JP3300614B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to information processing in which information is processed by utilizing a so-called distinctive ringing service in which two or more telephone numbers are assigned to one station connected to a telephone line. belonging to the technical field of equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, the above distinctive ringing service, in which two or more telephone numbers are assigned to one station, has become popular especially in Europe and the United States.

[0003] This distinctive ringing service is a service in which a plurality of telephone numbers (call numbers) are assigned to one telephone line from the exchange side.
By connecting a telephone or facsimile device for each of the plurality of telephone numbers, it is used to use a large number of telephones and the like with a small number of lines, or in a device having both the function of the facsimile device and the function of the telephone, By using one telephone number exclusively for a facsimile apparatus and another telephone number exclusively for a telephone, it is sometimes used for automatic switching between a facsimile apparatus and a telephone.

In this service, a plurality of telephone numbers assigned to one telephone line are distinguished by making different call signals. That is, a distinction is made by adding another signal to a certain ringing signal or by making the signal pattern of the ringing signal different.

[0005] Here, a facsimile apparatus which utilizes the distinctive ringing service at present to receive information such as image information transmitted through a telephone line and record the information on a predetermined recording sheet. There is.
This means that a plurality of telephone numbers are assigned to one facsimile machine, information from more sources is received by the one facsimile machine, and processing different for each telephone number is performed, for example, to other facsimile machines. It is intended to transfer, paging, or print out as it is.

In recent years, a so-called multifunctional peripheral device provided with a plurality of information processing units such as a scanner unit for reading information, a printer unit for recording information, and a facsimile unit for transmitting and receiving information has been used for information processing control of a computer or the like. Information processing apparatuses that perform information processing controlled by the apparatuses and adapted to the respective information processing units are becoming common.

[0007]

However, in the information processing apparatus including the multifunctional peripheral device and the information processing control device, information is not received by using the above distinctive ringing service. Therefore, even if a user who subscribes to the distinctive ringing service has the information processing device, the user cannot effectively use the distinctive ringing service using the information processing device. there were.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus including the above-mentioned multi-functional peripheral device, which makes effective use of a discriminating ringing service. performing the processing of the information Te is to provide an information processing equipment capable.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 is an NCU (Network Control Unit) that receives information transmitted via a telephone line.
And a second information processing means such as a multifunctional peripheral device for performing information processing including reception of the information, and a first information processing means such as a personal computer connected to the second information processing means. Means for executing the information processing including receiving the information by controlling the second information processing means from the first information processing means, wherein the second information processing means includes a plurality of telephones. Number to each
Corresponding with that, a determination unit such as a CPU to determine the people each of a plurality of types of calls <br/> output signals, each of which has a plurality of types of signal patterns transmitted via an said telephone line, in the determination means When it is determined that the transmitted call signal is a preset specific call signal based on the result of the determination, the first information processing unit transmits the specific call signal indicating that the specific call signal has been received to the first information processing unit. Output to the means,
When it is determined that the transmitted call signal is another paging signal other than the specific paging signal based on the result of the determination by the determination unit, the general paging signal different from the specific paging signal is transmitted to the second paging signal. CPU that outputs to one information processing means
The first information processing means, when receiving the specific call signal, has been transmitted to the communication processing unit via the telephone line together with the specific call signal. Along with performing specific processing set in advance corresponding to the specific incoming call signal on the information and receiving the general incoming call signal, the communication processing unit through the telephone line together with the other call signal. A processing unit such as a facsimile control unit for performing other processing different from the predetermined processing corresponding to the general incoming call signal on the transmitted information is provided.

According to the operation of the first aspect of the present invention, the determination means included in the second information processing means includes a plurality of telephone numbers.
In conjunction with each corresponding determines each of a plurality of types of <br/> ringing signal having people each plural kinds of signal patterns transmitted via one of the telephone lines and, wear contained in the second information processing unit The call signal output means outputs the specific call signal to the first information processing means when the transmitted call signal is determined to be the specific call signal based on the result of the determination, and also outputs the transmitted call signal. When it is determined that the signal is another calling signal, a general incoming call signal is output to the first information processing means.

[0011] With this, the processing means included in the first information processing means, when receiving the specific incoming call signal, performs the predetermined specific processing on the information transmitted to the communication processing section together with the specific calling signal. At the same time, when a general incoming call signal is received, another predetermined process is performed on information transmitted to the communication processing unit together with another call signal.

Therefore, the first information processing means can execute the processing corresponding to the specific call signal or another call signal separately.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein information transmitted to the communication processing unit together with the specific call signal is received by facsimile. The facsimile information to be transmitted, the information transmitted to the communication processing unit together with the other call signal is voice information, and the specifying process is a process of receiving the facsimile information in the first information processing unit. It is configured to be.

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1, the information transmitted to the communication processing unit together with the specific call signal is facsimile information. The information transmitted to the communication processing unit together with the call signal is voice information, and the specific processing is processing for receiving facsimile information in the first information processing means. In addition to being able to receive, the facsimile information and the voice information can be distinguished and processed based on the difference between the call signals.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the other processing includes recording the audio information in the first information processing means. It is configured to be a process that performs

According to the operation of the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 2, the other processing is processing for recording voice information in the first information processing means. The voice information can be reliably recorded, and the voice information and the facsimile information can be distinguished and processed based on the difference between the call signals .

[0017]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below includes a printer function of recording information to be recorded on predetermined recording paper, a scanner function of reading information such as images, a copy function of recording information read using the scanner function, a scanner function, and the like. Multifunction peripherals equipped with a facsimile function that sends and receives information read using the function to and from the outside via a telephone line, and a so-called answering machine function that automatically records the message of the caller who made the call A computer such as a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) is connected, and the personal computer controls a multi-functional peripheral device to perform information recording, information reading, information transmission / reception with the outside, or an operation of an answering machine function. It is an embodiment when the present invention is applied to an information processing device.

The facsimile function includes, in addition to an original facsimile function for recording transmission information transmitted via a telephone line on a recording sheet, the transmission information is temporarily recorded and stored as needed. Also, a transfer function for transmitting data to another external facsimile machine (that is, transmitting transmission information) is included.

In the following description, it is assumed that two different signal patterns are transmitted for a call signal transmitted by the distinctive ringing service. (I) Overall Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus First, the overall configuration of an information processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied and its appearance will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the information processing apparatus S according to the embodiment includes a multifunction peripheral device 1 having a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and an answering machine function, and the multifunction peripheral device. 1 is connected to a personal computer 30.

In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, a receiver 18 which will be described later is provided on the side of the main body 6 of the multifunction peripheral device 1, and an operation panel 2 is provided on the front upper surface of the main body 6.
Is provided. A cassette mounting portion 3 for detachably mounting a recording paper cassette 5 for holding the recording paper is formed in an upper portion of a rear surface of the main body 6, and a document to be read by using a scanner function is held in the center of the upper surface. A document table 4 is formed. Further, the multifunctional peripheral device 1
It is connected to the outside via a telephone line 24, and the facsimile function or the answering machine function can be operated using the telephone line 24.

On the other hand, the multifunctional peripheral device 1 having the above configuration
Is configured as a normal computer, a keyboard 31 for inputting information as shown in FIG. 1 and a mouse for clicking (selecting and executing) icons, buttons, and the like to be described later. 32,
A flexible disk drive device 33A for reading a control program from a flexible disk 41 as a recording medium on which various control programs described later are recorded.
And a display 34 composed of a liquid crystal display or the like for displaying a screen including a setting screen described later and the like. The display 34 is connected to the multifunctional peripheral device 1 by the connection cable 17.

Here, the icons are application programs corresponding to respective processes to be described later, which are displayed in a pattern on the display 34. When the desired application program is selected and executed, the icon is indicated. This is for selecting and executing an icon by performing a click process using the mouse 32 or the like.

The above-mentioned buttons are used for setting functions when executing a predetermined application program.
Each of the function setting processes (such as "confirm" or "cancel") is displayed in a pattern on the display 34, and the button corresponding to the desired function setting process is clicked by using the mouse 32 or the like. This is for executing the function setting process, and the button itself is usually iconified. (II) Configuration and Operation of Multifunction Peripheral Device Next, the internal configuration and operation of the multifunction peripheral device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunctional peripheral device 1
A CPU 10 serving as a discriminating unit and an incoming signal output unit;
ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 and EEPROM
(Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM)
12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, a scanner unit 14, a printer unit 15, an interface unit 16, the handset 18, and an NCU (Network Controller).
ol Unit) 19, a modem unit 20 with a voice function, the operation panel 2, an amplifier 21, a speaker 22, and a bus 23.

Next, the operation of each section of the multi-function peripheral device 1 will be described.

The NCU 19 outputs facsimile information input via the telephone line 24 to the modem unit 20 and outputs voice information input via the telephone line 24 to the receiver 18 or the modem unit 20. When the information processing apparatus S utilizes the distinctive ringing service by the communication processing described later, the telephone line 2
The voice information input through the interface unit 4 is converted into a digital signal by the modem unit 20 having a voice function, and then output to the personal computer 30 through the interface unit 16.

In parallel with this, the NCU 19 sends out the information to be transmitted by facsimile, which is output from the modem unit 20, to the telephone line 24, and sends out the voice information generated by the receiver 18 to the telephone line 24. Here, when utilizing the above distinctive ringing service, in addition to this, after the voice information (digital information) transmitted from the personal computer 30 is restored to an analog signal by the modem unit 20 having a voice function. , NCU1
9 to the telephone line 24. In addition, a plurality of types of call signals transmitted via the telephone line 24 by the distinctive ringing service are output to the CPU 10 via the NCU 19.

Here, the CPU 10 detects the signal pattern of the calling signal transmitted via the telephone line 24, and determines whether or not it is a specific signal pattern registered in advance as necessary.

Next, the modem unit 20 performs a so-called modulation / demodulation operation. More specifically, the modem unit 20 performs a demodulation operation on facsimile information input from the NCU 19,
The digital signal corresponding to the facsimile information is output to the bus 23, and the facsimile information from the bus 23 is modulated and output to the NCU 19.

The modem unit 20 has a so-called voice function, and more specifically, the NCU 19
Is converted into a digital signal and output to the bus 23, and the voice information (digital information) input via the bus 23 is restored to an analog signal and output to the NCU 19.

Under the control of the CPU 10, the scanner section 14 reads information such as an image to be transmitted by facsimile when the multifunctional peripheral device 1 functions as a facsimile device, outputs the information to the bus 23, and outputs the information to the bus 23. Reads information such as an image to be copied when the device functions as a copying device, and outputs the information to the bus 23.

Under the control of the CPU 10, the printer unit 15 temporarily stores received facsimile information input via the NCU 19 and the modem unit 20 in the RAM 13 when the multifunctional peripheral device 1 functions as a facsimile device. After that, or directly on a predetermined recording sheet and output. In addition, the printer unit 15 receives information such as an image to be copied from the bus 23 when the multifunctional peripheral device 1 functions as a copying device and records the information on the recording paper, and the multifunctional peripheral device 1 Information input from the personal computer 30 when functioning as a printer is
3 and recorded on a recording sheet.

The operation panel 2 displays an instruction operation or state for giving an instruction to the multi-function peripheral device 1 or setting a predetermined state. The operation panel 2 includes only keys corresponding to uppercase letters of the alphabet and keys corresponding to numbers. Information that can be input from the operation panel 2 includes information including only uppercase letters and numbers of the alphabet. Only.

Next, the ROM 11 mainly stores the CPU 10
Facsimile function, scanner function,
A read-only memory for storing a control program for realizing a printer function, a copy function, and the like.
Output via 3.

The EEPROM 12 stores information that must not be lost even when the power of the multi-function peripheral device 1 is turned off, for example, a destination telephone that frequently transmits a facsimile when the multi-function peripheral device 1 functions as a facsimile device. It is a non-volatile memory for storing numbers, telephone numbers for so-called speed dials , and the like.

The EEPROM 12 stores the registered call signal and a call signal Si (to be described later, a specific call signal Sii and a general call signal Sin described later) output to the personal computer 30 in a call signal registration process described later. ) Is stored.

The RAM 13 is a readable / writable memory for performing an operation such as temporarily storing necessary data under the control of the CPU 10. More specifically, the RAM 13 stores the telephone line 24 and the NCU 19 as facsimile information. The data inputted via the telephone line, the facsimile information to be transmitted to the outside via the telephone line 24, the information read by the scanner unit 14 and the like are temporarily stored, and are read out at a predetermined timing under the control of the CPU 10.

The interface unit 16 takes in data and the like transmitted from the personal computer 30 connected via the connection cable 17 to the multi-function peripheral device 1, and
An interface operation for converting information to be output from the multi-function peripheral device 1 to the personal computer 30 for the output is performed.

Under the control of the CPU 10, the amplifier 21 amplifies voice information such as a ringing tone or a guidance voice to be output from the speaker 22 and outputs the amplified voice information to the speaker 22.

Finally, the CPU 10 controls the operation of each of the above-described components via the bus 23 based on a control program recorded in the ROM 11. Further, the C
When a request signal Sq described later is transmitted from the personal computer 30, the PU 10 returns setting items and the like necessary for performing the function setting of the scanner unit 14 and the like in the multi-function peripheral device 1 in response thereto, The setting status (current setting content) of the setting item or the like is returned to the personal computer 30 as necessary.

In parallel with this, the CPU 10
9 and the EEP signal
Based on the combination of the call signal and the call signal Si stored in the ROM 12, the call signal Si (specific call signal Sii and general call signal Si) corresponding to the signal pattern of the call signal.
including n. ) Is output to the personal computer 30 via the bus 23 and the interface unit 16.

Further, in the above configuration, when the answering machine function is executed, a so-called response message and a voice (message) of the talker input in advance in response to a telephone call from an external talker are transmitted to the RA.
It is temporarily stored in M13. Further, these answering machine functions are controlled by the CPU 10. Note that R
The AM 13 can back up the power so that the stored contents are not lost even when the power is turned off.

On the other hand, in the above configuration, transmission information for the transfer function is also stored in the RAM 13. (III) Configuration and Overall Operation of Personal Computer Next, the configuration and general operation of the personal computer 30 will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the personal computer 3 of the embodiment
0 includes a CPU 36, a ROM 39, a RAM 37, an input unit including the keyboard 31 and the mouse 32, an image processing unit 35, the display 34, an interface unit 38, a bus 40, and an external storage unit 33. Have been.

In this configuration, the CPU 36 mainly performs communication processing and the like of the present invention shown in the flowcharts described later.

The ROM 39 stores the personal computer 30.
A control program for controlling each of the components is stored in advance, and the control program is transmitted to the CPU 36 via a bus 40 as required by a request from the CPU 36.
Output to

Further, under the control of the CPU 36, the RAM 37 temporarily stores data associated with communication processing described later,
Output to the multi-function peripheral device 1 via the bus 40 and the interface unit 38 as needed.

Under the control of the CPU 36, the image processing section 35 performs processing such as image synthesis to display necessary data together with icons or buttons, outputs a processing result to the display 34, and outputs the data or Displays icons and the like.

An input unit composed of a mouse 32 and a keyboard 31 is used for selecting the displayed data and operating icons or the like displayed on the display 34 to perform necessary function setting processing or communication processing. CPU 36 and RAM 37 transfer data and the like via bus 40.
And so on.

Next, the interface unit 38 is connected to the bus 4
The transmission data and the like output under the control of the CPU 36 through the CPU 0 are output to the multifunction peripheral device 1, and the reception data input from the multifunction peripheral device 1 is output to the bus 40.

Further, the external storage unit 33 stores an HD (not shown).
D (Hard Disk Drive) device and a flexible disk drive device 33A, of which a control program corresponding to a process shown in a later-described flowchart for a communication process in the CPU 36 is previously stored on a hard disk in the HDD device. It is installed (installed), and outputs the control program to the RAM 37 via the bus 40 as needed in response to a request from the CPU 36. In parallel with this, the external storage unit 33 stores the CP
Under the control of U36, data and the like are stored as needed.

Finally, the bus 40 is connected to the CPU 36 described above.
The respective components such as the ROM 39, the RAM 37, and the external storage unit 33 are connected to transmit data.

The personal computer 30 of the embodiment is connected to the multi-function peripheral device 1 so that the personal computer 30 can be executed by the multi-function peripheral device 1 alone.
It can function as an answering machine with 0 as the subject. That is, for example, the external storage unit 33 in the personal computer 30
For example, when a response message as an answering machine is stored in advance and the like, when a voice information call is received from the outside to the multi-function peripheral device 1, the personal computer 30 first transmits the response message from the personal computer 30 through the multi-function peripheral device 1. The message of the caller received correspondingly is taken into the personal computer 30 via the multi-function peripheral device 1 and temporarily stored in the RAM 37 or stored in a predetermined file on the hard disk. You can put it.

Next, a detailed configuration of the personal computer 30, particularly the CPU 36 and the external storage unit 33 according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing each operation of the data flow and operation in the personal computer 30 when the multifunctional peripheral device 1 is controlled using the personal computer 30. In FIG. The scanner application unit 50, the printer application unit 54, the remote setup unit 58, the facsimile application unit 62, and the resource manager 66 are actually the scanner application unit stored (installed) in the external storage unit 33, especially on the hard disk. The respective functions described above are exhibited by the operation of the arithmetic processing unit in the CPU 36 based on the application programs corresponding to the respective programs such as 50.

It should be noted that the scanner application section 50 and the printer application section 51 do not have dedicated application programs, respectively.
This is a general term for an application program that can start each driver described later. For example, a dedicated viewer editor application program (information transmitted from the multifunction peripheral device 1 is installed) for the multifunction peripheral device 1 Application program for performing processing such as display on the display 34) or other general word processor application programs.

The remote setup unit 58 and the facsimile application unit 62 are dedicated application programs installed for the multi-function peripheral device 1 and function integrally with each driver described later. , A log manager application program for managing transmission and reception of facsimile data, a remote setup application program, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the multifunctional peripheral device 1 is remotely controlled from the personal computer 30,
The CPU 1 is used to perform an information reading function using the CPU 10 and the scanner unit 14 in the multifunction peripheral device 1.
Scanner control unit SC for controlling the scanner unit 14 and the scanner unit 14
And the CPU 1 in order to perform an information recording function using the CPU 10 and the printer unit 15 in the multi-function peripheral device 1.
0 and a printer control unit PR for controlling the printer unit 15
To set the functions of the CPU 10, the scanner unit 14, the printer unit 15 and the like in the multi-function peripheral device 1 so as to exhibit the answering machine function, transfer function, scanner function or printer function of the multi-function peripheral device alone. A setup control unit RM, a CPU 10 in the multi-function peripheral device 1,
The facsimile function including a transfer function using a facsimile function unit including the NCU 19 and the like and the personal computer 3
CPU 1 to perform the answering machine function at 0
0, a facsimile control unit FX as processing means for controlling the facsimile function unit including the NCU 19, a remote setup unit, a resource manager 66 having a relay function between each application unit and the multi-function peripheral device 1, which will be described later, It comprises a receiving buffer 67, a resource manager buffer 68, and a parallel port driver 69.

The scanner control section SC includes a scanner application section 50 and a scanner driver 51.
And a scanner reception buffer 52 and a scanner transmission buffer 53.

Further, the printer control unit PR includes a printer application unit 54 and a printer driver 55
And a printer driver reception buffer 56 and a printer driver transmission buffer 57.

Further, the setup control unit RM
Comprises a remote setup section 58, a remote setup data driver 59, a setup reception buffer 60, and a setup transmission buffer 61.

The facsimile control unit FX includes a facsimile application unit 62, a facsimile driver 63, a facsimile reception buffer 64, and a facsimile transmission buffer 65.

In the above configuration, each buffer is actually provided in the RAM 37.

The parallel port driver 69 is actually provided in the interface section 38.

Next, an outline of the operation of each unit will be described.

First, the operation of the scanner controller SC will be described.

The scanner reception buffer 52 included in the scanner control unit SC stores the scanner reception data Ssr (multifunction peripheral data) distributed from the data received from the multifunction peripheral device 1 by the reception management process in the resource manager 66 described later. (Including information read by the scanner unit 14 of the apparatus 1) is temporarily stored and output to the scanner driver 51. To the received data for scanner Ssr, identification information (ID information flag) indicating the received data for scanner Ssr is added by the resource manager 66. Then, the scanner driver 51
Performs predetermined processing on the received data for scanner Ssr and outputs the processed data to the scanner application unit 50.
If the viewer editor application program or the like for displaying the information read by the scanner unit 14 is not running, the process is started and displayed on the display 34, and the process of storing it in the external storage unit 33 is executed. Make it possible.

On the other hand, prior to the above-mentioned processing, data for controlling the scanner section 14 output when the scanner function is executed from the scanner application section 50 is transmitted from the scanner driver 51 to the scanner transmission data S.
It is output as st and is temporarily stored in the scanner transmission buffer 53. The scanner transmission data Sst read from the scanner transmission buffer 53 is packetized as described later by transmission management processing in the resource manager 66 described later, and ID information indicating the scanner transmission data Sst. A flag is added and transmitted to the multi-function peripheral device 1 via the parallel port driver 69, and is used for operation control of the scanner unit 14.

At this time, a remote setup process described later is executed as a premise of the operation of the above-described scanner control unit SC.

Next, the operation of the printer control unit PR will be described.

The printer driver reception buffer 56 included in the printer control unit PR stores printer reception data Spr (multifunction printer data) distributed from data received from the multifunction peripheral device 1 by reception management processing in the resource manager 66 described later. (Including data indicating the state of recording processing in the printer unit 15 of the peripheral device 1) is temporarily stored and output to the printer driver 55. In the received data for printer Spr, the resource manager 66 indicates I that indicates the received data for printer Spr.
A D information flag is added. The printer driver 55 displays the current operation status of the printer unit 15 on the display 34 based on the printer reception data Spr.
The information is displayed on the display, and further necessary notification is performed to the printer application unit 54 as necessary. The printer application unit 54 receiving the notification performs a predetermined process corresponding to the printer application.

On the other hand, data to be recorded in the printer unit 15 generated by predetermined processing corresponding to the printer application and data for controlling the printer unit 15 necessary for executing the printer function are transmitted from the printer driver 55. The data is output as the printer transmission data Spt and is temporarily stored in the printer transmission buffer 57. The printer transmission data Spt read from the printer transmission buffer 57 is packetized as described later by a transmission management process in the resource manager 66 described later, and ID information indicating the printer transmission data Spt. A flag is added and transmitted to the multi-function peripheral device 1 via the parallel port driver 69,
The operation of the printer unit 15 is controlled.

At this time, a remote setup process to be described later is executed as a premise of the operation of the printer control unit PR.

Next, the operation of the facsimile control unit FX will be described. The facsimile control unit FX in the present embodiment is capable of transmitting and receiving facsimile data as document information to and from another facsimile device or telephone connected via the telephone line 24. Can be transmitted and received. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the concept of “facsimile” includes voice information.

The facsimile reception buffer 64 included in the facsimile control unit FX receives facsimile reception data Sfr (multifunction peripheral data) distributed from data received from the multifunction peripheral device 1 by a reception management process in the resource manager 66 described later. (Including the information received via the telephone line 24 by the NCU 19 and the like of the apparatus 1 and the incoming call signal Si, etc.) are temporarily stored and output to the facsimile driver 63. An ID information flag indicating that the data is the facsimile reception data Sfr is added to the facsimile reception data Sfr by the resource manager 66. Then, the facsimile driver 63
Performs predetermined processing on the received data for facsimile Sfr and outputs the processed data to the facsimile application unit 62,
For example, by outputting to a log manager application program that manages the transmission / reception history of facsimile information,
The facsimile reception data Sfr is stored in the external storage unit 33, and a reception log or the like is displayed on the display 34 as necessary. In parallel with these processes, the facsimile application unit 62 will be described later based on the incoming call signal Si (including the specific incoming call signal Sii and the general incoming call signal Sin) included in the facsimile reception data Sfr. It mainly performs communication processing.

On the other hand, the facsimile application unit 6
The data to be transmitted by facsimile, control data, and the like output when the facsimile function is executed from 2 are input to the facsimile driver 63, subjected to predetermined processing, become facsimile transmission data Sft, and are temporarily stored in the facsimile transmission buffer 65. Is saved. The facsimile transmission data Sft read from the facsimile transmission buffer 65 is packetized as described later by a transmission management process in a resource manager 66 described later, and ID information indicating that the data is the facsimile transmission data Sft. A flag is added and transmitted to the multi-function peripheral device 1 via the parallel port driver 69, and the NCU 1
9 is transmitted via the facsimile function unit of the multifunction peripheral device 1 including the facsimile device 9 and the like.

At this time, the above-described facsimile control unit FX
As a premise of the operation, a remote setup process described later is executed.

In the remote setup process, when the transmission information storage function is set to operate so that the transmission information is stored in the RAM 13 for the transfer function, the multifunctional peripheral device 1 transmits the transmission information to the printer. The information is recorded by the unit 15 and stored in the RAM 13. When a request signal for requesting the transmission of the transmission information is input from another external facsimile apparatus, the transmission information is transmitted to the other facsimile apparatus.

Further, the personal computer 3 in the communication processing described later
When executing the answering machine function mainly based on "0", a response message or the like stored in a hard disk or the like is output to the multi-function peripheral device 1 by the facsimile application unit 62 and a message (voice information) from the other party. Is taken into the personal computer 30.

Next, the operation of the setup control unit RM will be described.

As described above, the setup control unit RM
Is for remotely setting various functions in the multifunction peripheral device 1 from the personal computer 30 prior to the operations of the scanner control unit SC, the printer control unit PR, and the facsimile control unit FX. In this operation, the setup reception buffer 60 included in the setup control unit RM stores the setup reception data Srr (multifunction reception data) distributed from the data received from the multifunction peripheral device 1 by the reception management process in the resource manager 66 described below. (Including setting completion information in the function setting of the peripheral device 1) is temporarily stored and output to the remote setup data driver 59. An ID information flag indicating that the setup reception data Srr is the setup reception data Srr is added to the setup reception data Srr. Then, the remote setup data driver 59 performs a remote setup process for setting a function in the multi-function peripheral device 1 described later based on the setup reception data Srr.

On the other hand, the data output from the remote setup unit 58 for the function setting processing in the multi-function peripheral device 1 is stored in the remote setup data driver 5.
9 is output as transmission data Srt for setup,
The data is temporarily stored in the setup transmission buffer 61. The setup transmission data Srt read from the setup transmission buffer 61 is packetized as described later by a transmission management process in the resource manager 66 described later, and ID information indicating that the setup transmission data Srt is the setup transmission data Srt. A flag is added and transmitted to the multi-function peripheral device 1 via the parallel port driver 69, and the function setting is performed.

Next, the operation of the resource manager 66, the reception buffer 67 and the resource manager buffer 68 when the respective control sections operate will be described.

First, the personal computer 30 in the present embodiment
An outline of data transfer between the MFP and the multi-function peripheral device 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, when data is exchanged between the personal computer 30 and the multi-function peripheral device 1, the data is exchanged with data for the scanner unit 14 (scanner control unit SC).
Related), data for the printer unit 15 (printer control unit PR)
), Data for the facsimile function unit (related to the facsimile control unit FX), and data for setting the function (related to the setup control unit RM) composed of the NCU 19 and the like. That is, one packet contains one type of data, and at the beginning of the packet, the data amount of the data included in each packet and the ID information flag indicating the type of the data (scanner control unit) SC related data, printer control unit PR related data,
A header describing an ID information flag indicating which of the data related to the facsimile control unit FX and the data related to the setup control unit RM) is added.

Next, the reception management process in the resource manager 66 will be described.

When receiving data from the multi-function peripheral device 1, the resource manager 66 responds to the packetized data by using the parallel port driver 6.
9, the content of the header of each packet in the reception data Sr temporarily stored in the reception buffer 67 is identified, and the stored reception data Sr is used for a scanner associated with the scanner control unit SC. The reception data Ssr, the printer reception data Spr related to the printer control unit PR, the facsimile reception data Sfr related to the facsimile control unit FX, and the setup reception data Srr related to the setup control unit RM are divided into time series. And output them separately. In this reception management process, the resource manager 66 exchanges the management message Smr with the reception buffer 67 and performs the reception management process.

On the other hand, in the transmission management process in the resource manager 66, the transmission data for scanner Sst and the transmission data for printer S
The pt, the facsimile transmission data Sft, and the setup transmission data Srt are each divided into packets of a predetermined data amount and packetized, and the resource manager 66 outputs the ID information flag of each data as a management message Smt. The ID information flag is described in the header of each packet, and the respective packets are arranged in time series and output to the parallel port driver 69 as transmission data St. In addition, the resource manager 66 outputs a later-described request signal Sq from the setup control unit RM to the multi-function peripheral device 1 as needed.

In the operation of the resource manager 66, the resource manager buffer 68 temporarily stores data required by the resource manager 66 during the reception management process, and outputs the data to the resource manager 66 at a predetermined timing.

The parallel port driver 69 receives the reception data Sr from the multi-function peripheral device 1 and outputs it to the reception buffer 67, and outputs the transmission data St to the multi-function peripheral device 1.

As described above, by performing transmission management processing and reception management processing on the packetized data in the resource manager 66, for example, the facsimile function unit and the scanner unit 14 or the printer unit 15 can be simultaneously (actually) Therefore, the multi-function peripheral device 1 can simultaneously operate, for example, printing out data output from the personal computer 30 while capturing data received by facsimile into the personal computer 30. It becomes. (IV) Embodiment of Control Process in Personal Computer Next, the overall operation of the control process of the multifunctional peripheral device 1 in the personal computer 30 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG.
The control process of the multifunctional peripheral device 1 in the personal computer 30 is as follows.
When the multifunctional peripheral device 1 is connected to the personal computer 30,
First, the resource manager 66 is started (step S1). The resource manager 66 is activated automatically when the OS is a basic program for controlling the PC 30 (the operating system) went up falling. Note that if the resource manager 66 is not operating when each driver shown in FIG. 4 is started, it is also started by each driver.

After the activation of the resource manager 66, an icon indicating the resource manager 66 is displayed on the display 34 as if the resource manager 66 has been activated. When the operation of the resource manager 66 is to be stopped, The operation can be stopped (closed) by clicking the icon.

When the resource manager 66 is activated (step S1), if the activation is immediately after the installation, then the setup control unit RM including the remote setup unit 58 is activated (step S2), and the setup control unit concerned is activated. The function setting of the multifunction peripheral device 1 (the remote setup process) for executing information processing in the multifunction peripheral device 1 is executed by the RM (step S3). Note that this function setting can be appropriately performed by the user after starting the installation by activating the remote setup program.

In this function setting, first, a request signal Sq is sent to the personal computer 30 to transmit a setup control function to transmit the functions (resolution of the scanner unit 14, communication speed in the facsimile function unit, etc.) which can be set in the multifunction peripheral device 1 to the personal computer 30. A setting screen for setting functions to be described later (see FIGS. 6 to 8) based on data output from the unit RM to the multi-function peripheral device 1 and transmitted from the multi-function peripheral device 1 in response to the request signal Sq ) Is generated, and the function setting is performed using the setting screen.

When the function setting is completed (step S3), desired information processing (for example, a document created in the personal computer 30 is recorded and output from the printer unit 15,
The document is transmitted to the outside using the facsimile function unit, and the data received using the facsimile function unit is displayed on the display 34 and edited using the viewer editor application program (step S4). If the user instructs the end of the processing as necessary, the processing is ended.

When the setup control unit RM is started (step S2), it is possible to exchange data with the multi-function peripheral device 1 from the remote setup data driver 59 to the resource manager 66. Therefore, an open command for securing the setup reception buffer 60 and the setup transmission buffer 61 in the RAM 37 is output, and when ending the setup operation, the resource manager 6
6 and the setup reception buffer 60 and setup transmission buffer 6 on the RAM 37 secured at the time of startup.
1 is configured to output a close command for opening the switch 1. This is the setup receive buffer 60
This is because it is not preferable for the setup transmission buffer 61 to occupy the memory area on the RAM 37 until it is unnecessary (when the remote setup data driver 59 is not operating).

When the resource manager 66 confirms that the communication with the multi-function peripheral device 1 can be performed in response to the open command, the resource manager 66 immediately sets up the setup receiving buffer 60 and the setup reception buffer 60. A transmission buffer 61 is secured in the RAM 37, and the remote setup data driver 59 is notified of this. Thereafter, the remote setup data driver 59
The resource manager 66 transmits and receives various data such as command data to and from the multifunctional peripheral measure 1 through the following procedure. In other words, after the data to be transmitted from the remote setup data driver 59 to the multi-function peripheral device 1 is stored in the setup transmission buffer 61, the setup message M of "transmission data exists."
r is output to the resource manager 66, and when the resource manager 66 receives the data and transmits the data in the setup transmission buffer 61 to the multifunction peripheral device 1 and receives data from the multifunction peripheral device 1, After the resource manager 66 stores the received data in the setup receiving buffer 60, it outputs a setup message Mr "Received data exists" to the remote setup data driver 59 to notify it to take in the received data. .

Here, the above processing using the setup reception buffer 60, the setup transmission buffer 61, and the setup message Mr for the remote setup processing is such that the facsimile driver 63 is always operating only in the facsimile control unit FX. The same applies to other control units except that the reception buffer 64 for facsimile and the transmission buffer 65 for facsimile are always reserved. That is, the scanner controller SC, the printer controller PR, or the facsimile controller F
When the X controls the facsimile function units including the scanner unit 14, the printer unit 15, and the NCU 19 in the multi-function peripheral device 1 to operate the scanner data and the scanner message Ms from drivers in the respective control units.
Or printer data and printer message Mp or facsimile data and facsimile message Mf
Is output to the resource manager 66, and the resource manager 66 receives the packet data and outputs it to the multi-function peripheral device 1 as packet data corresponding to each control unit. And FX
When the resource manager 66 receives the data corresponding to the message Ms, Mp and M
Data is transmitted and received by outputting f to the corresponding driver. The reason why the facsimile driver 63, the facsimile reception buffer 64, and the facsimile transmission buffer 65 are always in the operable state is because it is not known when the multi-function peripheral device 1 transmits the data received by facsimile, so it always waits. It is to keep.

Next, the setting screen output to the display 34 in the function setting in step S3 will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

First, a setting screen for setting common items in the multi-function peripheral device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the setting screen for setting common items includes, for example, a station name setting field 70 for setting a station name of the multifunctional peripheral device 1 as a telephone terminal.
And an office telephone number setting column 71 for setting a telephone number of the multifunctional peripheral device 1 as a telephone terminal, and an office FAX number setting column 72 for setting a telephone number of the multifunctional peripheral device 1 as a facsimile terminal. And a dial type setting column 73 for setting the line type (tone line or push line) in the telephone line 24 to which the multifunctional peripheral device 1 is connected, and for setting and registering the current date and time. A date setting column 74, a paper size setting column 75 for setting a paper size used in the printer unit 15 of the multi-function peripheral device 1, and a confirmation corresponding to "OK" which is a button operated when ending the setting The configuration includes a button 76 and a cancel button 77 corresponding to “cancel” which is a button operated when canceling the setting.

Next, an example of a setting screen corresponding to the printer section 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the printer unit 15
Is set in a mode setting column 80 for selecting and setting a recording mode in the printer unit 15, for example.
And a sleep time setting column 81 for setting a sleep time, which is a time from when the recording on the last recording paper is completed to when the heater for fixing the toner is switched to a non-use state (low temperature state). , The confirm button 76
And a cancel button 84 corresponding to “cancel” similar to the cancel button 77 described above.

The sleep time is set depending on the country in which the multi-function peripheral device 1 is installed, depending on the country in which the maximum value of the sleep time is limited (the multi-function peripheral installed in the country). In the peripheral device 1, the maximum value of the sleep time is usually the limit value.) In other countries (the multifunction peripheral device 1 installed in the country does not have a maximum sleep time value). ), The remote setup process of the information processing apparatus S in both of these countries is performed by a common setup control unit RM.
It is for doing in.

Next, an example of a setting screen for abbreviated dialing, which is a setting screen for functions when the multifunctional peripheral device 1 is used as a normal telephone, will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the setting screen for speed dial registration includes a dial selection field 90 for selecting whether to register a so-called speed dial or a one-touch dial, and a speed dial number for each speed dial number. , A call destination input field 91 for inputting a call destination name and a telephone number, and a confirmation button 9 corresponding to “OK” similar to the confirmation button 76.
2 and a cancel button 93 corresponding to “cancel” similar to the cancel button 77.

Next, an example of a function setting screen when the multifunctional peripheral device 1 is used as a facsimile machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 7B and 8A.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the setting screen for the facsimile function includes, for example, a transmission information storage function (ie, facsimile information (transmission information) transmitted via the telephone line 24 is stored in the RAM 13). Remember temporarily,
A transmission information storage function on / off setting column 100 for setting on / off of a transmission information storage function for transferring to another facsimile machine as required, and an answering machine executable by the multi-function peripheral device 1 alone Answering machine function on / off setting column 101 for switching on / off of the telephone function
And a confirm button 102 corresponding to "OK" similar to the confirm button 76, a cancel button 103 corresponding to "cancel" similar to the cancel button 77, and another setting screen for the facsimile function. Next page button 10
4.

As shown in FIG. 8A, another setting screen for the facsimile function is, for example, a telephone line 2
4 is a line type setting column 110 for setting a dial line or a tone line, and a speaker on / off for setting the speaker 22 in the multifunction peripheral device 1 on or off.
An off setting column 111 and a line speed setting column 112 for setting the transmission / reception function of the multifunction peripheral device 1 to match the communication speed of the telephone line 24 used.
And a speaker volume setting field 113 for setting the volume of the speaker 22, and a tone signal (a busy tone signal (called "two-to-two" output from a telephone line when busy) in the NCU 19 when facsimile information is transmitted and received. Intermittent tone) or dial tone signal (continuous tone "two" output from the telephone line before or after a call))
A tone signal detection setting field 114 for setting whether or not to perform the detection, a confirmation button 115 corresponding to “OK” similar to the confirmation button 76, and a “cancel” similar to the cancellation button 77. And a cancel button 116 to be pressed.

Finally, an example of a setting screen corresponding to the scanner section 14 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition,
This setting screen is displayed for selecting under what conditions the scanner reading is performed when the scanner function is executed, and is displayed when the scanner driver 51 is activated.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the scanner section 14
The setting screen corresponding to is, for example, a reading capability selection field 120 for selecting and setting the reading capability of the scanner unit 14, a confirmation button 121 for executing a scanner function for confirming the selected reading capability, and the scanner unit 14. If the resolution options cannot be displayed in the reading capability selection field 120 at one time,
Next page button 122 clicked when viewing the next screen
It is composed of In the case shown in FIG. 8B, the reading capability of the scanner unit 14 is 100 × 100 d.
pi (dot per inch), 100 × 200 dpi, 20
0 × 200 dpi, 200 × 300 dpi and 300 ×
It can be selected from four types of 300 dpi. (V) Embodiment of Communication Processing Next, when the information processing apparatus S uses the distinctive ringing service, the facsimile control unit F
Communication processing according to the present invention, which is executed in the X and the multi-function peripheral device 1, will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the communication processing described below, one of the two types of call signals (each corresponding to a different telephone number) transmitted by the distinctive ringing service is specified (hereinafter, specified). The call signal is used for receiving facsimile information, and the other is used for transmitting and receiving voice information (for a normal telephone call). (I) Embodiment of Registration Process First, a registration process of a call signal executed in the multi-function peripheral device 1 before using the distinctive ringing service will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. .

The multifunctional peripheral device 1 discriminates a plurality of types of call signals transmitted by the distinctive ringing service, and receives a call signal Si (specific call signal Sii and general call signal Sii) corresponding to the discriminated call signal. In order to output the incoming call signal Sin to the personal computer 30, a registration process of registering the call signal and the incoming call signal Si in association with each other in advance is executed. The registration process shown in FIG. 9 is mainly executed by the CPU 10.

In the registration process in the multi-function peripheral device 1, as shown in FIG. 9, first, initial settings such as registration to use the distinctive ringing service are executed (step S10). Then, when the initial setting is executed (step S10), next, a call is sent to the multi-function peripheral device 1 using the telephone number for transmitting and receiving the facsimile information to the caller of the call destination, and this is called. The multi-functional peripheral device 1 receives (step S1)
1). Then, a signal pattern of a call signal transmitted with the call (that is, a specific call signal for receiving facsimile information) is detected (step S12).

Here, a signal pattern of a call signal actually transmitted by the distinctive ringing service will be described with reference to FIG.

When there are two types of paging signals transmitted by the distinctive ringing service,
Each of the call signals Sc is of two types, for example, a first pattern and a second pattern shown in FIG. In the first pattern, one call signal Sc is formed by one pulse, and in the second pattern, one call signal Sc is formed by two consecutive pulses. In each pattern, it is standardized that adjacent call signals Sc are transmitted at intervals of 1 second or more.

In the presently implemented distinctive ringing service, if necessary, three types of calling signals Sc are transmitted (that is, three telephone numbers are transmitted to one multifunctional peripheral device 1). In this case, a third pattern (one ringing signal Sc is formed by three consecutive pulses) shown in FIG. 10 is added.

In the process of step S12 shown in FIG. 9, two cycles of the calling signal Sc (specific calling signal) for facsimile information reception are detected from the calling signal Sc of the first pattern or the second pattern. Is done.

When the call signal Sc (specific call signal) for facsimile information reception is detected in step S12, the signal pattern of the detected call signal Sc is registered as a specific call signal and stored in the EEPROM 12. (Step S13), and the process ends. Step S1
As a result of the registration processing in Step 3, when a specific call signal is received, a specific call signal Sii having a specific signal pattern corresponding to the specific call signal is output to the personal computer 30.

As will be described later, the multifunctional peripheral device 1
, When a call signal Sc having a signal pattern different from the call signal Sc for facsimile information reception is received, a call signal Si having a signal pattern different from the specific call signal Sii (hereinafter, referred to as a general call signal Sin). .) Is output to the personal computer 30.

Next, the registration processing of the call signal Sc executed in the personal computer 30 before using the distinctive ringing service will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows a registration setting screen displayed on the display 34 when the registration processing is performed. For example, by selecting an application program for reception processing in the facsimile application unit 62, It is displayed on the display 34.

In the personal computer 30, the incoming call signal Si (specific incoming call signal Sii and general incoming call signal Sii) transmitted from the multi-function peripheral device 1 based on the result of discriminating the calling signal Sc transmitted by the distinctive ringing service. (Including the incoming call signal Sin)), an operation of performing a plurality of types of processing on information transmitted from the outside subsequent to the calling signal Sc based on the signal pattern of the received incoming call signal Si. Therefore, the incoming call signal Si transmitted from the multi-function peripheral device 1 and the above-mentioned processing executed in the personal computer 30 for the information transmitted following the call signal Sc are registered in advance in correspondence with each other. It is necessary to keep.

As shown in FIG. 11, the setting screen 130 for the registration process in the personal computer 30 displays a normal (using only one telephone number) facsimile information receiving process or the like which does not use the distinctive ringing service. A normal response mode selection button 131 that is clicked when executed, a specific response mode selection button 133 that is clicked when performing facsimile information reception processing or the like using a distinctive ringing service, and a distinctive ringing. Processing to be performed when the service is not used (for example, processing for only receiving facsimile information, processing for only transmitting and receiving voice information (answering machine function), processing for performing both of them,
Or a process setting column 132 for selecting and setting any one of the processes in which nothing is performed, and when the distinctive ringing service is used, the specific call signal is received by the multi-function peripheral device 1. A specific processing setting column 134 for selectively setting processing to be performed on information received together with the specific paging signal, and using a distinctive ringing service, other than the specific paging signal. When the call signal Sc is received by the multifunction peripheral device 1, the other call signal S
A normal processing setting column 135 for selecting and setting processing to be performed on the received information subsequent to c is provided.
In the registration process on the personal computer 30, the setting screen 1
An item input or item selection is executed based on 30 and processing corresponding to each call signal is set and registered. After that, the registered values are stored in a predetermined file on the hard disk.

In the case of the present embodiment, information received together with the specific calling signal (more specifically, information received after the line connection based on the specific calling signal, and the like; the same applies hereinafter). Is executed, the facsimile information receiving process is input to the specific process setting column 134. When the voice information is received (when the other call signal Sc is received), the personal computer 30 usually takes no action to take the handset 18 of the multi-function peripheral device 1 and picks up the voice. It is common to respond by
In the normal processing setting column 135, processing for ignoring the incoming call signal Si from the multi-function peripheral device 1 in the personal computer 30,
That is, in the personal computer 30, a process to perform nothing is input.

Further, the processing that can be performed on the information transmitted to the multifunctional peripheral device 1 in the personal computer 30 is as follows.
In addition to the above-described facsimile information receiving process and the process of ignoring the incoming call signal Si, the personal computer 30 operates the answering machine function to output a response message stored in a hard disk or the like in advance and respond to the message. Voice response processing for storing voice information sent from the other party, and facsimile reception processing when the received information is facsimile information, and voice information is sent from the other party in response to the response message. Then, there is a facsimile information / voice information response process for performing the voice response process. (Ii) Use the distinctive ringing service
Embodiments of the process will, after the registration process of each shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 has been completed, the processing at the time of performing actual reception of information by utilizing the distinct tee Buringingu service, FIG. 12
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the processing in the multifunction peripheral device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing shown in FIG. 12 is mainly executed by the CPU 10.

As shown in FIG. 12, when using the distinctive ringing service, the multifunctional peripheral device 1 first determines whether or not there is a call from outside via the telephone line 24, that is, a call signal. It is determined whether Sc has been detected (step S15). If the call is not detected (step S15; NO), the process waits until the call is detected, and if the call signal Sc is detected (step S15; YES), the multifunction peripheral device 1 then distincts. It is determined whether or not the signal pattern of the call signal Sc to be used as the specific call signal for using the tingling service is registered (step S1).
6) If registered (step S16; Y)
ES) The signal pattern of the incoming call signal Sc that is receiving the call using the distinctive ringing service is detected (step S17), and the detected signal pattern is registered as a specific call signal (FIG. 9). Step S13) It is determined whether or not the pattern matches the signal pattern (Step S18).
18; YES) Assuming that the specific call signal has been received, the specific call signal Sii is transmitted to the personal computer 30 via the interface unit 16 or the like (step S19), and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the signal pattern is not registered in the determination in step S16 (step S16; N
O), the general incoming call signal Sin is output to the personal computer 30 assuming that the distinctive ringing service is not used (step S20), and the process ends.

Further, if it is determined in step S18 that the detected signal pattern does not match the signal pattern registered as the specific calling signal (step S1).
8; NO), assuming that a call signal Sc other than the specific call signal in the distinctive ringing service has been received, output a general call signal Sin to the personal computer 30 (step S20), and terminate the process.

Next, the processing in the personal computer 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing shown in FIG. 13 is mainly performed by the facsimile control unit F.
Performed on X.

As shown in FIG. 13, when using the distinctive ringing service, the personal computer 30 first determines whether or not any of the incoming call signals Si has been transmitted from the multifunctional peripheral device 1. If no incoming call signal Si has been transmitted (step S25; NO), it waits until it is transmitted, and waits for any incoming signal (specific incoming signal Sii or general incoming signal). Sin) is received (step S25;
Then, it is determined whether or not a setting for not using the distinctive ringing service has been made on the setting screen 130 shown in FIG. 11 (step S2).
6) If the setting for not using the distinctive ringing service has been made (step S2)
6; YES), a predetermined corresponding value (corresponding to the process input in the process setting column 132 on the setting screen 130) corresponding to the setting is acquired, and step S3 is performed.
Move to 1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the setting to use the distinctive ringing service has been made (step S26; NO),
Next, the incoming call signal S transmitted from the multi-function peripheral device 1
It is determined whether or not i is the specific incoming call signal Sii (step S27), and if it is the specific incoming call signal Sii (step S27; YES), it is determined that the specific calling signal has been received, and the specific incoming call signal Sii is received. (Corresponding to the processing input to the specific processing setting field 134 on the setting screen 130 (in the case of the present embodiment, the facsimile information receiving processing)) corresponding to (step S2).
9), proceed to step S31.

If it is determined in step S27 that the incoming call signal Si is the general incoming call signal Sin (step S27; NO), it is determined that another call signal Sc has received an incoming call, and that the incoming call signal Sc corresponds to the general incoming call signal Sin. A predetermined corresponding value (corresponding to the process (voice response process in the present embodiment) input to the normal process setting field 135 on the setting screen 130) is acquired (step S30). The process moves to S31.

Next, in step S31, a process in the personal computer 30 is selected based on the acquired corresponding value (step S28, S29 or S30).

That is, when the acquired corresponding value is a facsimile information receiving process, an incoming call process is instructed to the multi-function peripheral device 1, and thereafter, the information received via the multi-function peripheral device 1 is received. , A facsimile information receiving process (a predetermined process such as storing the received information on the hard disk and registering it in a reception log) is executed (step S32), and the process is thereafter terminated.

On the other hand, when the acquired corresponding value is the voice response processing, the incoming call processing is instructed to the multi-function peripheral device 1 and the response message stored in the hard disk or the like is transmitted to the multi-function peripheral device. 1 and a response message restored to an analog signal in the modem unit 20 with a voice function is transmitted from the NCU 19 to the destination via the telephone line 24, and the voice information transmitted in response to this is multifunctional. The data is received via the peripheral device 1 and stored in a predetermined file on the hard disk (step S3).
3) Then, the process ends.

If the acquired correspondence value is a facsimile information / voice information response process, the multifunction peripheral device 1
And a response message is transmitted first after the line is connected, and when voice information is transmitted in response to the response message, the voice information is stored and the response message is stored in the response message. A signal indicating that the information transmitted from the other party is facsimile information without transmitting voice information in response (so-called CNG signal)
Is transmitted, facsimile information reception processing is executed in response to the signal (step S34), and the processing is thereafter terminated.

Further, when the acquired corresponding value is a process for ignoring the incoming call signal Si, the personal computer 30 does not perform any processing without instructing the multifunctional peripheral device 1 to perform the incoming call processing. Without doing so (step S35), and then the process ends. In this case, the multifunction peripheral device 1 does not perform the incoming call processing, and the readout sound continues to sound.
Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to pick up the receiver 18 and respond.

In the processing of the personal computer 30 described above, in the case of the present embodiment, the facsimile information receiving processing is set for the specific incoming call signal Sii, and the voice response processing is performed for the general incoming call signal Sin. Is set, when facsimile information is received by the multi-function peripheral 1 following the specific calling signal Sc, the facsimile information receiving process (step S32) is executed, and the other calling signal S
When the voice information is received following c, the process of storing the voice information in a predetermined file on the hard disk, that is, the answering machine function (step S35) is executed.

As described above, according to the registration processing and the processing using the distinctive ringing service of the embodiment, the multi-function peripheral device 1 can transmit a plurality of types of call signals Sc transmitted via a telephone line. The personal computer 30 performs a predetermined process corresponding to the incoming call signal Si output from the multifunctional peripheral device 1 in the personal computer 30. , The distinctive ringing service can be effectively used, and the processing corresponding to the specific call signal or another call signal Sc can be executed separately.

For example, when the information transmitted following the specific call signal is facsimile information and the information transmitted following another call signal Sc is voice information, the personal computer 30 transmits the facsimile information. Can immediately execute the facsimile information receiving process, so that the facsimile information can be promptly received by the personal computer 30, and the facsimile information and the voice information are separately processed based on the difference between the call signals Sc. Can be.

Further, when the processing in the personal computer 30 corresponding to the other call signal Sc is set as the processing of recording the voice information in the personal computer 30, the voice information can be reliably recorded, and the voice information can be reliably recorded. And facsimile information can be distinguished and processed based on the difference in the calling signal Sc. Therefore, when the destination (caller) is a facsimile machine, a response message is output,
Alternatively, the inconvenience of starting the facsimile reception process when the other party makes a call does not occur.

The application program for performing the above-described embodiment can be recorded on a recording medium such as a flexible disk 41 or a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory). The present invention can be applied to any computer that can execute an application program.

Further, in the above embodiment, the embodiment in which the multi-function peripheral device 1 is remotely controlled from the personal computer 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the computer controls another information processing device. The present invention can be widely applied to the case where the function setting in the other information processing apparatus is performed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the scanner 1
4. This embodiment is directed to a multi-function peripheral device 1 integrally provided with a facsimile function unit including a printer unit 15 or an NCU 19, and the functions of the scanner unit 14 and the like are centrally managed from the personal computer 30 as peripheral devices. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to an information processing apparatus including a peripheral device of a scanner device or a printer device alone.

[0146]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of telephones are stored in the second information processing means.
With respectively corresponding to the numbers, plural kinds, each of which has a plurality of types of signal patterns transmitted via one telephone line
To determine the respective call signal classes, based on the determination result, and outputs the first information processing means a specific incoming call signal when the calling signal is a specific call signal, generally when the call signal is another call signal Outputting an incoming call signal to the first information processing means,
The first information processing means performs a specific process on the information transmitted together with the specific call signal when the specific call signal is received, and the information transmitted together with other call signals when the general call signal is received. Is performed, the first information processing means can execute a process corresponding to the specific call signal or another call signal separately.

Therefore, in the first information processing means, a plurality of
It is possible to perform the process of effectively utilizing information that a plurality types of call signal corresponding to the telephone number of transmitted via one telephone line.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, the information transmitted together with the specific call signal and the communication processing unit is facsimile information, and the information transmitted to the communication processing unit together with other call signals is voice information. Since the specific process is a process of receiving facsimile information in the first information processing means, the facsimile information can be promptly received in the first information processing means, and the facsimile information and the voice information can be compared with the difference between the call signals. The processing can be distinguished based on this.

According to the invention set forth in claim 3, according to claim 2
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), another process is a process of recording voice information in the first information processing means, so that voice information can be reliably recorded and voice information and facsimile information can be called. Processing can be performed separately based on the difference between the signals .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating an overall configuration of an information processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration inside a multi-function peripheral device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration inside a personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a personal computer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the multifunction peripheral device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example (I) of a setting screen, and (a) is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen corresponding to general settings;
FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen corresponding to the setting of the printer unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example (II) of a setting screen, (a) is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen corresponding to speed dial registration, and (b) is a setting screen corresponding to setting of a facsimile function; It is a figure which shows the example (i) of (a).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example (III) of a setting screen, and FIG.
Is an example of the setting screen corresponding to the setting of the facsimile function (i
FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating i), and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen corresponding to the setting of the scanner unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a registration process in the multifunction peripheral device.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a signal pattern of a call signal in a distinctive ringing service.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for a registration process in a personal computer.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the multi-function peripheral device using the distinctive ringing service.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a personal computer using a distinctive ringing service.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multi-function peripheral device 2 ... Operation panel 3 ... Cassette mounting part 4 ... Document table 5 ... Recording paper cassette 6 ... Main body 10, 36 ... CPU 11, 39 ... ROM 12 ... EEPROM 13, 37 ... RAM 14 ... Scanner part 15 ... Printer section 16, 38 ... Interface section 17 ... Connection cable 18 ... Handset 19 ... NCU 20 ... Modem section 21 ... Amplifier 22 ... Speaker 23,40 ... Bus 24 ... Telephone line 30 ... PC 31 ... Keyboard 32 ... Mouse 33 ... External Storage unit 33A Flexible disk drive device 34 Display 35 Image processing unit 41 Flexible disk 50 Scanner application unit 51 Scanner driver 52 Scanner reception buffer 53 Scanner transmission buffer 54 Printer application unit 55 Pre Printer driver reception buffer 57 printer driver transmission buffer 58 remote setup unit 59 remote setup data driver 60 setup setup reception buffer 61 setup transmission buffer 62 facsimile application unit 63 facsimile driver 64 Facsimile reception buffer 65 Facsimile transmission buffer 66 Resource manager 67 Reception buffer 68 Resource manager buffer 69 Parallel port driver 70 Station name setting field 71 Station telephone number setting field 72 Station FAX number setting field 73 ... Dial type setting field 74 ... Date setting field 75 ... Paper size setting field 76,83,92,102,115,121 ... Confirm button 77,84,93,103,11 6 ... Cancel button 80 ... Mode setting field 81 ... Sleep time setting field 90 ... Dial selection field 91 ... Caller input field 100 ... Transmission information storage function on / off setting field 101 ... Answering machine function on / off setting field 104 ... Next Page button 120 ... Reading ability selection field 122 ... Next page button 130 ... Setting screen 131 ... Normal response mode selection button 132 ... Process setting field 133 ... Specific response mode selection button 134 ... Specific processing setting field 135 ... Normal processing setting field S ... Information processing device SC: Scanner control unit PR: Printer control unit RM: Setup control unit FX: Facsimile control unit Ssr: Received data for scanner Sst: Transmitted data for scanner Spr: Received data for printer Spt: Transmitted data for printer Srr: Setup Received data for Srt ... Transmission data for setup Sfr ... Simulated reception data Sft: facsimile transmission data Smr, Smt: management message Sr: reception data St: transmission data Sq: request signal Si: incoming signal Sii: specific incoming signal Sin: general incoming signal Sc: call signal Ms … Message for scanner Mp… Message for printer Mr… Message for setup Mf… Message for facsimile

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A communication processing unit configured to receive information transmitted via a telephone line; a second information processing unit configured to perform information processing including reception of the information; and a second information processing unit connected to the second information processing unit. An information processing apparatus that executes the information processing including receiving the information by controlling the second information processing means from the first information processing means. , together with the respectively corresponding to a plurality of telephone numbers, a plurality of types of signal patterns transmitted via an said telephone husband
Discriminating means for discriminating each of a plurality of types of paging signals , and based on a result of the discrimination by the discriminating means, when it is determined that the transmitted paging signal is a preset specific paging signal, A specific paging signal indicating that the specific paging signal has been received is output to the first information processing means, and based on a result of the determination by the determination means, the transmitted paging signal is a signal other than the specific paging signal. An incoming call signal output unit that outputs a general incoming call signal different from the specific incoming call signal to the first information processing unit when it is determined that the incoming call signal is another call signal; When the specific call signal is received, the information transmitted to the communication processing unit via the telephone line together with the specific call signal in response to the specific call signal. While performing the normal processing, when the general call signal is received, the information transmitted to the communication processing unit via the telephone line together with the other call signal corresponds to the general call signal. An information processing apparatus, comprising: processing means for performing another process different from the predetermined specific process. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information transmitted to the communication processing unit together with the specific call signal is facsimile information to be received by facsimile, and the communication processing together with the other call signal. The information transmitted to the unit is audio information, and the specific processing includes:
An information processing apparatus, which is a process of receiving the facsimile information in the first information processing means. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the other processing is processing of recording the audio information in the first information processing means .