JP2015027023A5 - - Google Patents

Description

Facsimile machine

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for managing facsimile data when the facsimile data is transferred to another device.

  When the facsimile data is received from another facsimile device, the facsimile data is transferred to the other facsimile device or image forming apparatus in preparation for the situation that the receiving facsimile device cannot immediately print the facsimile data. Technologies that enable image formation in such facsimile machines and image forming apparatuses have been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

JP 2009-182652 A JP 09-65035 A

  According to the above-described conventional technology, the user can obtain the printed matter of the received facsimile data by another device. In the case of erasure, if the transfer destination apparatus fails to print, the facsimile data cannot be guaranteed even though it is normally received facsimile data. On the other hand, if the facsimile data is stored for a long time in the original facsimile apparatus for guaranteeing the facsimile data, there is a possibility that the memory becomes full.

  Further, when facsimile data is transferred to another image forming apparatus as described above and the facsimile data is guaranteed by printing at the transfer destination, it is required to execute printing reliably in the image forming apparatus as the transfer destination.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. In the case where the received facsimile data is transferred to another apparatus different from the receiving apparatus and image formation or display is performed, An object of the present invention is to reliably guarantee normally received facsimile data while preventing memory full due to facsimile data storage.

A facsimile apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a facsimile data receiving unit that receives facsimile data from another facsimile apparatus, a storage unit that stores facsimile data received by the facsimile data receiving unit, and the stored facsimile A job management unit that manages a fax job for data, a transfer instruction reception unit that receives a transfer instruction for transferring facsimile data managed by the job management unit from another user to another apparatus, and a transfer instruction reception unit When the transfer instruction is accepted, the transfer includes a password creation unit that creates a password in association with the facsimile data to be transferred, the password created by the password creation unit, and the facsimile data to be transferred Transfer data to the other device And a deletion instruction receiving unit that receives a deletion instruction by specifying a fax job to be deleted and inputting a password from the user, and the job management unit receives the deletion instruction in the deletion instruction receiving unit. The password indicated by the deletion instruction is compared with the password created in association with the facsimile data of the fax job to be deleted by the deletion instruction. remove the fax job indicated deletion instruction, when the facsimile data and the job is deleted by the job management unit based on the password input from Yu Za, transfer the apparatus used to transfer the facsimile data The apparatus further includes an apparatus storage unit that stores the destination candidate.

  In the present invention, when the data transfer unit transfers facsimile data to another device, the password created by the password creation unit is transmitted together as transfer data, so that the device receiving the transfer data receives the facsimile data. In addition to this, passwords can be printed. This allows the user to obtain the password from this device. The job management unit deletes the facsimile data on condition that the password is input by the user and the input password matches the created password. Here, when the password is printed together with the facsimile data in the above apparatus, the user can know the password for deleting the facsimile data. Therefore, the facsimile data is printed on any of the apparatuses. Is guaranteed. When the password is input, the facsimile apparatus can delete the facsimile data and reduce the amount of data stored in the memory or the like, thus preventing memory full.

  Further, when the facsimile data based on the password input and deletion of the job are established, the device storage unit stores the device used for transferring the facsimile data as a transfer destination candidate. A device having a record of successful printing of data and password is extracted and stored in the device storage unit.

  According to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when the received facsimile data is transferred to another apparatus different from the receiving apparatus for image formation or display, the password associated with the transferred facsimile data is input. By deleting the facsimile data from the storage unit on the condition, it is possible to reliably guarantee the normally received facsimile data while preventing the memory from being full due to the storage of the facsimile data.

  Furthermore, since the devices that have successfully printed the transferred facsimile data and password are accumulated in the device storage unit, a highly reliable device that prints the transferred facsimile data can be given to the user when the transfer destination of the facsimile data is designated. For example, the data transfer unit can transmit the transfer data to the highly reliable apparatus. As a result, normally received facsimile data can be more reliably guaranteed.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus as a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a multifunction machine as a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of fax transfer processing by the multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an operation part and a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of fax transfer processing by the multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the multifunctional device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating fax transfer processing by the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. 10 is a flowchart illustrating fax transfer processing by the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display part.

  Hereinafter, a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus as a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An image forming apparatus as a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, a multifunction machine 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes an apparatus main body 10 including a housing.

  The apparatus main body 10 includes a lower housing 3, an upper housing 4 provided on the upper portion thereof, and a connecting housing 8 that connects both the housings. A sheet stack portion 5 is formed at an intermediate portion between the lower housing 3 and the upper housing 4 so as to enter the inner side in a substantially horizontal direction from the side. An operation unit 47 is provided on the front surface of the upper housing 4. The sheet stack unit 5 is provided with a sheet tray 6 on which sheets discharged from the lower housing 3 are stacked.

  The upper housing 4 has an image reading unit 2 having a flat bed inside and reading a document on the flat bed by a scanner unit or the like. The lower housing 3 incorporates an image forming unit 130 (FIG. 2) such as a photosensitive drum for forming a toner image on a sheet, an exposure unit and a developing unit, and a fixing unit for fixing the toner image on the sheet. . The lower housing 3 is further provided with a paper feed cassette 7 for storing recording paper. In this embodiment, an example in which two paper feed cassettes 7 are provided is shown, but the number of paper feed cassettes is not particularly limited. The connection housing 8 incorporates a paper conveyance path for conveying the recording paper after fixing in the image forming process and discharging it to the sheet tray 6.

  In the multifunction device 1, the original image read by the image reading unit 2 is formed on a recording sheet fed from one of the sheet feeding cassettes 7 by the image forming mechanism built in the lower housing 3, The recording paper after image formation is discharged from the paper conveyance path in the connection housing 8 to the sheet tray 6.

  Next, the configuration of the multifunction machine 1 as the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the multifunction machine 1 as the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a control unit 100, an image reading unit 2, an image memory 120, an image forming unit 130, and a facsimile communication unit 140.

  The image reading unit 2 includes a scanner that reads a document and obtains a document image. The image reading unit 2 is, for example, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) having a document placing table, a scanner that reads an image of a document conveyed from the document placing table, and a discharge mechanism that discharges a read document. The image reading unit 2 reads a document to be faxed one by one and generates data to be faxed.

  An image memory (storage unit) 120 forms an image (image data) of the image forming unit 130 such as document data read by the image reading unit 2 and data to be transmitted by the facsimile communication unit 140 or the communication interface 160. This is an area for temporarily storing data to be printed.

  The image forming unit 130 reads data stored in the image memory 120 such as data of a document read by the image reading unit 2, data acquired by the facsimile communication unit 140 or the communication interface 160, and the like. Image formation (printing) is performed using the data.

  A facsimile communication unit (facsimile data receiving unit) 140 executes various functions necessary for facsimile communication and transmits / receives image data to / from an external facsimile apparatus through a public line.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and governs the overall operation of the multifunction device 1. The control unit 100 includes a control unit 101, a job management unit 102, a transfer instruction reception unit 103, a password creation unit 104, a data transfer control unit 105, a deletion instruction reception unit 106, a device detection unit 107, data A conversion unit 108 and an availability detection unit 109 are provided.

  Note that the fax job management program of the multifunction device 1 is stored in the HDD 170 or a ROM (not shown), and the control unit 100 operates according to the fax job management program, thereby controlling the control unit 101, the job management unit 102, and the like. A transfer instruction receiving unit 103, a password creating unit 104, a data transfer control unit 105, a deletion instruction receiving unit 106, a device detecting unit 107, a data converting unit 108, and a permission detecting unit 109.

  With regard to the control unit 101, the functional part related to fax job management shown as each embodiment is realized by an operation according to a fax job management program. However, the control unit 101 (control unit 101 for functions related to fax job management), job management unit 102, transfer instruction reception unit 103, password creation unit 104, data transfer control unit 105, deletion instruction reception unit 106, and device detection unit 107 The data conversion unit 108 and the availability detection unit 109 may be configured by hardware circuits regardless of the operation based on the fax job management program. The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  In addition, each unit of the control unit 101 to the availability detection unit 109 is a component of the multifunction machine 1 as an embodiment of the present invention as long as it is necessary in each embodiment described later.

  The control unit 101 governs the overall operation of the multifunction machine 1.

  For example, the control unit 101 reads document data of each page read by the image reading unit 2 for fax transmission and temporarily stored in the image memory 120 in the order of pages, and sends it to the facsimile communication unit 140 by the user. Fax transmission is performed to the facsimile machine of the other party specified by the operation of the operation unit 47.

  Further, the control unit 101 reads the facsimile data received by the facsimile communication unit 140 and temporarily stored in the image memory 120 in the page order, and causes the image forming unit 130 to form (print) an image.

  The job management unit 102 adjusts the execution order, execution timing, standby, deletion, addition, and the like for each job received by the multifunction device 1, such as a print job, a scan job, a fax job, and a copy job. For example, the job management unit 102 manages a fax job for each facsimile data received by the facsimile communication unit 140 and stored in the image memory 120. In this case, the job management unit 102 adjusts the timing for causing the image forming unit 130 to perform the received facsimile data and deletes the job for each facsimile data.

  The transfer instruction receiving unit 103 receives an input of a transfer instruction for transferring facsimile data, which is a target of job management by the job management unit 102, to another apparatus from the user. The transfer instruction is input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user. The other apparatus is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image of data received from the outside, such as a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multi-function machine connected to the multi-function machine 1 via a LAN (local area network) or the Internet. The other device may be a device capable of displaying data received from the outside, such as an information display device, or may be an external storage device such as a USB memory or HDD.

  When the transfer instruction receiving unit 103 receives the transfer instruction, the password creating unit 104 creates a password in association with the facsimile data to be transferred. The password creation unit 104 or the job management unit 102 stores the created password in association with a facsimile job of facsimile data.

  The data transfer control unit 105 causes transfer data including the password created by the password creation unit 104 and the facsimile data to be transferred to be transferred from the facsimile communication unit 140 or the communication interface 160 to the other device. . The data transfer control unit 105, the facsimile communication unit 140, and the communication interface 160 are examples of the data transfer unit in the claims.

  The deletion instruction accepting unit 106 accepts a deletion instruction by a user specifying a fax job to be deleted and inputting a password for a fax job that is a target of job management by the job management unit 102. The deletion instruction is input by an operation of the operation unit 47 by the user.

  When the deletion instruction receiving unit 106 receives the deletion instruction, the job management unit 102 compares the password indicated by the deletion instruction with the password created in association with the facsimile data to be deleted by the deletion instruction. Then, the fax job indicated by the deletion instruction is deleted on condition that these passwords match.

  The device detection unit 107 detects a device capable of receiving facsimile data to be transferred according to the transfer instruction from devices in the local area network to which the multifunction device 1 is connected. For example, the apparatus detection unit 107 detects an image forming apparatus or an information processing apparatus that is set to be able to perform LAN communication with the multifunction machine 1 from within the local area network, and enables data transmission to the detected apparatus. Then, the IP address is acquired from each device.

  The control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display the image forming apparatus detected by the apparatus detection unit 107 as a facsimile data transfer destination candidate based on the transfer instruction.

  The data conversion unit 108 employs the transfer data in a data format that allows image formation or display in a device whose transfer instruction is the transfer data transfer destination, or in image formation or display in many general devices. Convert to the current data format.

  For example, if the image forming apparatus of the transfer destination is the same model as the multifunction machine 1 or the like and the image formation and display can be performed without converting the data format of the facsimile data applied by the multifunction machine 1, the data transfer control is performed. The unit 105 causes the facsimile communication unit 140 to transmit the facsimile data to the image forming apparatus without converting the data format.

  On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus of the transfer destination is a model different from that of the multifunction machine 1 or the like, and the image data cannot be formed or displayed by the data format of the facsimile data applied by the multifunction machine 1, the data transfer control unit 105 Converts the facsimile data into a predetermined standard data format, such as a Post Script format, and sends the converted facsimile data and password from the facsimile communication unit 140 to the image forming apparatus. Send to.

  Note that even when the transfer destination information processing apparatus cannot perform image formation or display using the data format of the facsimile data applied in the multifunction machine 1, the facsimile data is converted into a predetermined standard data format. For example, the data is converted into a data format such as Jpeg, Bitmap, or PDF, and the data transfer control unit 105 transmits the facsimile data and password after the data format conversion from the facsimile communication unit 140 to the information processing apparatus.

  The availability detection unit 109 detects whether or not the device indicated by the transfer instruction is an image forming device capable of image formation in the standard data format.

  If the availability detection unit 109 determines that the apparatus indicated by the upper transfer instruction is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image in the standard data format, the data transfer control unit 105 determines that the standard data Transfer of the transfer data including the formatted facsimile data and the password is performed from the facsimile communication unit 140 to the apparatus which is the transfer destination according to the transfer instruction.

  On the other hand, when the data transfer control unit 105 detects that the device indicated by the transfer instruction is an image forming device that cannot form an image in the standard data format, the availability detection unit 109 detects the standard. The transfer data including facsimile data and a password in a typical data format is transmitted from the facsimile communication unit 140 to a predetermined server on the Internet.

  Here, a data format in which a printer driver function provided in a so-called cloud server enables an image forming apparatus that is a transfer destination of transfer data according to the transfer instruction to form an image of facsimile data and a password included in the transfer data. Is assumed to be converted to

  In this case, the data transfer control unit 105 transmits, from the facsimile communication unit 140, as the transfer data, model information indicating an image forming apparatus as a transfer destination and an IP address or the like as information indicating the location of the image forming apparatus. . Then, the server on the cloud specifies a data format that can be formed by the image forming apparatus that is the transfer destination, based on the data table that indicates the relationship between the stored device model and the data format corresponding to each model. The facsimile data and password are converted into the data format.

  The server transmits the converted facsimile data and password to the image forming apparatus as the transfer destination in accordance with the IP address or the like sent from the facsimile communication unit 140 of the multifunction machine 1. In this way, the data transfer control unit 105 transmits the transfer data converted into a data format suitable for the image forming apparatus of the transfer destination in the server via the facsimile communication unit 140 from the server to the transfer destination. To the image forming apparatus.

  In addition, the multifunction machine 1 includes an operation unit 47 and a display unit 150. The operation unit 47 includes an image formation or transmission start key, a numeric keypad, an abbreviated number key, and the like. Various operation instructions from the user, for example, a transfer instruction of facsimile data that is the object of job management in the present embodiment. And an input of a delete instruction.

  The display unit 150 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like that displays operation guidance for the user. The display unit 150 may include a touch panel function to accept various operation instructions from the user as the operation unit 47.

  Further, the multifunction device 1 communicates various data between the image processing unit 190 that performs editing and processing of the image read by the image reading unit 2 and another personal computer or server connected to the network. Communication interface 160.

  Next, a first embodiment of fax transfer processing by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of fax transfer processing by the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation unit 47 and the display unit 150. 4 and 6 to 13 are diagrams showing examples of the display screen of the display unit 150. FIG. In FIG. 3, YES is indicated as Y and NO is indicated as N.

  When the multifunction device 1 receives facsimile data from another facsimile machine, the job management unit 102 sets execution of image formation based on the facsimile data as a fax job as a job management target. If there is another job that has already been received, for example, a print job, the job management unit 102 sets the fax job in a waiting state following the other job. The job management unit 102 does not execute the fax job until the order of execution of the fax job arrives, and remains in a standby state. When the order arrives, the job management unit 102 executes the fax job.

  For example, when the multifunction device 1 receives facsimile data, if the facsimile data cannot be printed immediately due to toner or paper out of the image forming unit 130, the job management unit 102 receives the received facsimile data. Is stored in the image memory 120, and the fax job for the facsimile data is put into a waiting state. In this case, when the job management unit 102 obtains information indicating the elimination of the cause, the job management unit 102 incorporates the fax job in the job execution waiting order. For example, when the fax job is in a standby state due to running out of toner, the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display a display screen d1 (FIG. 4) having a message indicating the cause of the standby state.

  In this state, for example, when the user presses the “status check / job cancel” key B0 of the operation unit 47 illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit 101 executes or waits based on the pressing operation. A display instruction for displaying a list of jobs in the middle, that is, a list of jobs to be managed by the job management unit 102 is accepted (YES in S1). At this time, the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display an operation-specific job item for prompting the user to select which operation job to display as shown in FIG. Is displayed (S2).

  When the display screen d2 is displayed on the display unit 150 and the user presses an image displaying a desired job item among the images im1 to 4 displaying job items for each operation, the display unit A display instruction for displaying each job belonging to the job item associated with the image pressed by the user is input by the touch panel function displayed in 150 (YES in S3). For example, in the case of the display screen d2 shown in FIG. 6, when the “print job status” image im1 is pressed by the user, it is a print job that is an item associated with the image im1, and is in a print waiting state. A display instruction for requesting display of the list of each job is input.

  Then, the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display a list of jobs that belong to the job item designated by the user and are in a standby state (S4). For example, the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display the display screen d3 illustrated in FIG. As described above, when a plurality of jobs are concentrated within a certain time, the job management unit 102 manages a plurality of jobs in a standby state while waiting for an order with other jobs. As described above, among the jobs that have not been executed yet and are managed by the job management unit 102, images im5 and im6 indicating jobs extracted as print jobs designated by the user are displayed on the display screen d3. Is displayed.

  When the user presses an image indicating a desired job while the display screen d3 shown in FIG. 7 is being displayed, the job associated with the image is displayed by the touch panel function provided on the display unit 150. Is received (S5). For example, when an image im6 indicating a fax job is pressed, an instruction to specify a fax job associated with the image im6 is received by the touch panel function provided on the display unit 150.

  Further, when the “proxy printing / transfer” button b1 is pressed by the user, a transfer instruction associated with the “proxy printing / transfer” button b1 is input by the touch panel function and received by the transfer instruction receiving unit 103. (NO in S6, YES in S16). This transfer instruction is an instruction for requesting transfer of facsimile data that is the object of image formation in the designated fax job to another apparatus connected to the network. The transfer instruction receiving unit 103 receives the transfer instruction only when the job specified in S5 is a fax job.

  When the transfer instruction is received by the transfer instruction receiving unit 103, the device detection unit 107 is configured to select a compound (including a multifunction device), a fax, a computer, or an external memory that exists on the network to which the multifunction device 1 is connected. A device capable of forming, displaying or storing data transmitted from the machine 1 is detected (S17). In the case of an external memory, the device detection unit 107 also includes a HDD on the network (such as NAS) and a USB memory connected to the USB interface provided in the multifunction device 1 as a device on the network. To detect. Thereby, a user who transfers facsimile data can easily grasp an apparatus that can be set as a transfer destination.

  Thereafter, the control unit 101 displays an image indicating each detected device on the display unit 150 (S18). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when the device detection unit 107 detects a printer (including a multifunction device), a fax machine, a computer, or an external memory as the device existing on the network, the control unit 101 A display screen d4 having a “printer” image im11, a “fax” image im12, an “address book” image im13, a “one touch key” image im14, and an “external memory” image im15 is displayed on the display unit 150. The “address book” image im13 and the “one-touch key” image im14 indicate that the computer is detected. Further, the display screen d4 displays the presence of a plurality of printers by displaying one “printer” image im11 even when a plurality of printers are detected. The same applies to facsimile machines, computers, and external memories.

  When the user presses the “printer” image im11 while the display screen d4 is displayed on the display unit 150, an instruction associated with the “printer” image im11 by the touch panel function, that is, the detection is performed. The control unit 101 receives an instruction for requesting display of the selected printer. Upon receiving the instruction, the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display each detected printer. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display a display screen d5 including images im21 to im24 that display the detected printers.

  Note that when the user presses the “address book” image im13 while the display screen d4 is displayed on the display unit 150, an instruction associated with the “address book” image im13 by the touch panel function, that is, The control unit 101 receives an instruction for requesting display of the detected computer. Upon receiving the instruction, the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display each detected computer. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display a display screen d6 including images im31 to im34 that display each detected computer.

  Here, when an instruction for designating any of the devices displayed as the detection result is input by the touch panel function, for example, when the user presses an image indicating a desired printer as a transfer destination (S19). YES), the transfer instruction accepting unit 103 accepts the designated apparatus as an apparatus that is a transfer destination of the facsimile data to be transferred by the transfer instruction (S20).

  When the transfer instruction receiving unit 103 receives the transfer destination, the password creating unit 104 subsequently creates a password for the facsimile data to be transferred (S21).

  After creating the password, the data transfer control unit 105 adds another page after the last page indicated by the facsimile data to be transferred, attaches an image indicating the created password, and stores the data. It generates as data for transfer (S22).

  After the data is generated, the data transfer control unit 105 transfers the transfer data including the generated data from the facsimile communication unit 140 or the communication interface 160 to the device designated as the transfer destination (S23).

  When the transfer processing of the transfer data by the data transfer control unit 105 is completed (YES in S24), the control unit 101 displays the password on the display unit 150 (S25). For example, the control unit 101 displays the display screen d7 shown in FIG. 11 on the display unit 150, so that the password created in S21 and transferred to the transfer destination and the fax job for the transferred facsimile data are displayed. Informs that it is necessary to input the password in order to delete it. Furthermore, by displaying the password on the condition that the reception completion notification from the transfer destination or the successful printing notification is received, further facsimile data can be guaranteed.

  After the transfer, the job management unit 102 stores the device that is the transfer destination of the transfer data in association with the fax job of the facsimile data to be transferred (S26). In addition, a process is complete | finished after S26.

  On the other hand, in S4 described above, when the control unit 101 displays a list of jobs in the standby state on the display unit 150 such as the display screen d3 shown in FIG. 7, an instruction to specify a job is accepted (S5). Further, when the “stop” button b2 is pressed by the user, a delete instruction for deleting (stopping) the specified job is received by the delete instruction receiving unit 106 by the touch panel function (YES in S6).

  At this time, the job management unit 102 determines whether or not the job that is the target of the deletion instruction is a fax job for which facsimile data has been transferred in S23 (S7). At this time, when the job management unit 102 determines that the fax job is the transferred fax job (YES in S7), the control unit 101 displays on the display unit 150, for example, a display screen illustrated in FIG. By displaying d9, a message prompting the user to input a password is displayed (S8).

  Here, when a password is input by a user's operation of the operation unit 47 or the like, the deletion instruction receiving unit 106 receives this (S9). The job management unit 102 determines whether or not the input password matches the password created by the password creation unit 104 in S21 for the fax job to be deleted (S10).

  If the job management unit 102 determines that the input password and the password created by the password creation unit 104 in S21 do not match (NO in S10), the job management unit 102 deletes the password according to the deletion instruction. The process returns to S4 without deleting the designated fax job, and the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display the display screen d3 (FIG. 7) again.

  On the other hand, when the job management unit 102 determines that the input password matches the password created by the password creation unit 104 in S21 (YES in S10), the job management unit 102 deletes the password according to the deletion instruction. The target fax job is deleted (cancelled) (S11). In other words, the job management unit 102 cancels job management of the fax job and removes it from the waiting order on condition that the passwords match. After S11, the process ends.

  If the job management unit 102 determines in S7 that the job targeted for the deletion instruction is not a facsimile job of facsimile data that has been transferred in S23 (NO in S7), the job management unit 102 determines whether or not the deletion instruction target. If the job is a fax job (YES in S12), the fax job is not deleted. The control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display a message indicating that an unoutput fax job for which image formation or display has not been completed cannot be canceled, for example, on the display screen d10 illustrated in FIG. 13 (S13).

  In S12, when the job management unit 102 determines that the job that is the target of the deletion instruction is not a fax job (NO in S12), the job management unit 102 deletes the job (S14).

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the data transfer control unit 105 transfers facsimile data to another apparatus, the password created by the password creation unit 104 is transmitted together as transfer data, thereby transferring the transfer data. In addition to the facsimile data, it is possible to print, display, and store a password. As a result, the user can obtain the contents and password indicated by the facsimile data in the transfer destination apparatus. Then, the job management unit 102 deletes the fax job for the facsimile data on condition that the password is input by the user and the input password matches the created password. Here, when the user can recognize the password together with the contents indicated by the facsimile data in the transfer destination apparatus, the user can grasp the password for deleting the facsimile data. When a fax job for data is deleted, the facsimile data is printed or displayed on any device based on printing, display, or storage. When the password is input, the job management unit 102 can delete the fax job, reducing the amount of data stored in the memory or the like, and preventing memory full.

  As a result, when the facsimile data can be printed or displayed on another device different from the multifunction peripheral 1 that is the receiving device by transferring the facsimile data, the password associated with the transferred facsimile data is input. By deleting the facsimile data from the image memory 120 on the condition, it becomes possible to reliably guarantee the normally received facsimile data while preventing the memory full due to the facsimile data storage in the receiving apparatus.

  Next, a second embodiment of fax transfer processing by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of fax transfer processing performed by the multifunction machine 1. Note that illustration and description of the same processing as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, following S17 in the first embodiment described above, the following processing is performed.

  When the control unit 101 displays the image indicating each device on the network detected as described above by the device detection unit 107 on the display unit 150 by, for example, the display screen d4 (FIG. 8) (S18). When the user presses the “external memory” image im15, an instruction associated with the “external memory” image im15, that is, an instruction for requesting the display of the detected external memory is issued by the touch panel function. ("External memory or computer" in S31). When receiving the instruction, the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display each detected external memory (S32). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display a display screen d11 having images im51 to im52 for displaying each detected external memory.

  Here, when an instruction for designating one of the external memories displayed as the detection result is input by the touch panel function, for example, when the user presses an image indicating a desired external memory to be a transfer destination (for example) In step S33, the transfer instruction receiving unit 103 receives the designated external memory as a device that is a transfer destination of facsimile data to be transferred according to the transfer instruction (S34).

  When the transfer instruction receiving unit 103 receives the transfer destination, the password creating unit 104 creates a password for the facsimile data to be transferred (S35).

  After the password is created, the data transfer control unit 105 generates transfer data including the facsimile data to be transferred and the password, and the data conversion unit 108 further converts the data into a predetermined standard. The data is converted into a data format such as Jpeg, Bitmap, PDF, etc. (S36).

  After the conversion of the data format, the data transfer control unit 105 transfers the transfer data including the converted data to the external memory designated as the transfer destination (S37).

  When the user presses the “address book” image im13 in S18, the touch panel function requests an instruction associated with the “address book” image im13, that is, display of the detected computer. The instruction is received by the control unit 101 (“external memory or computer” in S31). The control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display the above-described display screen d6 (FIG. 10) and display each detected computer (S32). Here, when an instruction for designating one of the computers displayed as the detection result is input by the touch panel function, for example, by pressing an image indicating a desired computer to be a transfer destination by the user (S33). In the same manner as in S34 to S36, transfer destination reception, password creation, and conversion to a predetermined standard data format are performed, and the converted data is a computer designated as the transfer destination. (S37).

  As described above, the data conversion unit 108 converts the transfer data into a predetermined standard data format and then transmits the data to an external memory or a computer. The transfer data can be imaged or displayed. In addition, by making it possible to output transfer data to an external memory, it is possible to expand the possibility that the transfer data stored in the external memory can be formed and displayed on various devices.

  In S31 described above, when the user operates the operation unit 47 and the facsimile data transfer destination selects a printer or an image forming apparatus of a facsimile apparatus (“printer or facsimile apparatus” in S31), the data transfer control unit 105 Determines whether the printer or facsimile apparatus as the transfer destination is the same model as the multifunction machine 1 or another model (S38).

  If the data transfer control unit 105 determines that the transfer destination printer or facsimile apparatus is the same model as the multifunction device 1 (“same model” in S38), the facsimile data to be transferred and Transfer data including the password is transferred to a printer or facsimile machine as a transfer destination (S39). For example, the data transfer control unit 105 holds an IP address of a transfer destination printer or facsimile apparatus in advance, and transmits the transmission data to the IP address by FTP transfer.

  If the data transfer control unit 105 determines that the transfer destination printer or facsimile apparatus is a different model from the multifunction device 1 (“other model” in S38), the data transfer control unit 105 performs the above transfer. Data for transfer including the target facsimile data and password is generated, and the data conversion unit 108 forms the generated data into a predetermined standard data format, for example, image formation such as Post Script. Conversion is made to a data format that is often applied to image formation in the apparatus (S40).

  As described above, the data conversion unit 108 converts the transfer data into a predetermined standard data format, and then transmits the data to the printer or the facsimile apparatus. The image data for transfer can be formed or displayed.

  Subsequently, the availability detection unit 109 determines whether the transfer destination printer or facsimile apparatus can form an image of data in the predetermined general data format (S41).

  When the availability detection unit 109 determines that the image forming apparatus can form an image of the data in the general data format (YES in S41), the data transfer control unit 105 determines that the general data The formatted transfer data including the facsimile data and the password is transferred to the printer or facsimile apparatus as the transfer destination (S39). In this case, the data transfer control unit 105 may transmit the transfer data by FTP transfer to the IP address of the transfer destination printer or facsimile apparatus that is held in advance, or when the IP address is not held May transmit the transfer data to the IP address input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user.

  On the other hand, when the availability detection unit 109 determines that the printer or the facsimile apparatus cannot form an image of the data in the predetermined general data format (NO in S41), the data transfer control unit 105 transmits the data in the general data format from the facsimile communication unit 140 to a predetermined server on the cloud (S42), and the server is adapted to the printer or facsimile apparatus as the transfer destination. The data converted into the data format to be transmitted is transmitted from the server to the transfer destination apparatus toward the printer or the facsimile apparatus.

  As described above, by using the data conversion function by the server on the cloud, the burden of the data conversion function that the multi-function device 1 should have is reduced, and the facsimile data of the above-described data transfer in many models different from the multi-function device 1 is obtained. Image formation and display can be made possible.

  Next, the multifunction device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the second embodiment. Note that the description of the same configuration as that of the multifunction machine 1 according to the first embodiment is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the multifunction device 1 according to the second embodiment, the control unit 100 further includes a device storage unit 110.

  The device storage unit 110 includes, for example, a memory built in the control unit 100, and when a fax job is deleted by the job management unit 102 in the same manner as in the first embodiment based on a password input from the user ( In S11 of FIG. 3, the apparatus used for transferring the facsimile data of the deleted fax job is stored as a transfer destination candidate.

  As in the first embodiment, when the control unit 100 operates according to a fax job management program stored in the HDD 170 or a ROM (not shown), the control unit 100 causes the control unit 101 to the availability detection unit 109 to operate. In addition, a device storage unit 110 is further provided. However, the device storage unit 110 may be configured by a hardware circuit, regardless of the operation based on the fax job management program. The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  Subsequently, a fax transfer process by the multifunction machine 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating fax transfer processing by the multifunction machine 1 according to the second embodiment. Note that the description of the same processing as the fax transfer processing by the multifunction machine 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, after the fax job is deleted in S50, the apparatus storage unit 110 stores the apparatus used for transferring the deleted facsimile data as a transfer destination candidate (S61).

  When the transfer instruction is received by the transfer instruction receiving unit 103 (YES in S16), the control unit 101 reads the transfer destination candidate stored in the device storage unit 110 (S71), and the read transfer destination candidate The information indicating the device is displayed on the display unit 150 by, for example, the display screen d12 illustrated in FIG. 18 (S72). Note that when the transfer instruction is received by the transfer instruction receiving unit 103, the control unit 101 displays the display screen d4 (FIG. 8) on the display unit 150, and the user displays “proxy printing / printing” in the display screen d4. The display screen d12 may be displayed on the display unit 150 when the “transferred” image im16 is pressed.

  In the second embodiment, upon receiving transfer of transfer data including facsimile data and a password, a device having a record of successful image formation, display, or storage of the facsimile data and password is extracted, and a transfer destination candidate is extracted. Therefore, when a destination of facsimile data is designated, a highly reliable device capable of forming, displaying or storing the facsimile data is presented to the user. Alternatively, it is possible to transmit transfer data to the highly reliable device. As a result, normally received facsimile data can be more reliably guaranteed.

  Next, another form of fax transfer processing by the multifunction machine 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating fax transfer processing by the multifunction machine 1 according to the second embodiment. Note that description of processing similar to the fax transfer processing illustrated in FIG. 3 or FIG. 17 is omitted.

  In this embodiment, the device storage unit 110 stores the device used for transferring the deleted facsimile data as a transfer destination candidate (S61), and then counts up the number of times the device is used for transfer (S62). ). That is, when storing the device used for transferring the deleted facsimile data as a transfer destination candidate, the device storage unit 110 stores the number of times the device has been used for transfer.

And when the control part 101 reads the transfer destination candidate memorize | stored in the apparatus memory | storage part 110, the control part 101 also reads the said frequency | count of use of each apparatus ( S75 ). The control unit 101 changes the display form of each device on the display screen of the display unit 150 based on the number of uses of each device ( S76 ). For example, when the transfer destination candidates are in the order of the facsimile device, the printer, the personal computer E, and the personal computer D from the one with the largest number of uses, the control unit 101 displays a display screen d13 as shown in FIG. Then, the images showing the respective devices are arranged and displayed from the top in the descending order of use frequency (S77) .

  Alternatively, a description will be given by taking as an example a similar case in which the number of times of use is large, followed by a facsimile machine, a printer, a personal computer E, and a personal computer D. The control unit 101 displays a display screen d14 shown in FIG. Alternatively, an image showing each device may be displayed by increasing the size of the device having a higher number of uses.

  As a result, the control unit 101 can allow the user to recognize each device that can be a transfer destination candidate in descending order of the results of successful transfer of transfer data in the past and successful image formation, display, or storage. .

  Note that the fax transfer process by the multifunction machine 1 according to the second embodiment is not limited to these embodiments.

  For example, when the control unit 101 reads out the device stored as the transfer destination candidate as described above (S75), the data transfer control unit 105 reads the device without waiting for the transfer destination designation from the user. The transfer data may be transferred to a predetermined device among the devices, for example, a device having a predetermined IP address. Thus, the reliability of the received facsimile data is increased by transferring the data to a highly reliable apparatus that performs image formation, display, or storage by transferring the transfer data without relying on the judgment by the user.

  As described above, when the control unit 101 reads out the device stored as the transfer destination candidate from the device storage unit 110 (S61), when the usage count of each device is also read out, the data transfer control unit In step 105, the transfer data may be transferred to a device having the highest number of uses. As a result, the reliability of the received facsimile data is further increased by transferring to the most reliable apparatus that performs image formation, display or storage by transfer of transfer data without relying on the judgment by the user. be able to.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The configurations and processes shown in the above embodiments using FIGS. 1 to 21 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and the configurations and processes of the present invention are not limited thereto.

1 MFP 100 Control Unit 101 Control Unit 102 Job Management Unit 103 Transfer Instruction Accepting Unit 104 Password Creation Unit 105 Data Transfer Control Unit 106 Deletion Instruction Accepting Unit 107 Device Detection Unit 108 Data Conversion Unit 109 Availability Detection Unit 110 Device Storage Unit 120 Image Memory 130 Image forming unit 140 Facsimile communication unit 150 Display unit 47 Operation units d1 to d14 Display screen

Claims (5)

A facsimile data receiver for receiving facsimile data from other facsimile machines;
A storage unit for storing facsimile data received by the facsimile data receiving unit;
A job management unit for managing a fax job for the stored facsimile data;
A transfer instruction receiving unit that receives a transfer instruction to transfer facsimile data managed by the job management unit to another device from a user;
A password creating unit that creates a password in association with facsimile data to be transferred when the transfer instruction is accepted by the transfer instruction accepting unit;
A data transfer unit for transferring transfer data including the password created by the password creation unit and the facsimile data to be transferred to the other device;
A deletion instruction receiving unit that receives a deletion instruction by specifying a fax job to be deleted and inputting a password from a user,
The job management unit, when a deletion instruction is received by the deletion instruction reception unit, the password indicated by the deletion instruction and the password created in association with facsimile data of a fax job to be deleted by the deletion instruction And, if these passwords match, delete the fax job indicated by the deletion instruction,
When the facsimile data and the job is deleted by the job management unit based on the password input from Yu Za, further apparatus storage unit for storing a device used to transfer the facsimile data as transfer destination candidate Facsimile machine equipped .   The facsimile according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer unit transfers the transfer data to a device stored as the transfer destination candidate in the device storage unit when the transfer instruction is received by the transfer instruction reception unit. apparatus. A display unit;
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that causes the display unit to display information indicating a device as a transfer destination candidate stored in the device storage unit.   The control unit stores the number of established deletions when the deletion of the fax job by the input of the password is established after transferring the transfer data for the device as a transfer destination candidate stored in the device storage unit, The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a display form of the apparatus as the transfer destination candidate is changed according to the number of times the deletion is established.   When the transfer instruction is received by the transfer instruction receiving unit, the data transfer unit transfers the transfer to the device having the largest number of deletion establishments among the devices stored as the transfer destination candidates in the device storage unit. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data is transferred.