JP3161223B2 - 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 capable of transferring received image information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some facsimile apparatuses of this type have a function of transferring received image information.
Image information is transferred by a method of directly inputting a transfer destination telephone number or the like to an operation panel of the facsimile apparatus, or a remote control method of inputting a transfer destination from the destination facsimile apparatus to the facsimile apparatus. In the remote control method, for example, when a person who instructs transfer to a facsimile machine located at point B moves to point C, the transfer destination is changed so as to transfer to a facsimile machine located at point C. Is possible. To change the transfer destination in this remote control method, first, a telephone attached to the transfer destination facsimile device calls the facsimile device performing the transfer,
This is performed by instructing a transfer command by inputting a predetermined number from the numeric keypad of the telephone, and then inputting a transfer destination telephone number from the numeric keypad. When changing the forwarding destination of a facsimile machine, if an incorrect number is entered, if the number is a normal telephone, repeated attempts to forward the facsimile will cause inconvenience to the other party. If the number is a facsimile machine, the communication contents will be known to a third party and the received image information will be lost. Therefore, when the transfer destination is changed by the remote control method, it is necessary to confirm the telephone number of the transfer destination. Previously, the phone number was verified,
The input telephone number is read out by a voice circuit or the like. For example, if the number 00 ... is entered from the numeric keypad, the facsimile
A method of requesting confirmation by sending a voice as zero, zero, etc. as the telephone number of the transfer destination has been adopted.

[0003]

However, the method of reading out a telephone number inputted by voice is either a method of adding a dedicated voice circuit for generating voice or special information for voice synthesis. Therefore, there is a problem that the cost is increased for realizing the transfer function.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and has as its object to provide a facsimile apparatus having a transfer function at low cost.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 is a facsimile apparatus for transferring received image information to a designated transfer destination, wherein the facsimile apparatus instructs a change of the transfer destination. Receiving means for receiving the changed telephone number of the transfer destination, first storing means for storing the telephone number received first by the receiving means, and second receiving means for receiving the changed telephone number. A second storage unit for storing the received telephone number, a determination unit for determining whether the telephone number stored in the first storage unit matches the telephone number stored in the second storage unit, And a telephone number changing means for changing the transfer destination telephone number to the matched telephone number when it is determined by the means that they match. Further, the receiving means may continuously receive telephone numbers by inputting delimiter data between a first telephone number and a second telephone number.
The receiving means recognizes completion of the first telephone number input by inputting a function key, and recognizes completion of the second telephone number input by another function key input. You may make it recognize.
Claim 3).

[0006]

In the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when there is an instruction to change the transfer destination of the received image information, the receiving means receives the changed transfer destination telephone number. At this time, the telephone number accepted for the first time is stored in the first storage means, the telephone number accepted for the second time is stored in the second storage means, and the judgment means is stored in the first storage means. It is determined whether the telephone number matches the telephone number stored in the second storage means. Then, when it is determined by the determining means that they match, the telephone number changing means changes the transfer destination telephone number to the matching telephone number. As described above, if the change of the transfer destination of the image information is instructed, the transfer method is changed assuming that the input telephone number is correctly input because the input telephone number matches twice. It can be performed only by preparing control information for executing the confirmation routine. Therefore, there is no need to add a voice circuit or the like for confirming by voice whether or not the telephone number has been properly input.
A facsimile machine having a transfer function can be manufactured at low cost. Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the second aspect, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, by inputting delimiter data between the first telephone number and the second telephone number, the accepting means can be continuously operated. It is possible to accept telephone numbers. Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the third aspect, in addition to the functions of the first and second aspects, the receiving means recognizes the completion of the input of the first telephone number by inputting the function key, and receives the second telephone number. The completion of the input of the number is recognized by the input of another function key.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an electrical configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile apparatus has a CPU connected to the bus line 14.
It has 12. The bus line 14 has a RAM 16 as a first storage unit and a second storage unit for temporarily storing received image information, an EEPROM 18 as a reception unit for storing a telephone number of a transfer destination, and various control routines. ROM 20 for holding control information such as
, A modem 24, a telephone number generation circuit 25, a timer 26, and a gate array 28. The image processing unit 22 is connected to a CCD image sensor 30 that reads a document to be transmitted. Gate array 28
The panel unit 32 includes a numeric keypad and function keys (not shown) for performing input to the facsimile apparatus, and LEDs (not shown) for performing various displays.
And a thermal head 34 for printing on recording paper. On the other hand, the modem 24 has a switch circuit S
A network control unit (hereinafter, referred to as NCU) 36 is connected via W1. The NCU
36 is a handset 38 by the switch circuit SW2.
Is switched between the telephone line 40 and the extension telephone 42 (not shown). On the other hand, the switch circuit SW1 includes a speaker 44.
Is connected.

The modem 24 has a modulation / demodulation function of modulating a digital signal into an analog signal, outputting the modulated signal to the telephone line 40 via the NCU 36, and demodulating the analog signal input from the telephone line 40 into a digital signal. Device. Note that, in addition to the above functions, the modem 24 may have a voice digitizing function of converting voice analog data into voice digital data and a voice reproducing function of reproducing voice digital data into analog voice data.

[0009] The NCU 36 has a dialing function and a signal detection function, and sends out a signal by a method suitable for the telephone line 40, detects a signal transmitted from the telephone line 40, and executes a modem. It is a device that mediates the exchange of information between the H.24 and the telephone line 40. Also, the NCU 36 has
A handset 38 is connected so that a call between the user of the facsimile apparatus and the other party can be made.

The telephone number generation circuit 25 is a circuit for generating a call number (DTMF signal or dial pulse signal) for calling another telephone or facsimile apparatus.
When the information of the called number is inputted by the command of 12, the DTMF signal or the dial pulse signal is generated based on this information. This DTMF signal or dial pulse signal is sent to the telephone line 40 via the NCU 36,
An exchange connected to the telephone line 40 makes a call to the other party. The speaker 44 is a device that sounds a telephone call signal or the like.

The CPU 12 reads an original with the CCD image sensor 30, and according to an encoding method determined by the specification of the facsimile machine of the transmission destination, an MH code, an MR code,
Data compression is performed by encoding to an MMR code. Similarly, the received information (image information) encoded according to the specification of the facsimile machine of the transmission source is decoded and printed on the recording paper by the thermal head 34.

FIG. 2 conceptually shows the contents of the information stored in the RAM 16. The RAM 16 has a first number memory as first storage means for storing a telephone number inputted for the first time. 52, and a second number memory 54 as second storage means for storing the telephone number inputted the second time.
And an image information memory 56 for temporarily storing the received image information.
And are included. FIG. 3 conceptually shows the contents of the information held in the EEPROM 18.
The ROM 18 includes a transfer destination number memory 62 for storing a telephone number of a transfer destination of image information. Further, FIG.
FIG. 4 conceptually shows the contents of information stored in a ROM 20. The ROM 20 includes a transfer destination change routine memory 72 for storing a transfer destination change processing routine executed when the CPU 12 changes the transfer destination. An image information transfer routine memory 74 for storing an image information transfer processing routine executed when transferring image information is included.

A transfer destination change processing routine executed when the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is instructed to change the transfer destination will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, which is set to transfer to the facsimile apparatus located at the point B, transfers the data to the facsimile apparatus located at the point C (hereinafter referred to as C machine). The case where the transfer destination is instructed from the machine C will be described as an example. First, an operator who sets the change of the transfer destination dials the telephone number of the facsimile apparatus using the telephone of the machine C. As a result, a call signal is transmitted from the telephone line 40 to the facsimile machine. When this call signal is received (Ye in S101)
s) The CPU 12 of the facsimile apparatus closes the line by controlling the NCU 36, that is, connects the line, and
Prepare for input from the side (S102).

Next, when the operator inputs a number "954" assigned in advance as a transfer destination change request from the numeric keypad of the telephone of the machine C, the transfer destination change request is sent. The result of the determination as to whether or not there has been a change request is Yes, and the CPU 12 sends out the oscillating sound of the oscillating circuit (not shown) provided therein to the machine C as the receiving sound (S104). Thus, the operator knows that the transfer destination change request has been identified by the facsimile machine, and that the input of the transfer destination telephone number is ready.

Then, the operator uses the numeric keypad of the C machine to
The telephone number of the machine (here, the city code is 012 and the telephone number is 3456789) is input to the facsimile machine. First, the operator inputs the first number “0” by depressing the numeric keypad 0 key. In response to this, the machine C sends a D corresponding to the “0” key.
The TMF signal is sent to the facsimile machine. Accordingly, the determination result of S105 for determining whether the input signal is a DTMF signal is Yes, and it is determined whether the input of the telephone number is completed (S106). Here, the input of the telephone number has not been completed yet (S10
(No in 6), the CPU 12 stores the input number “0” in the first number memory 52 of the RAM 16 shown in FIG. 2 (S107). Then, it is determined whether the input telephone number exceeds 20 digits (S108).
The determination result at 8 is No, and the process returns to S105. In this embodiment, the maximum input digit of the telephone number is 20 digits.

The operator continues to input the telephone number of machine C, and the input number is stored in RAM 12 by RAM.
16 (S105 to S105).
108). When the input of the telephone number is completed, and the operator depresses the # key of the numeric keypad of the C machine by pressing "#" indicating the completion of the input of the telephone number, D indicating the completion of the input of the telephone number is displayed.
Since the TMF signal is sent (Yes in S106),
The CPU 12 outputs the oscillation sound of the oscillation circuit provided therein as C
It is transmitted to the device as a reception sound (S110). Thus, the operator knows that the first input of the transfer destination telephone number has been completed. If the input telephone number exceeds 20 digits (Yes in S108), the CPU 12 generates a rejection sound by the oscillation circuit provided therein and sends it to the machine C side (S109) to open the line. Then, the transfer destination change processing routine ends. Thus, the operator knows that the telephone number for which the input has been attempted cannot be registered.

Next, the operator who confirms the reception sound,
Subsequent to the input of the first telephone number, the input of the second telephone number is started, and the telephone number of the machine C is again input to the facsimile apparatus side from the ten keys. First, the first number "0" is entered by depressing the numeric keypad 0 key. In response, the machine C sends a DTMF signal corresponding to the "0" key to the facsimile machine (S11).
(1) (Yes), it is determined whether the input of the telephone number is completed (S112). Here, since the input of the telephone number has not been completed (No in S112), the CPU 12 stores the input number “0” in the second number memory 54 of the RAM 16.
Is stored (S113). Then, it is determined whether the input telephone number exceeds 20 digits (S114). Here, the determination result in S114 is No, and the process returns to S111.

The operator continues to enter the telephone number of machine C, and the entered number is stored in the RAM by the CPU 12.
16 are stored in the second number memory 54 (S111 to S111).
114). When the input of the telephone number is completed, and the operator depresses the * key of the numeric keypad of the C machine by pressing "*" indicating the completion of the input of the telephone number, the DTMF indicating the completion of the input of the telephone number is responded to this. Since a signal is sent (S1
12 (Yes at 12), the CPU 12 determines whether the telephone number stored in the first number memory 52 matches the telephone number stored in the second number memory 54 (S1).
15). Here, if the telephone numbers do not match due to an operator's mistake (No in S115), the CPU 12 generates a rejection sound by the oscillating circuit provided inside and sends it to the machine C side (S109). Is released and the transfer destination change processing routine ends. As a result, the operator knows that an input error has been made, and restarts the input of the telephone number of the transfer destination from the beginning. On the other hand, if the telephone numbers match (S1
15 (Yes at 15), the CPU 12 outputs the oscillation sound of the oscillation circuit to C
It is transmitted to the device as a reception sound (S116). As a result, the operator knows that the telephone numbers entered twice match, and that the image information is subsequently transferred to the facsimile apparatus of this telephone number.

Then, the CPU 12 executes the EEP shown in FIG.
By rewriting the telephone number of the transfer destination stored in the transfer destination number memory 62 of the ROM 18 to the telephone number “012345789” stored in the first number memory 52 of the RAM 16, the transfer destination is located at the point B. The facsimile machine is changed to the C machine located at the point C (S117). Subsequently, the CPU 12 controls the NCU 36 to release the line (S118), and ends the transfer destination change processing routine.

Next, an image information transfer processing routine executed when a facsimile is received by the facsimile apparatus after the completion of the transfer destination change will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When there is a call for sending image information from another facsimile apparatus and a call signal is sent from the exchange side (Yes in S151), the CPU 12 of the facsimile apparatus closes the line by controlling the NCU 36 to change the telephone line. Prepare for an input from the 40 side (S152). When the image information is sent from the telephone line 40, the image information is stored in the image information memory 56 of the RAM 16 shown in FIG. 2 (S15).
3, S154). When the reception of the image information is completed (No in S154), the CPU 12 controls the NCU 36 to release the line (S155), thereby completing the reception process. Next, the process waits for a time (for example, 6 seconds) set in the timer 26 (S156).

Then, after a lapse of 6 seconds, the transfer process to the machine C side is started. First, the CPU 12 closes the line (S15).
7) Dial the machine C based on the telephone number “012345789” stored in the transfer destination number memory 62 (S
158), and transfers the image information held in the image information memory 56 of the RAM 16 to the machine C side (S159, S16)
0). Upon completion of the transfer (Yes in S160), the NCU
36 is controlled to release the line (S161), and the image information transfer processing routine ends.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The mechanical configuration of the facsimile apparatus of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Also, the transfer destination change processing routine is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and only the differences will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The operator dials the telephone number of the facsimile apparatus using the telephone of machine C (Yes in S101, S
102), when a number "954" assigned in advance as a transfer destination change request is input from the numeric keypad (S103).
Yes), the CPU 12 sends out the oscillation sound of the oscillation circuit to the machine C side as a reception sound (S104). The operator uses the numeric keypad of the machine C to enter the telephone number of the machine C (it is assumed that the city code is 012 and the telephone number is 3456789).
Is input to the facsimile machine. Here, the second
Since the facsimile apparatus of the embodiment is connected to the extension exchange, in order for the facsimile apparatus to be connected to the outside line, first, the number "0" is passed through the extension exchange and connected to the outside line by the extension exchange. It is necessary. Therefore, the telephone number “001234565689” in which “0” is added to the head of the telephone number is input. First, the operator sets the number “0” for external line connection to “0”
Enter by pressing down the key. In response,
The machine C sends a DTMF signal corresponding to the "0" key to the facsimile machine. As a result, the determination result of S105 is Yes, and it is determined whether the input of the telephone number is completed (S106). Here, since the input of the telephone number has not been completed (No in S106), the CPU 12
Causes the input number "0" to be stored in the first number memory 52 of the RAM 16 (S107).

Before starting the input of the telephone number following the input of the number "0" for the external line connection, the operator uses the numeric keypad of the C machine to input "*" assigned as a pause signal described later. * Press down the key. In response, the C machine sends a DTMF signal corresponding to the “*” key.
As a result, the result of the determination in S105 is Yes,
Since the input of the next telephone number has not been completed (N at 106)
o), the CPU 12 inputs the input number (pause signal)
“*” Is stored in the first number memory 52 of the RAM 16 (S107). Then, the determination result in S108 is No, and the process returns to S105. Hereinafter, the operator continues to operate C
Enter the city street number 012 and the telephone number 3456789 of the aircraft, and enter the entered number “0 * 012234567”.
89 "is stored in the first number memory 52 of the RAM 16 (S105 to S108). When the input of the telephone number is completed, the operator sets"#"indicating the completion of the input of the telephone number to the # key of the numeric keypad of the C machine. Is depressed, and in response, the S
The determination result at 106 is Yes, and the process proceeds to S110 to output a reception sound.

Following the input of the first telephone number, the operator starts the input of the second telephone number, and inputs the telephone number of machine C again to the facsimile machine side from the ten keys. As a result, the same processing as in S105 to S108 is repeated in S111 to S114. In the above-described first embodiment, * is input when the second telephone number is completely input. However, in the second embodiment, * is input.
As in the first input of the telephone number, the completion of the input of the telephone number is input by depressing the # key of the numeric keypad. Upon completion of this input (Yes in S112), the CPU 12
Is the telephone number "0" held in the first number memory 52.
It is determined whether or not “* 123456789” matches the telephone number “0 * 012456789” held in the second number memory 54. (S115) If the telephone numbers match (Yes in S115). , CPU 12
Sends out the reception sound (S116). And EEPR
By rewriting the transfer destination telephone number stored in the transfer destination number memory 62 of the OM 18 to the telephone number “0 * 012345789” stored in the first number memory 52 of the RAM 16, the transfer destination is placed at the point B. The facsimile machine is changed to the C machine located at the point C (S117). Then, the CPU 12 controls the NCU 36 to release the line (S118), and the transfer destination change processing routine ends.

Next, an image information transfer routine executed when a facsimile is received by the facsimile apparatus of the second embodiment after the completion of the transfer destination change will be described.
The transfer of the image information of the facsimile apparatus of the second embodiment is shown in FIG.
The first embodiment described above with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Since the process is the same except for the process of 58, only the dial process of S158 will be described.

FIG. 7 shows in detail the dial processing routine in S158 of the image information transfer processing routine shown in FIG. 6 of the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment. Here, the telephone number “0 * 01234678” of the transfer destination stored in the transfer destination number memory 62 of the EEPROM 18.
9 ", the machine C which is the transfer destination is dialed. First, the CPU 12 reads one of the transfer destination telephone numbers stored in the EEPROM 18 (S201), and the first number of the transfer destination telephone number is" (S202), since the first number is "0" (No in S202), the DTM corresponding to the number "0" is determined.
An F signal or dial pulse signal is generated by the telephone number generation circuit 25 and transmitted to the telephone line 40 (S2).
03). Then, it is determined whether or not the dialing is completed (S204). Here, the determination result in S204 is No, and the process returns to S201 to read the number next to the transfer destination telephone number.

Next, the CPU 12 sets the transfer destination telephone number 2
It is determined whether or not the number (here, “*”) is “*” (S202). Here, the determination result in S202 is Yes, and the control waits for about three seconds set in the timer 26 until the transmission of the number next to *. Since the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is connected to the internal exchange as described above, it is necessary to first send the number "0" to the internal exchange to connect to the external line in order to connect to the external line. When the next number is given immediately after the number "0" and the extension exchange has not yet connected the line to the outside line, the next number is not sent to the outside exchange side, and Sometimes a call cannot be made to the machine. For this reason, after the judgment of the above 202, 3
After waiting for about a second (S205), the transmission of the next number is suspended until the connection to the outside line is securely established. After the elapse of the waiting time, it is determined whether or not the dialing is completed (S204).
No), and the process returns to S201.

Thereafter, the third and subsequent numbers "0123456789" are sequentially transmitted to the line side by the processing of S201 to S204, and a call signal is transmitted to the C machine by the external exchange. The image information is transferred to the C machine called by the calling signal by the processing of S159 to S161 shown in FIG.

According to the first embodiment, the function key added at the end of the first telephone number input and the function key added at the last of the second telephone number input are different. Therefore, there is an advantage that the input operation is easy. In the first embodiment described above,
# Is assigned as a function key to be added at the end of the first telephone number entry, and * is assigned as a function key to be added at the end of second telephone number entry. Instead, the function key is specified. Without
When * is input at the end of the first time, # is input at the end of the second time. Conversely, when # is input at the end of the first time, * is input at the end of the second time. It is also possible to make it input, or to identify that the input of the telephone number is completed even if any of the function keys is input.

Further, according to the second embodiment, there is an advantage that even if the facsimile apparatus is connected to the extension exchange, the image information can be definitely transferred to the intended facsimile apparatus.

According to the first and second embodiments described above, the above-described checking operation can be executed only by providing the ROM 20 with the transfer destination changing routine. Therefore, a voice circuit or the like which is conventionally required for confirming the transfer by voice is unnecessary, so that a facsimile apparatus having a transfer function can be provided at low cost.

In the above embodiment, steps S103 to S106 of the transfer destination change routine shown in FIG.
S107 constitutes a first storage means, S113 constitutes a second storage means, S115 constitutes a judgment means, and S117
Constitute the telephone number changing means.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the transfer destination of the image information is instructed, it is determined that the input telephone number is correctly input because the input telephone number matches twice. Since a confirmation method for changing the transfer destination is used, the confirmation can be performed only by preparing control information for executing a confirmation routine. Accordingly, there is no need to add a voice circuit or the like for confirming by voice whether or not the telephone number has been properly input, so that a facsimile apparatus having a transfer function can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing the contents of a RAM.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the contents of an EEPROM.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing the contents of a ROM.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a transfer destination change routine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image information transfer routine.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of a dialing process of the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 CPU 16 RAM 18 EEPROM 20 ROM 24 Modem 25 Telephone number generation circuit 36 NCU

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/32-1/36

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus for transferring received image information to a designated transfer destination, comprising: receiving means for receiving a changed transfer destination telephone number when a transfer destination change instruction is received; A first storage unit for storing a telephone number received by the reception unit for a first time; a second storage unit for storing a telephone number received by the reception unit for a second time; Determining means for determining whether the telephone number stored in the means matches the telephone number stored in the second storage means; and when the determining means determines that they match,
A facsimile apparatus comprising: a telephone number changing means for changing a transfer destination telephone number to the matched telephone number. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means is capable of continuously receiving telephone numbers by inputting delimiter data between a first telephone number and a second telephone number. A facsimile machine as described. 3. The receiving means recognizes completion of the first telephone number input by inputting a function key, and
3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein completion of the second telephone number input is recognized by inputting another function key.