JP2783187B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus having an external storage medium reader for reading an external storage medium on which an application program is written. The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of implementing an additional function by replacing an application program with an application program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a facsimile apparatus of this kind, an IC memory card such as a ROM card is generally used as an external storage medium storing an application program, and the application program is read by a built-in IC memory card reader. The facsimile apparatus performs normal facsimile communication unless the IC memory card is inserted into the IC memory card reader. When the IC memory card is inserted, the application program stored in the IC memory card becomes the main control program, and the processing by the application program, that is, the additional function is executed in the facsimile machine. As a typical example of the processing by the application program, the operation unit of the facsimile machine serves as a data input unit, for example, inputs sales data or executes a calculation using the input data, and stores the result in a memory in the facsimile machine. There is a control to store the data in a memory and to record the contents of the memory in a printer, and to communicate with a predetermined destination via a data modem via a line. When the execution of the process by the application program is completed, the line is disconnected and all the processes are terminated.

[0003]

Conventionally, data obtained through an IC memory card reader is not used for facsimile communication even though it is used for data communication. Further, a series of operations for performing facsimile communication continuously after executing the process under the control of the application program cannot be realized. For this reason, data communication under the control of the application program and facsimile communication cannot be executed while being organically switched.

[0004]

According to the present invention, control information for activating a facsimile apparatus can be exchanged between an apparatus main body and an application program so that an additional function based on an application program can be executed. It is another object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of continuously performing facsimile communication.

According to the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus having control means for executing facsimile communication based on a main control program, an external storage medium for storing an application program for causing the facsimile apparatus to execute an additional function, and the external storage medium Means for reading the application program from the medium, replacing the main control program of the control means with the application program read by the reading means, means for controlling the execution of additional functions, and instructing the start of facsimile communication under the execution of the application program Means for performing the facsimile communication by replacing the main control program from the application program with the program for executing the facsimile communication by the start instruction, and controlling the facsimile communication after the end of the facsimile communication. And has a means for generating a return request to return to the execution of the application program. The control means returns to the execution of the application program in response to the return request, and ends the control by executing the application program.

In the present invention, control for replacing a main control program of a main control unit, which is a control means of a facsimile apparatus, with an application program read by reading means, and converting the main control program from an application program to a program for executing facsimile communication. The replacement control is based on the operating system (O
This is a control right transfer performed by system control such as S). The transfer of each control right is executed by a start request for facsimile communication or a request to return to application program control.

[0007]

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the main control unit 14
Is an operation unit 1, an IC memory card reader unit 2, a work memory 3, a character generator ROM (CGRO)
M) 4, a display unit 5, a scanner unit 6, a printer unit 7, an image signal memory 8, an encoding / decoding unit (CODEC) 9, and a communication control unit 10 for multiprogramming control.

The operation unit 1 has various function input units necessary for facsimile communication, data input, and the like, in addition to numeric key buttons and communication changeover switches for facsimile communication. The function input unit is a touch switch formed on the input surface of the display unit 5. That is, the function input unit of the operation unit 1 and the screen of the display unit 5 are integrated.

[0010] The IC memory card reader 2 has an IC memory card 15 in which an application program is stored.
Interface and a readout circuit. When the application program is read through the IC memory card reader unit 2, the main control unit executes a process based on the application program.

The work memory 3 stores data necessary for the operation of the main control unit 14. The CGROM 4 is for converting data formed by an application program into transmission scan data suitable for facsimile communication when performing facsimile communication. The transmission scan data is stored in a predetermined storage area of the work memory 3.

The scanner section 6 has a reading circuit for scanning an original and generating an image signal. The image signal from the scanner 1 is temporarily stored in the image signal memory 8 and then transferred to the encoding / decoding unit 9. The encoding / decoding unit 9 performs facsimile encoding of the image signal to generate facsimile image information. The facsimile image information is transferred from the encoding / decoding unit 9 to the communication control unit 10 under the control of the main control unit 14. The communication control unit 10 includes a data modem 10 that operates during data communication.
A and a fax modem 10 that operates during facsimile communication
B, each of which has a communication line 1 via the NCU 13.
31. The facsimile transmission image information from the main control unit 14 is supplied to the FAX modem 10B, modulated, and then transmitted from the NCU 13 to the communication line 131. The facsimile reception image information from the communication line 131 is
After being demodulated by the X modem 10B, it is decoded by the encoding / decoding section 9 under the control of the main control section 14 to become a received image signal. The received image signal is transferred to the printer unit 7 via the image signal memory 8 and recorded on a recording medium. The line buffer memory 11 stores the code acceleration of the encoding / decoding unit 9 and the communication line 1
31 is a buffer for filling a difference from the communication speed of the communication device 31. The printer unit 7 can also copy a document read by the scanner unit 6.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main controller 14 and its peripheral circuits. The main control unit 14 has an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 141,
The multitask control unit 142 controls the plurality of hardware control programs 143 and the card reader control programs 144 based on the multiprogramming. The hardware control program 143 includes a key input control program, a display control program, an outgoing / incoming call control program for the communication line 132, a print control program, an FA
It comprises an X communication control program and the like. Hardware control program 14 by multi-programming control
3 is executed, the display unit 5, the scanner unit 6, the printer unit 7, the image signal memory 8, the encoding / decoding unit 9, and the communication control unit 10 are controlled in a time division manner through the internal bus 140 of the OS 141. You.

The card reader control program 144 includes an I
A command for controlling reading of the IC memory card 14 by the C memory card reader 2 is stored. When an application program stored in the IC memory card 14 is executed, the main control unit 14 uses the application program as a main program instead of the hardware control program 143, and the OS 141
Each part is controlled under the application program through.

The memory card reader 2 has an interface 21 for physically connecting to the IC memory card 15.
And a memory card reading circuit 22 connected to the internal bus 140 and executing reading of a memory card under the control of the internal bus 140.

Next, execution of an application program and execution of facsimile communication by the main control unit 14 will be described.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the operation of the main control unit 14. 2, 3 and 4, I
When the C memory card 15 is inserted into the IC memory card reader 2 and connected to the interface 21 (step 100), the card connection information is notified from the memory card reading circuit 22 to the OS 141 via the internal bus 140. Accordingly, the multitask control unit 141 causes the hardware control program related to key input and display on the display unit 5 to execute the display, and causes the display unit 5 to display a screen for selecting whether to execute facsimile communication or an application program (AP) (step 101), either one of them can be selected by the operation unit 1 (step 102). When facsimile communication is selected, it operates as a normal facsimile machine (step 120).

However, when the execution of the application program is selected by the operation unit 1, an AP selection signal enters the main control unit 14 from the operation unit 1. This allows OS14
1 is an internal bus 140 for the IC memory card reader 2.
The main control by the OS 141 is not the control by the hardware control program 143 but the control by the application program (step 103). That is, it is controlled by the OS so that most of the processing time is allocated to the task of executing the application program. The memory card reading circuit 22 starts reading the IC memory card 15 based on the AP start request information (step 104), and sets the return start flag F from the main control unit 14 to the work memory 3 under the control of the application program. It is written (step 105). This return start flag F
Indicates that the application program has not been terminated normally.

When the main control right is transferred to the application program in step 103, the first additional function (first task) based on the application program is executed under the control of the multitask control unit 141 ( Step 106). Here, the first additional function based on the application program includes processing and calculation of data input by the operation unit 1 and control of data communication from the data modem 10A of the communication control unit 1 to the communication line 131 of the communication control unit 1 in FIG. And so on. In addition, it may be related to transmission of a tone signal, control of communication with the other party of the communication line 131, and control of display of the display unit 5. Further, the control may be such that the data input by the operation unit 1 is converted into scanning data for transmission using the CGROM 4 and written into a predetermined storage area of the work memory 3.

The first additional function executed by the application program includes a communication line 1 in the NCU 13 in preparation for shifting to facsimile communication.
There is an instruction for a calling operation to 32. The destination of the call is
It is written in the application program in advance.
However, if a call or data communication has already been performed with the other party of the communication line 131, this call control is unnecessary. This is because the communication line 131 has already been captured by a telephone call or data communication. The application program is programmed to generate task end information upon completing the first additional function.

Until the OS 141 recognizes the task end information (step 107), the task of step 106 is executed. When the task end information is recognized, the OS 141 performs the facsimile communication control by the hardware control program 143 from the application program.
Is transferred (step 108).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation program of steps 108 and 109. Step 108
, If a document is set on the scanner unit 6,
The original is read under the control of the main control unit 14, encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and then transmitted to the communication line 132. If no original is set and recording paper is set in the printer unit 7, the printer unit 7 waits for reception, and the facsimile image information received from the communication line 132 is recorded in the printer unit 7. Further, when the search data for transmission is stored in a predetermined area of the work memory 3, the main control unit 14 reads the search data for transmission and causes the encoding / decoding unit 9 to perform facsimile encoding. The encoded image information is transmitted from the communication control unit 10 to the communication line 132 via the NCU 13. When the facsimile transmission or reception in step 108 is completed, the communication line 131 is disconnected (step 109).

Next, the OS 141 detects whether the return activation flag F has been written in the work memory 3 (step 110), and if it has been written, generates AP return activation request information, and the main control of the OS 141 The processing shifts from facsimile communication to control by the application program again (step 111). That is, control is performed so that a large part of the processing time is allocated to the task of executing the application program. Memory card reading circuit 22
Indicates that the IC memory card 1
5 is started (step 112), and under the control of the application program, the return activation flag F stored in the work memory 3 is cleared (step 113).

When the main control right is transferred to the application program in step 111, a second additional function (second task) based on the application program is executed under the control of the OS 141 (step 114).

Until the normal end information is read from the IC memory card 15 by the IC memory card reader 2 (step 115), the task of step 114 is executed, and the normal end information is read and supplied to the internal bus 140. The multitask control unit 141 normally ends the processing by the application program (step 11).
6).

If the IC memory card 15 is removed from the IC memory card reader 2 before step 110, the return start flag F stored in the work memory 3 is cleared and the application program is forcibly terminated (step 117). .

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram schematically showing the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. In the figure, an AP activation request is made in step 103 of FIG. 3, a dial call instruction is made in step 106, and the end (FAX communication) is made in step 10
In step 7, a return activation request is made in step 111, and normal termination is made in step 116.

In this embodiment, the second additional function before the normal termination of the application program may be a process simply for generating the normal termination information.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a call is made to the communication line by the application program before the control right is transferred to the facsimile communication, but together with the call, the presence or absence of the original in the scanner section 6 is also confirmed by the application program. You may make it. In this case, if there is no original, it is convenient to prompt the operator to set the original under the application program.

Although an IC memory card is used as an external storage medium, a floppy disk or an IC
It may be a memory chip or the like.

[0031]

As described above, the present invention has an effect that various additional functions can be sequentially added by changing the application program without changing the main body of the facsimile machine itself. That is, it is possible to switch between telephone communication, data communication, and facsimile communication under the control of a series of application programs independently of the original communication function of the facsimile apparatus.
For example, an application program automatically connects to a facsimile information service server, returns,
It is also possible to receive and record and output facsimile information. In this case, the only trouble of the operator is the activation of the application program. Furthermore, if the start of the application program itself is replaced with the start by a timer that starts operating at a pre-registered time, the reception of information from the server of the facsimile information service can be automatically performed without any trouble of the operator. It is also possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main control unit of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1 and its periphery.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a main control unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the facsimile communication and the line disconnection operation in the flowchart of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an outline of an operation of a main control unit in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part 2 IC memory card reader 14 Main control part 15 IC memory card

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having control means for executing facsimile communication based on a main control program, comprising: an external storage medium storing an application program for causing a facsimile apparatus to execute an additional function; Means for reading a program; means for replacing the main control program of the control means with the application program read by the reading means; means for controlling execution of the additional function; activation of facsimile communication under execution of the application program Means for instructing facsimile communication by replacing the main control program from the application program with a program for executing facsimile communication in accordance with the activation instruction; and After the end of the millimeter communication, the control means
Means for generating a return request to return to execution of the application program, wherein the control means returns to execution of the application program in response to the return request, and ends control by execution of the application program. Facsimile machine. 2. The facsimile apparatus further comprises means for selecting execution of the application program or execution of facsimile communication. When the execution of the application program is selected by the selection means, the reading means 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said application program is read from said external storage medium. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for capturing a communication line for executing facsimile communication during execution of the application program before shifting to facsimile communication.
Facsimile apparatus described in 1. 4. The facsimile apparatus further comprises: means for capturing a communication line for executing data communication during execution of the application program before shifting to the facsimile communication; and a data modem. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1.