JP2004088493A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying machine connected to a communication network whose copying result is easily known with another machine. <P>SOLUTION: After performing copying processing in accordance with an instruction, a composite facsimile machine 1 notifies a destination at an e-mail address registered in advance in a designated memory box that the copying processing is completed, via a LAN 10. When an abnormality occurs in the copying processing, the machine 1 notifies the destination at the e-mail address that the abnormality has occurred, via the LAN 10. The registering processing of the e-mail address indicating a notification destination is performed not only by the machine 1 but also by a PC 2 via the LAN 10 by using HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a copying apparatus that can be connected to a communication network and executes a document copy process.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In addition to the original copy function and facsimile function, it is connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and is connected to an information creation device such as a personal computer (PC) via the communication network. A multifunction facsimile apparatus (facsimile multifunction apparatus) capable of performing a data communication function between them has been developed. Then, instead of a copying machine having only a copying function, a normal copying process is being performed by such a facsimile multifunction peripheral, and the number of copies of a large number of documents is increasing.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a facsimile multifunction peripheral, the facsimile multifunction peripheral is operated while the copy processing is being performed in order to confirm the end of the copy processing and / or to promptly respond to the occurrence of an abnormality. Is generally accompanied by an operator. Therefore, when a large number of documents are copied, the copying process takes a long time, and the operator cannot stay away from the facsimile multifunction device during that time, which is inefficient. In other words, the operator has a desire to leave the place after starting the copy processing and receive the result of the copy processing (whether the processing has been completed normally or an error has occurred) in another device. However, conventionally, the demand has not been satisfied.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a copy apparatus which can easily confirm the end of the copy processing by another apparatus by notifying the end of the copy processing to a mail address registered in advance. The purpose is to provide.
[0005]
Another object of the present invention is to notify an e-mail address registered in advance when a copy process cannot be performed normally to notify another device that an abnormality has occurred in the copy process. An object of the present invention is to provide a copying apparatus that can be easily known.
[0006]
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a copying apparatus in which a desired apparatus can receive notification of the end of copy processing or occurrence of an abnormality by registering a mail address of a notification destination from outside.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A copying apparatus according to claim 1, which is connectable to a communication network and performs copying of an original. In a copying apparatus, a plurality of memory areas in which mail addresses are respectively registered, and a single memory area are designated and copied. It is characterized by comprising a means for receiving a processing instruction and a notifying means for notifying the end of the copy processing to a mail address registered in a designated memory area via the communication network.
[0008]
According to the present invention, after executing the designated copy process, the mail address registered in the designated memory area is notified of the end of the copy process via the communication network. Therefore, the operator can confirm the end of the copying process without being near the copying apparatus.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copying apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a unit configured to determine whether or not the copy process has been normally completed. Is notified to the mail address via the communication network.
[0010]
According to the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the copy processing, the fact is notified to a mail address registered in the designated memory area. Therefore, the occurrence of an abnormality in the copy processing can be immediately known, and a quick response can be taken.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the copying apparatus according to the first or second aspect, there is further provided a means for receiving an instruction to register a mail address in the memory area via the communication network.
[0012]
According to the third aspect, registration of a mail address to be notified of the end of the copy processing or the occurrence of an abnormality is received from outside via a communication network. Therefore, the desired mail address can be registered as the notification destination by reflecting the operator's request regarding the notification destination in the registered content, so that the end of the copy processing or the occurrence of an abnormality can be received by the desired device.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system including a copying apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a LAN as a communication network. A LAN 10 has a reading function of reading an original to obtain image data, a recording function of recording an image corresponding to the read image data or received data, and a reading function. A facsimile multifunction apparatus 1 as a copying apparatus according to the present invention, which also has a transmission function of facsimile transmitting image data or received data, is connected.
[0014]
The LAN 10 is connected to a plurality of PCs 2, 2,... For creating and editing various data. Various data created and edited by each PC 2 are transmitted to the facsimile multifunction device 1 via the LAN 10, and the transmitted data is printed out by the facsimile multifunction device 1. The facsimile multifunction device 1 is connected to a plurality of facsimile devices 3, 3,... By a public switched telephone network (PSTN), so that normal facsimile communication can be performed.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 of the present invention. The facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 includes a main control unit 11, a reading unit 12, a recording unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, an encoding / processing unit. It includes a decoding unit 16, a ROM 17, a RAM 18, an image memory 19, a registration memory 20, a modem 21, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 22, a PC interface unit 23, and the like. The facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 has, in addition to the original facsimile function, a recording function for recording data transmitted from each PC 2 via the LAN 10 and a copy function for reading and recording an original.
[0016]
The main control unit 11 is specifically composed of a CPU, is connected to the above-described hardware units of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 via a bus 24, controls them, and is stored in the ROM 17 as well. Various software functions are executed according to the control program. The reading unit 12 reads a document with a scanner using a CCD, for example, and outputs read image data. The recording unit 13 is an electrophotographic printer device, and prints out data transmitted from the PC 2, image data received by facsimile communication, image data of a document read by the reading unit 12, and the like.
[0017]
The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or a CRT display. The display unit 14 displays an operation state of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1, displays a screen prompting a user to perform an operation input, and displays data transmitted from the PC 2, The image data of the document read for transmission, the image data received from the facsimile machine 3, and the like are displayed. The operation unit 15 includes character keys, numeric keys, speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1. It should be noted that some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 15 can be substituted by using the display unit 14 of a touch panel type. The encoding / decoding unit 16 encodes and compresses the image data and decodes the encoded and compressed image data.
[0018]
The ROM 17 stores various software programs necessary for the operation of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 in advance. The RAM 18 is configured by an SRAM, a flash memory, or the like, and stores temporary data generated when executing software. The image memory 19 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data obtained by reading and encoding a document, image data received from the facsimile machine 3, and the like.
[0019]
A plurality of memory boxes as memory areas are set in the registration memory 20, and one mail address indicating a notification destination is registered in each memory box. The registration of the mail address in each memory box can be performed from the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 using its own operation unit 15 or from the PC 2 via the LAN 10 using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). is there. Then, the registered mail address is a notification destination address for notifying the end of the copy processing or the occurrence of an abnormality in the copy processing.
[0020]
The modem 21 is connected to the bus 24 and is configured by a facsimile modem capable of performing facsimile communication. The modem 21 is also directly connected to the NCU 22 similarly connected to the bus 24. The NCU 22 is hardware for performing operations of connecting and disconnecting the line L with the PSTN, and connects the modem 21 to the PSTN as necessary. The PC interface unit 23 is connected to the PC 2 via the LAN 10, and exchanges data with the PC 2.
[0021]
The facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 of the present invention has the above-described hardware configuration, and performs copy processing based on an instruction from the operation unit 15. When one of the memory boxes in the registration memory 20 is designated and a copy process is instructed, the reading unit 12 reads a document, and the recording unit 13 prints out an image corresponding to the read image data. Then, after the copy process in the reading unit 12 and the recording unit 13 is completed, the mail address registered in the designated memory box is notified via the LAN 10 that the copy process is completed. In this case, the specific contents to be notified include "copy processing ended normally", "job reception date and time", and "first page original".
[0022]
On the other hand, if an error (paper jam, paper cut, etc.) occurs in the copy processing in the reading unit 12 and the recording unit 13 before the copy processing is completed, the abnormality is notified to the registered mail address. Notify via LAN10. In this case, the specific contents to be notified include “abnormality of copy processing and its abnormality contents”, “method for coping with abnormality”, “date and time of job reception”, and the like.
[0023]
As a result, other devices can easily know that the copy processing has been completed normally or that an abnormality has occurred in the copy processing. Since an arbitrary address can be registered in the memory box of the registration memory 20 as the mail address of the notification destination, the end notification or the abnormality notification can be received by the device having the desired mail address. For example, after instructing copy processing in the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1, it is possible to receive an end notification or an abnormality notification in the PC 2 of the user's seat.
[0024]
Hereinafter, the operation will be described. First, the registration process of the mail address of the notification destination in the registration memory 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a mail address registration process from the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 side.
[0025]
The operation unit 15 inputs and selects a box number of a memory box in the registration memory 20 (step S1). The box name is registered in the selected memory box (step S2), and the mail address is registered (step S3). It is determined whether or not the notification function is set to be valid (step S4). If the notification function is to be set to be valid (S4: YES), “notification function ON” is registered in the selected memory box (step S5). If not (S4: NO), "notification function off" is registered in the selected memory box (step S6). It is determined whether or not to continue the registration process in the registration memory 20 (step S7). If it is to be continued (S7: YES), the processes of S1 to S6 are repeated, and if not to be continued (S7: NO). , And the process ends.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a mail address registration process from the PC 2 side. The registration screen of the memory box is taken out to the PC 2 by HTTP (step S11). The user inputs and selects the box number of the memory box (step S12). The user inputs a box name to the selected memory box (step S13), registers the input box name by HTTP (step S14), inputs an e-mail address to the selected memory box (step S15), and inputs the input e-mail address. Register by HTTP (step S16).
[0027]
It is determined whether or not the notification function is set to be enabled (step S17). If the notification function is set to be enabled (S17: YES), "notification function ON" is input to the selected memory box (step S18). "Notification function ON" is registered by HTTP (step S19), and if it is not valid (S17: NO), "notification function OFF" is input to the selected memory box (step S20), and the input "notification function""Off" is registered by HTTP (step S21). It is determined whether or not to continue the registration processing in the registration memory 20 (step S22). If it is to be continued (S22: YES), the processing of S12 to S21 is repeated, and if it is not to be continued (S22: NO). , And the process ends.
[0028]
Hereinafter, the operation of the copy processing will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the copy processing in the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1.
[0029]
The main control unit 11 determines whether or not the mode for notifying the result of the copy processing is set (step S31). If the notification mode has not been set (S31: NO), the process proceeds to step S34. When the notification mode is set (S31: YES), the input of the box number of the memory box by the operation unit 15 is accepted (step S32), and the box name of the memory box and the notification function setting state are displayed on the display unit 14. (Step S33).
[0030]
The main control unit 11 determines whether the copy start key of the operation unit 15 has been pressed (S34), and if not (S34: NO), the process returns to S31. When the copy start key is pressed (S34: YES), the reading unit 12 reads the original (step S35), and the image data of the read original is encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 16 to convert the encoded data into an image. It is stored in the memory 19 (step S36). The main controller 11 determines whether reading of all pages of the document has been completed (step S37). If not completed (S37: NO), the main controller 11 performs steps S35 and S36 to perform reading processing for the next page. Is repeated.
[0031]
When the reading of all pages of the document is completed (S37: YES), the encoded data stored in the image memory 19 is decoded by the encoding / decoding unit 16, and the recording unit 13 prints it out on a sheet ( Step S38). Then, the main control unit 11 determines whether or not an abnormality (paper jam, running out of paper, etc.) has occurred in the recording process in the recording unit 13 (step S39). If no abnormality occurs (S39: NO), the main control unit 11 determines whether or not recording of all pages has been completed (step S40). If the recording of all pages has not been completed (S40: NO), the processing of S38 and S39 is repeated to perform the recording processing of the next page.
[0032]
When recording of all pages is completed (S40: YES), the main control unit 11 determines whether or not “notification function ON” is registered in the designated memory box (step S41). If it is registered (S41: YES), the main control unit 11 notifies the mail address registered in the memory box of the end of the copy process (step S42), and the entire process ends. If "notification function on" is not registered, that is, if "notification function off" is registered (S41: NO), the process ends as it is.
[0033]
On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the recording process in the recording unit 13 (S39: YES), the main control unit 11 determines whether or not “notification function ON” is registered in the specified memory box (S39). Step S43). If it has been registered (S43: YES), the main control unit 11 notifies the mail address registered in the memory box of the abnormality (step S44), and the entire process ends. If “notification function on” is not registered, that is, if “notification function off” is registered (S43: NO), the process ends.
[0034]
In the above-described example, the normal notification and the abnormal notification are transmitted to the same e-mail address. However, the e-mail addresses to which the normal notification and the abnormal notification are transmitted may be different. For example, the mail address of the normal notification registers the address of the PC 2 at the operator's seat, and the mail address of the abnormality notification registers the address of the management server computer that manages each copy process. In addition, the functionality can be improved, for example, the batch management of abnormal copy processing can be easily performed.
[0035]
As described above, in the copying apparatus according to the present invention, the end of the copying process or the occurrence of an abnormality in the copying process is notified to the mail address registered in advance, so that the copying apparatus is distant from the copying apparatus. Also, it can be easily confirmed by another device whether the instructed copy processing has been completed normally. Therefore, the operator does not need to be near the copying apparatus during the copying process, can perform other operations, and can improve the convenience. In addition, since the registration of the mail address of the notification destination of the end of the copy processing or the occurrence of the abnormality can be accepted from the outside via a communication network, the request of the operator regarding the notification destination can be easily included in the registration contents, and the copy processing can be performed. The operator can freely set the notification destination of the end or the occurrence of the abnormality, and can receive the notification of the end of the copy processing or the occurrence of the abnormality in a desired device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system including a copying apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a mail address registration process from the facsimile multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a mail address registration process from the PC side.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a copy process in the facsimile multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a copy process in the facsimile multifunction peripheral.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Facsimile multifunction device (copier)
2 PC
10 LAN
11 Main Control Unit 12 Reading Unit 13 Recording Unit 15 Operation Unit 16 Encoding / Decoding Unit 17 ROM
19 Image memory 20 Registration memory 23 PC interface

Claims (3)

Means for receiving a plurality of memory areas in each of which a mail address is registered and a designation of one memory area and an instruction for a copy process, wherein the copy device is connectable to a communication network and performs a copy process of a document; And a notifying unit for notifying the end of the copy processing to a mail address registered in a designated memory area via the communication network. Means for judging whether or not the copy processing has been normally completed, and in a case where the copy processing has not been normally completed, the notifying means notifies the mail address to the mail address via the communication network. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for receiving an instruction to register a mail address in the memory area via the communication network.

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