JP3020615B2 - Facsimile apparatus, communication system, and information processing method in communication system - 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, a communication system, and an information processing method in a communication system, for example, a facsimile apparatus having an interface with a host computer, a communication system having the same, and an information processing method in the communication system. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when outputting a received image using this type of device, it is common to output the image using a facsimile output device.

[0003]

However, in the above conventional example, when a received document is output, the output device (printer) of the facsimile device is used. Therefore, if an unusable state occurs in the output device, There was a drawback that the contents of the received image could not be confirmed until it was repaired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and has as its object to solve the problem when an output device (forming means for visually forming a received image on recording paper) cannot be used. Also, a facsimile machine which can confirm received contents by an external device capable of displaying the stored image information and, when the output device becomes usable, can form a received image on a recording sheet in a visible manner. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing method in a system and a communication system.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The above-mentioned problems are solved,
In order to achieve the object, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention comprises a host computer for storing image information stored therein.
Receiving means for receiving image information, and storing the image information received by the receiving means, in a facsimile apparatus comprising a connecting means for connecting to an external device capable of displaying the image , and a forming means for visually forming a received image on recording paper. a storage means, wherein
A detection for detecting whether or not the visible forming operation by the forming means is possible.
Connecting the image information received by the notifying means and the receiving means to the
Means for designating whether or not to output to the external device through means, and image information accumulated by the accumulation means based on the content detected by the detection means and the content designated by the designation means. Deciding means for deciding whether output is possible or not, and when the deciding means determines that output is possible,
Control means for outputting to the external device the image information accumulated by the accumulation means for display, and controlling the image information accumulated in the accumulation means to be visually formed by the formation means in accordance with a change in the detection content; It is characterized by having. Further, the communication system according to the present invention includes a host
Display image information stored in the computer
A communication system having a facsimile apparatus including a connecting means for connecting to an external device and forming means for visually forming a received image on a recording sheet, the facsimile apparatus receiving means for receiving image information, and receiving by the receiving means Storing means for storing the obtained image information ;
A detecting unit that detects whether or not a visual forming operation is possible , and the image information received by the receiving unit through the connecting unit.
A designation unit for designating whether or not to output to an external device; and outputting the image information accumulated by the accumulation unit to the external device based on the content detected by the detection device and the content designated by the designation device. Determining means for determining permission / non-permission, and when the determination means determines that output is possible, outputs the image information stored in the storage means to the external device for display, and in accordance with a change in the detection content, A control unit for controlling the image information stored in the storage unit to be visually formed by the forming unit. Also,
The information processing method according to the present invention is installed in a host computer.
Connection with an external device that can display the stored image information.
An information processing method in a communication system having a facsimile apparatus provided with the forming means for visualizing formed on the recording paper to continue means, and receiving an image, the visible form of the forming means
Details of the detection of the internal state that has detected whether or not operation is possible, and
The received and stored image information is transmitted to the
Based on the designation of whether to output to an external device, determine whether the image information can be output to the external device,
When it is determined that output is possible, the image information is output to the external device to be displayed, and the image information is controlled so as to be visually formed by the forming unit in accordance with a change in the internal state. .

[0006]

According to this configuration, the receiving means receives the image information, the storing means stores the image information received by the receiving means, the detecting means detects the internal state, and the determining means detects the content of the detecting means. It is determined whether or not the image information accumulated by the accumulation means can be output to the external device based on the information.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the facsimile apparatus in the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as “this apparatus”). 1 is a key pad for operation, 2
Are display units for displaying various messages related to the apparatus,
Is an I / O controller for controlling the keypad 1 and the display unit 2, 4 is a scanner comprising an optical system for reading, a CCD line sensor and the like, 5 is a printer for visually outputting received documents and the like, and 6 is the scanner 4 , An I / O controller for controlling the printer 5, a line control unit 7 for controlling communication on the communication line network 16, a storage unit 8 for waiting for image data such as a received document, and a storage unit 8 for the storage unit 8. A memory control unit 10 for controlling the reading and writing of data is a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as a "ROM") storing a program and the like according to the flowchart of FIG. 2 for controlling the function of the facsimile including this embodiment. "), 11
Reference numeral 12 denotes a buffer memory used as a work area for processing image data and the like. Reference numeral 12 denotes a microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as "CP") which is a main control unit for controlling the entire apparatus 100.
U "), 13 is a host computer 14 and bus 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes an interface driver for connection, 14 denotes a bus line for transmitting address signals, data, and control signals inside the apparatus 100, and 15 denotes various signals connecting the apparatus 100 and the host computer 200. This is a bus for transmission. Reference numeral 200 denotes a host computer which receives a document received by the apparatus 100 via the bus 16.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of processing for outputting a received document by the CPU 12 of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. After receiving the call (step S1), the CPU 12 starts receiving a document from the partner machine (step S2). The received document is stored in the storage unit 8 (step S3), and the CPU 12 ends the reception (step S4). Next, when outputting the received document, the status of the printer 5 is checked (step S5). If the printer 5 is usable, the received document is output from the printer 5 as it is (step S10), and the operation is terminated (step S11). However, if the printer 5 cannot be used due to lack of storage paper or paper jam, the received document is hosted through the interface according to the instruction from the keypad 1 to check the contents of the received document (step S6). The document is transferred to the computer 200 (step S7), and the received document is displayed on a screen (not shown) of the host computer 200 (step S8).
Thereafter, the processing is waited until the printer 5 returns, and when the return is detected (step S9), the image data of the received document already stored in the storage unit 8 is read out, and the unoutputted data, that is, the unprinted data, is read. Then, the received document is printed, and the process ends (step S10).

In the conventional function, when the printer 5 is unusable, the contents of the document cannot be viewed while being stored in the storage unit 8 until the printer is restored. When the processing is performed, the content of the received document can be confirmed not only on the printer 5 but also on the host computer 200. In summary, even if the printer cannot be used, it is possible to view the received contents without waiting for return.

The received document sent to the host computer 200 is processed on the host computer 200 side, and is not limited to display, but can be output to a printer connected to the host computer 200.

[0011]

[Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, the present invention is limited to a facsimile apparatus having an interface with the host computer 200. The same applies to other communication terminal devices having an interface.

(2) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the use failure due to "paper jam" or "paper jam" occurs as a condition for transferring the received image to the host computer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
In some cases, it cannot be used due to the SY status.

[0013]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Displays the image information stored in the host computer.
In a facsimile apparatus and a communication system provided with a connecting means for an external device which can be displayed and a forming means for visually forming a received image on a recording sheet, when the received image information is to be visually formed, for example, the visible formation is not possible. If possible, by outputting to an external device if possible, the received image can be displayed on an external device other than the facsimile device to check the contents. Even when the image information is output to an external device in this way, if the image information can be visualized by the facsimile device, the image information is visually formed by an unintended device by executing the visual formation. Such inconvenience can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus having an interface with a host computer embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a received document output processing procedure of the facsimile apparatus embodying the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Key packet 2 Display device 3 I / O controller 4 Scanner 5 Printer 6 I / O controller 7 Line control unit 8 Storage unit 9 Memory control unit 10 ROM 11 Buffer memory 12 CPU 13 Interface driver 14 Bus line 15 Bus 16 Communication line network 100 Facsimile machine 200 Host computer

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A storage device provided in a host computer.
Receiving means for receiving image information, the image information received by the receiving means, in a facsimile apparatus comprising: means for connecting to an external device capable of displaying the received image information; and forming means for visually forming a received image on recording paper. Means for accumulating the image and detecting whether or not the visible forming operation by the forming means is possible.
Detecting means, and image information received by the receiving means via the connecting means.
Means for designating whether or not to output the image data to the external device, and outputting the image information accumulated by the accumulation means to the external device based on the content detected by the detection device and the content specified by the designation device. Deciding means for deciding whether or not the information can be output, and when the deciding means decides that output is possible, outputs the image information accumulated by the accumulating means to the external device for display, and responds to a change in the detected content. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the image information stored in the storage unit to be visually formed by the formation unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the output is not possible by the determining unit and does not output the image information stored by the storage unit to the external device. 2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said facsimile apparatus controls the image information stored in said means to be visiblely formed by said forming means. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the internal state includes an abnormality of the forming unit. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said designation means has a key for designating whether or not to output image information via said connection means. 5. A storage device provided in a host computer and stored therein.
A communication unit having a facsimile device including a connection unit with an external device capable of displaying the received image information, and a forming unit for visually forming a received image on recording paper, wherein the facsimile device includes: a reception unit that receives image information; A storage unit for storing the image information received by the receiving unit, and detecting whether or not a visible forming operation by the forming unit is possible;
Detecting means, and image information received by the receiving means via the connecting means.
Means for designating whether or not to output the image data to the external device, and outputting the image information accumulated by the accumulation means to the external device based on the content detected by the detection device and the content specified by the designation device. Deciding means for deciding whether or not the information can be output, and when the deciding means decides that output is possible, outputs the image information accumulated by the accumulating means to the external device for display, and responds to a change in the detected content. And a control unit for controlling the image information stored in the storage unit to be visiblely formed by the formation unit. 6. The control means, when the determination means determines that output is not possible, does not output the image information stored by the storage means to the external device, and stores the image information in accordance with a change in the detected content. 6. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the image data stored in the means is controlled to be visiblely formed by the forming means. 7. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the internal state includes an abnormality of the forming unit. 8. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein said designation means has a key for designating whether or not to output image information via said connection means. 9. A computer provided in a host computer and stored therein.
An information processing method in a communication system having a facsimile apparatus including a connection unit to an external device capable of displaying the received image information and a forming unit for visually forming a received image on recording paper, wherein the visible forming operation of the forming unit is performed. Is detected whether it is possible or not
Detecting the content of the parts state, and the received stored image information before
Determining whether or not the image information can be output to the external device based on the designation of whether or not to output the image information to the external device via the connection means; And outputting to the external device to display the image information, and controlling the image information to be visually formed by the forming unit in accordance with the change in the internal state. 10. When it is determined that output is impossible, control is performed such that the image information is visually formed by the forming unit in accordance with a change in the internal state without outputting the image information to the external device. 10. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein the internal state includes an abnormality of the forming unit.