JP2014230106A - Image communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image communication device capable of reducing a recording amount of audio data used in investigating whether an image has been normally transceived.SOLUTION: A communication unit selects only a communication phase other than a communication phase for transceiving image data in a transceived communication signal, and records a communication signal transceived in the selected communication phase in a recording unit. For example, in facsimile communication, only audio data in a communication phase other than a communication phase C is recorded in the recording unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus that records communication contents.

  In facsimile communication (FAX (facsimile) communication), a method has been proposed in which an audio signal transmitted and received during FAX communication is recorded as audio data in order to investigate the cause of an error that has occurred during communication after the FAX communication ends. (See Patent Document 1). In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to confirm whether or not normal packets can be transmitted and received from dial information or the like by analyzing recorded audio data.

JP 2008-42286 A

  In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 11, in FAX communication, audio data of all communication phases (communication phase A to communication phase E) is recorded from the start of communication to the end of communication. doing.

  However, an enormous amount of data is required to keep audio data. In particular, in FAX communication consisting of a large number of pages, it is necessary to save an enormous amount of data, so it is desirable to suppress the amount of audio data to be recorded.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and provides an image communication apparatus capable of suppressing the recording amount of audio data used when checking whether or not image transmission / reception has been normally performed. It is an object.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] a communication unit;
A recording section;
A control unit that selects only a communication phase other than the communication phase for transmitting and receiving image data from the communication signal and records the selected signal in the recording unit;
An image communication apparatus comprising:

  In the above invention, only the communication phase other than the communication phase for transmitting and receiving the image data is selected, and the communication signal transmitted and received by the communication unit during the selected communication phase is recorded. For example, when an error is detected after communication, the cause of the error can be investigated by analyzing the communication signal. The communication signal in the communication phase for transmitting and receiving image data is not recorded because the importance is low in the cause investigation. Thereby, the amount of communication signals to be saved can be suppressed. Further, all or a part of the communication phases other than the communication phase for transmitting and receiving image data may be recorded. Note that the communication method of the communication unit is not limited to facsimile communication, and may be any communication method that transmits and receives images.

[2] The communication unit performs facsimile communication,
The communication phase for transmitting and receiving the image data is a communication phase C. The image communication device according to [1], wherein

  In the above invention, the communication phase is facsimile phase and the communication phase for transmitting and receiving image data is the communication phase C.

[3] The image communication apparatus according to [2], wherein at least the communication phase A is recorded when the own apparatus is a transmission side.

  In the above invention, when the own apparatus is the transmission side, it is essential to record a communication signal transmitted and received during the communication phase A in order to detect a call error.

[4] The image communication device according to [2] or [3], wherein the communication phase E is not recorded.

  In the above invention, the communication signal of the communication phase E is not recorded. Since the communication phase E is simply a communication phase instructing line disconnection, the importance of recording is low.

[5] The image communication device according to any one of [2] to [4], wherein the communication phase D is recorded.

[6] The image communication apparatus according to [5], wherein when the communication phase D is completed without abnormality, the record of the communication phase D is deleted.

  In the above invention, when the communication phase D is completed without abnormality, it is determined that the communication signal in the communication phase D is unnecessary for investigating the cause of the error, and is deleted. The case where the communication phase D is completed without abnormality is, for example, a case where the communication phase D is shifted to the next communication phase. Upon completion of communication phase D, if there is a next page, the communication phase C or communication phase B is entered, and if there is no next page, the communication phase E is entered.

[7] The communication phase B is recorded, and when the communication phase B is completed without any abnormality, the communication phase B record is deleted. Any one of [2] to [6] The image communication apparatus described.

  In the above invention, when the communication phase B is completed without abnormality, it is determined that the communication signal in the communication phase B is unnecessary for investigating the cause of the error, and is deleted. The case where the communication phase B is completed without abnormality is, for example, the case where the communication phase C is shifted to.

[8] The image communication apparatus according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein a communication signal in a communication phase and a communication job attribute are recorded in association with each other.

  In the above invention, the communication signal of the communication phase and the attribute of the communication job are recorded in association with each other. When the communication signal and the attribute of the communication job are always recorded in association with each other, when an error is detected later, it is possible to check in which communication job the error has occurred.

[9] The control unit deletes a part of the information stored in the recording unit when the free space of the recording unit becomes a predetermined amount or less. [1] to [8] ] The image communication apparatus according to any one of the above.

  In the above invention, when the free space of the recording unit becomes a predetermined amount or less, a part of the information stored in the recording unit is deleted. For example, data is deleted in order of oldest stored time or in descending order of data volume. The amount to be deleted may be deleted so that the free capacity of the storage unit exceeds a predetermined amount. Thereby, a storage area for storing a new communication signal can be secured.

[10] It further includes an output unit that outputs information recorded in the recording unit to an external device,
The control unit outputs the information stored in the recording unit to the external device using the output unit when the free space of the recording unit becomes a predetermined amount or less, and the information that has been output Is deleted from the recording unit. The image communication apparatus according to any one of [1] to [9].

  In the above invention, when the free capacity of the recording unit becomes a predetermined amount or less, the data stored in the storage unit is output to the external device, and the output data is deleted from the storage unit. As a result, a storage area for storing a new communication signal can be secured, and a copy of the data deleted from the storage unit can be left in an external device.

  According to the image communication apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the recording amount of audio data used when checking whether or not image transmission / reception has been performed normally.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a facsimile communication part. It is a figure which shows a mode that a packet loss generate | occur | produces in the communication phase B. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which packet loss occurs in communication phase D. It is a figure which shows the communication phase which performs recording. It is a figure which shows a mode that it is determined whether it deletes by the presence or absence of abnormality in the communication phase B. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process which records the audio | voice signal in FAX communication. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the process of FIG. It is a figure which shows the storage area of a data storage part. It is a figure which shows the case where the free capacity of a data storage part becomes less than a limit value. It is a figure which shows a mode in the case of recording the audio | voice data in all the communication phases.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 10 that functions as an image communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 is a copy job that optically reads a document and prints a duplicate image on a recording sheet, a scan job that saves the image data of the read document as a file, or transmits it to an external device, This is a so-called multi-function machine having a function of executing a job such as a print job for printing an image related to data sent from a terminal (or data stored in its own device) on a recording sheet.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a facsimile communication unit 22 and transmits image data obtained by optically reading a document to another apparatus having a facsimile function through a telephone line, or other external facsimile functions. The function of executing a facsimile job for receiving image data transmitted by FAX communication from an apparatus having the image data, printing an image indicated by the image data on a recording sheet, and outputting the image is output. The facsimile communication unit 22 functions as a communication unit of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 connected to the CPU 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, and a nonvolatile memory. Memory 14, hard disk device 15, display unit 16, operation unit 17, scanner unit 18, network I / F unit 19, image processing unit 20, printer unit 21, facsimile communication unit 22, wireless communication A LAN (Local Area Network) module 23 and an audio output unit 24 are provided.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, on which middleware and application programs are executed. Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the image forming apparatus 10 such as job execution is realized by the CPU 11 executing processes according to these programs.

  The RAM 13 is used as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 11 executes a program, an image memory that stores image data, and the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is a rewritable memory (flash memory) that can retain memory even when the power is turned off. The nonvolatile memory 14 stores device-specific information and various setting information. The hard disk device 15 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores an OS program, various application programs, print data, image data, and the like.

  The display unit 16 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and fulfills a function of displaying contents related to various operations and settings. The operation unit 17 has a function of accepting various operations such as job input from the user and setting change. The operation unit 17 includes a touch panel that is provided on the screen of the display unit 16 and detects a pressed coordinate position, and includes a numeric keypad, a character input key, a start key, and the like outside the screen.

  The scanner unit 18 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The scanner unit 18 sequentially moves, for example, a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a line-by-line reading position in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding the reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, a conversion unit for converting the analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data, etc. It is prepared for.

  The network I / F unit 19 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected by wire.

  The image processing unit 20 performs image data compression / decompression processing in addition to processing such as image enlargement / reduction and rotation.

  The printer unit 21 has a function of forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, a fixing device, etc., and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. When image formation output (printing) is performed, the image formation target (recording paper) is moved in the sub-scanning direction while repeating image formation for one line in the main scanning direction, so that it is two-dimensionally printed on the recording paper. Images are formed.

  The facsimile communication unit 22 performs a function of transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external facsimile apparatus via a telephone line. The facsimile communication unit 22 has a function of performing FAX communication (facsimile transmission and facsimile reception). For example, the facsimile communication unit 22 transmits image data obtained by optically reading a document by the scanner unit 18 to an external apparatus having a facsimile communication function in accordance with a facsimile job received from the operation unit 17 or the like.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the facsimile communication unit 22 selects only a communication phase other than the communication phase for transmitting and receiving image data in FAX communication, and transmits an audio signal (communication signal) transmitted and received during the communication phase. Record. Details of the facsimile communication unit 22 will be described later.

  The wireless LAN module 23 transmits / receives data to / from an external device through the wireless LAN. For example, transmission / reception of e-mail or the like is performed via the wireless LAN module 23.

  The audio output unit 24 is a so-called speaker, and emits an operation sound corresponding to an operation accepted by the image forming apparatus 10 or a signal sound when performing FAX communication.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention selects only a communication phase other than the communication phase for transmitting and receiving image data in FAX communication, and records audio signals transmitted and received during the selected communication phase. For example, when an error such as image data not being transmitted to the designated device is detected later, the cause of the error is investigated by another device analyzing the audio signal recorded by the image forming device 10. Can do. Audio signals transmitted / received during the communication phase of transmitting / receiving image data in FAX communication are not recorded because they are less important. Therefore, the amount of audio signals to be recorded can be suppressed.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the facsimile communication unit 22. The facsimile communication unit 22 includes a CPU 30, an NCU (network control unit) 31, an image processing unit 32, a ROM 33, a data storage unit 34, a modem unit 35, and an A / D conversion unit 36. The

  The CPU 30 functions as a control unit that performs overall control of the operation of the facsimile communication unit 22. For example, an instruction to transmit each signal in FAX communication and an instruction to start / stop recording of an audio signal are given.

  The NCU 31 is connected to a telephone line and performs a function of sending and receiving a dial signal to the telephone line.

  The modem unit 35 functions to modulate a digital signal into an analog signal and send it to the NCU 31, and demodulate the analog signal sent from the NCU 31 into the original digital signal. Further, the modem unit 35 transmits a phase detection signal to the CPU 30 when the communication phase is switched in the FAX communication. The CPU 30 recognizes switching of the communication phase A, the communication phase B, the communication phase C, the communication phase D, and the communication phase E in the FAX communication based on the phase detection signal.

  The image processing unit 32 has a function of compressing / decompressing image data by a compression method corresponding to facsimile transmission / reception.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM 33, and each function of the facsimile communication unit 22 is realized by the CPU 30 executing processing according to these programs.

  The A / D converter 36 functions to convert an audio signal transmitted / received by the NCU 31 from an analog signal to digital data. In the embodiment of the present invention, an audio signal converted into digital data by the A / D converter 36 is recorded.

  The data storage unit 34 is a rewritable memory that can retain the memory even when the power is turned off, and stores the digital data (audio signal) obtained by the conversion by the A / D conversion unit 36 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 30. . In FAX communication, the CPU 30 selects only a communication phase other than the communication phase for transmitting and receiving image data, converts an audio signal transmitted and received during the communication phase from an analog signal to digital data, and obtains digital data ( Audio data) is stored in the data storage unit 34. The data storage unit 34 serves as a recording unit of the present invention.

  First, an error occurring in FAX communication will be described with a specific example. The main errors that occur in FAX communication are errors due to incorrect connections and errors due to packet loss.

<Error due to incorrect connection / calling error>
An error due to an incorrect connection is an error in a case where a FAX is transmitted to an unintended partner due to an incorrect connection caused by a communication network malfunction or the like. For example, (Case 1) Fax transmission was performed with the number 042-xxx-1111 specified, but garbled characters (1 → 2) occurred, such as 042-xxx-1112, and sent to an unintended partner. May end up. Here, in the job information of the transmission destination, 042-xxx-1111 is designated as the destination number, but the device having the number of 042-xxx-1112 has actually arrived.

  In addition, (Case 2) When a FAX transmission to a device having the number 042-xxx-1111 is started (for example, when a start button for instructing a FAX transmission is pressed), a third party sends a line. When is connected, a dial signal, document data, or the like may be transmitted to the third party number instead of the number (042-xxx-1111) originally intended to be transmitted.

<Error due to packet loss>
An error such as communication interruption may occur due to packet loss. 3 and 4 show examples in the case where an error occurs due to packet loss. In the embodiment of the present invention, various signals transmitted and received in FAX communication are the international standard T.40 of ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication standardization sector). 30.

  FIG. 3 (Case 3) shows a state in which packet loss occurs and communication interruption occurs in communication phase B in FAX communication. First, in communication phase A, transmission is performed when a line is established between a transmitting apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as a transmitter) and a receiving apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as a receiver). The machine transmits a CNG (Calling Tone) signal to the receiver, and the receiver that has received the CNG signal returns a CED (Called Station Identification) signal to the transmitter. From the CNG signal and the CED signal, the transmitter and the receiver recognize that each other device is a device capable of FAX communication. When the recognition is completed, the process proceeds to communication phase B.

  In the communication phase B, the transmitter and the receiver communicate each other's functions and negotiate the transmission speed and functions. First, from a receiver, a DIS (Digital Identification Signal) signal indicating various function information of the receiver, a CSI (Called Subscriber Identification) signal indicating a registration number of the receiver, and an NSF (Non) indicating a non-standard function -Standard Facilities) signal is sent to the transmitter.

  As a response to the DIS signal, CSI signal, and NSF signal received from the receiver, the transmitter transmits a DCS (Digital Command Signal) signal for notifying transmission conditions, and a TSI (Transmitting Subscriber Identification) signal indicating the registration number of the transmitter. Then, a TCF (Training Check) signal, which is a training signal for confirming whether communication is possible at the speed indicated by the DCS signal, is transmitted to the receiver.

  However, in FIG. 3, the DCS signal, TSI signal, and TCF signal transmitted from the transmitter do not reach the receiver due to packet loss. Therefore, if there is no response to the signal (DIS signal, CSI signal, NSF signal) transmitted by the receiver, the receiver cannot grasp the function of the transmitter, so it is determined that the FAX communication cannot be continued and the communication is cut off. (Communication loss occurs).

  FIG. 4 (Case 4) shows an example in which a packet loss occurs in communication phase D in FAX communication. The transmitter transmits an EOP (End of Procedure) signal indicating that transmission of image data has been completed to the receiver. The receiver transmits an MCF (Message Confirmation) signal to the transmitter as a response to the EOP signal. If no packet loss occurs, the transmitter proceeds to the communication phase E upon receiving the MCF signal, transmits a DCN (Disconnect) signal to the receiver, and terminates the FAX communication by disconnecting the line.

  However, in FIG. 4, the MCF signal transmitted by the receiver does not reach the transmitter due to packet loss. The transmitter can transmit the EOP signal up to three times, but since the receiver can only transmit the MCF signal once, if the transmitter cannot receive the MCF signal due to packet loss in the communication phase D, the receiver Is determined to have completed normally, but an error occurs at the transmitter.

  In this way, when an error occurs due to erroneous connection or packet loss during FAX communication, in order to identify the cause of the error, analysis of various communication signals (voice signals) transmitted and received during the FAX communication is performed. Necessary. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 records (records) an audio signal necessary for error detection as audio data when performing FAX communication.

  For example, in the case of FIG. 3, it is possible to recognize whether the transmitting side has transmitted a necessary signal (DCS signal or the like) by analyzing the audio data recorded on the transmitting side. If the transmitting side does not transmit a necessary signal, it can be understood that the transmitter is defective, and if it is transmitting, it is understood that the communication network or the receiver is defective. On the other hand, by analyzing the audio data recorded on the receiving side, it is possible to recognize whether or not a necessary signal (for example, a DCS signal) has arrived on the receiving side. If the necessary signal has arrived, it can be seen that there is a problem in the processing on the receiving side, and if the necessary signal has not arrived, it can be seen that there is a problem in the transmitting side or the communication network. If there is no problem on both the transmission side and the reception side, it is specified that there is a problem in the communication network.

  Recording (recording) of audio data is performed regardless of whether the image forming apparatus 10 serves as either a transmitter or a receiver in FAX communication.

  FIG. 5 shows a communication phase in which the image forming apparatus 10 records (records) an audio signal (audio data) during FAX communication. When FAX communication is started, the image forming apparatus 10 sequentially records audio signals (audio data) transmitted and received during the communication phase A, communication phase B, and communication phase D. At the time of reception, the modem unit 35 detects the type and transition of the communication phase from the type of received signal and its change, and transmits a phase detection signal indicating the detection result to the CPU 30. Based on this phase detection signal, the CPU 30 recognizes the switching of the communication phase and the type of the communication phase that has been switched, and instructs the start or stop of recording of audio data. At the time of transmission, the CPU 30 actively manages and switches the communication phase, and the CPU 30 always grasps the current communication phase.

  When the call errors in the above-described case 1 and case 2 occur, the cause of the error can be investigated by analyzing the voice data in the communication phase A. Further, the error of the case 3 can be investigated by analyzing the voice data of the communication phase B. The error of the case 4 can be investigated by analyzing the audio data of the communication phase D.

  The audio signal of the image data transmitted / received in the communication phase C is not recorded because it is unnecessary for investigating the cause of the error. Also, the audio signal (DCN signal) transmitted and received in the communication phase E is not recorded because it does not contribute to the investigation of the cause of the error. Since the communication phase E is simply a communication phase for instructing line disconnection, the importance of recording is low.

  In FAX communication, when image data is transmitted and received for a plurality of pages without changing the page size and resolution, communication phase C and communication phase D are repeated for the number of pages. For example, when the communication phase C for transmitting / receiving the image data of the first page and the communication phase D are normally completed, the communication phase C for transmitting / receiving the image data of the second page is started.

  If there is any abnormality during the communication phase D, the next communication phase C cannot be started. Therefore, if the communication phase C after the second page (after the second) is started, the communication phase C immediately before the communication phase C is started. It can be determined that there was no abnormality in communication phase D. Therefore, when the CPU 30 has successfully shifted to the communication phase C, the CPU 30 determines that there is no abnormality in the immediately preceding communication phase D, and the audio data transmitted / received from the data storage unit 34 during the immediately preceding communication phase D. Delete the record. Since the audio data of the communication phase D determined to have no abnormality is sequentially deleted, the amount of audio data to be held can be suppressed compared to the case of holding the audio data of the communication phase D of all pages. .

  Further, when the communication phase B is shifted to the communication phase C, it may be determined that the communication phase B has been completed without abnormality for the same reason, and the audio data of the communication phase B may be deleted.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in communication phase B. For example, when the image forming apparatus 10 serves as a transmitter in FAX communication, the CPU 30 determines that there is an abnormality when no audio signal is received for a certain time or longer in the communication phase B (when the silent period is longer than a certain time). To do. When serving as a receiver, if a busy tone is received, it is determined that there is an abnormality. If it is determined that there is an abnormality, the audio data of communication phase B is left. If it is not determined that there is an abnormality, the audio data of communication phase B that is not determined to be abnormal is stored from the data storage unit 34. Is deleted. This further reduces the amount of audio data to be stored. The presence or absence of abnormality may be determined by other methods.

  7 and 8 show audio data recording processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10 from the start to the end of FAX communication. This process will be described as a process that is commonly performed regardless of whether the image forming apparatus 10 serves as a transmitter or a receiver in FAX communication. Differences in the case of acting as a transmitter or a receiver will be explained along the way.

  First, in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 10 waits to receive a facsimile job (step S101; No). The reception of the facsimile job may be received by the operation unit 17 or the network I / F unit 19. When a facsimile job is received, FAX communication is started according to the facsimile job (step S101; Yes), and recording (recording) of voice data is started (step S102). First, the audio data of the communication phase A is recorded.

  The CPU 30 waits for the transition to the communication phase B (step S103; No), and when it shifts to the communication phase B (step S103; Yes), monitors the presence or absence of an abnormality in the communication phase B, and if there is an abnormality. (Step S104; Yes), the process proceeds to Step S115 in FIG. The presence or absence of abnormality is determined by the method described with reference to FIG.

  If there is no abnormality (step S104; No), it is determined whether or not the communication phase C has been entered (step S105).

  Until the transition to the communication phase C (step S105; No), the process returns to step S104 and continues. If it transfers to the communication phase C (step S105; Yes), CPU11 will judge that the last communication phase B was completed without abnormality, and will delete the audio | voice data of the said communication phase B (step S106). Also, since the communication phase C has been entered, recording of audio data is stopped (step S107).

  Thereafter, the presence or absence of an abnormality is monitored in communication phase C. If there is an abnormality (step S108; Yes), the process proceeds to step S115 in FIG. If there is no abnormality (step S108; No), the process returns to step S108 and continues until the transition to the communication phase D (step S109; No). For example, it is determined that there is an abnormality when transmission / reception of an audio signal is interrupted for a certain time or more. If there is no abnormality and the process proceeds to the communication phase D (step S109; Yes), the process proceeds to step S110 in FIG.

  Next, the continuation of the process of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. First, since it shifted to the communication phase D in step S109, recording (recording) of audio data is resumed (step S110). Thereafter, the presence or absence of an abnormality is monitored in communication phase D. If there is an abnormality (step S111; Yes), the process proceeds to step S115.

  If there is no abnormality (step S111; No), it is checked whether there is a remaining page (step S112). The presence / absence of an abnormality is determined by whether or not an audio signal is normally exchanged. For example, when there is no response to a certain audio signal for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that there is an abnormality.

  If the page that has transmitted and received image data in the communication phase C is not the final page (step S112; Yes), the process returns to step S104 in FIG. In step S104 that returns Yes in step S112, it is determined whether there is an abnormality in communication phase D instead of communication phase B. Further, in step S106 after returning with Yes in step S112, the audio data in the immediately previous communication phase D is deleted from the data storage unit 34 instead of the communication phase B.

  If it is determined that there are no remaining pages (step S112; No), the process waits for the transition to the communication phase E (step S113; No). If the transition to the communication phase E (step S113; Yes), the communication phase E The line is disconnected and communication ends.

  When the communication phase E is entered, recording (sound recording) of audio data is stopped (step S114). Thereby, the audio data of the communication phase E is not recorded. Thereafter, the voice data recorded in this process is stored in association with the job attribute of the facsimile job started in step S101 (step S115), and this process is terminated.

  When the own device acts as a transmitter, for example, destination information (dial number, destination name), resolution, page size, color / monochrome, execution date / time, job number, (various settings at the time of transmission), sent The original image data (part or all of the image) is stored in association with the job attribute.

  When the device itself is a receiver, in addition to the reception date and time, the page size and resolution (various contents indicated by the DCS signal), the number of pages, received source information (content indicated by the TSI signal), received and decoded A part of the obtained image is stored in association with the job attribute.

  As a result, when an error is detected later, it is possible to check what error has occurred in which facsimile job.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 serves as a receiver in FAX communication, the audio data in the communication phase A may not be recorded. When acting as a transmitter, recording of voice data is indispensable for detecting a call error.

  Next, a method for managing stored audio data will be described. The data storage unit 34 provides a limit value for the amount of free space that is always secured. In the present embodiment, 30% of the entire storage area is set as the above-described limit value, and when the free area becomes 30% or less of the entire storage area, for example, by deleting the data in the order of the stored date and time, Secure 30% or more of the free space in the entire storage area.

  9 and 10 show storage areas of the data storage unit 34. FIG. In FIG. 9, 30% or more of the free area remains in the entire storage area, but in FIG. 10, the free area is less than the limit value by 30 MB.

  The data to be deleted may be deleted in units of facsimile jobs, or may be deleted as much as the limit value is insufficient (30 MB in FIG. 10). What is necessary is just to delete so that the free area more than a limit value can be ensured after deletion. Thereby, a storage area in which new audio data can be recorded can be secured. The limit value may be a fixed value or may be set by the user. For example, a setting may be made so as to secure a free area as much as a required amount as a storage area for writing audio data recorded when a facsimile job is executed once.

  In addition, before performing the above-described deletion, the data scheduled to be deleted may be output to another device. For example, the voice data may be transmitted (output) to an external storage device (server or the like) by e-mail or the like, and the transmitted (outputted) voice data may be deleted from the data storage unit 34.

  Alternatively, the audio data may be copied from the data storage unit 34 to the hard disk device 15, and the audio data that is the copy source may be deleted after the copying.

  In addition, you may make it delete the audio | speech data in which the holding | maintenance period became more than a fixed period.

  In this way, the image forming apparatus 10 selects only a communication phase other than the communication phase (communication phase C) for transmitting image data in FAX communication, and records audio signals transmitted and received during the selected communication phase. If communication phase B and communication phase D are completed without any abnormality, the audio data of communication phase B and communication phase D are deleted. As described above, since the audio signal that is unnecessary for investigating the cause of the error is not held, the data amount of the audio signal held by the image forming apparatus 10 can be suppressed.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, FAX communication (facsimile communication) has been described as an example of a communication method for transmitting an image. However, any communication method other than FAX communication may be used as long as it is an image transmission communication. Also in this case, the audio data (communication signal) in the communication phase for transmitting and receiving the image data is not recorded, but only the other communication phase is selected and recorded.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 is described as an example of the image communication apparatus. However, from the image forming apparatus 10, the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the nonvolatile memory 14, the facsimile communication unit 22, or the network I. / F unit 19 may be configured as a single image communication apparatus.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the audio signal is converted into digital data and stored, but the audio signal (analog signal) before conversion may be recorded as it is.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the audio signal transmitted and received during the communication phase E is not recorded, but may be recorded.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, when the free capacity of the data storage unit 34 is less than or equal to the limit value, the audio data is deleted in the order of the recorded time, but the audio data to be deleted is based on other criteria. You may choose. For example, the audio data may be deleted in the order of the data amount.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the audio data is deleted only when the free capacity of the data storage unit 34 is less than or equal to the limit value. You may make it delete the audio | voice data from which the period which became more than a fixed period.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Non-volatile memory 15 ... Hard disk device 16 ... Display part 17 ... Operation part 18 ... Scanner part 19 ... Network I / F part 20 ... Image processing part 21 ... Printer part 22 ... Facsimile communication part 23 ... Wireless LAN module 24 ... Audio | voice output Unit 30 ... CPU
31 ... NCU
32 ... Image processing unit 33 ... ROM
34 ... Data storage unit 35 ... Modem unit 36 ... A / D conversion unit

Claims (10)

A communication department;
A recording section;
A control unit that selects only a communication phase other than a communication phase for transmitting and receiving image data from the communication signal and records the selected signal in the recording unit;
An image communication apparatus comprising: The communication unit performs facsimile communication,
The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a communication phase for transmitting and receiving the image data is a communication phase C. The image communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least the communication phase A is recorded when the own apparatus is a transmission side. 4. The image communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication phase E is not recorded. The image communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication phase D is recorded. The image communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the communication phase D is completed without abnormality, the record of the communication phase D is deleted. 7. The image communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication phase B is recorded, and when the communication phase B is completed without abnormality, the record of the communication phase B is deleted. . The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication signal of the communication phase and the attribute of the communication job are recorded in association with each other. 9. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit deletes a part of information stored in the recording unit when a free capacity of the recording unit becomes a predetermined amount or less. The image communication apparatus according to one. An output unit that outputs information recorded in the recording unit to an external device;
The control unit outputs the information stored in the recording unit to the external device using the output unit when the free space of the recording unit becomes a predetermined amount or less, and the information that has been output The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication device is deleted from the recording unit.

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