JP2003219136A - Image communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile apparatus capable of grasping a communication third-party, an object or the like according to a tone or a sound volume of a buzzer sound rumbled at a receiving operation ending time. <P>SOLUTION: The facsimile apparatus comprises a conveying scanner 1, an image processing unit 2, a modem 3, a printer 4, a channel connecting unit 5, a control panel 6, a controller 7, voice signal generator 8, a speaker 9 and a storage unit 10. The storage unit 10 stores communication third-party information. The controller 7 controls the speaker 9 via the generator 8 according to the third-party information at a facsimile reception ending time, and rumbles the buzzer sound intrinsic for each communication third-party. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication device such as a facsimile device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a conventional facsimile apparatus. This facsimile apparatus includes a transport scanner unit 21, an image processing unit 22, a modem 2
3, a printing unit 24, a line connection unit 25, an operation panel 26, a control unit 27, an audio signal generation unit 28, and a speaker 29.

The transport scanner unit 21 reads a transmission document while transporting it. The image processing unit 22 includes the transport scanner unit 21.
The image information read by and the image information received from the communication partner are processed. The modem 23 performs modulation for transmitting the data processed by the image processing unit 22 to an external line. Further, it demodulates the modulated image data received from the external line and sends it to the image processing unit 22. The printing unit 24 receives print data generated by the image processing unit 22 based on the data received from the external line, and performs print processing. The line connection unit 25 converts a data signal when transmitting / receiving data between a facsimile device and an external line. The operation panel 26 is used for inputting the telephone number of the other party at the time of transmitting the document, setting the mode of the transmitted image, and the like. Further, the operation panel 26 is provided with a display for displaying information such as completion of transmission / reception of image data and occurrence of trouble. The control unit 27 includes a CPU and the like, and the operation panel 2
Based on the information input in 6 and the program stored therein, the entire apparatus including the image processing unit 22, the modem 23 and the line connection unit 25 is controlled. The audio signal generation unit 28 generates an audio signal under the control of the control unit 27. The speaker 29 receives the audio signal generated by the audio signal generation unit 28 and emits a buzzer sound.

When the conventional facsimile apparatus configured as described above detects a call link signal, it captures the line and sends a facsimile signal according to a predetermined facsimile procedure to start a receiving operation. When the reception operation is started, the control unit 27 controls the modem 23 to perform a pre-communication procedure with the station side, receives the modulated image data via the line connection unit 25, and sends it to the modem 23. Forward. The modem 23 demodulates the received image data and sends it to the image processing unit 22 as image data.
The image processing unit 22 generates print data from the received image data and sends it to the printing unit 24. The printing unit 24 prints an image on recording paper or the like based on the received print data.

When the printing process is completed, the control unit 27 sends a buzzer activation signal to the audio signal generation unit 28.
Upon receiving the buzzer activation signal from the control unit 27, the audio signal generation unit 28 generates an analog signal for generating a buzzer sound and transmits the analog signal to the speaker 29. Upon receipt of the analog signal, the speaker 29 produces a buzzer sound to notify the end of the facsimile reception operation. At the same time, the control unit 27 controls the operation panel 26 and displays a character such as print end on the display of the operation panel 26.

[0006]

However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus configured as described above, the fixed buzzer sound is emitted regardless of the communication partner, purpose, etc. Before confirming the display on the operation panel 26 of the facsimile apparatus, it was not known from which other party the transmission was made, or a special purpose such as emergency contact.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art as described above, and its purpose is to:
An object of the present invention is to provide an image communication device such as a facsimile device capable of grasping a communication partner, a communication purpose, etc., by a buzzer sounding at the end of the reception operation, a display form, a lamp lighting, or the like.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an image communication device including an image processing means for processing received image data and an informing means, and storage means for storing communication partner information. And the communication destination information acquired at the time of receiving the image data, and the communication destination information stored in advance in the storage means, and the communication stored in advance in the storage means corresponding to the communication destination information to be acquired. And a notification control unit that controls the notification unit according to the partner information and notifies the notification information unique to each communication partner. In addition to the buzzer sounding means, the notification means may be a display means capable of changing the display form for each partner or a light emitting means having a different display color.

When the image communication apparatus of the present invention is a facsimile apparatus, the acquired communication destination information is the sender telephone number included in the facsimile procedure signal or the sender IP address included in the procedure signal according to the network protocol. . The communication partner information stored in advance in the storage means is the sender's telephone number and its unique buzzer sounding pattern, or the sender's IP address and its unique buzzer sounding pattern.

An image communication apparatus of another invention includes a notification control means having a pattern matching means for detecting an image pattern, and the storage means stores a predetermined image pattern and a unique notification method corresponding to this image pattern. However, when the pattern matching means detects from the received image data a notification method similar to the predetermined image pattern stored in the storage means, the control unit controls the notification means and stores the predetermined information stored in the storage means. The notification information peculiar to the image pattern is notified.

In the image communication apparatus of another invention, the notification information is notified at the end of the facsimile receiving operation, and in particular, an image similar to the image pattern stored in the storage means from the image data received by the pattern matching means. If a pattern is detected, it can be notified immediately.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiment. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment. The facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a transport scanner unit 1, an image processing unit 2, a modem 3, a printing unit 4, a line connection unit 5, an operation panel 6, a control unit 7, a voice signal generation unit 8, a speaker 9, and a storage. It is configured to include the unit 10.

The transport scanner unit 1 reads a transmission document while transporting it. The image processing unit 2 processes the image information read by the transport scanner unit 1 and the image information received from the communication partner. The modem 3 performs modulation for transmitting the data processed by the image processing unit 2 to an external line.
Further, it demodulates the modulated image data received from the external line and sends it to the image processing unit 2. Printing section 4
Receives the print data generated by the image processing unit 2 based on the data received from the external line, and performs the print processing. The line connection unit 5 converts signals when transmitting and receiving signals between the facsimile device and an external line. The operation panel 6 is used for inputting the telephone number of the other party at the time of transmitting the original, and for setting the mode of the transmitted image. Further, the operation panel 6 is provided with a display for displaying information such as completion of transmission / reception of image data and occurrence of trouble.

The control unit 7 is composed of a CPU and the like, and based on the information input to the operation panel 6 and the programs stored therein, the image processing unit 2, the modem 3, the line connection unit 5, etc. Control the entire device. The audio signal generator 8 generates an audio signal under the control of the controller 7. The speaker 9 receives the audio signal generated by the audio signal generator 8 and emits a buzzer sound. The storage unit 10 stores a reception operation end buzzer sound ringing pattern table for each communication destination in advance. Further, after the start of the receiving operation of the apparatus, the transmission side telephone number information (TSI) and the like included in the predetermined facsimile procedure signal transmitted from the station side according to the instruction of the control section 7 are stored.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication operation end buzzer sound ringing pattern table stored in the storage unit 10 in advance. In the reception operation end buzzer sounding pattern for each communication partner, the sender's telephone number and the buzzer sounding pattern corresponding to this telephone number are described. In addition to this, a buzzer sound pattern for each special communication purpose may be described. Also, in the buzzer sound ringing pattern for the end of receiving operation for each communication destination, the sounding time and interval of the buzzer sound are different for each sender's phone number. May be sounded. Note that the reception operation end buzzer sounding pattern table for each communication destination is stored in the storage unit 10 via the control unit 7 by a registration operation or the like from the operation panel 6.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, when the receiving operation (printing processing of the facsimile received image) is completed, the control section 7 sends the telephone number information on the sending side stored in the storage section 10 and the communication destination. Completion of separate reception operation By comparing the sender's phone number described in the buzzer sounding pattern table and the corresponding buzzer sounding pattern, the time interval and number of times unique to each sender's phone number specified in the table The buzzer sounding command signal according to the above is transmitted to the sound signal generation unit 8. Upon receiving the buzzer sounding command signal, the audio signal generating unit 8 receives a speaker driving signal that defines a predetermined frequency and a predetermined volume for sounding the buzzer sound from the speaker 9, and receives the buzzer sounding command signal. Send according to. The speaker 9 produces a buzzer sound according to the speaker drive signal. The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is the same as the conventional apparatus except for the operation described above.

Next, the receiving operation of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the receiving operation of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. In the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, first, 1) a call link signal is detected or a manual reception start operation is performed to capture a line and transmit a facsimile signal according to a predetermined facsimile procedure to start a reception operation (step). S11). 2) The control unit 7 causes the storage unit 10 to store the sender's telephone number information (TSI) included in the predetermined facsimile procedure signal sent from the station side (step S12).

3) The control section 7 determines whether or not the receiving operation is completed (step S13). When the receiving operation is completed, the process proceeds to the next step, and when the receiving operation is continued, the operation of step S11 is continued. 4) After the reception operation is completed, the control unit 7 compares the sender's telephone number information stored in the storage unit 10 with the reception operation end buzzer sound ringing pattern table for each destination to determine the ringing pattern of the buzzer sound, A buzzer sound ringing command signal is transmitted to the sound signal generator 8 and the end buzzer sound is ringed from the speaker 9 as described above (step S14).

As described above, in the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment, the end buzzer sound peculiar to each communication partner is sounded, so that the display display on the operation panel 6 is not checked at the end of the facsimile reception operation. It is possible to know from which party the facsimile transmission is made by merely listening to the end buzzer sound even when the apparatus is distant from the device.

The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment can also be connected to a personal computer via a network. In this case, the network protocol is used instead of the facsimile procedure signal, and the sender IP address is used instead of the sender telephone number. In addition, a unique display may be performed on the display of the operation panel 6 based on display data unique to each other party,
Alternatively, a light emitting unit such as an LED may be provided to control light emission to perform unique lighting.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an external configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with a pattern matching unit 11 that detects a specific image pattern from the received image data combined by the modem 3. This pattern matching unit 11
As a premise of performing the pattern matching processing by, for example, as shown in FIG.
The “book” is stored in the storage unit 10 as a “special image pattern”. Then, the pattern matching unit 11 uses the modem 3
When the received image data is received from, the pattern matching process is performed on the head portion of the received image data with reference to the “special image pattern” stored in the storage unit 10, and the result is stored in the storage unit 10. As the pattern matching processing method here, there are various known methods, and any one may be selected from them.

Further, in the storage unit 10, the ringing pattern of the reception operation end buzzer sound when the "special image pattern" is received is shown together with the communication operation end buzzer sound ringing pattern table shown in FIG. Remembered As a buzzer sound to be sounded when this "special image pattern" is received, for example, the tone color is changed from that of the normal sound,
The volume may be increased, but any sound may be used as long as it is different from the normal time.

Next, the receiving operation of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the receiving operation of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. In the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, first, 1) a call link signal is detected or a manual reception start operation is performed to capture a line and transmit a facsimile signal according to a predetermined facsimile procedure to start a reception operation (step). S21). 2) The pattern matching unit 11 detects whether or not there is a “special image pattern” stored in advance in the storage unit 10 at the beginning of the received image data, and the result is stored in the storage unit 10
(Step S22).

3) The control unit 7 determines whether or not the receiving operation is completed (step S23). When the receiving operation is completed, the process proceeds to the next step, and when the receiving operation is continued, the operation of step S22 is continued. 4) After the reception operation is completed, the control unit 7 refers to the detection result of step S22 stored in the storage unit 10. As a result, when the "special image pattern" does not exist, a normal buzzer sound is emitted (for example, the buzzer sound described in the first embodiment), and when the "special image pattern" exists, the predetermined buzzer sound is generated. The buzzer sound of is sounded (step S24).
When there is the “special image pattern”, the predetermined buzzer sound may be sounded immediately after recognizing that the image data including the “special image pattern” is received without waiting for the end of the receiving operation.

As described above, in the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the image data including the special image pattern is received, the special buzzer sounds, so that, for example, in the case of transmitting an urgent original document. Further, if the special image pattern is added to the original document on the transmitting side, it is possible to know that the emergency contact original document has been received even at a distant position only by hearing the reception operation end buzzer sound.

Further, in the apparatus of this embodiment, a plurality of special image patterns (for example, changing the number of horizontal lines) are stored in the storage unit 10 in advance, and the pattern matching unit 11 refers to these special image patterns. It is also possible to perform pattern matching processing on the received image data. In this case, it is preferable to set a reception operation end buzzer sound unique to each special image pattern. By doing so, it is possible to grasp, for example, the approximate content of the received document in addition to distinguishing whether or not it is an emergency contact by the reception operation end buzzer sound.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the items shown in this embodiment, and changes and improvements thereof can be made based on the description of the claims.
For example, it is possible to incorporate the pattern matching unit 11 that constitutes the device of the second embodiment into the image processing unit 2.
Further, the function of the facsimile device of the present invention is not limited to the facsimile device, and any device that performs image processing can be used.
It can be applied to any device.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of grasping a communication partner, a purpose, etc. by a buzzer sound or the like which notifies the end of the receiving operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a reception end buzzer sound ringing pattern table for each communication destination stored in a storage unit 10;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a receiving operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a special image pattern added to a transmission document.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a receiving operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,21 Conveyance scanner section 2.22 Image processing unit 3,23 modem 4, 24 Printing department 5, 25 line connection 6, 26 Operation panel 7, 27 Control unit 8, 28 Audio signal generator 9, 29 speakers 10 memory 11 Pattern Matching Department

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image communication apparatus including image processing means for processing received image data and notifying means, storage means for storing communication partner information, and communication partner information acquired when the image data is received. And the communication destination information stored in advance in the storage means, and controls the notification means in accordance with the communication destination information stored in advance in the storage means corresponding to the communication destination information to be acquired, and communicates. An image communication apparatus comprising: a notification control unit that notifies notification information unique to each partner. 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquired communication destination information is a sender telephone number included in a facsimile procedure signal. 3. The acquired communication partner information is a sender IP included in a procedure signal according to a network protocol.
The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication device is an address. 4. The image communication according to claim 2, wherein the communication destination information stored in advance in the storage means is a sender's telephone number and a unique buzzer sounding pattern corresponding thereto. apparatus. 5. The image communication according to claim 3, wherein the communication destination information stored in advance in the storage means is a sender IP address and a unique buzzer sounding pattern corresponding to the sender IP address. apparatus. 6. An image communication device including an image processing means for processing received image data and a notification means, and a storage means for storing a plurality of image patterns and respective notification methods unique to these image patterns, and an image. When the pattern matching unit detects a pattern pattern similar to the predetermined image pattern stored in the storage unit from the received image data, the pattern matching unit detects the pattern and controls the notification unit to detect the image pattern. An image communication device, comprising: a notification control unit that notifies notification information based on a notification method corresponding to the image pattern. 7. The image communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the notification information is notified at the end of the image data receiving operation. 8. The notification information, when an image pattern similar to the image pattern stored in the storage unit is detected from the image data received by the pattern matching unit,
The image communication device according to claim 6, wherein the image communication device is notified immediately.