JP2006041716A - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile machine which facilitates confirmation of an image equivalent to an output image outputted by a receiver side facsimile machine even after transmission. <P>SOLUTION: The facsimile machine is configured in such a way that the facsimile machine stores information with respect to the resolution of transmitted image information together with the transmitted image information, so that an image equivalent to an outputted image by the receiver side facsimile machine can be confirmed even after the transmission of the image information. Concretely, the transmitted image is displayed on an image area 89 with the resolution of the transmitted image. Further, the image converted into an image with various magnification factors can be confirmed by printing the image by the transmitter side facsimile machine by touching a print command button 92, or retransmitting the image information by touching a re-transmission command button 93, or touching a magnification change command button 91. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that inputs image information and transmits the input image information to a designated destination.

  Conventionally, when a document is transmitted using a facsimile machine, the determination of the read line density of the transmitted document is largely based on the user's sense and is very ambiguous. Even if a document to be transmitted is read at a certain linear density, it has not been possible to know how much resolution (appearance) is actually output on the receiving side.

Therefore, a facsimile apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has been considered. First, when a transmission operation is performed by a user, the facsimile apparatus reads a document in a super fine mode which is the highest linear density (maximum resolution) of the facsimile apparatus, and stores image information in a memory. Thereafter, the facsimile apparatus prints the image information stored in the memory on the recording paper by 1/3 in one page in each mode of the standard mode, fine mode, and super fine mode. When the user confirms the printed image printed in this way and inputs an appropriate mode to the facsimile apparatus, the facsimile apparatus converts the image information into a line density (resolution) corresponding to the input mode. To the receiving facsimile machine. Therefore, if such a facsimile apparatus is used, an image that will be output to the receiving facsimile apparatus can be confirmed in advance.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-139836

  However, even when the facsimile apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is used, if the user cannot communicate with the receiving facsimile apparatus in the mode input by the user, the image information is different from the mode input by the user. Will be sent. That is, in the receiving facsimile apparatus, there is a possibility that characters may be crushed without outputting an image at a desired resolution.

  In addition, when such a situation occurs, the occurrence of the event cannot be confirmed by the transmission-side facsimile machine, and the user of the transmission-side facsimile machine calls the user from the reception-side facsimile machine. It was possible to know for the first time when a retransmission request was made.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus that can easily confirm an output image equivalent to an output image output by a receiving facsimile apparatus even after transmission. To do.

  The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, is a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting and storing input image information and transmitting the stored image information again. An input means for inputting information, a transmission means for transmitting image information via a communication means, an output means for outputting image information as an image, a storage means for storing information, and a control means are provided. Among these, the control means stores the image information input by the input means in the storage means together with information on the receiving side resolution when the transmission means transmits, and the image information stored in the storage means is stored on the receiving side stored in the storage means. Information on the resolution is used, and the output unit outputs the information according to the reception-side resolution when the transmission unit transmits the image information.

  The “image information” referred to here is not only information related to pictures, photos, graphs, etc., but also includes information related to characters. Further, the “information regarding resolution” referred to here means the resolution itself (for example, 600 dpi) and the mode type (super fine mode, fine mode, etc.).

  According to such a facsimile apparatus, information regarding the resolution at the time of transmitting image information is stored together with the image information so that an image equivalent to the image output by the receiving facsimile apparatus can be confirmed after transmission. Therefore, it is possible to confirm after transmission whether an image is output on the receiving side as intended by the user. Further, if the stored information is used, the image information can be transmitted at the same resolution as that at the time of the initial transmission at the time of retransmission.

  As specific output means, one that can display image information as an image (Claim 2) and one that can print image information on paper as an image (Claim 3) can be considered. As a specific example of what can display image information as an image, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. can be considered, for example. Specific examples of what can print image information on paper as an image include a thermal printing mechanism, a laser printing mechanism, an inkjet printing mechanism, and the like.

  Thus, if the image information can be displayed as an image, the output image on the receiving side can be easily confirmed. If image information can be printed on paper as an image, an image closer to the output image on the receiving side can be confirmed. As specific examples of the input means, for example, a scanner that reads optical information of a printed material, a network interface that acquires image information transmitted from a personal computer, and the like can be considered.

  By the way, if the output state of the transmitted image information on the receiving side can be confirmed, the confirmer may be aware that an image in an invisible state is delivered to the receiving side. For such a case, it is preferable that an image can be enlarged and transmitted at the time of retransmission. That is, as in the facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, the image forming apparatus further includes an enlargement factor receiving unit that receives information about the enlargement factor from the user, and the control unit enlarges the image information stored in the storage unit. The transmission means may be configured to transmit in correspondence with the enlargement magnification received by the magnification reception means. Note that “corresponding to the enlargement ratio” here does not simply mean that the amount of image information is enlarged without changing the amount of information of image information, but the amount of information of image information to be transmitted. It means increasing within the range of the image information stored in itself. The receiving side assumes that the physical output size is enlarged and output in accordance with the increase in the amount of information. For example, when the enlargement magnification is doubled in both vertical and horizontal directions, the transmitted image information itself has twice the amount of information in both vertical and horizontal directions, and the receiving side facsimile apparatus outputs an image corresponding to four times the area.

  In this case, the user resends the image by enlarging it so that it can be visually recognized by the facsimile machine on the receiving side without setting the original document again at the time of re-transmission and causing the input means to input image information. can do.

  Further, if the image can be enlarged and transmitted, for example, if the original document is one A4 size document and the image is transmitted by enlarging both vertically and horizontally, the reception side facsimile apparatus has four A4 size images. Minute images will be output. However, the part where the image could not be actually recognized is only a specific part of the original document, and there may be a case where the enlarged image of the entire original document is not necessary in the receiving facsimile apparatus.

  Therefore, as in the facsimile apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the image processing apparatus further includes a transmission part receiving unit that receives information about a desired transmission part from the user, and the control unit includes only the image information of the part received by the transmission part receiving unit, It is good to make it transmit to a transmission means. The “transmission desired portion” mentioned here may be an enlarged page.

  If this is the case, it is possible to enlarge and transmit only the portion (page) where the image was actually unrecognizable, thereby reducing the communication cost and the paper in the receiving facsimile machine. Reduction of medium usage can be expected.

  The control means may be configured to cause the transmission means to transmit image information in correspondence with the enlargement magnification received by the enlargement magnification acceptance means only in the sub-scanning direction. Since a general facsimile machine has a constant main scanning direction at the time of reading and printing, even in such a facsimile machine, even if it is enlarged and output in the main scanning direction, it is substantially information. The amount does not increase. For this reason, if the transmission is enlarged in only the sub-scanning direction, the number of output sheets of the receiving facsimile apparatus can be reduced (when the output is a paper medium).

  In addition, when the image can be transmitted in an enlarged manner in this way, it is considered that the transmission side facsimile apparatus wants to confirm the expansion state of the image before transmission. Therefore, as in the facsimile apparatus according to the seventh aspect, it is preferable that the control means outputs the image information to the output means in correspondence with the enlargement magnification accepted by the enlargement magnification acceptance means.

  With such a facsimile apparatus, it is possible to output and confirm the enlargement degree of the image to be enlarged and transmitted in advance, so that it is possible to prevent a failure such as transmitting an image that cannot be viewed on the receiving side again. it can.

  By the way, the control means also stores information on the color type (specifically, whether it is monochrome or color) when the transmission means transmits image information in the storage means, and the image information stored by the storage means is stored in the storage means. The information on the color type stored in the storage unit may be used to output the output unit to the output unit according to the color type when the transmission unit transmits the image information.

If it becomes like this, the user can confirm the output image on the receiving side including the color, and can confirm an image closer to the output on the receiving side.
Further, as a result of the negotiation at the start of communication performed by the facsimile apparatus with the destination facsimile apparatus, the transmission means cannot transmit the image information at the designated resolution, and the image information at the resolution different from the designated resolution. There may be a case where the transmitting means transmits. Therefore, as in the facsimile apparatus according to claim 9, the control means stores the specific information for specifying the image information transmitted by the transmission means (image information transmitted at a resolution different from the designated resolution). And output information related to image information (image information transmitted at a resolution different from the designated resolution) specified based on the specific information stored in the storage means. Good. Note that “information related to image information” here means, for example, information on the transmission date and time, information on the transmission destination, information on the resolution of the transmitted image information, and the like.

  If this is the case, the user can know the image information that could not be transmitted at the resolution specified by the user, and the user can take appropriate measures (for example, changing the destination facsimile machine). ) Can be taken.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments, and various forms can be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine 11 in which the function of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention is incorporated. The MFP 11 includes a LAN communication unit 13, a WAN communication unit 15, a FAX communication unit 17, a FAX encoding unit 19, a FAX decoding unit 21, a PC communication unit 23, a storage medium access unit 25, a recording unit 27, a reading unit 29, data A storage unit 31, a setting storage unit 33, an operation unit 35, a display unit 37, and a control unit 39 are provided.

The LAN communication unit 13 is connected to the LAN and communicates with various other devices connected to the LAN.
The WAN communication unit 15 is connected to the WAN and communicates with various other devices connected to the WAN.

  The FAX communication unit 17 is connected to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), transmits the encoded data passed from the FAX encoding unit 19 to other devices connected to the PSTN, and others connected to the PSTN. The data transmitted from the device is transferred to the FAX decoding unit 21.

The FAX encoding unit 19 encodes the data passed from the control unit 39 according to the facsimile standard, and passes it to the FAX communication unit 17.
The FAX decoding unit 21 decodes data conforming to the facsimile standard delivered from the FAX communication unit 17 to make data that can be processed by the control unit 39 and passes the data to the control unit 39.

The PC communication unit 23 has a function of communicating with a personal computer using a communication standard such as the USB standard or the IEEE 1394 standard based on a command from the control unit 39.
The storage medium access unit 25 accesses a memory card (storage medium) based on a command from the control unit 39, reads data from the memory card, and writes data to the memory card.

The recording unit 27 has a function of recording an image on a paper medium by a recording method such as a laser transfer method or an ink jet method based on a command from the control unit 39.
The reading unit 29 has a function of reading an image recorded on a paper medium as image data by an element having a reading function such as a CCD based on a command from the control unit 39.

  The data storage unit 31 is composed of a hard disk, and stores and reads data based on a command from the control unit 39. The data storage unit 31 includes a content table that stores attribute data of input data, and a data table that stores input data. Details of each table will be described later.

  The setting storage unit 33 is a storage unit that stores setting information set for the operation of the multifunction machine 11 by the user operating the operation unit 35 or the like. It is composed of a flash memory or the like.

  The operation unit 35 includes a touch panel configured integrally with the display surface of the display unit 37 and mechanical keys arranged around the display unit 37, and is used by the user to input various instructions. is there.

The display unit 37 is composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and displays information according to a command from the control unit 39.
The control unit 39 is configured around a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, SRAM, I / O, a bus line connecting these configurations, and the like, and is based on the program stored in the ROM. Various processes are executed by comprehensively controlling each unit.

Next, each field of the content table and the data table will be described with reference to the table field explanatory diagram shown in FIG.
FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram for explaining each field of the content table. The content table includes a content ID 52, a record status 53, a date and time 54, a user 55, an input source 56, security 57, digital watermark information 58, a function type 59, a function specific attribute 60, and a data ID 61.

The content ID 52 is a field in which an ID for identifying a record is recorded, and the ID is assigned in ascending order according to the record generation order.
The record status 53 is a field in which information indicating a record state is recorded, and information indicating a lock state (update non-permitted state), an invalid state due to deletion, a pending state, and the like is recorded.

The date and time 54 is a field in which the date and time when the record is generated is recorded.
The user 55 is a field in which information for identifying a user who has input data is recorded. If the entered user cannot be specified, the field is empty.

  The input source 56 is a field in which information indicating the data input source is recorded. As the data input source, information that can specify any of the LAN communication unit 13, the WAN communication unit 15, the FAX communication unit 17, the PC communication unit 23, the storage medium access unit 25, and the reading unit 29 is recorded. In the case of the LAN communication unit 13, the WAN communication unit 15, and the FAX communication unit 17, information on the transmission source (PC IP address, FAX transmission source number, etc.) is also recorded.

  The security 57 is a field in which data public information is recorded. Specifically, the information of all disclosure, disclosure only within the company, disclosure only to the partner, disclosure, or mail relay is recorded.

The digital watermark information 58 is a field in which a code generated from the serial number of the multifunction machine 11 and the date and time recorded in the date and time field 54 is recorded.
The function type 59 is a field in which the function type is stored. The “function” mentioned here is any one of a print function, a copy function, a FAX transmission function, a FAX reception function, a PC-FAX transmission function, a scanner function, a media print function, a media storage function, or a mail transfer function.

  The function unique attribute 60 is a unique attribute for each function (for example, in the case of a FAX transmission function, the transmitted mode, the transmitted magnification, the image resolution at the time of reading, layout information, monochrome / color information, transmission This is a field in which destination information, output destination resolution, etc. are recorded.

The data ID 61 is a field in which an ID for identifying input data is recorded. The input data stored in the data table can be specified by the ID.
Next, each field of the data table storing the input data will be described with reference to FIG. The data table includes a data ID 72, a reference number 73, a data format 74, a data size 75, and actual data 76.

The data ID 72 is a field in which an ID for identifying a record is recorded, and corresponds to the data ID 61 of the content table described above.
The reference number 73 is a field in which the number of records in the content table referring to the record is recorded.

The data format 74 is a field in which the format of input data is recorded. For example, types such as print data, FAX data, JPEG, and text are recorded.
The data size 75 is a field in which the data size of input data is recorded.

The actual data 76 is a field in which input data itself is recorded.
The schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 11 has been described so far. Here, correspondence between each part of the multifunction machine 11 and the terms described in the claims is shown. The LAN communication unit 13, the FAX communication unit 17, the PC communication unit 23, the storage medium access unit 25, and the reading unit 29 correspond to input means, the data storage unit 31 corresponds to storage means, and the FAX communication unit 17 serves as communication means. The recording unit 27 and the display unit 37 correspond to an output unit, the operation unit 35 corresponds to an enlargement magnification reception unit and a transmission part reception unit, and the control unit 39 corresponds to a control unit.

  Next, an input process (a process involving input of image information and the like) and an output process (a process of outputting stored image information and the like) executed by the control unit 39 will be described in order. In addition, regarding the description of each process, only the process related to FAX such as the FAX transmission function and the PC-FAX transmission function will be described, and the description of the processes related to other functions will be omitted.

(1) Input process First, an input process is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG. The input process is performed by a personal computer on the LAN in which a user (including a user of another external device) performs some input operation (for example, operating the operation unit 35 to perform a FAX transmission operation) on the multifunction machine 11. Execution is started when a printing operation is performed.

  When starting the execution of the input process, the control unit 39 first receives a command from the user and specifies a function to be executed (S105). “Function” here refers to a print function (a function in which the LAN communication unit 13 inputs data from a LAN or a PC communication unit 23 inputs data from a personal computer and the recording unit 27 outputs the data to a paper medium). PC-FAX function (function for LAN communication unit 13 to input data from LAN or PC communication unit 23 from personal computer and FAX communication unit 17 to output the data to PSTN), copy function (reading unit 29 to paper Function for inputting data from medium and recording unit 27 outputting data to paper medium), FAX transmission (function for reading unit 29 inputting data from paper medium and FAX communication unit 17 outputting the data to PSTN) ), A scanner (the reading unit 29 inputs data from a paper medium, and the LAN communication unit 13 outputs the data to the LAN, or the reading unit 29 Function for inputting data from a medium and outputting the data from the PC communication unit 23 to a personal computer), storage for a medium (reading unit 29 inputting data from a paper medium, and storage medium access unit 25 outputting the data to the storage medium) ), Media print (function in which the storage medium access unit 25 inputs data from the storage medium and the recording unit 27 outputs the data to a paper medium), FAX reception (FAX communication unit 17 inputs data from the PSTN, and recording unit 27 is a function for outputting the data to a paper medium), mail transfer (the LAN communication unit 13 inputs the mail data from the LAN and the WAN communication unit 15 outputs the data to the WAN, or the WAN communication unit 15 is transmitted from the WAN. A function of inputting mail data and causing the LAN communication unit 13 to output the data to the LAN.

  Subsequently, processing corresponding to the function specified in S105 (for example, print function execution processing, copy function execution processing, FAX transmission function execution processing, etc.) is executed (S110). The details of the FAX transmission function execution process will be described later.

  Subsequently, a database registration process for registering the data input in the process executed in S110 in the database is executed (S115). Details of this database registration processing will also be described later. When the database registration process is terminated, the present process (input process) is terminated.

(1-1) Fax Transmission Function Execution Process Next, among various function execution processes (S110 in FIG. 3) executed by the control unit 39, the FAX transmission function execution process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. . The FAX transmission function execution process is called and executed in the input process described above.

When starting the FAX transmission function execution process, the control unit 39 first acquires attribute data such as resolution, color / monochrome information, transmission destination, transmission designation presence / absence from the operation unit 35 (S255).
Subsequently, the attribute data acquired in S255 is stored in a temporary buffer included in the control unit 39 (S258).

Subsequently, the reading unit 29 is instructed to read the image data, and the image data is acquired from the reading unit 29 (S260).
Subsequently, the image data acquired in S258 is stored in a temporary buffer (S263).

  Subsequently, the process branches depending on whether the digital watermark information is present in the image data acquired in S258 (S265). If there is digital watermark information, the process proceeds to S268, and if there is no digital watermark information, the process proceeds to S270.

  In step S268, where the digital watermark information is present, the digital watermark information in the image data is extracted and stored in the temporary buffer as one of the above-described attribute data, and the flow advances to step S275.

  On the other hand, in S270, which has been performed as a case where there is no digital watermark information, digital watermark information is generated from the serial number of the multifunction machine 11 and the current date and time. Then, the generated digital watermark information is embedded in the image data acquired in S260 (S273), and the process proceeds to S275.

  In S275, the process branches depending on whether or not the attribute data acquired in S255 is specified. If the presence / absence of transmission designation is “present”, the process proceeds to S278. If the presence / absence of transmission designation is “absent”, the process (fax transmission function execution process) is terminated, and the input process that is the reading source of the process is terminated. Return to.

In S278, the image data and the attribute data are transferred to the FAX encoding unit 19, and the FAX encoding unit 19 encodes the image data.
Subsequently, an instruction to start transmission is issued to the FAX communication unit 17 (S280). When receiving the transmission start instruction, the FAX communication unit 17 transmits the data encoded by the FAX encoding unit 19 to the transmission destination via the PSTN.

Subsequently, the attribute data is stored in the temporary buffer (S283), this process (FAX transmission function execution process) is terminated, and the process returns to the input process that is the reading source of this process.
(1-2) Database Registration Processing Next, database registration processing executed by the control unit 39 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The database registration process is called and executed in the input process described above.

  When starting the database registration process, the control unit 39 first branches the process depending on whether there is a registration designation for the image data stored in the temporary buffer (S605). This registration designation can be set in advance for each function by the user using the operation unit 35. Note that the user can also specify an option in preference to the preset one when the function is executed (for example, when a FAX transmission instruction is issued from a personal computer). If there is a registration designation, the process proceeds to S615, and if there is no registration designation, the process proceeds to S640.

  In S615, it is determined whether the same data as the image data stored in the temporary buffer is stored in the data storage unit 31. Any method may be used as this determination method. For example, the determination may be made by comparing the digital watermark information stored in the content table with the digital watermark information of the image data stored in the temporary buffer. A method is conceivable in which image data stored in a data table and image data that can be stored in a temporary buffer are directly compared by various comparison methods.

  Subsequently, in S620, the process branches depending on the determination result in S615. If it is determined that the same data as the image data stored in the temporary buffer is stored in the data storage unit 31, the process proceeds to S625, and the same data as the image data stored in the temporary buffer is stored in the data storage unit. If it is determined that the data is not stored in 31, the process proceeds to S635.

  In S625, the process proceeds after determining that the same data as the image data stored in the temporary buffer is stored in the data storage unit 31, and increments the reference number of the corresponding record in the data table of the data storage unit 31 by one. To do. Then, a new record is created in the content table with the data stored in the temporary buffer (S630), and the process proceeds to S640.

  On the other hand, in step S635 which proceeds after determining that the same data as the image data stored in the temporary buffer is not stored in the data storage unit 31, the data stored in the temporary buffer is stored in the content table and the data table. A new record is created, and the process proceeds to S640.

In S640, the data stored in the temporary buffer is deleted, the process (database registration process) is terminated, and the process returns to the input process that is the reading source of the process.
(2) Output Process Next, the output process executed by the control unit 39 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The output process starts when the operation unit 35 is operated by the user and receives an instruction to display a login screen from the user.

  When starting the output process, the control unit 39 first displays a login screen on the display unit 37 (S305). Here, the login screen will be described with reference to the screen 41 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the screen 41 includes a user name text box 42, a password text box 43, and a login command button 44. When the user touches the user name text box 42, a 50-sound table is displayed, and the user name can be entered. Further, when the user touches the password text box 43, a 50-note table is displayed, and the password can be input. When the user touches the login command button 44, the user name input in the user name text box 42 and the password input in the password text box 43 are passed to the control unit 39, and the output process is continued.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 6, in S310, the combination of the user name and password input on the login screen is compared with the combination of the user name and password stored in the setting storage unit 33, and whether to log in or not. The process branches depending on whether When logging in, the process proceeds to S315, and when not logging in, the process returns to S305.

In step S <b> 315, which proceeds as login, a document search screen is displayed on the display unit 37.
Here, the document search screen will be described with reference to the screen 81 in FIG. The screen 81 mainly includes a grid 82, a condition input box group 83, a search command button 84, a display command button 85, and an end command button 86. The grid 82 is configured so that a sentence number, recorded date and time, document type (print, FAX transmission, copy, etc.), document information (title, user name, etc.) are displayed for each sentence, and can be selected in units of sentences. Yes.

  The condition input box group 83 is a group of boxes for inputting conditions for narrowing down the sentences to be displayed on the grid 82, and the user selects at least one of the sentence number, date / time, sentence type, sentence information, and keyword. Then, the text to be displayed on the grid 82 can be narrowed down by touching the search command button 84.

The search command button 84 is a command button for narrowing down sentences to be displayed on the grid 82 in accordance with the conditions input in the condition input box group 83.
The display command button 85 is a command button for displaying details of the text selected in the grid 82.

The end command button 86 is a command button for ending the display of the text search screen.
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 6, in S320, an operation performed by the user on the text search screen is accepted. Then, the process branches depending on whether or not the accepted operation is an end operation (the end command button 86 is touched) (S325). If the accepted operation is an end operation, the process returns to S305, and if the accepted operation is not an end operation, the process proceeds to S330.

  In S330, which proceeds when the accepted operation is not an end operation, the process branches depending on whether the operation accepted in S320 is a search operation (the search command button 84 is touched). If the received operation is a search operation, the content table and the data table are searched according to the conditions input in the condition input box 83, and the process returns to S315. If the received operation is not a search operation, The process proceeds to S335.

In S335, display processing for each function (FAX transmission function, copy function, print function, etc.) is executed, and when the execution ends, the process returns to S315.
(2-1) FAX Display Processing Next, the FAX display processing in the function-specific display processing (S335 in FIG. 6) executed by the control unit 39 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The FAX display process is a process executed when information related to a FAX document displayed in the grid 82 in FIG. 9 is selected and the display command button 85 is touched.

  When the control unit 39 starts the FAX display process, it reads out the transmission magnification stored in the corresponding record (specific field is the function-specific attribute 60) in the content table of the data storage unit 31, and the display magnification used in the processing described later. (S405).

  Subsequently, the corresponding image data stored in the data table of the data storage unit 31 (specifically, the field name and the data stored in the actual data 76) is within a range that does not exceed the output resolution of the destination facsimile apparatus. To convert to a resolution corresponding to the display magnification. For example, when the output resolution of the destination facsimile apparatus is 100 dpi and the display magnification is 1, this means that image data read and stored at 400 dpi is converted to 100 dpi.

  Subsequently, the converted image data is displayed as an image on the display unit 37 (S415). The FAX image display screen will be described using the screen 87 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the screen 87 includes a display part display area 88, an image area 89, a display change command button group 90, a magnification change command button 91, a print command button 92, a retransmit command button 93, and a return command button 94. .

  The display part display area 88 is an area indicating a part of an image to be displayed in the image area 89, and a part surrounded by a square 88 a in the area is displayed as an image in the image area 89.

The image area 89 is an area where an image is displayed, and an image of a part surrounded by a square 88 a in the display location display area 88 is displayed.
The display change command button group 90 is a command button group for performing operations for changing the part of the image displayed in the image area 89, changing the size of the part, and rotating the part. When the user operates the command button group 90, the square 88a of the display part display area 88 changes and the image displayed in the image area 89 changes.

  The magnification change command button 91 changes the display magnification and the magnification of the image displayed in the image area 89 when the user touches the command button. Note that the caption of the magnification change command button 91 also changes according to the changed magnification (“equal magnification” in FIG. 10). Also, display magnification candidates are 1x2, 1x2 (1.4x), 2x2 (2x), 2x4 (2.8x), 3x3 (3x), 2x1 (vertical 2x), and command buttons Each time is touched, it changes in order, and any one of these can be selected.

The print command button 92 is a command button that is touched when an image is printed at the displayed display magnification.
The re-send command button 93 is a command button that is touched when re-sending the image at the displayed display magnification.

The return command button 94 is a command button that is touched when the FAX image display screen is ended and the document search screen is displayed again.
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, in the subsequent S420, the user's input operation is accepted. Then, the process branches depending on whether the input operation is a touch of the return command button 94 (S425). If the return command button 94 is touched, this process (FAX display process) is terminated, and the process returns to the output process that is the caller. On the other hand, if the return command button 94 is not touched, the process proceeds to S430.

  In S430, the process branches depending on whether or not the input operation received in S420 is a touch of the magnification change command button 91. If it is a touch of the magnification change command button 91, the display magnification is set to the corresponding magnification (S435), and the process returns to S410. That is, for example, when the display magnification is changed to “2 × 2 (2 ×)”, the image area 89 and the magnification change command button 91 are changed as in the screen 92 shown in FIG. In addition, about each part of the screen 92 of FIG. 11, description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol as FIG.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, if the input operation accepted in S420 is not a touch of the magnification change command button 91 (S430: N), the process proceeds to S440.
In S440, the process branches depending on whether the input operation accepted in S420 is a touch of the print command button 92 or not. If the print command button 92 is touched, the image data corresponding to the display magnification is printed on the recording unit 27 (S445). Then, the process returns to S410.

  Here, the difference in the print results according to the change in display magnification will be described using the print results shown in FIG. FIG. 12A shows a print result when the display magnification is set to the same magnification. As shown in FIG. 12A, in the case of the same magnification, an image is printed so as to fit on one specified sheet (for example, A4 size sheet).

  FIG. 12B shows a printing result when the display magnification is 1 × 2 (1.4 times). As shown in FIG. 12B, in the case of 1 × 2 (1.4 times), the image is printed so that the image can be viewed in a format in which two prescribed sheets are arranged with the long sides aligned. Note that the print image enlarged by 1.4 times in the vertical and horizontal directions is rotated 90 degrees and printed.

  FIG. 12C shows a printing result when the display magnification is set to 2 × 2 (2 ×). As shown in FIG. 12C, in the case of 2 × 2 (double), two sheets of specified paper are arranged with the long sides aligned, and two similar sheets are further arranged with the long sides aligned with the two arranged sheets. Then, the image is printed so that the image can be viewed in a format constituted by a total of four prescribed sheets. Note that the print image is enlarged and printed twice in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  FIG. 12D shows a printing result when the display magnification is 2 × 1 (vertically doubled). As shown in FIG. 12D, in the case of 2 × 1 (double vertical), the image is printed so that the image can be viewed in a format in which two prescribed sheets are arranged with the short sides aligned. Note that the print image is printed while being enlarged only twice vertically (that is, enlarged only in the sub-scanning direction).

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, on the other hand, if the input operation accepted in S420 is not the touch of the print command button 92 (S440: N), the process proceeds to S450.
In S450, the process branches depending on whether or not the input operation accepted in S420 is a touch on the retransmit command button 93. If it is not a touch of the retransmit command button 93, the process returns to S410, and if it is a touch of the retransmit command button 93, the process proceeds to S455.

  In step S455, the image data corresponding to the display magnification is transferred to the FAX encoding unit 19, and the FAX communication unit 17 transmits the image data to the destination facsimile apparatus. Then, this process (FAX display process) is terminated, and the process returns to the output process that is the caller. Note that the transmission destination facsimile apparatus outputs the same print result as described with reference to FIG.

  The configuration and operation of the multifunction machine 11 according to the embodiment have been described so far. However, the multifunction machine 11 according to the present embodiment stores information about the resolution at the time of transmitting image information together with the transmitted image information, and receives the information. An image equivalent to the image output by the facsimile machine on the side can be easily confirmed after transmission. For this reason, it is possible to confirm whether an image is output on the receiving side as intended by the user.

  Further, according to the multifunction machine 11 of the present embodiment, the user can set the original document again at the time of re-transmission and enlarge the image so that the user can visually recognize it on the receiving-side facsimile apparatus without causing the multifunction machine 11 to input image information. You can also resend the image. Furthermore, in this case, since the degree of enlargement of the image to be enlarged and transmitted can be confirmed in advance, it is possible to prevent a failure such as transmitting an image that cannot be viewed on the receiving side again.

Other embodiments will be described below.
(A) In the above embodiment, when the image is enlarged to 2 × 2 (double), for example, the reception side facsimile apparatus outputs an enlarged image of four original documents. However, the part where the image was actually unrecognizable is only a specific part of the original document, and there may be a case where the enlarged image of the entire original document is not necessary in the receiving facsimile apparatus. For this reason, it is preferable to provide a mechanism capable of designating, for example, an enlarged page in the enlarged image so that only the designated page can be transmitted.

If this is the case, it is possible to expect a reduction in communication costs and a reduction in the amount of paper medium used in the receiving facsimile machine.
(B) In the above embodiment, the user operates the operation unit 35 to input an instruction to the multifunction machine 11 and the user looks at the display unit 37 to check various information. An input to the output process or FAX display process performed by a person may be executed from a personal computer. Information to be displayed on the display unit 37 during the output process or FAX display process may be displayed on a monitor of a personal computer. Even if it becomes like this, the same effect of the said embodiment can be acquired.

  (C) As a result of negotiation at the start of communication performed by the multifunction machine 11 with the destination facsimile apparatus, image information cannot be transmitted at the designated resolution, and image information at a resolution different from the designated resolution. May be transmitted. For this reason, it is preferable that information on occurrence of such a situation is stored in a content table (specific fields are function-specific attributes 60) and notified to the user by a user operation or the like. If this is the case, the user can know the image information that could not be transmitted at the resolution specified by the user, and the user can take appropriate measures (for example, changing the destination facsimile machine). ) Can be taken.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. It is a field list of a content table and a data table. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an input process. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a FAX transmission function execution process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a database registration process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an output process. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a FAX display process. It is an example of a screen for explaining a login screen. It is an example of a screen for explaining a text search screen. It is an example of a screen for demonstrating a FAX image display screen. It is an example of a screen for demonstrating a FAX image display screen. It is an example of a printing result.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... MFP, 13 ... LAN communication part, 15 ... WAN communication part, 17 ... FAX communication part, 19 ... FAX encoding part, 21 ... FAX decoding part, 23 ... PC communication part, 25 ... Storage medium access part, 27 ... Recording unit, 29 ... reading unit, 31 ... data storage unit, 33 ... setting storage unit, 35 ... operation unit, 37 ... display unit, 39 ... control unit.

Claims (9)

A facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting and storing input image information and transmitting the stored image information again,
An input means for inputting image information;
Transmitting means for transmitting image information via communication means;
Output means for outputting image information as an image;
Storage means for storing information;
The image information input by the input unit is stored in the storage unit together with information on the reception-side resolution when the transmission unit transmits, and the image information stored in the storage unit is stored in the storage unit. Control means for outputting to the output means according to the reception-side resolution when the transmission means transmits the image information using information on the reception-side resolution;
A facsimile apparatus comprising: The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1,
The output means is capable of displaying the image information as an image;
A facsimile machine characterized by the above. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1,
The output means is capable of printing the image information on paper as an image;
A facsimile machine characterized by the above. In the facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Furthermore, it has an enlargement magnification acceptance means for accepting information on the enlargement magnification from the user,
The control means causes the transmission means to transmit the image information stored in the storage means in correspondence with the enlargement magnification accepted by the enlargement magnification acceptance means;
A facsimile machine characterized by the above. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4,
Furthermore, a transmission part receiving means for receiving information on a transmission desired part from the user is provided,
The control means causes the transmission means to transmit only the image information of the part received by the transmission part reception means;
A facsimile machine characterized by the above. In the facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 or 5,
The control means causes the transmission means to transmit the image information in correspondence with the enlargement magnification received by the enlargement magnification acceptance means only in the sub-scanning direction;
A facsimile machine characterized by the above. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The control means causes the output means to output the image information in correspondence with the enlargement magnification received by the enlargement magnification acceptance means;
A facsimile machine characterized by the above. In the facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The control means also stores in the storage means information regarding the color type when the transmission means transmits the image information, and the image information stored in the storage means relates to the color type stored in the storage means. Using the information, and causing the output means to output according to the color type when the transmission means transmits the image information,
A facsimile machine characterized by the above. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
As a result of negotiation at the start of communication performed by the facsimile apparatus with the transmission destination facsimile apparatus, the image information cannot be transmitted at the designated resolution, and the image at a resolution different from the designated resolution. When the transmission means transmits information,
The control means stores specific information for specifying the image information in the storage means, and outputs information related to the image information specified based on the specific information stored in the storage means to the output means. Letting
A facsimile machine characterized by the above.

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