JP2005110075A - Color communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color communication terminal selecting color facsimile transmission or monochromatic facsimile transmission depending on a situation of the reception capability or the like of a destination even when the color communication terminal is set at a color mode. <P>SOLUTION: The operation of a facsimile transmission processing includes steps of: (ST12) discriminating whether a color FAX mode is set when a one-touch key 8b is operated for facsimile transmission (ST11); (ST13) discriminating the presence / absence of the color reception capability registered in a registration area in a one-touch memory 5a corresponding to the operated one-touch key when the color FAX mode is set; (ST14) reading an original in color and transmitting the read original when the destination has the color reception capability; and (ST15) monochromatically reading the original and transmitting the monochromatically read original when the destination has no color reception capability on the other hand. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of communicating color images in addition to monochrome images, and a color communication terminal apparatus such as a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a copying function and a facsimile function.

In general, some communication terminal devices such as facsimile machines and multi-function peripherals can read a monochrome or color document in monochrome and send it by facsimile, and can also read a color document in color and send it in color by facsimile. In these communication terminal apparatuses, whether to perform monochrome facsimile transmission or color facsimile transmission, color / monochrome mode setting is performed, and color facsimile transmission or monochrome facsimile transmission according to the selected mode is performed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-189869 A

  In a color communication terminal device such as the above-described conventional color multifunction peripheral, the color mode is set, and when a color original is read in color, color image data is transmitted by facsimile. In this case, there is no particular difference in that both the transmission source and the reception destination can transmit image data in color, and it is often desired. However, even with the same single document, the color image data is much larger than the monochrome image, and if the number of documents to be transmitted is large, the communication time becomes large, the communication cost becomes large, and the line is connected. There is a problem that the degree of occupation becomes high.

  On the other hand, even if the original to be transmitted is in color, there may be no inconvenience even if it is not transmitted in color, depending on the circumstances of the source or destination or in specific cases.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a color communication terminal apparatus capable of performing transmission by color facsimile or monochrome facsimile depending on circumstances even in the color mode. It is said.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, a color communication terminal device includes a memory that pre-registers and stores destination information and information on the presence or absence of color facsimile reception capability, and a destination designation operation performed by one touch. A one-touch operation key for reading out information indicating the presence or absence of color facsimile reception capability relating to the destination corresponding to the destination, and whether to send the original image in color or monochrome depending on the presence or absence of the read color facsimile reception capability Control means for selecting.

  In this color communication terminal device, when the one-touch operation key is operated, the registered content corresponding to the key of the one-touch memory is read, and color facsimile transmission is performed according to the presence or absence of the facsimile reception capability, for example, when the color reception capability is present. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color communication terminal device comprising: a first transmission means capable of color facsimile transmission; a second transmission means not capable of color facsimile transmission; and whether image data to be facsimile transmitted is monochrome or color And a control means for selecting an optimal transmission means based on the determination result of the determination means.

  In this color communication terminal device, when the image data to be transmitted is color, the first transmission unit is selected, and color facsimile transmission is performed by the first transmission unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color communication terminal apparatus comprising: means for setting and connecting a color facsimile-compatible line as reception only; operation means for selecting color facsimile transmission; and selection of color facsimile transmission by the operation means. And a notification means for performing a warning notification that color facsimile transmission is prohibited when the setting means sets reception-only when the operation is performed.

  In this color communication terminal device, when color facsimile transmission is selected and operated, a warning is issued to the effect that color facsimile transmission is prohibited.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately select color facsimile transmission or monochrome facsimile transmission according to whether or not the other party has color reception capability.

  Further, according to the present invention, an optimum line can be selected from a line compatible with color transmission or a line not compatible with color transmission, depending on whether color facsimile transmission or monochrome transmission is performed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an entire color communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The color communication terminal device according to this embodiment is configured as a color multi-function peripheral having a facsimile function and a copy function, and capable of handling color as well as monochrome as an image. The color multifunction peripheral includes a main control unit (CPU) 1, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 2, a MODEM 3, a ROM 4, a RAM 5, an image memory 6, a display unit 7, and an operation unit 8. An image reading unit 9, an image recording unit 10, a CODEC (encoding: decoder: Coder and Decoder) 11, a LAN I / F 12, and a bus 13.

  A main control unit (CPU) 1 controls each unit constituting this apparatus. This control includes control when a monochrome image or a color image is transmitted to or received from the counterpart device. The NCU 2 controls the connection with the telephone line network (PSTN) 14 which is a communication line, and also transmits a dial signal corresponding to the telephone number (including the FAX number) of the other party and a function for detecting an incoming call. It has. MODEM3 is an ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T recommendation T.264. 30, T.M. Based on the facsimile transmission control procedure according to 4 or the like, 17, V. 27ter, V.I. The transmission data is modulated and the received data is demodulated in accordance with 29. Alternatively, V. 34, the transmission data is modulated and the received data is demodulated.

  The ROM 4 stores a program for controlling this device. The RAM 5 temporarily stores data and the like. The RAM 5 includes a one-touch memory 5a. The one-touch memory 5a stores a one-touch table. An example of the one-touch table is shown in FIG. In this one-touch table, a destination name, a destination number, and a destination reception color / monochrome identification are registered corresponding to the key number of the one-touch key. The image memory 6 temporarily stores monochrome or color received image data and monochrome or color read image data read by the image reading unit 9.

  The display unit (LCD) 7 displays icons, key buttons, message contents necessary for data transmission / reception, and the like. The operation unit 8 is an operation mode for switching modes among a plurality of operation modes such as a ten key, a registration key, a FAX mode, a copy mode, and a scanner mode in addition to the start key 8a, the one touch key 8b, and the color FAX setting key 8c. It has a switch key and other keys. The start key 8a is a key operated to start various processes such as copying. The one-touch key 8b is a key for designating a partner by one touch. Here, a plurality of one-touch keys are generically shown. The color FAX setting key 8c is a key for setting a color FAX by operating this key.

  The image reading unit 9 optically scans a document to read image data when performing FAX transmission or copying. The image reading unit 9 can read a monochrome image and a color image. The image recording unit 10 is composed of an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data and image data of a document read by the image reading unit 9 on a recording sheet in a copying operation. The image recording unit 10 can also perform color printing.

  The CODEC 11 encodes (encodes) the read image data according to the MH, MR, KMR method or the like to transmit or store, and decodes (decodes) the received image data to record. The LAN I / F 12 is connected to an external device constituting a PC (personal computer) or other LAN 15 (local area network), and exchanges data with the external device via the LAN I / F 12. When a request for transferring data such as a file is received from the external PC, the image data stored in the RAM 5 is transferred to the external PC via the LAN I / F 12 and the LAN 15.

  In the color multifunction peripheral of this embodiment, a color image can be transmitted to another device (color multifunction peripheral) via the NCU 2, MODEM 3, and public line 14. Conversely, color images can be received from other devices via the public line 14, the NCU 2, and the MODEM 3. Furthermore, color images can be transmitted from other devices (PC) via the LAN 15 and the LAN I / F 12, and color images can be transmitted to the external device (PC) via the LAN I / F 12 and the LAN 15. .

  In the color multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the one-touch table of the one-touch memory 5a provided in the RAM 5, an attribute indicating whether or not color reception is possible is registered for each one-touch key 8b together with a destination name and a destination number. When the facsimile is sent, the one touch key 8b is operated to specify the destination, and the attributes of the reception capability of the one touch table are read out. Color facsimile transmission is prohibited for impossible destinations.

  The receiving capability attribute setting processing operation of the color MFP of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When this processing routine is entered, in step ST1, the registration key is operated to clear the one-touch attribute area of the one-touch table. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST12. In step ST2, one-touch transmission is performed by operating a one-touch key that designates a destination to register the reception capability attribute. Next, the process proceeds to step ST3.

  In step ST3, a response from the partner is received, and it is determined whether or not the partner machine has a color FAX function. If the determination is YES, that is, if there is a response with the color FAX function from the partner machine, the process proceeds to step ST4. On the other hand, if the determination is NO, that is, if there is a response indicating that there is no color FAX function from the partner machine, the process proceeds to step ST5.

  In step ST4, since the response with the color FAX function is received from the counterpart device, “Yes” is stored in the attribute storage area of the reception capability of the counterpart device in the one-touch table. In step ST5, since there is no color FAX function response from the counterpart device, nothing is stored in the attribute storage area of the reception capability of the counterpart device in the one-touch table (X in the color column and ◯ in the monochrome column).

  Next, the processing operation at the time of facsimile transmission by the one-touch key operation in the color multifunction peripheral of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. If this processing routine is entered, it is determined in step ST11 whether or not a one-touch transmission key has been input. When one of the one-touch keys 8b of the operation unit 8 is operated, the process proceeds to step ST12. In step ST12, it is determined whether or not the color FAX mode is set. When the color FAX setting key 8c of the operation unit 8 is operated and the color FAX mode is set, the process proceeds to step ST13. On the other hand, if the color FAX mode is not set, the process proceeds to step ST16.

  In step ST13, it is determined whether the destination one-touch attribute has a color FAX reception capability. This determination is made based on the stored contents of the one-touch table. If the stored data of the other party corresponding to the one-touch key 8b operated from the one-touch table is read and the color facsimile has the receiving capability, the process proceeds to step ST14. On the other hand, if the color facsimile reception capability is not present, the process proceeds to step ST15.

  In step ST14, since the destination has color reception capability, the original is read in color, and color facsimile transmission is performed to the destination designated by the one-touch key 8b. In step ST15, since the other party does not have color reception capability, the original is read in monochrome and is sent to the other party by facsimile. Alternatively, even though the color FAX mode is set, color facsimile transmission cannot be performed, so an error is displayed on the display unit 7.

  In step ST16, since the color FAX mode is not set, the original is read in monochrome, and the facsimile is transmitted to the other party in monochrome.

  Next, another embodiment shown in FIG. 6 will be described. In this embodiment, an option board 102 that can communicate with another line is connected to the color MFP main body 101 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the color MFP main body 101 is capable of color FAX transmission, and color transmission is performed by the first line 103 of the public line. On the other hand, the option board 102 does not support color FAX and is configured to be connectable to the second line 104. In the color multifunction peripheral of this embodiment, either the first line 103 or the second line 104 is selected according to whether or not color FAX transmission is performed. The line selection processing in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  If this processing routine is entered, it is determined in step ST21 whether or not it is a line selection process. If the line selection process is set, the process proceeds to step ST22. In step ST22, it is determined whether or not the color FAX mode is set. If the read document image is in color, or if the color mode is set on the operation unit 8, the process proceeds to step ST23. On the other hand, when the read original is not in color, or when the color mode is not set on the operation unit 8 (when monochrome is set), the process proceeds to step ST24. In step ST23, the first line 103 is selected based on the color mode. On the other hand, in step ST24, an empty line, that is, the second line 104 is selected based on the fact that it is not in the color mode. By selecting the first line 103, color facsimile transmission is executed. By selecting the second line 104, monochrome facsimile transmission is executed.

  As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an option board 102 is connected to the color MFP main body 101, the color MFP main body 101 is connected to a color-compatible line 103, and the option board 102 does not support color. If the user (operator) selects color facsimile transmission in the color MFP main body 101 and the color-compatible line 103 is set to receive only, the color facsimile is connected. A warning that the transmission is prohibited (color facsimile selection is invalidated) may be displayed on the display unit 7, and further a warning may be output by voice. This prevents color facsimile transmission from being selected.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a color multifunction machine in which the present invention is implemented. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining registration processing for the presence / absence of a color FAX function of a destination of the color MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining facsimile transmission processing of the color multifunction printer according to the embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a two-line connection function of the color MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the memory content of the one-touch memory of the said embodiment color multifunctional device. It is a block diagram which shows 2 line connection by the option of color embodiment of another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Main control unit (CPU)
2 NCU
3 MODEM
4 ROM
5 RAM
5a One-touch memory 6 Image memory 7 Display unit 8 Operation unit 8a Start key 8b One-touch key 8c Color FAX setting key 9 Image reading unit 10 Image recording unit 11 CODEC
12 LAN I / F
13 Bus 14 Public line 15 LAN
101 Color MFP 102 Option Board 103 First Line 104 Second Line

Claims (3)

A memory for registering and storing destination information in advance and information on the presence or absence of color facsimile reception capability;
One-touch operation key for reading out information indicating the presence or absence of a color facsimile receiving capability related to the counterpart corresponding to the counterpart from the memory by one-touch destination designation operation;
Control means for selecting whether the original image is transmitted in color or monochrome depending on the presence or absence of the read color facsimile reception capability;
A color communication terminal device comprising: First transmission means capable of color facsimile transmission;
A second transmission means that cannot transmit color facsimile;
Determining means for determining whether the image data to be transmitted by facsimile is monochrome or color;
A color communication terminal apparatus comprising: a control unit that selects an optimal transmission unit based on a determination result of the determination unit. Means for setting and connecting a color facsimile compatible line as reception only;
Operation means for selecting color facsimile transmission;
A notification means for performing a warning notification that the color facsimile transmission is prohibited when the setting means is set to receive only when the operation means selects color facsimile transmission; and
A color communication terminal device comprising:

Images