JP2016052018A - Communication device, communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for making a sheet, on which FAX data deemed to be unnecessary was printed, reusable.SOLUTION: A communication device has a communication unit, a decolorizable engine, a non-decolorizable engine, and a control unit. The communication unit is connected with a communication line, and receives image information, i.e., facsimile data. The decolorizable engine forms an image of decolorant on the sheet. The non-decolorizable engine forms an image of non-decolorant on the sheet. The control unit outputs the facsimile data, received in the communication unit, to any one of the decolorizable engine and non-decolorizable engine, according to information preset by the user, before being printed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The embodiment described in this specification relates to a technique for forming facsimile data on a sheet.

  Conventionally, when the facsimile (hereinafter referred to as FAX) mode is set to automatically print, even a fax unnecessary for the recipient, such as a fax with an incorrect destination number, a fax for advertising purposes, or a nuisance fax, is printed. The sheet was wasted.

  In order to solve this problem, the received FAX data is stored in the device without printing, and the necessary FAX reception is selected from the transmission source information in the reception list displayed on the control panel, or the control panel displays In other words, a preview image is displayed to determine whether or not printing is necessary.

  However, considering the visibility and readability of the received data on the control panel and the complexity of managing the list, all the printing is performed once and the contents are often confirmed rather than the above method. In this case, faxes that are unnecessary for the recipient are also printed.

  An object of the embodiment is to provide a technique for making a sheet on which FAX data that is considered unnecessary is reusable.

  The communication apparatus according to the embodiment includes a communication unit, a decoloring engine unit, a non-decoloring engine unit, and a control unit. The communication unit is connected to a communication line and receives facsimile data as image information. The decoloring engine unit forms an image on the sheet with a decoloring material. The non-decoloring engine unit forms an image on a sheet with a non-decoloring material. The control unit outputs the facsimile data received by the communication unit to either the decoloring engine unit or the non-decoloring engine unit according to information set in advance by the user, and prints the facsimile data.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the FAX apparatus of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the FAX apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the FAX apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the FAX apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the FAX apparatus of 4th Embodiment.

  The FAX apparatus according to the embodiment enables printing using a decoloring material and printing using a non-erasing material.

The FAX apparatus according to the first embodiment described below detects transmission source identification information (for example, transmission source FAX number) of received FAX data and compares it with identification information registered in advance. The FAX apparatus switches between printing using a decoloring material and printing using a non-erasing material based on the comparison result. Here, when the transmission source is registered, printing with a non-erasable material is performed, and when not registered, printing with a decoloring material is performed. As described above, by using a color erasing material for FAX registered from a source other than the registered sender, unnecessary print results can be erased even after confirming the print contents. Therefore, the sheet can be reused and the number of used sheets can be reduced.

  Further, the FAX apparatus according to the first embodiment has means for a user (recipient) to register sender identification information in advance.

  The FAX apparatus of the second embodiment includes means for detecting a specific mark on the received FAX data, and switches between printing with a decoloring material or printing with a non-erasing material depending on whether or not a mark is detected. Can do.

  The FAX apparatus according to the third embodiment can switch between printing using a decoloring material and printing using a non-erasing material according to time information set in advance by the user.

  In the FAX apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, only a part of the area in the page is printed with the non-erasable material, and the others are printed with the erasable material, so that only a part can be erased later.

  Hereinafter, the details of each of the above embodiments will be described. Here, a FAX apparatus common to the embodiments will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus configuration common to the embodiments. Note that the functions and hardware configuration provided by the FAX apparatus 1 (communication apparatus) shown in FIG. 1 may be incorporated in an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral).

  The CCD sensor unit 201 reads a document with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and converts it into image data. The CCD sensor unit 201 may be an area sensor or a line sensor. The CCD preprocessing unit 202 performs processing for converting an analog signal when the CCD reads an original into digital, generation of a control signal for driving the CCD, and the like. The scanner image processing unit 203 performs image processing necessary for subsequent processing such as correction of characteristics of the CCD element, correction related to the optical system of the scanner unit, range correction, and filter processing.

  The page memory unit 205 is a memory that temporarily stores page data for one page or more, and the page memory control unit 206 controls read / write control of the data.

  The control panel control unit 209 controls the input unit 210 and the display unit 211 of the control panel, and controls display of a predetermined screen on the control panel and input of a user operation.

  The processor 212 controls the RAM 213 according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 212, outputs settings and instructions to each unit in the apparatus, and performs processing such as reading processing results of each unit. , Control the entire system.

  The FAX data control unit 214 outputs the FAX data received by the FAX communication unit 217 wired or wirelessly connected to the communication line 301 to the compression / decompression unit 215 to perform decompression processing, create page data, and temporarily The data is stored in the memory unit 205 and then transferred to the HDD 216 for storage.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 216 permanently stores scanned files, various setting files, and FAX data. The various setting files stored can be changed by a user operation on the control panel. The printer control unit 207 performs image processing necessary for printing such as filter processing and gradation processing, and selects whether to print the print data with a decoloring material or with a non-decoloring material. The non-erasable print engine unit 223 performs print control of the print data processed by the printer control unit 207 using a non-decoloring material.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the FAX apparatus 1 may be provided with a network control unit 220, and transmission data may be received from the PC terminal 501 via the network 401. The setting information of the FAX apparatus 1 edited by the PC terminal 501 may be received from the PC terminal 501 and stored in the HDD 216, for example.

  Each of the above units may have a conventional configuration. In the present embodiment, in addition to the above units, an identification data registration unit 104, a comparison / determination unit 105, and a decoloring engine unit 108 are provided.

  The identification data registration unit 104 stores one or a plurality of identification data set in advance by the user for identifying a FAX transmission source. The registration function of the identification data registration unit 104 may be replaced by another storage unit (for example, the HDD 216). The comparison / determination unit 105 compares the identification data of the FAX data received by the FAX communication unit 217 with the identification data stored in advance in the identification data registration unit 104, and determines whether or not they match. To do.

  The decoloring engine unit 108 performs print control of the print data processed by the printer control unit 207 using a decoloring material. The decoloring material of this embodiment shall be a color material that is decolored by applying heat of a certain temperature or higher. The sheet printed with the decoloring material is erased by using a predetermined decoloring device, and can be reused.

  Each of these units is connected to the data bus 250 and the control signal bus 251 and performs data transfer between the units according to the bus control procedure. In this embodiment, these processing blocks are implemented by a semiconductor circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and a part or all of the processing blocks is performed by software. It may be configured to execute software (program).

(First embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the identification data of the transmission source at the time of FAX reception is compared with the specific identification data registered in advance in the FAX apparatus 1, and if there is a match, printing with a non-decoloring material is performed. This is a mounting example in which printing is performed using a color erasing material if they do not match.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the first embodiment. The FAX communication unit 217 receives FAX data from the FAX line 301 (ACT001). The FAX data control unit 214 obtains sender identification data of FAX data (ACT002). This sender identification data is, for example, a FAX number (telephone number assigned for FAX transmission).

  The FAX data control unit 214 operates the compression / decompression unit 215 to expand the FAX data (ACT003). The processor 212 temporarily stores the decompressed FAX data in the page memory unit 205, and then stores it in the HDD 216 (ACT004). The operations of ACT003 and ACT004 are repeated until the reception of FAX data is completed (ACT005, No loop). When the reception of the FAX data is completed (ACT005, Yes), the comparison / determination unit 105 compares the transmission source identification data obtained in ACT002 with the identification data registered in advance in the identification data registration unit 104 (ACT006). ).

  When the sender identification data is registered, that is, when the identification data that matches the received sender identification data is stored in the identification data registration unit 104 (ACT007, Yes), the processor 212 displays the printer control unit 207. The non-decoloring engine unit 223 is instructed to operate, and the FAX data stored in the HDD 216 is output to the non-decoloring engine unit 223 (ACT008). The non-decoloring engine unit 223 prints FAX data using a non-decoloring material in accordance with instructions from the processor 212 and the printer control unit 207 (ACT009). ACT008 and ACT009 are repeatedly executed until the printing of the FAX data is completed (ACT010, No loop). When printing with the non-erasable material is completed (ACT010, Yes), the processor 212 stops the operation of the non-erasable engine unit 223 (ACT011).

  On the other hand, when the sender identification data is not registered (ACT007, No), the processor 212 outputs an instruction signal to the printer control unit 207 to operate the decolorization engine unit 108, and the FAX data stored in the HDD 216 is stored. Is output to the color erasing engine unit 108 (ACT012). The decoloring engine unit 108 prints FAX data using a decoloring material in accordance with instructions from the processor 212 and the printer control unit 207 (ACT013). ACT012 and ACT013 are repeatedly executed until the printing of the FAX data is completed (ACT014, No loop). When printing with the color erasing material is completed (ACT014, Yes), the processor 212 stops the operation of the color erasing engine unit 108 (ACT015).

  For companies, customers, friends, acquaintances, and people who provide useful information, the identification data is registered in advance, so that the FAX data can be printed with non-decoloring material and permanently Can be set aside. On the other hand, unregistered identification data, such as advertising purposes and unwanted faxes, is printed with a color erasing material. It can be used to erase the image and reuse the sheet.

  In the above example, if the sender is registered, it is possible to print it with non-erasable material and save it permanently, and if it is not registered, it is possible to print it with decoloring material and reuse it. However, this implementation may be replaced. In other words, the printing may be performed with a decoloring material when the transmission source is registered, and may be printed with a non-erasing material when the transmission source is not registered. This is because if you know the fax number in advance, such as when you have received an advertising purpose or annoying faxes in advance, register this identification data to reuse the sheet that printed the advertising purposes or annoying faxes. can do. In this case, the flowchart of FIG. 2 can be dealt with by switching the positive and negative of ACT007.

  In addition, more detailed control can be performed by registering, for each identification data, classification data indicating whether to use a decoloring material or a non-decoloring material. In this case, when the FAX data is received and the identification data of the transmission source is registered to use the color erasing material, the processor 212 outputs the FAX data to the color erasing engine unit 108 and selects the non-color erasing material. If it is registered to be used, the processor 212 outputs the FAX data to the non-decoloring engine unit 223. If not registered, it is printed with the default color material specified by the user.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the regulation mark set by the user exists in the FAX data, and according to this determination result, whether to print with a non-erasable material or to print with a decoloring material is controlled. Will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the second embodiment. Since ACT001 to ACT005 are the same operations as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  After the FAX data is stored in the HDD 216 (ACT005, Yes), the processor 212 confirms whether there is a user-specified regulation mark in the FAX data (ACT101). This operation is confirmed using an existing pattern matching technique. The regulation mark is a mark determined in advance between the sender and the receiver, and may have any shape. The user (recipient) stores this regulation mark in advance in the HDD 216 as image data.

  When there is a regulation mark (ACT102, Yes), the FAX data is printed using a non-erasable material (ACT008 to ACT011). When there is no regulation mark (ACT102, No), the FAX data is printed using a color erasing material. (ACT012-ACT015). Since ACT008 to ACT015 are the same as those in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, instead of the regulation mark, a machine-readable code such as a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode may be read, and determination may be made based on whether there is regulation information in the read value.

  In the second embodiment, a mark is determined in advance with a person who has a relationship, and if the mark is added to the FAX data, printing is performed with a non-erasable material, and if not, printing is performed with a color erasing material. To do. As a result, for example, advertising purposes and annoying faxes are printed with a decoloring material because there is no regulation mark. After the recipient confirms the contents, the image on the sheet is erased using a predetermined decoloring device if unnecessary. To do. As a result, the sheet can be reused.

  The aspect is not limited to this implementation example. In the determination of ACT 102, the processing in the case of being affirmative and the processing in the case of being negative may be interchanged. In other words, when there is a prescribed mark, printing may be performed using a decoloring material, and when there is no prescribed mark, printing may be performed using a non-erasing material.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, an implementation example for controlling whether printing is performed with a non-decoloring material or printing with a decoloring material according to a time zone when FAX data is received will be described. FIG. 4 shows an operation example of the third embodiment. Since ACT001 to ACT005 are the same operations as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  After storing the FAX data in the HDD 216 (ACT005, Yes), the processor 212 acquires the current time from the hardware clock (ACT201). The processor 212 determines whether or not the current time is within a specified time zone (ACT 202). This specified time zone is set in advance by the user and is stored in the HDD 216. The user can arbitrarily specify this time zone.

  If the current time is within the specified time zone (ACT202, Yes), the FAX data is printed using a non-erasable material (ACT008 to ACT011), and if it is out of range (ACT202, No), the FAX data is Printing is performed using a decoloring material (ACT012-ACT015). Since ACT008 to ACT015 are the same as those in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  If the receiver's business hours and operating hours are set as the specified time zone, the FAX data received during that time zone is regarded as a contact from a company, customer, friend or acquaintance with whom it is associated, and is a non-decoloring material. Print. On the other hand, printing is performed with a color erasing material except for the specified time zone, which is regarded as an advertising purpose or annoying FAX.

  Similarly, in the third embodiment, the determination in ACT 202 may interchange the processing in the case of affirmation and the processing in the case of a negative. That is, the printing may be performed using a decoloring material when the time is within the specified time zone, and may be printed using the non-erasing material when the time is outside the specified time zone. Further, one or more time zones can be designated as the specified time zone.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the format of received FAX data is confirmed, a frame drawn in a received image is printed with a non-erasable material, and other characters and images are printed with an erasable material. To do. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 5 as well, the operations from ACT001 to ACT005 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

After storing the FAX data in the HDD 216 (ACT005, Yes), the processor 212 extracts a frame line drawn in the FAX data (ACT301). To extract the border,
-Image pattern to be regarded as vertical line-Image pattern to be regarded as horizontal line-Image pattern to be regarded as intersection of vertical line and horizontal line-Image pattern to be regarded as corner part is registered in HDD 216 in advance and processor A frame line 212 is extracted by matching these image patterns and FAX data.

  The processor 212 operates the non-decoloring engine unit 223 to print a frame line extracted by using a non-decoloring material (ACT 302), and for other data not to be extracted such as characters and images, the decoloring engine The unit 108 is operated to print with a decoloring material (ACT 303). In this embodiment, the non-decoloring engine unit 223 and the decoloring engine unit 108 are switched to print an image on a sheet line by line. However, only the frame line is printed on the sheet with a non-decoloring material. Then, other data may be printed on the sheet with a decoloring material. When printing is completed (ACT 304, Yes), the processor 212 stops the non-decoloring engine unit 223 and the decoloring engine unit 108 (ACT 305), and the process is ended.

  The sheet in which the fourth embodiment is implemented can be erased by processing with a decoloring apparatus, leaving only the frame lines, and the same format can be reused.

  The aspects from the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment can be combined with each other. For example, it is possible to implement printing in which identification data is registered in advance and FAX data with a specified mark is printed with a non-erasable material (combination with AND). If registered or provided with a prescribed mark, the FAX data can be printed with a non-erasable material (combination with OR). In addition, a combination in which one is negated may be used. As described above, logically various combinations may be applied to the matters described in the embodiments.

  As described in detail above, in the embodiment, even if FAX data that is considered unnecessary is printed, the sheet can be reused, and consumption of the sheet can be suppressed.

  The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications, various improvements, alternatives and modifications belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

1 FAX device (communication device), 104 identification data registration unit, 105 comparison / determination unit,
108 erasing engine unit, 201 CCD sensor unit, 202 CCD pre-processing unit,
203 Scanner image processing unit, 205 page memory unit, 206 page memory control unit,
209 Control panel control unit, 210 input unit, 211 display unit,
212 processor, 212 ROM, 213 RAM, 214 FAX data control unit,
217 FAX communication unit, 215 compression / decompression unit, 216 HDD,
207 Printer control unit, 220 Network control unit,
223 Non-erasable print engine unit, 250 data bus, 251 control signal bus 301 FAX line, 401 network, 501 PC terminal.

Claims (6)

A communication unit connected to a communication line and receiving facsimile data as image information;
A color erasing engine that forms an image on the sheet with a color erasing material;
A non-decoloring engine unit that forms an image on the sheet with a non-decoloring material;
A control unit for printing the facsimile data by outputting the facsimile data received by the communication unit to either the erasing engine unit or the non-decoloring engine unit in accordance with information set in advance by a user. Communication device. The communication device according to claim 1,
And a storage unit that stores one or a plurality of identification information that is set in advance by the user and that identifies a transmission source of facsimile data.
The control unit acquires the identification information of the sender of the facsimile data received by the communication unit, determines whether the identification information that matches the identification information is stored in the storage unit, based on the determination result, Controls whether facsimile data received by the communication unit is output to the non-decoloring engine unit or to the non-decoloring engine unit. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit determines whether or not the facsimile data received by the communication unit has a mark set in advance by the user, and based on the determination result, the facsimile data received by the communication unit is Control whether to output to the engine unit or to the non-decoloring engine unit. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control unit determines whether the time when the facsimile data is received by the communication unit is within a time zone set in advance by a user, and based on the determination result, the facsimile received by the communication unit Control whether to output data to the non-decoloring engine unit or to the non-decoloring engine unit. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The control unit extracts a frame line drawn in the facsimile data received by the receiving unit, outputs the frame line to the non-decoloring engine unit, and outputs other images to the decoloring engine unit. . An apparatus having a communication unit connected to a communication line, a decoloring engine unit that forms an image on a sheet with a decoloring material, and a non-decoloring engine unit that forms an image on a sheet with a non-decoloring material is executed. Is a program for
Facsimile data as image information is received from the communication line,
The received facsimile data is output to either the decoloring engine unit or the non-decoloring engine unit according to information set in advance by a user, and the facsimile data is printed. Communication program for.

Images