JP2002290745A - Communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal for preventing a third party from knowing an arrival of a confidential image before an designated receiver views it. SOLUTION: The communication terminal comprises a line connection unit 7 for connecting to a communication line 15, an image memory 4 for storing image data, and communication management memory 3b for storing communication management data. Furthermore, it comprises a controller 1 for preventing communication management data relating to received image data which is confidential from being outputted until at least the received image data is outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication terminal device such as a facsimile device, and more particularly to a communication terminal device having a confidential communication function in which only a receiver designated on a transmission side can output (print, etc.) a received image. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a facsimile apparatus having a confidential communication function for designating and transmitting a recipient. This confidential communication function means that the receiving device pre-registers the confidential receiver identification number and personal identification number (password), etc., and the transmitting device specifies the confidential receiver identification number and transmits it. The receiving device stores the received confidential image data in the image memory without printing immediately.

[0003] Thereafter, the received image is printed only when the confidential receiver inputs the identification number or the password to the receiving device. With this function, the received image can be viewed by a third party without permission. There is an advantage that can be prohibited.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned method, it is prohibited to view the received confidential image by a third party, but the confidential reception is also performed at the reception time, the transmission source name or the facsimile number. Communication management data such as the number of received images is stored in a communication management memory, and this communication management data can be displayed on a display unit or printed. The fact that the confidential image was received could be known to a third party.

Further, the remaining amount of the image memory is usually displayed on a display unit composed of a liquid crystal display element or the like. From the remaining amount of the image memory, the confidential image may be stored in the image memory. There was also a risk of being noticed by a third party.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a communication terminal device in which the fact that confidential reception is not known to a third party before a confidential receiver views an image. The purpose is to:

[0007] Therefore, a communication terminal device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a line connection unit connected to a communication line, an image memory for storing image data, and a communication management memory for storing communication management data. When the received image data is based on confidential communication, a control unit is provided that prohibits output of communication management data related to the image data at least until the image data is output. Here, “output image data” usually means printing the image data stored in the image memory.For example, when the communication terminal device is connected to a personal computer or the like online and used, This includes displaying and viewing image data on a screen of a personal computer or the like. Also,
“Output of communication management data” includes displaying the communication management data on the display unit, printing the communication management data on the recording unit, and the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, further comprising: a display unit for displaying a remaining amount of the image memory; It is characterized in that the display of the remaining amount of the image memory is not changed even after the data is stored in the image memory.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a communication terminal device 14, which is a facsimile device with a copy function, has a CPU
(Central processing unit), etc., a control unit 1 and a ROM 2 (Read
Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, image memory 4, codec 5, modem 6, NCU (Network Control Unit) 7 as a line connection unit, display unit 8, operation unit 10, reading unit 11, and recording unit 12. They are connected to each other by a bus line 13.

The ROM 2 stores a control program for controlling the entire communication terminal device 14, such as a facsimile transmission / reception procedure and a copying procedure. This control program includes a procedure for prohibiting the output of communication management data relating to the image data at least until the image data is output, when the received image data is based on confidential communication specifying the recipient. Have been.

The control program includes a procedure for calculating the remaining amount of the image memory 4 and displaying the calculated amount on the display unit 8 and, when image data is received by confidential communication, storing the image data in the image memory 4. A procedure that does not change the display of the remaining amount of the image memory 4 after that is included.

On the other hand, the RAM 3 temporarily stores various data necessary for control by the control unit 1, for example, the remaining amount of the image memory 4. Further, a confidential relation memory 3a and a communication management memory 3b, which will be described later, are provided in a part of the area in the RAM 3, respectively. Battery, etc.).

The image memory 4 includes a RAM or the like connected to the backup power supply, and stores image data read by a reading unit 11 described below and encoded by the codec 5. The image memory 4 has a storage capacity capable of storing encoded image data for several tens to several hundred pages of a document.

The codec 5 has a role of sequentially encoding the image data to be transmitted, read by the reading unit 11, and decoding the encoded image data received from the destination terminal. The modem 6 modulates and demodulates the transmission / reception data, specifically, modulates the transmission data into a voice band signal and sends it to the communication line 15 such as a public telephone line network via the NCU 7, while the modem 6 transmits the above-mentioned data via the NCU 7 from the communication line 15. The voice band signal received from the destination terminal is demodulated into a digital signal.

The NCU 7 has a function of controlling connection between the communication line 15 and the communication terminal device 14, a function of transmitting a dial pulse corresponding to the facsimile number of the called terminal, and a function of detecting an incoming call.

As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 8 includes, for example,
It is composed of a liquid crystal display element and displays the remaining amount of the image memory 4 (see arrow Z) and the like. Operation unit 1
0 is provided with a plurality of keys. That is, A and B are keys for selecting copy (copy) or facsimile transmission, respectively, and C1 to C3 are selection keys for selecting image quality (resolution), density and magnification when reading a document to be copied or facsimile transmitted.

D1 to D3 are function selection keys for selecting various functions displayed in the display unit 8 in correspondence with these. For example, when facsimile transmission shown in FIG. 2 is selected, “redial” and “broadcast (transmit the same original to a plurality of destinations)” are displayed at positions corresponding to the function selection keys D1 to D3 in the display unit 8. , "Confidential (specify and transmit a recipient in the destination organization)" is displayed.

Reference numeral E denotes a menu key for switching a screen (menu) displayed on the display unit 8. Although not shown, when the menu key E is repeatedly pressed, the menu shown in FIG.
Screen, a screen for registering a facsimile number of the destination terminal corresponding to the one-touch key W described later, and a screen for registering a shortened number of about two to three digits corresponding to the facsimile number of the destination terminal. It has been replaced.

F denotes a cursor (not shown) displayed on the display unit 8 and a cross cursor key for moving various selection items up, down, left and right, and G denotes an instruction to start reading a document (not shown) set on the reading unit 11. The start key H is a numeric keypad. W denotes a plurality of one-touch keys, and the facsimile number of a desired destination terminal is registered in the RAM 3 or the like in correspondence with each one-touch key W, so that only the pressing operation of the one-touch key W causes the destination The destination terminal can be called.

Although not shown, the reading unit 11 includes an automatic document feeder capable of sequentially supplying a plurality of documents to the reading device, and a reading device including a line sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), etc., for facsimile transmission. Is read. Although not shown, the recording unit 12 includes a recording device such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system, and a plurality of paper cassettes.

In the above configuration, at the time of facsimile transmission, the image data of the original is read by the reading unit 11 in accordance with the operation of the start key G, encoded by the codec 5 and stored in the image memory 4, and then transmitted by the modem 6. Modulated, N
It is transmitted from the CU 7 through the communication line 15 to the destination terminal.

At the time of facsimile reception, the received image data is demodulated by the modem 6 and stored in the image memory 4, then decoded by the codec 5, and printed by the recording unit 12. Note that the communication terminal device 14 also has a copy function, and will not be described in detail.
Is encoded by the codec 5 and stored in the image memory 4, then decoded again and printed by the recording unit 12.

The communication terminal device 14 has a function of transmitting and receiving an e-mail and a function of automatically calling a pre-registered telephone number and transmitting a message by an automatic voice. At times, it is possible to notify the recipient of the receipt of the confidential image (the image received by confidential communication) by e-mail or automatic voice by telephone.

As shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer (personal computer) 17 is connected to the bus line 13 of the communication terminal device 14 via the interface device 16 so that the communication terminal device 14 It can also be used as a printer.

Next, a confidential function at the time of facsimile transmission / reception will be described. The confidential communication requires that both the transmitting and receiving devices have a transmitting / receiving function in the confidential mode. Here, both the transmitting and receiving devices connect the communication terminal device 14 having the above configuration. The description will be made on the assumption that it is used. Note that the confidential communication can be executed even if the confidential communication is not necessarily performed between the same models as long as both the transmitting and receiving apparatuses have the confidential function.

In order to perform confidential reception, the confidential box registration screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 8 by pressing down the menu key E on the operation unit 10 shown in FIG. The confidential number (identification number), confidential person name, and personal identification number of each confidential registrant are registered in the confidential box in the memory 3a. Also, if necessary, a telephone number (extension number) or an e-mail address for receiving notification of the confidential reception is registered in accordance with the display of an input screen (not shown). Table 1 below shows an example of the registration.

[0027]

[Table 1]

On the transmission side, at the time of facsimile transmission by the confidential function, when the function selection key D3 on the operation unit 10 of FIG. 2 is operated, the confidential transmission screen shown in FIG. Here, if a confidential number, for example, "01", which is previously obtained from the confidential registrant on the receiving side, is input using the numeric keypad H, and then the facsimile number of the other party is input, facsimile transmission is performed in the confidential mode.

On the receiving side, the image received in the confidential mode is not immediately printed, and the communication terminal 1
4 informs the confidential recipient of the confidential reception by extension telephone or e-mail. When the confidential recipient prints a confidential image, when the menu key E of the operation unit 10 of the communication terminal device 14 is operated a predetermined number of times, a confidential reception screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 8, and the confidential number is displayed on this screen. A confidential image can be printed by specifying and inputting a pre-registered password.

Hereinafter, the control procedure of the control unit 1 at the time of facsimile reception will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. At the time of facsimile reception, the control unit 1 receives image data from the destination terminal and stores it in the image memory 4 (S1). After the end of the reception of the image data, the control unit 1 subtracts the remaining amount of the image memory 4 according to the consumption amount of the image memory 4 and temporarily stores the value (for management) in the RAM 3 (S
2).

At this point, the remaining amount of the image memory 4 displayed on the display unit 8 is not changed immediately. This is because, when the received image is a confidential image, the remaining amount of the image memory 4 is subtracted so that a person other than the confidential receiver does not notice that the confidential image is being stored in the image memory 4. It is a measure for.

Subsequently, the control section 1 determines whether or not the received image data is from confidential communication (S
3) If it is a confidential image, the control unit 1 notifies the recipient that the confidential image has been received by e-mail or telephone by automatic voice (S4). Thereafter, the control unit 1 stores the serial number, the reception start time, the required time, the number of copies, and the fact that the communication is confidential communication as communication management data in the communication management memory 3b.
The non-print status is turned on (S5). This unprinted status is turned off when the confidential image is printed.

Incidentally, the communication management data relating to the confidential image is exemplified in each row of the serial numbers "01" and "03" in Table 2 below. Note that a circle in the column of “unprinted status” in Table 2 indicates that the unprinted status of the confidential image is on, that is, that the confidential image has not been printed yet.

[0034]

[Table 2]

In S3 of FIG. 6, if the received image is not a confidential communication image but an ordinary communication image, the control unit 1 displays the remaining amount of the image memory 4 which has been subtracted in S2 in the display unit 8.
(S6). Subsequently, the control unit 1 causes the recording unit 12 to print the received image stored in the image memory 4 (S7). Thereafter, the control unit 1 stores the communication management data including the reception start time and the number of received images in the communication management memory 3b (S8).

The contents stored in the communication management memory 3b relating to the image by the normal communication are exemplified in the row of the serial number "02" in Table 2. After the communication management data is stored, the printed image data in the image memory 4 is deleted, and the remaining amount of the image memory 4 is added to the amount of the deleted image data and stored in the RAM 3, The remaining amount of the image memory 4 displayed on the display unit 8 is also increased (S9).

Next, the control procedure of the control section 1 when printing (printing) a confidential image will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The confidential receiver calls up the confidential reception screen of FIG. 5 on the display unit 8, inputs his / her confidential number, and inputs a personal identification number (S11). This allows
The confidential image is printed by the recording unit 12 (S12). After the printing is completed, the control unit 1 turns off the unprinted status corresponding to the confidential image in the communication management memory 3b (S13).

Subsequently, after erasing the printed confidential image from the image memory 4, the control unit 1 adds the remaining capacity of the image memory 4 by the capacity of the erased confidential image (S14).
It is stored in the RAM 3. Since the remaining amount of the image memory 4 originally displayed on the display unit 8 is not subtracted from the confidential image, it is not necessary to increase the remaining amount of the image memory 4 on the display unit 8.

Next, the communication management data in the communication management memory 3b is output, that is, displayed on the display unit 8 or recorded on the recording unit 12b.
The control procedure of the control unit 1 when printing is performed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, "0" is set to the serial number of the list of communication management data in the communication management memory 3b (S21), and "1" is added to the list serial number (S22).

Subsequently, the control unit 1 determines whether the unprinted status in the communication management data of the list serial number is on (S23). If the unprinted status is off, the communication management of the list serial number is performed. After displaying or printing the data (S24), the process proceeds to S25.

On the other hand, if the unprinted status is ON, the process proceeds to S25 without displaying or printing the communication management data of the list serial number, and it is determined whether or not all the records in the communication management memory 3b have been completed. If all records have not been completed, the process returns to S22, where "1" is further added to the list serial number, and the same processing as described above is performed. If all records have been completed, communication management data output processing is performed. finish.

Table 3 shows an output example when the communication management data of Table 2 is output to the display unit 8 or the recording unit 12. As is clear from the comparison between the two tables, the communication management data with the list serial number “03” in Table 1 is not output because the non-print status is ON. As a result, a problem does not occur in which the communication management data of the confidential image that has not been printed is known to anyone other than the confidential recipient.

[0043]

[Table 3]

In the above embodiment, the communication management data relating to the confidential image is output after the confidential image is printed (for example, the image of serial number "01" in Tables 2 and 3). Alternatively, the confidential image may not be output to the display unit 8 or the recording unit 12 even after printing. In this case, the communication management data for the confidential image can be output on condition that the confidential receiver himself / herself inputs the personal identification number.

In the above embodiment, at least
Until the confidential image is printed, the output of the communication management data related to the confidential image to the display unit 8 or the recording unit 12 is prohibited. For example, instead of printing the confidential image by the recipient of the confidential image, If the user selects to display the confidential image on the screen of the personal computer 17 or to store the confidential image in the storage device of the personal computer 17, the confidential image is output at least until the confidential image is output from the communication terminal device 14 to the personal computer 17. The output of communication management data relating to this may be prohibited.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
A communication terminal device connected to a communication line,
An image memory for storing image data, and a communication management memory for storing communication management data, and when the received image data is based on confidential communication, at least a period until the image data is output; Control unit that prohibits the output of communication management data related to confidential information. The trouble that is caused does not occur.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, a display unit for displaying the remaining amount of the image memory is provided. Since the display of the remaining amount of the image memory is not changed even after the data is stored in the image memory, the fact that the confidential reception has been performed based on the remaining amount of the image memory is not likely to be noticed by a third party.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a display unit and an operation unit in the communication terminal device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where a confidential box registration screen is displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a confidential transmission screen is displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a confidential reception screen is displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure when a facsimile is received by the communication terminal device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure when printing a confidential image by the communication terminal device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure when the communication terminal device outputs communication management data to a display unit or a recording unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 control unit 3b communication management memory 4 image memory 7 NCU (line connection unit)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A communication system comprising: a line connection unit connected to a communication line; an image memory for storing image data; and a communication management memory for storing communication management data, wherein received image data is based on confidential communication. And a control unit for prohibiting output of communication management data relating to the image data at least until the image data is output. A display unit for displaying a remaining amount of the image memory, and when receiving the image data by confidential communication, the control unit keeps the remaining amount of the image memory even after storing the image data in the image memory. 2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the display of the communication terminal is not changed.