording condition when a matching communication partner is not found indicates that recording is to be performed immediately,
Judge that there is a priority. In other cases,
It is determined that the called party has no priority. Here, the communication destination with priority means a communication destination that may send information that should be recorded and output immediately. The presence or absence of the priority is determined by the TS information in the facsimile procedure in addition to the above-mentioned caller information.
It is also possible to use the source number or F-code subaddress sent by the I signal. Alternatively, an ISDN subaddress, a dial-in service, a DRD (Dist
In the case where an inactive ring detection (inactive ring detection) service is used, the dial-in telephone number of the incoming call or the type of a ring tone at the time of the incoming call may be used. Further, these may be used in combination.

If it is determined that the communication partner has priority based on the above-mentioned table, the communication unit returns from the power saving mode to start heating up the fixing unit 16 of the recording unit 15 and to start communication with the communication partner. Is temporarily stored in the image memory 19. When the fixing unit 16 is heated up to a predetermined temperature and becomes recordable, the received image is read out from the image memory 19 and the recording unit 15 is read out.
To record.

When it is determined that the communication partner has no priority, the received image is stored in the image memory 19 while the power saving mode is maintained, instead of recording the image immediately after the reception. deep. Then, recording is performed according to the recording conditions corresponding to the communication destination included in the above-described table. For example, it is possible to collectively start recording when the number of records set as the recording condition is received, or to collectively record when the designated time is reached. Furthermore, even if there is no priority, for example, the image memory 1
9 may be controlled so as to start recording immediately according to a common recording condition such as a small capacity or a data amount of an image reaching a predetermined value.

When images are stored in the image memory 19 in the power saving mode, the control unit 11 monitors the arrival of recording conditions corresponding to the communication destination which is the source of those images. When the recording condition is satisfied, the mode is returned from the power saving mode to the normal mode and recording is started. At this time, only the image in the image memory 19 satisfying the recording condition may be recorded and output. In order to increase the efficiency of the power saving mode, the image is stored in the image memory 19 as having no priority when the mode is shifted to the normal mode. All images that have been recorded may be recorded. Similarly, when an image is received from a communication partner determined to have a priority and the mode is shifted from the power saving mode to the normal mode, not only the received image but also all the images stored in the image memory 19 as having no priority are stored. May be recorded. When the image stored in the image memory 19 is not recorded as having no priority when returning to the normal mode,
The recording condition may be monitored even in the normal mode. further,
Control to start recording output in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 13 is also possible.

The communication unit 12 controls the public line 21 to perform communication with a facsimile machine as a communication partner.
Modulate and demodulate the data of the received image. In addition, it receives the caller information of the communication partner transmitted from the exchange on the public line 21 at the time of the incoming call.

The operation unit 13 is provided with various operation keys such as a power saving key 14 and is used when a user performs various settings and instructions. In particular, registration and update of communication partner information included in a table relating to the priority of the communication partner and recording conditions for recording an image stored in the image memory 19 are realized by key operations. The power saving key 14 is a key for instructing the user to shift to the power saving mode or to return from the power saving mode.

The recording section 15 records the received image on a recording sheet or the like under the control of the control section 11. Here, it is assumed that the recording method in the recording unit 15 is an electrophotographic method. In the electrophotographic method, an image formed on recording paper with toner is fixed by heating using a fixing device 16. Due to this heating, the fixing device 16 consumes large power. Therefore, in the power saving mode, the power consumption of the fixing device 16 is reduced or the power supply is stopped. When returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode, the power supply in the fixing device 16 is returned. However, since it takes time for the fixing device 16 to generate heat and reach a predetermined temperature, it is desirable to return power supply to the fixing device 16 as soon as possible when returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode.
As described above, if the caller number sent from the exchange is used for an incoming call, it is possible to determine whether or not to start power supply to the fixing device 16 at an early stage. Time can be reduced.

The RAM 17 is used when data needs to be stored in the processing of the control unit 11 and other units. Further, the RAM 17 is provided with a table storage section 18 for storing a table relating to the priority of the communication partner. In the table, a communication partner and recording conditions and the like regarding an image received from the communication partner are registered. It should be noted that a recording destination corresponding to an unregistered communication partner or a case where the communication partner is unknown, a recording condition for all communication partners, and the like may be configured to be able to be registered. A specific example of this table will be described later.

The image memory 19 stores received images and the like. When storing images, it is preferable to associate information regarding the communication destination that is the transmission source. When storing an image, the image can be stored as it is or after being compressed.

The power supply unit 20 receives power from the outside and supplies power to each unit of the facsimile apparatus. Further, the power supply unit 20 can be configured to be able to reduce the power supplied to each unit of the device according to the control from the control unit 11. In the power saving mode, for example, power supply to some components can be cut off or reduced to realize power saving.

Of course, in addition to the above configuration, a reading unit is provided so that the image of the document read by the reading unit can be transmitted to an external facsimile apparatus via the communication unit 12 or the document can be copied. Is also good. In addition, a display unit may be provided to display which mode the facsimile machine is in, or to display the amount of data stored in the image memory 19 and the operation state. Further, an external storage device or the like may be connected, or a PC interface may be provided to connect a device such as a computer.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a table relating to the priority of the communication partner. The table relating to the priority of the communication partner is stored in the control unit 1 as described above.
1 is used to determine the presence or absence of the priority of the communication partner. In this example, the table includes a communication partner and recording conditions corresponding to the communication partner. As the communication partner information, for example, a caller number sent from the exchange at the time of receiving a call, that is, a telephone number of the communication partner can be registered. Of course, in the case of using other communication partner information, registration according to the information may be performed. Further, the setting of the communication destination may be such that a plurality of communication destinations can be handled as one group, such as, for example, an area code or a local station number, or a group at the time of broadcast communication.

The recording condition indicates when to record image data received from the corresponding communication partner in the power saving mode. For example, in the case of a communication partner having a priority, in this example, "record immediately" is registered to return from the power saving mode to the normal mode and start recording upon receiving an incoming call. For example, the top two tables in the table shown in FIG. 2 are registration examples of communication partners having priority.

For a communication destination having no priority, for example, designation of the time or time to start recording, designation of the number of records to be collectively performed, and the like can be performed. For example, if the destination telephone number is “0720-62-ZZ”
It is instructed to record “ZZ” at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. In addition, "052-997-BB
BB ”is also instructed to be recorded collectively at 2:00 pm. The telephone number of the other party is "06-6224-
“AAAAA” is instructed to record at 4-hour intervals. Further, the telephone number of the other party is "078-5".
55-PPPP "is instructed to collectively record five received items.

Further, in this example, it is also possible to set recording conditions corresponding to a case where an image is received from a destination other than the registered destination, or a case where the destination is unknown due to non-notification of the caller ID. Here, a recording condition for recording at 5:00 pm is set. Of course, it is also possible to record immediately or set the number of cases.

Furthermore, a common recording condition can be set for all communication destinations. Here, for example, when the remaining area of the image memory 19 becomes 20% or less, it is set to return from the power saving mode to the normal mode and start recording. When the free space in the image memory 19 is exhausted, it is no longer possible to receive images thereafter, so it is necessary to always secure a certain free space. This recording condition is for that. The remaining memory capacity may be indicated by a percentage, for example, a capacity such as n megabytes, or may be indicated by an image data amount instead of the remaining capacity. In addition to the recording conditions for the image memory 19, various conditions can be set, for example, a condition that a predetermined time has elapsed since the image was received is set as the recording condition.

When the recording conditions are satisfied in accordance with these recording conditions, the control unit 11 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode and starts recording an image. As described above, when the recording is started after returning to the normal mode, even if only the images satisfying the condition are recorded, or all the images stored in the image memory 19 as having no priority are recorded. Good.

The recording conditions as described above are, for example, the operation unit 1
A condition for recording and outputting by the operation from Step 3 is set, and at that time, a password is required to enable confidential reception, or a condition setting such as discarding is enabled, for example. For the other party, use of discarding the received image may be considered.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the recording condition can be set for each communication partner. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the common recording condition may be set.
In this case, the communication destination can be registered by immediately registering the communication destination to be recorded, or, conversely, by storing the communication destination in the image memory 19 and performing the batch recording when the recording condition is satisfied. Can be configured to register.
Further, in such a case, it is not necessary to manage the communication partner and the recording condition in the same table.

The table relating to the priority of the communication partner as described above can be created by operating the operation unit 13. In order to simplify the input of the communication partner, for example, a communication partner set to each one-touch key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 13 or the abbreviated dial, RA
The communication partner included in the reception history stored in M17 may be configured to be fetched as the communication partner. In addition, default conditions may be set for recording conditions for unregistered communication destinations, for cases where information on communication destinations cannot be obtained, for common recording conditions, and the like.

Next, an example of the operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when a call is received to a communication unit in the power saving mode. First, when a call is received from the exchange in S31, after a response is made in the communication unit 12, the communication unit 12 acquires a caller number notification sent from the exchange in S32, and sets the control unit 11 as the caller information of the communication partner. Send to Then, in S33, based on the caller information obtained in S32, a table relating to the priority of the communication partner in the table storage unit 18 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the communication partner has a priority. If the communication partner has the priority, the process returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode in S34, and the heating of the fixing device 16 in the recording unit 15 is started from this point. By using the caller ID notification, the time-consuming heating of the fixing device 16 can be started as soon as possible, and the time until the start of recording can be reduced. Thereafter, the image is received via the communication unit 12 according to the facsimile procedure, and the received image is recorded by the recording unit 15. In this way, the image sent from the communication partner having the priority is immediately recorded, and the user can immediately see the received information.

On the other hand, when the communication partner has no priority, the received image does not need to be recorded immediately. Therefore, the received image is stored in the image memory 19 in the power saving mode until the recording condition is satisfied. However, if data exceeding a predetermined amount has already been stored in the image memory 19 at this point, it is not possible to store an image from the communication destination called in S31. Thus, in S35, it is determined whether or not the image memory 19 is in a memory full state (a state in which data exceeding a predetermined amount has already been stored). If the memory is full, the process returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode in S34, and then the recording unit 15 records an image to be received in accordance with the facsimile procedure. Thereby, a communication error due to a memory full can be avoided.

If the image memory 19 is not in the memory full state, the image is received in accordance with the facsimile procedure via the communication unit 12 in S36, the received image is stored in the image memory 19, and the process is terminated. In this case,
The state of the power saving mode is maintained. Therefore, the power consumption of the fixing unit 16 of the recording unit 15 is not started due to the incoming call, and power saving can be continued.

If a condition relating to the capacity of the image memory 19 is provided in the common recording conditions, when the memory is full, it is determined that there is a priority in S33, and similarly in S34, the mode is returned from the power saving mode to the normal mode. Then, the received image is recorded.
In this case, if there is no priority, the process of S36 may be performed without determining the memory full state in S35.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for recording an image stored in the image memory in the power saving mode. As shown in FIG. 3, images received from a communication partner having no priority in the power saving mode are stored in the image memory 19. The stored images are recorded by the recording unit 15 according to the recording conditions. FIG. 4 illustrates monitoring of recording conditions and recording and output processing of an image received from a communication partner satisfying the recording conditions.

In step S41, a counter N for sequentially extracting a communication partner and recording conditions is set to 1, and a recording list for registering an image to be recorded is empty (Nul).
l)

In S42, it is checked from the table regarding the priority of the communication partner stored in the table storage unit 18 in the RAM 17 whether or not the Nth communication partner satisfies the corresponding recording condition.
If the time or time is specified as the recording condition, the arrival of the time or time set by the built-in clock or timer can be detected. In the case of the number of cases, the number of images received from the Nth communication partner in the image memory 19 may be counted. In addition, various recording conditions can be checked. If the recording condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S45.

If the recording condition is satisfied, it is determined whether or not the image received from the Nth communication destination is stored in the image memory 19, and if the image is stored, S is determined.
At 44, the image is registered in the record list, and the process proceeds to S45. If no received image is stored in the image memory 19, the process proceeds to S45.

After the determination process for the N-th communication partner is completed in this way, in S45, it is determined whether all the recording conditions in the table have been determined or not.
Is determined by examining the value of. The “registration number” in S45 is a number including other recording destinations or recording conditions corresponding to a case where the transmission destination is not specified, common recording conditions, and the like. That is, these recording conditions are also determined. If the recording condition that has not yet been determined remains, the value of N is increased by 1 in S46, and the process returns to S42 to perform the processing for the next recording condition.

When the judgment processing for all the recording conditions is completed, in S47, the recording list is empty (Null).
It is determined whether or not. If the recording list is not empty, there is an image received from a communication partner satisfying the recording conditions. S
At 49, returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode,
The recording unit 15 records the images registered in the recording list.

If the recording list is empty in S47, there is no image to be recorded immediately, so that the power saving mode is continued. In S48, it is determined whether or not the power saving key 14 provided on the operation unit 13 has been operated to release the power saving mode. If the power saving key 14 has not been operated, the process returns to S41 in the power saving mode. The determination of the recording condition in the power saving mode is repeated.

When the power saving key 14 is operated, S
At 50, the mode is returned from the power saving mode to the normal mode, and the processing in the power saving mode ends.

According to the above-described processing, the recording conditions are monitored in the power saving mode, and when the recording conditions are satisfied, the image can be recorded by returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode. In this way, even if an image is received, recording is not performed until the recording condition is satisfied, and the image can be recorded collectively when the recording condition is satisfied. Can be reduced, and a sufficient power saving effect can be obtained.

In the operation example described above, the image memory 19
Although an example of the operation of recording and outputting only those that satisfy the recording condition among the images received during the power saving mode stored in the power saving mode has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when any one of the recording conditions is satisfied, all the images received in the power saving mode up to that point may be recorded and output. In this case, when the recording condition satisfied in S42 of FIG. 4 is found, and it is found in S43 that the corresponding image is stored in the image memory 19, the mode returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode. The received image may be recorded by the recording unit 15. By doing so, it is possible to avoid frequent release of the power saving mode due to a plurality of recording conditions, and it is possible to further reduce power consumption.

The image stored in the image memory 19 during the power saving mode can be recorded by the recording unit 15 by the user manually operating the operation unit 13.

[0046]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in the power saving mode, images sent from a less urgent destination are stored in the storage means. And collectively record later according to recording conditions. As a result, there is an effect that the time of the power saving mode can be lengthened and the power consumption of the facsimile apparatus can be suppressed. Of course, when a call is received from a destination that may send highly urgent information, it is possible to promptly return from the power saving mode and record an image received from the destination.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a table relating to the priority of a communication partner;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when a call is received to a communication unit in a power saving mode.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of recording an image stored in an image memory in a power saving mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 control unit, 12 communication unit, 13 operation unit, 14 power saving key, 15 recording unit, 16 fixing unit, 17 RA
M, 18: table storage unit, 19: image memory, 20:
Power supply unit, 21: Public line.

Claims (3)

[Claims] A communication unit; a recording unit; a storage unit;
When an image is received by the communication unit during the power saving mode to reduce power consumption, the image is received by returning from the power saving mode based on information on the other party and the received image is recorded by the recording unit, or the power saving is performed. A facsimile apparatus comprising a control unit for selectively controlling whether an image received in a mode is stored in the storage unit. 2. The storage unit stores a table in which information on a destination is registered. The control unit determines whether information on the destination obtained at the time of receiving an image is registered in the table. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not to return from the power saving mode according to a result of the determination. 3. The storage unit stores a recording condition for recording a stored image by the recording unit, and the control unit returns from the power saving mode according to the recording condition. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed such that the image stored in the storage unit is recorded by the recording unit.