JP2871368B2 - 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 technique for managing data to be transmitted or output.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, facsimile machines having storage means such as a memory for storing transmission or reception data have become widespread. At the time of transmission, the storage means causes the original to be read and the transmission data is stored, and the data is transmitted to a plurality of destinations, and the fixed form data such as an invoice is attached without being read and processed at each transmission. Such functions are realized. In addition, upon reception, the storage unit functions as a backup unit when the recording paper runs out, or stores all the received data in the storage unit and selects and outputs only necessary data. Furthermore,
There has also been proposed an apparatus capable of performing paperless processing such as storing received data in a storage unit and transmitting the data to another destination as it is.

[0003]

By the way, in general,
When there are multiple transmission or reception data, there is a difference in the importance of each data. For example, when performing processing such as output and transmission, it is not always desirable to perform processing in order from the data input first to the memory. Rather, it is desired that processing can be performed in a priority order according to each request. It is desired that data stored in the storage means can be individually selected and managed. In some cases, some data may be deleted without being output, and if it is possible to select and collectively delete them, it is very convenient. As described above, in a facsimile apparatus having a data storage unit, a function for individually and easily managing data stored in the storage unit is expected. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an index is assigned to each piece of communication data, and priority is set and managed as needed, so that the data can be used for the purpose and purpose. Processing can be performed at an appropriate timing according to the application and timing.In addition, unnecessary received data is deleted without being printed and output based on indices and other information, thereby saving recording paper waste and reducing memory capacity. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile machine which effectively utilizes a facsimile.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing transmission or reception data, and an index for identification provided in each data stored in the storage means. Index setting means for setting the priority of transmission or output of each data stored in the storage means using the index provided by the index setting means, and the priority setting means Priority calling means for sequentially calling data stored in the storage means according to the order set by referring to the index given to each data by the index giving means,
Output means for outputting each data, for the data for which the priority is set by the priority setting means,
A deletion unit for deleting after the output process by the output unit is completed, and deleting data whose priority order is not designated when the designation is performed using the index by the index assignment unit, is provided. It is a facsimile machine. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the output means outputs all the pages for the data set by the priority setting means, and For the data not set, only the first page is output. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage unit for storing transmission or reception data, an index assignment unit for assigning an identification index to each data stored in the storage unit, and each of the data stored in the storage unit. Priority setting means for setting the priority of data transmission or output using the index assigned by the index assigning means; and storing the data stored in the storage means in accordance with the order set by the priority setting means. Priority calling means for sequentially calling by referring to the index given to each data by the index giving means, and output means for outputting each data, wherein the output means, the order of which is set by the priority setting means The facsimile apparatus outputs all pages of data and outputs only the first page of the data for which the order is not set.

[0005]

According to the configuration of the first aspect, the user assigns an identification index to each of the transmission or reception data stored in the storage means by the index assignment means, and stores the data by the priority order setting means using this index. The priority of transmission or output of each data stored in the means is set. In accordance with the set order, the priority calling means sequentially calls each data stored in the storage means with reference to the index assigned by the index assigning means. The deletion means deletes the data after outputting the data for which the priority is set, and performs the same specification as the case of specifying the priority for the data for which the priority is not set. Data can be selectively deleted. Claim 2
According to the configuration described above, in addition to the operation according to claim 1, the output unit outputs all pages of the data for which the order is set by the priority order setting unit, and outputs the data for which the order is not set. , Only the first page is output. According to the configuration of the third aspect, the output means outputs each data in response to the call by the priority calling means, and at this time, outputs all pages for the data whose order is set by the priority order setting means. For data for which no rank has been set, only the first page is output.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment. The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a reading unit 2 for reading a transmission original, a transmission unit 3 for transmitting read image data (hereinafter, referred to as transmission data), a reception unit 4 for receiving image data, and a , Print data), a control unit 6 for controlling the driving of these units and managing transmission or reception data, and a panel-like operation provided for a user to input an operation command. And a unit 7. The panel of the operation unit 7 is provided with a mode selection key, a numerical value input key, a set key, a start key, a display unit, and the like.

The control unit 6 includes a CPU 11 as a main body and a RAM as a memory for storing transmission or reception data.
12, a ROM 13 storing various control programs and invariable data, and a built-in timer 14. ROM1
The control program stored in the RAM 3 includes a management number assigning program 21 for assigning a management number to the transmission or reception data stored in the RAM 12, and a processing priority order for the data in response to a user's instruction. A priority setting program 22 to be set, a data calling program 23 for calling the data from the RAM 21 by referring to the management number in accordance with the set conditions, a data deleting program 24 for deleting data from the RAM 21 and the like are included.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a reception data management table 31 for managing received data. The reception data management table 31 stores a reception date and time 35, a transmission destination ID 33, and a management number 34 for each reception data. The reception date and time 32 is obtained from the built-in timer 14 of the control unit 6, and the destination ID 33 stores the ID sent from the transmission source at the time of reception. The management number 34 is assigned by the management number assignment program 21, and the management number 34 is associated with the file number of the received data. This reception data management table 31
Is stored in the RAM 12, and is updated as needed when new data is received or when data is printed out or deleted. On the other hand, data to be transmitted is similarly managed using the transmission data management table. In this case, the reception date and time column stores the date and time when the data was read and stored in the RAM 12.

FIG. 3 shows the reception data management table 31.
Is a received data management list 32 that outputs the content of the received data. The user operates the list 32 displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 7.
, The user performs operations such as priority setting described later.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a management number registration table 41 for registering a management number given to received data. Numbers 1 to 7 were used as management numbers, and each number corresponded to an address in the table. The total number of files is defined by a start address and an end address. In this embodiment, seven files can be used regularly. The presence or absence of data is determined by setting a flag of 0 or 1 for each number. If the flag is 1, it indicates that data is stored in the file,
A value of 0 indicates that no data is stored in the file. In addition, when all of the common numbers 1 to 7 of the management number are used, if there is a further reception, an additional number 8 or later can be used.

FIG. 5 shows a priority setting buffer 43 for storing the priority set by the user. The management numbers of the files are sequentially stored in the priority setting buffer 43, and are referred to in order from the head at the time of processing.

The processing referred to here includes transmission, printout, and deletion. Also, the received data is temporarily stored in the RAM1.
The user can arbitrarily select the setting / cancellation of the memory reception mode stored in the storage unit 2 using the operation panel of the operation unit 7.

The processing procedure of the apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a processing procedure at the time of reception. When data is received via the receiving unit 4, it is checked whether or not the memory reception mode is set (S11). If the memory reception mode is set (S
11 (YES), the management number assignment program 21 is started. The management number assigning program 21 refers to the management number registration table 41 (S12), checks the empty number by the flag, acquires the smallest number among the empty numbers, and sets it as the management number of the received data (S13). ). If all of the common numbers 1 to 7 have been used, the additional numbers are used as described above.

After setting the flag of the obtained management number to 1 (S14), the file corresponding to the management number is opened (S15), and the received data is stored in the file (S15).
16). When the data storage is completed, the management information of the data is stored in the reception data management table 31 (S1).
7), end the receiving process. On the other hand, when the memory reception mode has been released (NO in S11), data is recorded and output immediately after reception (S18).

FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure when the received data stored in the RAM 12 is taken out according to the priority order and printed out. The priority setting program 22 is started,
When the user enters the retrieval priority setting mode, the user inputs the management numbers in the order of priority from the operation unit 7 while viewing the received data management list 32 (S21). For example, if the management numbers of the data whose retrieval is to be prioritized are No. 6, No. 3, and No. 4, the [6] key, [Set] key, [3] key, [Set] key, [4] key, [ Set] key,
Enter the [Start] key. The management numbers are stored in the priority setting buffer 43 in the order of input.

Next, the data calling program 23 is started. The data calling program 23 refers to the priority setting buffer 43 (S22), and if there is a set number (YES in S22), acquires the top management number (S23) and corresponds to the number. A file is searched (S24), and the file is opened to retrieve data (S24).
25). The extracted data is printed out by the recording unit 5 (S26), and when the output is completed, the data in the file is deleted (S27). Subsequently, the information of the data in the reception data management table 31 is deleted (S28), and the flag of the management number registration table 41 is set to 0 (S2).
9) The first number in the priority setting buffer 43 is deleted, and subsequent numbers are sequentially incremented and updated (S30).

When the processing of one data is completed, it is checked whether or not the management number remains by referring to the priority setting buffer 43 (S31). If the management number remains (YE in S31).
S), the procedure from S23 to S30 is repeated. If all the data for which the priority order is set is output (N in S31)
O) With reference to the management number registration table 41, the remaining data is printed out in descending order of the number (S32), and the process is terminated. In this case, it is also possible not to output data for which the priority order is not set, and to take out only necessary data. On the other hand, in the check of S22, when there is no number for which the priority is set (S2
2), the order in which the management numbers were assigned, ie,
All data is printed out in the order stored in the reception data management table 31 (S33).

FIGS. 8 and 10 show modified examples of the print output processing procedure. In the procedure shown in FIG. 7, all pages of data are output at the time of printout. However, as described above, in the present apparatus 1, only the first page is output for data that has not been prioritized. Features are provided.
The procedure will be described below.

The priority setting program 22 is started,
After passing through the retrieval priority setting mode (S41), the process proceeds to data retrieval processing. If the number is stored in the priority setting buffer 43 (YES in S42), the data for which the priority is set is processed in the same procedure as in FIG. That is, a file is searched (S4
3, S44), the data is taken out, and all the pages are printed out by the recording unit 5 (S45). When the output is completed, the data in the file is deleted (S46), and the received data management table 31, management number The registration table 41 and the priority setting buffer 43 are updated (S47, S48,
S49). The above steps S43 to S49 are repeated until there are no more numbers stored in the priority setting buffer 43 (YES in S50).

If all the data for which the priorities have been set are output (NO in S50), the management number registration table 4
1 (S51), the management numbers of the remaining files storing the data are acquired (S52), and stored in the output order setting buffer in ascending order (S5).
3). The configuration of the output order setting buffer may be the same as that of the priority order setting buffer 43. Next, the number stored at the head of the output order setting buffer is read (S5).
4) A file is searched using the number as a key, and the data stored in the file is extracted and printed out (S55). When the output of the first page of data is completed (YES in S56), the printing operation ends. The end of the page is detected by a page END signal. When the data printing operation is completed, the number at the head of the output order setting buffer is deleted, and the subsequent numbers are sequentially incremented and updated (S57). The above operations S54 to S57 are repeated until there are no more numbers stored in the output order setting buffer (YES in S58). When the data of the last number is output (NO in S58), the process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the priority setting buffer 43 is referred to immediately after the retrieval priority setting mode, the number is not set in the buffer, that is, the user indicates the management number in the retrieval priority setting mode. If the start key has been input without inputting the numeric key or the set key (NO in S42), all pages of all data are output in descending order (S59).

FIG. 10 shows a processing procedure for deleting data. When deleting data, the user inputs the management number of the data to be deleted in the same procedure as the above-described priority setting processing (S61), and the data deletion program 24 is started, and the number is stored in the deletion number setting buffer. Is stored in The configuration of the deletion number setting buffer may be the same as that of the priority setting buffer 43. The data deletion program 24 refers to the deletion number setting buffer, searches for a file corresponding to the stored management number, and deletes the data (S62). When the deletion is completed, the information of the deleted data in the reception data management table 31 is deleted (S63), the flag of the management number registration table 41 is set to 0 (S64), and the deletion number setting buffer 43 is cleared (S65). , And the process ends.

According to the above-described configuration and procedure, a management number is assigned to the communication data stored in the memory, and the priority of processing can be set by using this number. There is no need to perform the processing one by one, and the processing can be performed in consideration of the priority according to the purpose and use of each communication data. Furthermore, when printing out, it is possible to select whether to output all pages or only the first page according to the importance of the communication data, so that the contents of the communication data can be checked quickly and the recording paper is consumed unnecessarily. No more.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are possible.
For example, in the above embodiment, printout is performed as processing,
Although the deletion has been described, the transmission processing and the display processing can be realized with substantially the same configuration and procedure.
In addition, the example of the operation of the apparatus has been described in which an instruction is input solely from the operation unit 7.
By transmitting a signal, the apparatus may be configured to remotely operate the apparatus and output a received data management list or the like. Regarding the setting of the output priority, prioritization may be performed based on the telephone number of the speed dial registered in the device in addition to the number designation by key input of the device. Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiments, the present invention can be widely applied to various types of facsimile apparatuses irrespective of transmission methods such as an analog method and a digital method.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, a management number is given as an index to data stored in the storage means, and the priority of processing can be set using this number. There is no need to process each data in a certain order such as the order. Depending on the purpose and use of each data,
Processing can be performed in consideration of priority. Specifically, for data for which the priority order is set, the data is deleted after outputting all the data, and for the data for which the priority order is not set, the designation is made using an index. Delete data. Therefore, among the plurality of stored data, for data determined to be important, all data can be output by setting a priority order, and data determined to be unimportant can be output. Can be deleted without outputting all the data by specifying the same order as in the case of specifying the priority. (Claim 1). Further, when performing the above-mentioned output, it is considered that the data for which the priority is set is considered to have high importance. Therefore, all the pages are output, and the data for which the priority is not set has the importance. Because it is considered low, only the first page is output. Since the output can be selected in this manner, the contents of the data can be quickly checked for those with high importance, and for the one with low importance, the first page is checked and all the pages are output or output. Since it is possible to determine whether or not to delete without deleting, waste of recording paper and waste of recording material can be eliminated (claim 2). Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform processing in consideration of the priority according to the purpose and use of each data. For data for which the priority is set, all pages are output and the priority is set. If not, only the first page is output,
As a result, it is possible to quickly check the data contents of all pages for those considered to be high in importance, and to output only the first page for those considered to be of low importance, thereby wasting recording paper and reducing the amount of recording material. Waste can be eliminated (claim 3).

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a reception data management table of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a reception data management list of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a management number registration table of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a priority setting buffer of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a reception process of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a print output process of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a print output process of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a print output process of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a deletion process of the facsimile machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 facsimile apparatus 5 recording unit 6 control unit 7 operation unit 11 CPU 12 RAM 13 ROM 21 management number assignment program 22 priority setting program 23 data calling program 24 data deletion program 31 reception data management table 41 management number registration table 43 priority setting buffer

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing transmission or reception data, an index assignment unit for assigning an identification index to each data stored in the storage unit, and a transmission or transmission of each data stored in the storage unit. Priority setting means for setting an output priority using the index provided by the index providing means, and data stored in the storage means in accordance with the order set by the priority setting means by the index providing means A priority calling means for sequentially calling by referring to an index given to each data; and an output means for outputting each data , wherein the data whose priority is set by the priority setting means is provided.
After the output processing by the output means is completed.
, And for those without a priority
Is specified using the index by the index providing means.
A facsimile apparatus having a deletion means for deleting the data when the data is deleted . 2. The priority setting means according to claim 2 , wherein:
All the pages for the data ranked according to
The data for which the ranking was not set
2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the first page is output . 3. A storage for storing transmission or reception data.
Means for attaching identification indices to each data stored in the storage means.
Indexing means for giving, and transmission or output of each data stored in the storage means
Index given by the index assigning means to the priority order of
And priority setting means for setting using according order set by the priority setting means
The data stored in the storage means is sent to the index providing means.
Therefore, calling sequentially with reference to the index given to each data
Priority calling means, and output means for outputting each data, wherein the output means sets the order by the priority setting means.
For the specified data, all pages are output, and the order is
Only the first page is output for the data not set.
A facsimile machine characterized by applying force .