JP2007052603A - Communication system and terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system and terminal equipment for easily selecting an image formation apparatus which is excellent in easy-to-use for the user of terminal equipment when using any of a plurality of image formation apparatuses to execute the processing of one of copy, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, print and scan according to an operation from terminal equipment. <P>SOLUTION: This communication system is configured of terminal equipment and a plurality of image formation apparatuses. The terminal equipment is provided with a means in which sequence data showing the sequence of the respective image formation apparatuses when the respective image formation apparatuses are arranged in the order of a short distance between the plurality of image formation apparatuses and the terminal equipment are stored so as to be associated with the apparatus identification information of each image formation apparatus; a means for acquiring the operating status information of each of the plurality of image formation apparatuses and a means for selecting one image formation apparatus as the object of the instruction of the execution of one processing from among the plurality of image formation apparatuses based on at least one of the sequence data and the operating status information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention receives a terminal device and an instruction to execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning from the terminal device, and any one of the above based on the instruction. The present invention relates to a communication system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute processing are connected to be communicable, and a terminal device.

  An image forming apparatus (in this case, a facsimile apparatus) having a function of transmitting image data by facsimile not only transmits image data obtained by reading from a document by a scanner of the apparatus itself but also via a network such as a LAN. In some cases, image data stored in the memory of a connected PC can be acquired and transmitted by facsimile (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 9, an image forming apparatus 50 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a main control unit 51 that controls the entire apparatus, an encoding unit 52 that encodes image data, and a received signal. Communication I connected by a decoding unit 53, a modem 54 that modulates or demodulates a signal, an NCU 55 that switches connection with a telephone line, and terminal devices 56a (56) to 56c (56) such as a PC via a LAN 57 / F58, a memory 59 for storing various information, and an image memory 60 for storing image data.

  The terminal devices 56a to 56c store image data that the image forming apparatus 50 should transmit to the external apparatus when polling transmission is requested from the external apparatus to the image forming apparatus 50. The image forming apparatus 50 acquires image data stored in, for example, the terminal device 56a via the LAN 57 when polling transmission is requested from an external apparatus (for example, a facsimile apparatus), and the acquired image data is converted into an image. Store in the memory 60. Then, the image data stored in the image memory 60 is transmitted to the polling transmission source device. As described above, the image forming apparatus 50 can facsimile-transmit the image data stored in the terminal device 56 from the modem 54.

  FIG. 10 shows a plurality of image forming apparatuses 62a (62) to 62c (62) having a function of transmitting image data by facsimile, and a PC in which a program for requesting the image forming apparatus 62 to transmit image data is incorporated. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system in which terminal devices 63 a (63) to 63 d (63) configured by, for example, are connected via a LAN 64.

  In such a communication system, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed in the terminal device 63a, the image data stored in the memory of the terminal device 63a is transferred from the terminal device 63a to the image forming device 62b, and the image forming device The image data designated by the user of the terminal device 63a can be transmitted by facsimile by 62b transmitting the image data by facsimile.

Further, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed in the terminal device 63a, an instruction to start reading and transmitting a document from the terminal device 63a to the image forming device 62b (reading an image of the document to generate image data, and generating the generated image data The image forming apparatus 62b that has received the instruction transmits a document to read the original to generate image data, and the generated image data is transmitted by facsimile by the user of the terminal device 63a. The image data of the document set on the image forming apparatus 62b can be transmitted by facsimile.
JP 2003-259102 A

  However, when the image data stored in the memory of the terminal device 63a is transmitted by facsimile as described above, if another user is using the image forming device 62b, the image data cannot be transmitted immediately. Specifically, since the image forming apparatus 62b is set in advance as the image forming apparatus 62 to be used, the terminal device 63a allows the other image forming apparatus 62 (for example, the image forming apparatus) in a standby state in which image data can be transmitted. Even with the device 62c), the image data could not be transferred and transmitted to the device. That is, there is a problem that it is not possible to easily select an image forming apparatus 62 that is convenient for the user of the terminal device 63a.

  In addition, when the image forming apparatus 62b performs facsimile transmission of image data of a document set on the image forming apparatus 62b by the user of the terminal apparatus 63a, the image forming apparatus 62b is installed at a location away from the terminal apparatus 63a. When the image forming apparatus 62b is used by another user, it is inconvenient for the user who operates the terminal apparatus 63a. Specifically, since the image forming apparatus 62b is preset as the image forming apparatus 62 to be used, the user of the terminal device 63a is in a standby state installed nearer to the terminal device 63a than the image forming apparatus 62b. Even if there is another image forming apparatus 62 (for example, image forming apparatus 62a), it is not possible to set the original in that apparatus and transmit the image data. That is, there is a problem that it is not possible to easily select an image forming apparatus 62 that is convenient for the user of the terminal device 63a.

  Furthermore, when the image forming apparatus 62 performs copying, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning based on an instruction from the terminal device 63a, the above-described image forming apparatus 62 performs facsimile transmission. Similarly, there is a problem that it is not possible to easily select an image forming apparatus 62 that is convenient for the user of the terminal device 63a.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that any one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses is used for copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning by an operation from a terminal device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system and a terminal device that can easily select an image forming apparatus that is easy to use for the user of the terminal device when executing the process.

  In order to achieve the above object, the communication system according to claim 1 is directed to a terminal device and an instruction to execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning from the terminal device. And a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute any one of the processes based on the instructions are communicably connected to each other, wherein the terminal device includes the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Device information for storing, in association with device identification information, which is information for identifying each image forming device, order data indicating the order of each image forming device when the image forming devices are arranged in order from the shortest distance to the terminal device A storage unit; an acquisition unit configured to acquire operation state information indicating whether each image forming apparatus is executing a process from the plurality of image forming apparatuses; Instructing execution of any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on at least one of the sequential data stored in the position information storage unit and the operation state information acquired by the acquisition unit Selecting means for selecting one target image forming apparatus.

  The communication system according to claim 2 is the communication system according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit performs processing based on operation state information acquired by the acquisition unit from the plurality of image forming apparatuses. An image forming apparatus that is not being executed is extracted, and one image forming apparatus having the smallest sequential data is selected from the extracted image forming apparatuses.

  A communication system according to a third aspect is the communication system according to the first aspect, wherein the terminal device is a process of performing facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission of the generated image data by any one of the processes. In the case of processing for transmitting the generated image data by facsimile or Internet facsimile transmission, the selection unit is acquired by the acquisition unit from the plurality of image forming apparatuses. An image forming apparatus that is not executing processing is extracted based on the operation state information, and one of the image forming apparatuses is selected from the extracted image forming apparatuses.

  The communication system according to claim 4 accepts an instruction to execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning from the terminal device and the terminal device, and based on the instruction. And a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute any one of the processes are communicably connected to each other, wherein the terminal devices are arranged in order of increasing distance between the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the terminal devices. Device information storage means for storing in sequence data indicating the order of the image forming devices when the image forming devices are arranged in association with device identification information that is information for identifying each image forming device; and the plurality of images An acquisition unit that acquires operation state information indicating whether or not each image forming apparatus is executing processing from the forming apparatus, and is stored in the apparatus information storage unit Information display means for displaying at least one of the order data and the operation state information acquired by the acquisition means so as to be visible from the outside, and receiving the instruction information from the outside; Selecting means for selecting one of the image forming apparatuses to be instructed to execute any one of the processes.

  The terminal device according to claim 5 is communicably connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning, and is connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses. An order of the image forming apparatuses when the image forming apparatuses are arranged in the order of a short distance between the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the terminal apparatus. Each of the image forming apparatuses is executing processing from the plurality of image forming apparatuses and apparatus information storage means for storing the order data indicating the image data in association with the apparatus identification information that is information for identifying each image forming apparatus. Acquisition means for acquiring operation state information indicating whether or not, sequential data stored in the device information storage means, and operation state information acquired by the acquisition means Based on at least one, is characterized by comprising a selection means for selecting one of the image forming apparatus is a target for instructing the execution of the any one of the processing from the plurality of image forming apparatus.

  The terminal device according to claim 6 is the terminal device according to claim 5, wherein the selection unit performs processing based on operation state information acquired by the acquisition unit from the plurality of image forming apparatuses. An image forming apparatus that is not being executed is extracted, and one image forming apparatus having the smallest sequential data is selected from the extracted image forming apparatuses.

  The terminal device according to claim 7 is a determination unit that determines whether or not the processing of any one of the terminal devices according to claim 5 is processing for facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission of the generated image data. And the selection means is based on the operation state information acquired by the acquisition means from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses when the generated image data is processed by facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission. Thus, an image forming apparatus that is not executing processing is extracted, and one of the image forming apparatuses is selected from the extracted image forming apparatuses.

  The terminal device according to claim 8 is communicably connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning, and is connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses. An order of the image forming apparatuses when the image forming apparatuses are arranged in the order of a short distance between the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the terminal apparatus. Each of the image forming apparatuses is executing processing from the plurality of image forming apparatuses and apparatus information storage means for storing the order data indicating the image data in association with the apparatus identification information that is information for identifying each image forming apparatus. Acquisition means for acquiring operation state information indicating whether or not, sequential data stored in the device information storage means, and operation state information acquired by the acquisition means An information display means for displaying at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses so as to be visually recognizable; and receiving instruction information from the outside, and executing any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the received instruction information. Selecting means for selecting one image forming apparatus to be instructed.

  According to the communication system according to claim 1 and the terminal device according to claim 5, at least one of the sequential data stored in the device information storage unit and the operation state information acquired by the acquisition unit. Based on this, one image forming apparatus that is a target for instructing execution of any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is selected. Therefore, when performing any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning using any one of a plurality of image forming apparatuses by an operation from the terminal apparatus, for example, from the terminal apparatus The user of the terminal device, such as selecting an image forming device installed in the nearest place or selecting an image forming device that is not currently executing processing (processing that is instructed by the terminal device can be executed immediately). Therefore, a user-friendly image forming apparatus can be easily selected.

  According to the communication system according to claim 2 and the terminal device according to claim 6, the selection unit extracts an image forming apparatus that is not executing processing from the plurality of image forming apparatuses, Since the first image forming apparatus having the smallest sequential data (installed at the closest location from the terminal device) is selected, the user of the terminal device went to the image forming apparatus to set the document. It is possible to prevent a problem that the image forming apparatus cannot be used because some kind of processing (for example, processing for reading an image of a document) is being performed. Further, it is possible to reduce as much as possible the effort for the user of the terminal device to go to the image forming apparatus to set or take a document, or to go to the image forming apparatus to take out the discharged recording paper.

  According to the communication system according to claim 3 and the terminal device according to claim 7, any one of the processes instructed from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus transmits the generated image data by facsimile or the Internet. In the case of facsimile transmission processing, in other words, in the case of processing for facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission of image data stored in advance in the memory of the terminal device or the image forming device, an image forming device that is not executing the processing. One of the image forming apparatuses is selected from the extracted image forming apparatuses. For this reason, although the image forming apparatus is instructed to transmit the generated image data by facsimile or Internet facsimile, the process instructed by the terminal device is immediately executed because the image forming apparatus is executing some process. It is possible to prevent a problem that the user of the terminal device cannot wait and a problem of waiting.

  According to the communication system according to claim 4 and the terminal device according to claim 8, at least one of the sequential data stored in the device information storage unit and the operation state information acquired by the acquisition unit is included. Since the terminal device user is displayed so as to be visible from the outside, the user of the terminal device, for example, does not input instruction information or perform processing so that an image forming device installed near the terminal device is selected. A desired image forming apparatus can be designated by inputting instruction information so that the image forming apparatus is selected. As a result, it is possible to easily select an image forming apparatus that is convenient for the user of the terminal device.

  Hereinafter, a communication system and a terminal device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. The communication system 1 accepts an instruction to execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning from the terminal device 2 and the terminal device 2, and based on the instruction, A plurality of image forming apparatuses 3 that execute any one of the processes are connected to be communicable. In the present embodiment, a terminal device 2 and a plurality of image forming apparatuses 3 are connected to be communicable via a LAN (Local Area Network) 4.

  The image forming apparatus 3 (3 a to 3 c) is an apparatus that executes any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning based on an instruction from the terminal device 2. The image forming apparatus 3 is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 5 in order to execute facsimile transmission processing. In order for the image forming apparatus 3 to execute Internet facsimile transmission processing, although not shown, a mail server, a router, and the like are installed in the LAN 4, and the image forming apparatus 3 includes the mail server, the router, the Internet 6, and the like. For example, an Internet facsimile transmission process for transmitting an e-mail attached with image data of a document to an Internet facsimile machine (not shown) can be performed.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, a case where the image forming apparatus 3 is a multifunction peripheral that can perform copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning based on an instruction from the terminal device 2 will be described. However, the present invention can be applied as long as the image forming apparatus 3 can execute at least one of these functions.

  In this embodiment, the terminal device 2 is composed of a PC (Personal Computer) that is generally widely used. The terminal device 2 transmits and receives electronic mail via the Internet 6 and uses the image forming device 3 via the LAN 4. Can be done. The plurality of image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c installed in the LAN 4 have the same configuration here. Further, the number of image forming apparatuses 3 is not limited to three as long as it is plural, and four or more image forming apparatuses 3 may be installed.

  FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 3 (3a, 3b, 3c). As shown, the image forming apparatus 3 includes a control unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 8, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 9, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10, a scanner (original reading unit) 11, an image processing unit. 12, a codec 13, a LAN I / F (Local Area Network Interface) 14, an image memory 15, a printer 16, a modem 17, and an NCU (Network Control Unit) 18. 19 is communicably connected.

  The control unit 8 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 3. The ROM 9 stores various programs for controlling the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 3 by the control unit 8. The RAM 10 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the control unit 8 and stores various setting information and the like. When the scanner 11 receives a document reading start command (reading transmission start command) from the terminal device 2, the scanner 11 reads the document to generate image data. Here, both color and monochrome of the document are scanned. It is equipped with the structure which can read the image of. Although not shown, the scanner 11 includes a flat bed scanner (FBS), an automatic document feeder (ADF), a document detection sensor, and the like in this embodiment. .

  The flat bed scanner is placed on a document placing plate (not shown) by a color line sensor (CCD) composed of, for example, three line sensors of R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue). Image data is obtained by reading an image of a document. In the automatic document feeder, a document placed on a document tray (not shown) is transported along a predetermined transport path and then discharged to a paper discharge tray. The document placed on the document tray is fed into the conveyance path by the automatic document feeder, and the image data is read by the color line sensor when passing through a predetermined reading position on the conveyance path. ing.

  The document detection sensors detect the presence or absence of documents on the document placement plate, the document tray, the conveyance path, and the paper discharge tray, and a plurality of document detection sensors are installed at predetermined positions of the scanner 11. As this document detection sensor, for example, an optical reflective sensor or the like can be used. Based on the detection result (detection signal) of the document detection sensor, the control unit 8 determines whether or not a document is placed (set) on a document tray or a document placing plate, or an automatic document feeder. It is possible to determine whether or not a document jam (paper jam) has occurred in the conveyance path, and to detect whether the user has forgotten to remove a document from the paper discharge tray.

  The image processing unit 12 performs image processing such as shading correction and shift / line correction on the RGB color system image data output from the scanner 11, and converts the image data into the YCrCb color system or L * a. * b * Perform color space conversion to convert to color image data. When printing image data, the color space converted image data of, for example, the YCrCb color system is converted into color data such as C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). Also, color space conversion for converting the color data, and gradation reduction processing for binarizing or quaternizing the color data subjected to color space conversion by error diffusion processing or the like are also performed.

  The codec 13 encodes (decodes) image data. Specifically, image data subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 12 is converted into JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), MH (Modified Huffman), MR (Modified Read), MMR (Modified Modified Read), JBIG (Joint Bi). -level Image Group) method and the like, and the encoded image data is decoded.

  The LAN I / F 14 is an interface that connects the LAN 4 and the image forming apparatus 3 in a communicable manner. The image memory 15 stores image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 12, image data that has been encoded by the codec 13, and the like.

  The printer 16 performs a printing process on the image data read from the image memory 15. Here, the printer 16 records both color and monochrome images on paper, and as a recording method in the printer 16, various recording methods such as an electrophotographic method and an ink jet recording method are used. Can do.

  The modem 17 is, for example, an ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector) recommendation V.C. Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to the 34 standard or the like. The NCU 18 is a line network control device that controls a telephone line to make or cut a call, and is connected to the PSTN 5.

  The image forming apparatus 3 is provided with various operation keys for a user to input information and an operation panel (not shown) including a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying various screen information. However, input of operation instructions and settings to the image forming apparatus 3 is mainly performed in the terminal device 2. That is, the operation of the image forming apparatus 3 is controlled based on an operation from the terminal device 2.

  For example, when receiving an instruction to execute a copy process from the terminal device 2, the control unit 8 reads an image of a document by the scanner 11 to generate image data, and prints the generated image data on a sheet by the printer 16. Execute the output copy process. When receiving an instruction to execute print processing from the terminal device 2, the control unit 8 uses the printer 16 to transfer the image data transferred from the terminal device 2 or the image data stored in advance in the image memory 15 to the paper. Execute print processing to print out. When receiving an instruction from the terminal device 2 to execute the scanning process, the control unit 8 reads an image of the document by the scanner 11 to generate image data, and temporarily stores the generated image data in the image memory 15. After that, a scan process to be transferred to the terminal device 2 is executed.

  When the instruction to execute the facsimile transmission process is received from the terminal device 2, if the image data has not been generated, the control unit 8 reads the image of the document by the scanner 11 to generate the image data, The processed image data is transmitted by facsimile (FAX) to the destination designated by the terminal device 2 by controlling the modem 17 and the NCU 18. On the other hand, if the image data has been generated, the control unit 8 controls the modem 17 and the NCU 18 for the image data transferred from the terminal device 2 or the image data stored in advance in the image memory 15 to control the terminal device 2. Executes facsimile (FAX) transmission processing to the destination designated by.

  Further, when the instruction to execute the Internet facsimile transmission process is received from the terminal device 2, if the image data has not been generated, the control unit 8 reads the image of the document by the scanner 11 to generate the image data, A process of transmitting the generated image data to the destination designated by the terminal device 2 as an attached file of an electronic mail (FAX) is executed. On the other hand, if the image data has been generated, the control unit 8 designates the image data transferred from the terminal device 2 or the image data previously stored in the image memory 15 by the terminal device 2 as an attached file of the e-mail. The process of transmitting the Internet facsimile (FAX) to the designated destination is executed.

  On the other hand, the terminal device 2 is communicably connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses 3 (3a to 3c) that execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning. The image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c are instructed to execute any one of the processes. As shown in FIG. 2B, the terminal device 2 includes a control unit (CPU) 21, a LAN I / F 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, a ROM 25, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 26, and an HDD ( (Hard Disk Drive) 27, and the units 21 to 27 are communicably connected via a bus 28.

  The control unit 21 controls the operation of each unit of the terminal device 2. The LAN I / F 22 is an interface that connects the LAN 4 and the terminal device 2 in a communicable manner.

  Here, the operation unit 23 uses a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and receives input of operation instructions, settings, and the like for the terminal device 2. In addition, it also functions as a means for receiving input of operation instructions and settings for the image forming apparatus 3. That is, the user who operates the terminal device 2 inputs an instruction to start reading a document to the scanner 11 of the image forming apparatus 3, inputs a destination of image data transmitted by facsimile from the NCU 18 of the image forming apparatus 3, and the like. Can be done from.

  The display unit 24 uses a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, and displays various screen information. Specifically, an operation state of the terminal device 2 and a setting screen for setting document reading conditions for the image forming device 3 are displayed.

  The ROM 25 stores various programs for the operation of each unit of the terminal device 2 to be controlled by the control unit 21. The program stored in the ROM 25 is a transmission process request program for requesting the image forming apparatus 3 to transmit image data. The RAM 26 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the control unit 21 and stores various setting information and the like.

  The RAM 26 stores sequential data indicating the order of the image forming apparatuses 3 when the image forming apparatuses 3 are arranged in the order of decreasing distance between the plurality of image forming apparatuses 3 a to 3 c and the terminal device 2. It functions as a device information storage means for storing the device identification information in association with the device identification information. Here, the order data is generated in advance by the control unit 21 based on distance information (for example, 10 meters) indicating the distance between the terminal device 2 and the image forming apparatus 3 input from the operation unit 23 and is stored in the RAM 26. The distance information is registered in each image forming apparatus 3 so that the terminal apparatus 2 acquires the distance information from each image forming apparatus 3 and the control unit 21 generates the forward data. It may be.

  The HDD 27 is a storage device that includes a storage medium having a large-capacity memory area. In addition to various data generated by the terminal device 2 and image data transferred from the image forming device 3 via the LAN 4, the image forming device 3 stores image data to be transmitted by facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission.

  Hereinafter, a predetermined operation for causing the image forming apparatus 3 of any one of the image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c to execute any one process of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning is performed by the user. Processing operations performed in the terminal device 2 when performed from the operation unit 23 of the terminal device 2 will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Note that the processing operation of the terminal device 2 described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is performed according to a command issued by the control unit 21 based on a program stored in the ROM 25.

  The control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 first performs a predetermined operation for instructing the image forming apparatus 3 to execute any one of copying, facsimile (FAX) transmission, Internet facsimile (FAX) transmission, printing, and scanning. Is determined based on the presence or absence of a predetermined operation on the operation unit 23 (S1). If it is determined that a predetermined operation has been performed (S1: YES), it is determined whether or not the auto-select mode has been designated (S2). Specifically, the control unit 21 automatically selects the image forming apparatus 3 that instructs execution of any one of the processes, and the image forming apparatus 3 that instructs execution of any one of the processes. It is determined which one of the user select modes selected by the control unit 21 based on the user's designation is designated from the operation unit 23.

  When it is determined in S2 that the auto-select mode has been designated (S2: YES), the control unit 21 functioning as an acquisition unit is executing processing by each of the image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c. Each of the operation state information indicating whether or not is acquired (S3). Specifically, each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 3 a to 3 c installed on the LAN 4 is accessed, and operation state information is acquired from each image forming apparatus 3.

  Here, the operation state information indicates whether the image forming apparatus 3 is executing some processing (for example, copy processing) (busy state) or the image forming apparatus 3 is in a standby state. The control unit 21 can determine whether the image forming apparatus 3 can immediately execute the processing instructed by the terminal device 2 based on the operation state information. .

  When the control unit 21 acquires the operation state information from the plurality of image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c through the processing operation of S3, based on the acquired operation state information, whether there is an image forming apparatus 3 that is not executing the process. Is determined (S4). If it is determined that there is no image forming apparatus 3 that is not executing processing (S4: NO), in other words, if any of the image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c is executing any processing, the processing of S3 is performed again. Perform the action. Conversely, if it is determined that there is an image forming apparatus 3 that is not executing processing (S4: YES), whether the processing determined to be designated by the user in S1 is processing for transmitting generated image data. Is determined (S5). That is, the control unit 21 functioning as a determination unit determines in S5 whether any one of the processes designated by the user is a process of transmitting the generated image data by facsimile or Internet facsimile. Here, the process of transmitting the generated image data by facsimile or internet facsimile transmission specifically includes either the image data transferred from the terminal device 2 or the image data stored in advance in the image memory 15. In this process, facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 3 to the destination apparatus designated by the terminal apparatus 2.

  If any one of the designated processes is a process of transmitting the generated image data by facsimile or Internet facsimile (S5: YES), the control unit 21 functioning as a selection unit selects a plurality of images. From the forming apparatuses 3a to 3c, based on the acquired operation state information, the image forming apparatus 3 that is not executing the process (that can immediately execute the process instructed by the terminal apparatus 2) is extracted, Any one of the image forming apparatuses 3 is selected (S6).

  By the way, when the process instructed from the terminal apparatus 2 to the image forming apparatus 3 is a process of transmitting the generated image data by facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission, the user of the terminal apparatus 2 sets the document. There is no need to go to the image forming apparatus 3, go to the image forming apparatus 3 to read a document that has been read, or go to take a recording paper on which image data is printed out in the image forming apparatus 3. Therefore, any one of the image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c may be selected, but the image forming apparatus 3a has already been generated by selecting any one of the image forming apparatuses 3 that are not executing the process as described above. The image forming apparatus 3 is instructed to perform facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission processing of the image data, but since the image forming apparatus 3 is executing some processing, the transmission processing instructed from the terminal device 2 is immediately executed. It is possible to prevent the problem that it cannot be performed.

  On the other hand, if any one of the designated processes is not a process of transmitting the generated image data by facsimile or internet facsimile (S5: NO), the control unit 21 determines that the plurality of image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c Based on the acquired operation state information, the image forming apparatus 3 that is not executing the process is extracted, and the order data is the smallest among them (installed in the place closest to the terminal apparatus 2). One image forming apparatus 3 is selected (S7).

  By the way, when the process instructed from the terminal device 2 to the image forming apparatus 3 is not a process of transmitting the generated image data by facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission, that is, any of copy, print, and scan processes The image forming apparatus 3 in order for the user of the terminal device 2 to set a document, go to pick up a document that has been read, or go to pick up recording paper on which image data has been printed out. Need to go to. Therefore, as shown in S7, the processing of the user of the terminal device 2 is reduced as much as possible by selecting the one image forming device 3 installed in the place closest to the terminal device 2 instead of executing the processing. Further, there is an advantage that the image forming apparatus 3 that is convenient for the user of the terminal device 2 is automatically selected. Further, since the selected image forming apparatus 3 is not executing the process, the user of the terminal device 2 performed the process on the image forming apparatus 3 to set the original, but some processing (for example, the original It is possible to prevent the problem that the image forming apparatus 3 cannot be used because the image reading process is being executed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the control unit 21 selects the image forming apparatus 3 with the smallest sequential data from the image forming apparatuses 3 that are not executing the process has been described in S7. Regardless of whether or not is being executed, the image forming apparatus 3 having the smallest sequential data may be selected.

  As described above, the control unit 21 performs the processing operation of S6 or S7, and thereby, based on at least one of the sequential data stored in the RAM 26 and the acquired operation state information, the plurality of image forming apparatuses 3a to 3a. One image forming apparatus 3 that is an object to instruct execution of any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning is selected from 3c. Accordingly, as described above, the control unit 21 can automatically select the image forming apparatus 3 that is convenient for the user of the terminal device 2.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 21 determines that the auto select mode is not set, that is, the user select mode is set (S2: NO), the plurality of image forming apparatuses 3a are similar to the processing operation of S3. Through 3c, operation state information indicating whether or not each image forming apparatus 3 is executing processing is acquired (S9). When the operation state information is acquired from the plurality of image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c in S9, as in the processing operation of S4, is there an image forming apparatus 3 that is not executing the process based on the acquired operation state information? It is determined whether or not (S10). If it is determined that there is no image forming apparatus 3 that is not executing processing (S10: NO), in other words, if any of the image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c is executing any processing, the processing of S9 is performed again. Perform the action.

  When the control unit 21 determines that there is an image forming apparatus 3 that is not executing the process (S10: YES), the process determined to be designated by the user in S1 transmits the generated image data. The process of determining whether or not is similar to S5 (S11). Here, when it is determined that the designated process is a process for transmitting generated image data (S11: YES), images are processed in order from the one that is not being executed based on the acquired operation state information. A list of the forming apparatuses 3 is displayed (S12). For example, the identification information of the image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c and the operation state information of the image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c are set so that the one that is not executing the processing is higher and the one that is executing the processing is lower. The display screen arranged in association with each other is displayed on the display unit 24.

  Conversely, when the control unit 21 determines that the designated process is not a process for transmitting generated image data (S11: NO), the process is not being executed, and the order data is the smallest in order. A list of image forming apparatuses 3 is displayed (S13). For example, the image forming apparatus 3a is not executing a process but has a lower order data than the other ones, and the image forming apparatus 3a is executing a process and the higher order data is lower than the other ones. The display unit 24 displays a display screen in which the identification information of 3 to 3c and the order data and operation state information of the image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c are arranged in association with each other.

  As described above, the control unit 21 functioning as the information display unit performs at least one of the sequential data stored in the RAM 26 and the acquired operation state information by performing the processing operation of S12 or S13. Is displayed so as to be visible from the outside.

  Next, the control unit 21 determines whether or not instruction information for selecting the image forming apparatus 3 has been input based on the presence / absence of a predetermined operation from the operation unit 23 (S14). If it is determined that no instruction information has been input (S14: NO), a standby state is entered. Conversely, when it is determined that the instruction information has been input (S14: YES), the operation state information of the image forming apparatus 3 designated by the instruction information is acquired again (S15). Then, it is determined whether or not there has been a change in the operation state information after the operation state information is acquired in S9 and before the instruction information is input (S16). Here, when it is determined that there is a change in the operation state information (S16: YES), that is, the operation state information acquired in S9 is being executed for the image forming apparatus 3 specified by the input instruction information. If the information indicating that there is no change in the operation state information acquired in S15 indicates that the process is being executed, the processing operation after S9 is performed again.

  Conversely, when it is determined that there is no change in the operation state information (S16: NO), the control unit 21 functioning as a selection unit receives and accepts external instruction information determined to have been input in S17. Based on the designated information, one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c forms one image to be instructed to execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning. The device 3 is selected (S17).

  As described above, at least one of the sequential data stored in the RAM 26 and the operation state information acquired by the control unit 21 is displayed so as to be visible from the outside, the instruction information is received from the outside, and the received instruction information is changed to the received instruction information. Based on the image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c, one image forming apparatus 3 that is a target for instructing execution of any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning is controlled. Selected by the unit 21. Therefore, when any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 3a to 3c is used to perform any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning by an operation from the terminal device 2, the terminal The user of the apparatus 2 can designate a desired image forming apparatus 3 by inputting the instruction information based on the order data and the operation state information displayed so as to be visible from the outside. As a result, the user of the terminal apparatus 2 is easy to use. A good image forming apparatus 3 can be easily selected.

  If the process to be executed by the image forming apparatus 3 is a process of transmitting the generated image data by facsimile or Internet facsimile, any image forming apparatus 3 may be designated as long as it is in a standby state. Therefore, when YES is determined in S11, the processing operation of S6 may be performed instead of performing the processing operation after S12.

  Hereinafter, when the image forming apparatus 3 instructing any one of processing of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning is selected in the terminal apparatus 2, the terminal apparatus 2 and the selected image forming apparatus 3 are selected. Referring to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the processing operation performed in FIG. 5 will be described by taking as an example the case where any one of the processes is facsimile (FAX) transmission.

  Here, the case where the terminal device 2 selects the image forming device 3a as the image forming device 3 instructing the facsimile transmission processing will be described. However, the following also applies when another image forming device 3 is selected. A processing operation similar to the processing operation performed in the image forming apparatus 3a described below is performed. Further, the processing operation of the terminal device 2 shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 is performed according to a command issued by the control unit 21 based on a program stored in the ROM 25, and the images shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing operation of the forming apparatus 3 (3a) is performed according to an instruction issued by the control unit 8 based on a program stored in the ROM 9.

  First, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 performs the processing operation described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 to determine whether or not the image forming apparatus 3 instructing facsimile (FAX) transmission has been selected (S21). ). If it is determined that the image forming apparatus 3 (in this case, the image forming apparatus 3a) instructing facsimile transmission is selected (S21: YES), it is determined whether or not image data to be transmitted by facsimile has been generated. (S22). Specifically, it is determined whether image data to be transmitted by facsimile is stored in the HDD 27 of the terminal device 2. If it is determined that the image data to be transmitted by facsimile has not been generated (S22: NO), a reservation signal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3a (S23). Here, the reservation signal is a command for the image forming apparatus 3a for allowing only access from the own apparatus 2 and prohibiting access from other terminal apparatuses (not shown).

  Conversely, when the control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 determines that the image data to be transmitted by facsimile has been generated (S22: YES), the image data transmission start command (image data from the HDD 27 of the terminal device 2) is transmitted. An instruction to execute the process of acquiring and facsimile transmission) and the destination are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3a (S24).

  Subsequently, the control unit 21 transfers the image data to be transmitted by facsimile to the image forming apparatus 3a (S25). Then, it is determined whether or not the transfer of the image data has been completed (S26). If it is determined that the transfer has not been completed (S26: NO), the processing operation of S25 is continued to complete the transfer. If it is determined that the transfer is completed (S26: YES), a transfer completion notification signal for notifying that is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3a (S27).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 3a determines whether or not the facsimile transmission start command and the destination are received from the terminal device 2 (S51), and receives the facsimile transmission start command and the destination. If it is determined that the reservation signal has not been received (S51: NO), it is determined whether a reservation signal has been received (S52). If it is determined that the reservation signal has been received (S52: YES), the state shifts to the reservation state (S53). Here, the reservation state is a state in which only access from the terminal device 2 that has transmitted the reservation signal to the own device 3a is permitted and access from other terminal devices is prohibited, and the state has shifted to the reservation state. Information indicating this is stored in a register (not shown) of the control unit 8.

  When the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 3a receives any command from another terminal device (not shown) during the transition to the reservation state as described above, for example, the IP address added to the received command is set to the IP address. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the command source is the terminal device 2. If it is determined that the terminal device 2 is used, processing corresponding to the received command is executed. Conversely, if it is determined that the terminal device 2 is not used, processing corresponding to the received command is not executed. In this way, the image forming apparatus 3a is controlled.

  Conversely, when it is determined that the reservation signal is not received (S52: NO), the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 3a performs the determination process of S51 again. If it is determined in S51 that the facsimile transmission start command and the destination have been received from the terminal device 2 (S51: YES), a call is made to the designated destination (S54). That is, a call is made to the destination device received from the terminal device 2 together with the facsimile transmission start command. Then, the generated image data transferred from the terminal device 2 is received (S55), and the received image data is transmitted by facsimile to the designated destination device (S56). Then, after receiving the transfer completion notification signal from the terminal device 2, it is determined whether or not the transmission of all the image data has been completed (S57). If it is determined that the transmission has not been completed (S57: NO) ), The processing operations of S55 and S56 are continuously performed, and when it is determined that the transmission is completed (S57: YES), the line is disconnected (S58), and the transmission of the image data is notified. Then, a transmission completion notification signal is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (S59).

  On the other hand, after performing the processing operation of S27, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 determines whether or not a transmission completion notification signal has been received (S28), and determines that it has been received (S28: YES), for example, a message such as “The transmission of the document has been completed” is displayed on the display unit 24 to notify the completion of the transmission of the image data (S29).

  When the control unit 21 of the terminal apparatus 2 determines that the image data has not been generated in S22 and transmits a reservation signal to the image forming apparatus 3a in S23, the control unit 21 starts a reservation timer (S30). Specifically, the counting of the elapsed time since the reservation signal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3a is started. Information that prompts the user to place the original and specify the reading conditions is notified (S31). Specifically, a setting screen for setting a document reading resolution, a reading magnification, and the like is displayed on the display unit 24 together with a message for urging to place a document such as “Please set a document on the image forming apparatus to be used”. Let

  And the control part 21 judges whether it timed out (S32). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time since the start of the reservation timer in S30 exceeds a predetermined time. If it is determined that the time-out has not occurred (S32: NO), a document reading / transmission start command (processing for transmitting the generated image data by reading the image of the document and generating image data) is sent to the image forming apparatus 3a. Based on whether or not a predetermined operation necessary for transmitting (instruction to execute) is performed from the operation unit 23, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to start reading a document (S33). If it is determined that there is an instruction to start reading a document (S33: YES), a document reading transmission start command and a destination are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3a (S34). Here, the reading / transmission start command is a command for causing the image forming apparatus 3a to execute processing of reading a document by the scanner 11 and transmitting image data generated thereby to a destination apparatus.

  When the control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 has not received an instruction to start reading a document (S33: NO) and determines that a time-out has occurred (S32: YES), the control unit 21 outputs a reservation cancellation signal for canceling the access restriction. It transmits to 3a (S35). Here, the reservation cancellation signal is a command for returning the image forming apparatus 3a, which has entered the reservation state, to a normal state that accepts access from other terminal devices (terminal devices other than the terminal device 2). Then, a message such as “Reservation canceled due to time-out” is displayed on the display unit 24 to notify the reservation cancellation (S36).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 3a shifts to the reserved state by the processing operation of S53, it determines whether or not a document reading and transmission start command and a destination have been received (S60). Here, if it is determined that the document reading and transmission start command and the destination have not been received (S60: NO), it is determined whether or not a reservation cancellation signal has been received (S61). If it is determined that the reservation cancellation signal has not been received (S61: NO), the processing operation of S60 is performed again. Conversely, if it is determined that a reservation cancellation signal has been received (S61: YES), the reservation state is canceled (S62). Specifically, the own device 3a is returned from the reserved state in which only access from the terminal device 2 is accepted to the normal state in which access from all terminal devices on the LAN 4 (terminal devices other than the terminal device 2 are not shown) is accepted. Rewrite the register information so that

  As described above, in the communication system 1, when the image forming apparatus 3a receives the reservation cancellation signal, the image data is transmitted by facsimile when the access prohibition from another terminal apparatus is canceled in the image forming apparatus 3a. The process is complete.

  Note that if the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 3a determines that the document reading and transmission start command and the destination are received without receiving the reservation cancellation signal (S60: YES), it determines whether or not there is a document. (S63). Specifically, based on the detection signal of the document detection sensor provided in the scanner 11, the document is placed on the document tray of the automatic document feeder of the scanner 11 or the document placement plate of the flat bed scanner. It is determined whether it is set. If it is determined that there is no document (S63: NO), a document no signal for notifying that a document is not set is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (S64). However, even if it is determined in S63 that the document is not set, if the document is set within a predetermined time after receiving the reading transmission start command and the destination, the process proceeds to S68 instead of S64.

  On the other hand, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 determines whether or not a document no signal is received when the document reading and transmission start command and the destination are transmitted in S34 (S37). If it is determined that an original no signal has been received (S37: YES), a message such as “No original is set on the image forming apparatus” or “Please set original” is displayed on the display unit 24. Thus, information for prompting the placement of the document is notified (S38). Then, it is determined whether or not a time-out has occurred, that is, whether or not an elapsed time since the start of the reservation timer in S30 has exceeded a predetermined time (S39), and if it is determined that a time-out has occurred (S39: YES) , S35 and S36 are performed. Note that the predetermined time in the determination process of S39 is longer than the predetermined time in the determination process of S32.

  On the other hand, when the processing operation of S64 is performed, the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 3a determines whether or not a document is placed based on the detection signal of the document detection sensor (S65). Here, when it is determined that the document is placed by setting the document by the user of the terminal device 2 (S65: YES), a document presence signal is transmitted to the terminal device 2 to notify that ( S66). Conversely, if it is determined that no document is placed (S65: NO), it is determined whether a reservation cancellation signal has been received (S67). If it is determined that the reservation cancellation signal has not been received (S67: NO), the processing operation of S65 is performed again. If it is determined that the reservation cancellation signal has been received (S67: YES), S62. The processing operation is performed.

  When determining that the time-out has not occurred (S39: NO), the control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 determines whether or not a document presence signal has been received (S40). If it is determined that the document presence signal has not been received (S40: NO), the processing operation of S39 is performed again. Conversely, if it is determined that a document presence signal has been received (S40: YES), or a document has been set in the image forming apparatus 3a, and a document reading / transmission start command is transmitted in S34, then a document no signal is transmitted. Is not received from the image forming apparatus 3a (S37: NO), the reservation timer is stopped (S41). That is, the counting of the elapsed time after transmitting the reservation signal is stopped.

  On the other hand, the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 3a determines that there is a document in S63 (S63: YES), or determines that a document is placed in S65 and transmits a document presence signal to the terminal device 2 in S66. If so, the image of the original is read to generate image data (S68). Specifically, the color line sensor of the scanner 11 reads an image of a document placed on a document tray of an automatic document feeder or a document placement plate of a flat bed scanner, and an RGB color system image. Generate data. The image data generated by the scanner 11 in this way is subjected to necessary image processing such as color space conversion by the image processing unit 12. The image data subjected to the image processing is encoded by the codec 13 and then stored in the image memory 15 as image data for facsimile transmission.

  The control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 3a generates the image data in this manner and calls the designated destination (S69). That is, a call is made to the destination determined to have been received together with the document reading and transmission start command in S60. Then, the generated image data in the image memory 15 is transmitted by facsimile to the designated destination (calling destination) device (S70). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the facsimile transmission is completed (S71). If it is determined that the facsimile transmission is not completed (S71: NO), whether or not a document jam has occurred based on the detection signal of the document detection sensor. Is determined (S72). If it is determined that a document jam has occurred (S72: YES), that is, if a document jam occurs in the conveyance path of the automatic document feeder, a jam occurrence notification signal is sent to notify that fact. Is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (S73), and the occurrence of a document jam is notified by blinking an LED lamp (not shown) included in the image forming apparatus 3a or by sounding an alarm sound from a speaker (not shown). (S74).

  On the other hand, when the reservation timer is stopped in S41, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 determines whether or not a jam occurrence notification signal has been received (S43). If it is determined that a jam occurrence notification signal has been received (S43: YES), a message such as “document jammed” or “please remove jammed document and set again” is displayed on the display unit 24. For example, information that prompts the user to cancel the jam is notified (S44).

  On the other hand, when performing the processing operation of S74, the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 3a determines whether or not the document jam has been released based on the detection signal of the document detection sensor (S75), and the document jam is released. If it is determined that it is not (S75: NO), the processing operation of S74 is continued. On the other hand, when it is determined that the document jam has been released by the user of the terminal device 2 performing a jam release operation (S75: YES), a jam release notification signal for notifying the fact is transmitted to the terminal device 2. (S76). Then, when the processing operation of S76 is performed, or when it is determined in S72 that no document jam has occurred (S72: NO), the processing operation after S68 is performed. That is, the image forming apparatus 3a performs facsimile transmission processing of image data while monitoring whether or not a document jam has occurred.

  When the control unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 3a determines that the facsimile transmission of the image data has been completed (S71: YES), the line is disconnected (S77), and in order to notify the completion of the facsimile transmission, A transmission completion notification signal is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (S78). Then, similarly to the processing operation of S62, the reservation state is canceled and the processing operation is completed (S79).

  On the other hand, when performing the processing operation of S44, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 determines whether or not a jam release notification signal has been received (S45), and determines that no jam release notification signal has been received. If so (S45: NO), the processing operation of S44 is continued. Conversely, if it is determined that a jam release notification signal has been received (S45: YES), or if it is determined that a jam occurrence notification signal has not been received (S43: NO), whether or not a transmission completion notification signal has been received. Is determined (S46). Here, when it is determined that the transmission completion notification signal is not received (S46: NO), the processing operation after S43 is performed again, and when it is determined that the transmission completion notification signal is received (S46: YES), for example, “ A message such as “The transmission of the document has been completed” is displayed on the display unit 24 to notify the completion of the transmission of the image data (S47). Also, here, in order to prompt the user to pick up the original, a message such as “Sending is complete” or “Please go to pick up the original” or an image formation that the user should go to pick up the original You may make it perform the alerting | reporting process which displays the information regarding the apparatus 3 (for example, the figure which shows the place where the image forming apparatus 3a is installed).

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, when the image data to be transmitted by facsimile has not been generated, the user of the terminal device 2 sets the selected image forming device 3 in order to set the document. In this case, a reservation signal is transmitted from the terminal apparatus 2 to the image forming apparatus 3, and the image forming apparatus 3 that has received this reservation signal does not accept an instruction from a terminal apparatus other than the terminal apparatus 2. Transition to the reservation state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that the image forming apparatus 3 is used from another terminal apparatus before the user of the terminal apparatus 2 goes to the image forming apparatus 3 to set a document. .

  Even when the selected image forming apparatus 3 performs copying, Internet facsimile transmission, or scanning, the user of the terminal device 2 needs to go to the selected image forming apparatus 3 to set a document. In these cases, it is preferable that the reservation signal is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the selected image forming apparatus 3 as described above without causing the above problems.

  In this embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus 3 selected by the terminal device 2 executes the facsimile transmission process has been described. However, the case where the image forming apparatus 3 selected by the terminal device 2 executes the Internet facsimile transmission process. For the terminal device 2, the same processing operation as that described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 is performed in the terminal device 2 and the selected image forming apparatus 3 except that the destination changes from a facsimile number to an e-mail address. Is called.

  Also, when the image forming apparatus 3 selected by the terminal device 2 performs a copy, print, or scan process, the same processing operation as that described with reference to FIGS. In the case of copying, for example, in the case of copying, a process for facsimile transmission of image data of a document reads the image of the document to generate image data, and prints the generated image data on a sheet Since the same processing operation is performed except for the point to be output processing and the point where the destination is not designated, both apparatuses are used when the selected image forming apparatus 3 executes copy, print, or scan processing. The processing operations performed in 2 and 3 are not described in the present embodiment.

  The present invention receives, for example, a terminal device and an instruction to execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning from the terminal device, and any one of the instructions based on the instruction. The present invention can be applied to a communication system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute the above process are communicably connected.

It is the block diagram which showed the structural example of the communication system which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations performed in a terminal device in order to select an image forming apparatus to be used. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing operations performed in a terminal device in order to select an image forming apparatus to be used. 3 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in a terminal device after selecting an image forming apparatus to be used for facsimile transmission. 3 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in a terminal device after selecting an image forming apparatus to be used for facsimile transmission. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in an image forming apparatus selected as an apparatus used for facsimile transmission. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in an image forming apparatus selected as an apparatus used for facsimile transmission. It is a figure for demonstrating the conventional image forming apparatus. It is the block diagram which showed the example of a structure of the communication system which consists of a terminal device and a some image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication system 2 Terminal device 3 (3a, 3b, 3c) Image forming apparatus 8, 21 Control part (CPU)
11 Scanner 17 Modem 18 NCU
23 Operation unit 24 Display unit

Claims (8)

Receives an instruction to execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning from the terminal device and the terminal device, and executes any one of the processes based on the instruction A plurality of image forming apparatuses that are communicably connected to each other,
The terminal device is information for identifying each image forming device with sequential data indicating the order of each image forming device when the image forming devices are arranged in the order of short distance between the plurality of image forming devices and the terminal device. Device information storage means for storing in association with the device identification information,
Obtaining means for respectively obtaining operating state information indicating whether or not each image forming apparatus is executing a process from the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Instructing execution of any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on at least one of the sequential data stored in the apparatus information storage unit and the operation state information acquired by the acquisition unit Selecting means for selecting one image forming apparatus to be processed;
A communication system comprising:   The selection unit extracts an image forming device that is not executing processing based on the operation state information acquired by the acquiring unit from the plurality of image forming devices, and selects the most sequential data from among the image forming devices. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein one small image forming apparatus is selected. The terminal device includes a determination unit that determines whether any one of the processes is a process of transmitting the generated image data by facsimile or Internet facsimile.
When the generated image data is a process of facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission, the selection unit performs processing based on the operation state information acquired by the acquisition unit from the plurality of image forming apparatuses. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein an image forming apparatus that is not executing is extracted, and any one of the image forming apparatuses is selected. Receives an instruction to execute any one of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning from the terminal device and the terminal device, and executes any one of the processes based on the instruction A plurality of image forming apparatuses that are communicably connected to each other,
The terminal device is information for identifying each image forming device with sequential data indicating the order of each image forming device when the image forming devices are arranged in the order of short distance between the plurality of image forming devices and the terminal device. Device information storage means for storing in association with the device identification information,
Obtaining means for respectively obtaining operating state information indicating whether or not each image forming apparatus is executing a process from the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Information display means for displaying at least one of the order data stored in the apparatus information storage means and the operation state information acquired by the acquisition means so as to be visible from the outside;
Selection means for receiving instruction information from the outside and selecting one image forming apparatus as an object to instruct execution of any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the received instruction information And a communication system comprising: It is communicably connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute any one process of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses A terminal device for instructing execution,
Device identification information, which is information for identifying each image forming device, is sequential data indicating the order of each image forming device when the image forming devices are arranged in the order of short distance between the plurality of image forming devices and the terminal device. Device information storage means for storing in association with,
Obtaining means for respectively obtaining operating state information indicating whether or not each image forming apparatus is executing a process from the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Instructing execution of any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on at least one of the sequential data stored in the apparatus information storage unit and the operation state information acquired by the acquisition unit And a selection unit that selects one image forming apparatus that is an object to be processed.   The selection unit extracts an image forming device that is not executing processing based on the operation state information acquired by the acquiring unit from the plurality of image forming devices, and selects the most sequential data from among the image forming devices. The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein one small image forming apparatus is selected. Determining means for determining whether any one of the processes is a process of transmitting the generated image data by facsimile or internet facsimile;
When the generated image data is a process of facsimile transmission or Internet facsimile transmission, the selection unit performs processing based on the operation state information acquired by the acquisition unit from the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The terminal device according to claim 5, wherein an image forming apparatus that is not executing is extracted, and any one of the image forming apparatuses is selected. It is communicably connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute any one process of copying, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, printing, and scanning, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses A terminal device for instructing execution,
Device identification information, which is information for identifying each image forming device, is sequential data indicating the order of each image forming device when the image forming devices are arranged in the order of short distance between the plurality of image forming devices and the terminal device. Device information storage means for storing in association with,
Obtaining means for respectively obtaining operating state information indicating whether or not each image forming apparatus is executing a process from the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Information display means for displaying at least one of the order data stored in the apparatus information storage means and the operation state information acquired by the acquisition means so as to be visible from the outside;
Selection means for receiving instruction information from the outside and selecting one image forming apparatus as an object to instruct execution of any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the received instruction information And a terminal device.

Images