JP2005026855A - Image communication equipment and method for controlling image communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image communication equipment by which the contents of received data are ensured even if functions except reception are not in use when the image communication equipment, including a facsimile machine responds to a power interruption signal from an uninterruptible power supply and a mode is transferred to a power saving mode. <P>SOLUTION: The image communication equipment to which power is supplied from the uninterruptible power supply connected to a commercial power source comprises: a reception means receiving image data; a communication means communicating with another image communication equipment by connection to a public line; and a storage means storing the image data without output. The image communication equipment has a control means controlling the communication means through: storing the received data on the storage means when the commercial power source is interrupted; power is supplied from a battery in the uninterruptible power supply; and detecting an abnormal signal from the uninterruptible power supply; and transmitting the received data to another image communication equipment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus such as a facsimile machine connected to an uninterruptible power supply, and a method for controlling the image communication apparatus at the time of the power failure.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the use of multimedia, the use of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) at home is increasing. The PC is very sensitive to power troubles, and if there is a power failure such as a power failure, the data may be destroyed. In order to avoid such power supply troubles, an increasing number of PCs are connected to the uninterruptible power supply.
[0003]
Further, as recent facsimile apparatuses, there are an increasing number of facsimile apparatuses having not only a FAX transmission function but also a copy function and a printer function.
[0004]
In such a facsimile apparatus, for the purpose of shortening the work time at the time of transmission and the like, it is mainstream to perform memory transmission when transmitting a document. When performing memory transmission, since the operator often leaves the transmitting facsimile machine before the counterpart facsimile machine receives it, the state of the receiving facsimile machine is unknown. For example, if the receiving facsimile machine has been stopped for a long time due to a power failure or the like, re-transmission is necessary, which places a burden on the sender, but if the sender forgets to re-send, the original facsimile machine The bad effect of not reaching. In order to prevent this problem, it is necessary to connect the facsimile apparatus to the uninterruptible power supply similarly to the PC and the like, and the number of facsimile apparatuses connected to the uninterruptible power supply is increasing.
[0005]
However, there is a limit to the amount of power that the uninterruptible power supply can supply to the facsimile apparatus, and there is a drawback that the operation of the facsimile apparatus cannot be maintained if the commercial power supply is stopped for a long time. As a solution to this drawback, a technology is known in which, after a power failure occurs, in order to reduce the battery consumption of the uninterruptible power supply, the power supply is switched to the power saving mode and the power supply to units not required for FAX reception is stopped. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1)
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-186968
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional facsimile machine connected to the uninterruptible power supply, the image data received at the time of the power failure is stored in the internal memory and the image output function unnecessary for FAX reception is stopped. There is a problem that it is impossible to check the received image data.
[0008]
The above problem also occurs in an image communication apparatus other than a facsimile apparatus such as a personal computer.
[0009]
In the present invention, when an image communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus responds to a power failure signal of an uninterruptible power supply and shifts to a power saving mode, even if functions other than reception cannot be used, the received data An object of the present invention is to provide an image communication apparatus capable of confirming the contents.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention comprises receiving means for receiving image data, communication means for connecting to a public line and communicating with another image communication apparatus, and storage means for storing without outputting image data, and is connected to a commercial power source. In the image communication apparatus to which power is supplied from the uninterruptible power supply, when the commercial power supply is stopped, power is supplied from the battery in the uninterruptible power supply, and an abnormal signal is detected from the uninterruptible power supply, An image communication apparatus having control means for controlling the communication means to store received data in the storage means and to transmit the received data to another image communication apparatus.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus FS1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012]
The facsimile apparatus FS1 includes a control unit 1, a ROM 2, an image reading unit 3, a RAM 4, a recording unit 5, an operation unit 6, a modem (modem / demodulation device) 7, a network control unit 8, and a power signal detection unit. 9.
[0013]
The control unit 1 controls the entire facsimile apparatus FS1 via the system bus. The ROM 2 is a memory that stores program codes such as instructions for operating the MPU, operating system (OS) program codes, initial value data, table data, and the like. The image reading unit 3 converts an image optically read at a predetermined resolution into an electrical image signal.
[0014]
The RAM 4 is a memory used for an image buffer, an image memory, and the like. The RAM 4 is used as a buffer for temporarily storing image data when facsimile transmission / reception is performed, and a memory for storing received image data as a file. Used as. The recording unit 5 includes a recording image processing unit, a recording control unit, an image memory, a printer, and the like.
[0015]
The operation unit 6 is a numeric keypad used for dialing or registering and setting data, a function key for using various functions, a one-touch key used for registering a telephone number and dialing with one touch, etc. Start key used to start transmission, reception, copy, etc., various key switches such as stop key used to stop operations such as transmission, registration, and settings, communication status confirmation, data registration, setting, confirmation message, etc. It consists of various LEDs such as an LCD that displays various messages, a lamp that lights during communication, a lamp that lights when various errors occur, and a lamp that displays the transmission mode, etc. Display phone number, time information, operation procedure, etc. The operation unit 6 sets another FAX to be transmitted when the facsimile apparatus FS1 shifts to the power saving mode and receives a FAX.
[0016]
The modem (modem / demodulator) 7 has a function of modulating a signal to be transmitted and demodulating a signal to be received in order to communicate with another device via the telephone line L1.
[0017]
The network control unit 8 is for connecting the facsimile apparatus FS1 to the public line NW, and performs line control such as outgoing call and incoming call to the communication line. The network control unit 8 has an automatic transmission / reception function, and transmits / receives data to / from another facsimile apparatus FS2 (which may be another image communication apparatus such as a personal computer) through the public line NW.
[0018]
The power signal detection unit 9 detects a signal from the uninterruptible power supply 20.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the uninterruptible power supply 20.
[0020]
The uninterruptible power supply (UBT) 20 includes a rectifier 21 connected to the commercial power supply 10, a battery BT connected in parallel with the rectifier 21, and an inverter 22 connected to the rectifier 21 and the battery BT. I have.
[0021]
The uninterruptible power supply 20 supplies stable power to the facsimile apparatus FS1 via the inverter 22 while synchronizing with the commercial power supply 10 when the commercial power supply 10 is normal. When the battery BT is not charged, it is charged at the same time.
[0022]
When an abnormality such as a power failure occurs in the commercial power supply 10, the inverter 22 converts the electric power charged in the battery BT and supplies it to the facsimile apparatus FS1 that is a load through the output line L3. At this time, a signal indicating that the power supply is abnormal is output to the facsimile apparatus FS1 through the signal line L2.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile apparatus FS1 when the commercial power supply 10 is stopped.
[0024]
The control unit 1 executes the processing operation shown in FIG. 3 every predetermined time.
[0025]
When the signal detection unit 9 detects an abnormal signal in step S1, a display indicating that there is a power failure is displayed on the operation unit 6 in step S2.
[0026]
After displaying the power failure, in step S3, the facsimile apparatus FS1 shifts to the power saving mode to reduce power consumption. In the power saving mode, in order to stop the power supply to the units that are not required for FAX reception, the facsimile transmission operation is stopped and only the reception operation is maintained. In addition, since no power is supplied to units that are not required for FAX reception, the copy function and the scanner function cannot be used.
[0027]
When the commercial power supply 10 is restored, in step S4, the signal detection unit 9 senses a return signal and cancels the power saving mode. In step S5, the signal detecting unit 9 recovers from the power saving mode and returns the facsimile apparatus FS1 to the normal control. If there is data received in the memory, it is output. In step S6, the fact that the power failure has been restored is displayed on the operation unit 6, and the state shifts to the normal control state.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile apparatus FS1 when there is a FAX reception.
[0029]
This process is executed by the control unit 1 every predetermined time.
[0030]
If there is FAX reception (S11), reception processing is executed, and the received data is stored in the RAM 104. If the facsimile apparatus FS1 is in the power saving mode (S12), the stored data is immediately transmitted to another preset facsimile apparatus FS2 (S13), and the process ends. If the facsimile apparatus FS1 is not in the power saving mode and is operating normally (S12), the data stored in the RAM 104 is printed (S14), and the process ends.
[0031]
According to the above embodiment, when the facsimile apparatus FS1 receives the power failure signal of the uninterruptible power supply and has shifted to the power saving mode, the received data is stored even if functions other than reception are disabled. Since the data is transmitted to another facsimile apparatus FS2, the contents of the received data can be confirmed.
[0032]
In addition, according to the above embodiment, since the transmission function with low power consumption is used, the above-described embodiment can extend the receivable time by the uninterruptible power supply device as compared with the case of printing the received data. It can also be applied to an image communication apparatus other than a facsimile apparatus such as a personal computer.
[0033]
Further, when the stored data is transmitted to another preset facsimile apparatus FS2 in step S13, it is transmitted to an image communication apparatus apparatus other than the facsimile apparatus, such as a personal computer, instead of the other facsimile apparatus FS2. You may do it.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, when the facsimile apparatus receives the power failure signal of the uninterruptible power supply and has shifted to the power saving mode, even if functions other than reception cannot be used, Since the received data is transmitted to another image communication apparatus, the content of the received data can be confirmed.
[0035]
In addition, since the transmission function with low power consumption is used, it is possible to extend the receivable time by the uninterruptible power supply device as compared with the case of printing the received data.
[0036]
According to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention, when the power supply is resumed from the commercial power supply that has been stopped, the facsimile apparatus is returned to the normal control before the power supply is stopped. There is an effect that can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus FS1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the uninterruptible power supply 20;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile apparatus FS1 when the commercial power supply 10 is stopped.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment, and is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile apparatus FS1 when there is a FAX reception.
[Explanation of symbols]
FS1 ... facsimile machine,
1 Control unit,
10 ... Commercial power supply,
20: Uninterruptible power supply,
BT ... Battery,
FS2: Another facsimile machine.

Claims (4)

An uninterruptible power supply connected to a commercial power supply, comprising a receiving means for receiving image data, a communication means for connecting to a public line and communicating with another image communication apparatus, and a storage means for storing without outputting image data In the image communication device to which power is supplied from the device,
When the commercial power supply is stopped, power is supplied from the battery in the uninterruptible power supply, and an abnormal signal is detected from the uninterruptible power supply, the received data is stored in the storage means and received. An image communication apparatus comprising control means for controlling the communication means so as to transmit data to another image communication apparatus. In claim 1,
An image communication apparatus comprising: return means for returning to a state before the power supply stop in response to a return signal from the uninterruptible power supply when the power supply from the commercial power supply is restored. An uninterruptible power supply connected to a commercial power supply, comprising a receiving means for receiving image data, a communication means for connecting to a public line and communicating with another image communication apparatus, and a storage means for storing without outputting image data In a control method of an image communication apparatus to which power is supplied from an apparatus,
When the commercial power supply is stopped, power is supplied from the battery in the uninterruptible power supply, and an abnormal signal is detected from the uninterruptible power supply, the received data is stored in the storage means and received. A method for controlling an image communication apparatus, comprising: controlling data to be transmitted to another image communication apparatus. In claim 3,
A control method for an image communication apparatus, wherein when power supply from the commercial power supply is restored, the power supply is returned to a state before the power supply is stopped in response to a return signal from the uninterruptible power supply apparatus.

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