JP3367696B2 - 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 machine, and more particularly to a technique for confirming a transmission result.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the following means have been known as means for a user of a facsimile machine to confirm a transmission result.

The first is a function of automatically outputting (printing) a report of a transmission result immediately after the end of transmission. Second
Is a function that automatically outputs (prints) a report of transmission results at a time designated by the user in advance (Actual development 6
1-187152). Third, at the stage of preparation for memory transmission, the file number of the transmission original is displayed to inform the user,
After that, it is a function of outputting (printing) a transmission result report when the user designates and specifies a file number (JP-A-1-132269). The fourth is not only for the purpose of confirming the transmission result, but is a function of outputting (printing) a communication management report when the user gives an instruction.

[0004]

However, the method utilizing the above functions has the following drawbacks and inconveniences.
In the case of using the first function, if the user does not wait on the side of the facsimile apparatus until the end of transmission, the result report becomes difficult to find, mixed with other user's transmission result reports and received originals.

When the second function is used, the user has the advantage of being able to predict the output time of the result report, but as with the case of using the first function, the desired result report can be sent by another user. It may be mixed with the result report or the received manuscript.

When the third function is used, the user can output the desired transmission result report at any time, and there is no problem as in the case of using the first function or the second function. However, storing and inputting the file number is troublesome. In addition, the file number is often forgotten or wrong, and in this case, it is difficult to output the result report or the result report cannot be output.

When the fourth function is used, the user has to retrieve information regarding his / her transmission from the output communication management report. However, when the frequency of use of the facsimile is high, searching for the target information is cumbersome and time-consuming.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus with improved operability or usability regarding confirmation of a transmission result.

[0009]

A facsimile apparatus of the present invention.
When the start key is operated, the device executes the transmission operation,
When the key assignment key is operated, wait for key input,
A process for assigning a specific type of key, such as an input one-touch dial key or numeric keypad, for output of the result of the transmission
Means for performing the send operation and the assigned key.
Means for outputting the result of transmission to which the key is assigned when the key is operated .

Further, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention is further characterized when the result of the transmission ended is output, and this <br/> comprise means for releasing the allocation of keys for the result output of the transmission It is what

[0011]

According to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the user
However , by remembering the one-touch dial key or numeric keypad assigned at the time of transmission operation and operating the key when necessary, the result of transmission can be output and confirmed.

Further, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention,
For example, when the transmission is completed and the key assignment is no longer needed, it is automatically released.

[0013]

1 is a schematic block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. This facsimile machine stores a CPU (central processing unit) 1, a ROM 2 storing programs and fixed data for communication and other control executed by the CPU 1, a working storage area of the CPU 1, tables related to various controls, and the like. RAM3 used as an area,
A scanner 4 for reading an image of a transmission document or the like, a plotter 5 for printing a reception document or the like, an operation display unit 6 for displaying various operations by the user and the state of the device, etc.
A modem 7 and a network control unit 8 for communication through a public telephone line 9, an image data processing unit 10 for performing image data encoding / decoding processing, and a file of image data of a transmission document or a reception document are stored. The image memory 11 and so on.

Since the overall structure of such a device and the basic operation of the facsimile communication are the same as those of the conventional facsimile device, the following description will be limited to the unique operation of this facsimile device and the structure related thereto. To do.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the control flow in the case of transmission. Steps 106 to 112 are a processing part for key assignment for outputting the transmission result.
It is realized by the key assignment routine 20 in the transmission control program on the OM2.

The user operates the keys of the operation display unit 6 to select the transmission mode and input the destination (steps 100 and 102). Next, the user operates the corresponding key (printed / displayed) if he / she wants to assign the transmission result output key, and otherwise operates the start key (step 103).

The facsimile machine discriminates the key operated in step 103 (step 104). If the key is the start key, the image data of the transmission file of the user stored in the image memory 11 in advance is processed in step 10.
The operation of transmitting to the destination specified in 2 is executed (step 114).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 104 that the key assignment key has been operated, control is transferred to routine 20). The user selects and operates an arbitrary key from the one-touch dial key or the ten-key pad, and the facsimile device (routine 20) waits for the operation of the one-touch dial key or the ten-key pad (steps 105 and 106).

When the one-touch dial key or the numeric keypad is operated, the facsimile machine refers to the key assignment table 30 shown in FIG. 4 and checks whether the key has been assigned (step 108).

In FIG. 4, the transmission management table 4
Reference numeral 0 is a table for storing information such as the file number of the transmission file 60 on the image memory 11 and the storage address of the transmission file and the transmission result file 50 that stores the transmission result information. The table 40 is updated when the transmission file 60 is generated and transmitted. The transmission result file 50 is generated at the same time as the transmission file 60,
Information on the transmission result (including the intermediate result) is stored.

In the key assignment table 30, for each one-touch dial key and ten-key pad, flag information indicating whether or not the key is assigned to output the transmission result and the output method (print / display), and the key is assigned. The file number of the transmitted file 60 is stored.

Returning to FIG . 2, in step 108, the presence or absence of assignment is checked by checking the flag on the key assignment table 30 for the key operated by the user, but it is determined that the key has been assigned (flag is set). If it is determined that there is, a message to that effect is displayed on the display of the operation display unit 6 (step 11
0), let the user choose another key.

When an unassigned one-touch dial key or a numeric keypad is operated, the facsimile machine (routine 20) sets the flag of the key in the key assignment table 30 to the assigned (including print / display). Also, the file number of the relevant transmission file 60 is read from the transmission management table 40 and written at the position of the key in the key allocation table 30 (step 112). This completes the key assignment process, exits the routine 20, and executes the transmission operation (step 114).

When the user wants to confirm the transmission result of his / her transmission file, he / she can output (print / display) the transmission result by operating the one-touch dial key or the ten key assigned at the time of transmission. FIG. 3 shows an outline of the control flow of transmission result output. This control is realized by the transmission result output routine 22 in the transmission control program on the ROM 2.

When the key is operated by the user (step 200), the facsimile machine (routine 22)
It is checked whether the key is a one-touch dial key or a numeric keypad (step 202), and if so, the flag of the key in the key assignment table 30 is referred to and it is determined whether the key has been assigned for transmission result output (step 20).
4). If it is not the assigned key, the user is prompted to perform the key operation again.

When the key assigned for transmission result output is operated, the file number is read from the position of the key in the key assignment table 30 and the storage address of the transmission result file 50 corresponding to the file number is sent to the transmission management table. 40 and the transmission result file 50
Is read (step 205) and the content is output to the plotter 5 or the display of the operation display unit 6 (step 208). The selection of the output destination is determined by the state of the flag of the corresponding key in the table 30. That is, in step 103 of FIG. 2, if the key for printing the transmission result is operated, the plotter 5 prints the transmission result, and if the key for displaying the transmission result is operated, the transmission result is displayed. .

As an example of the output contents, if the transmission is normally completed, the contents such as "File No. 1 OK" are output, and if the transmission is abnormally terminated, the "File No. 1 OK" is output. The content such as "No. 1 NG" is output, and when it is in the state of waiting for a recalling call, the content such as "waiting for a recalling call" is output.

If the transmission file is in the transmission end state, the flag information of the key is reset to release the allocation, and if it is in the state before the transmission end, the release is not performed (steps 214 and 216). The unassigned key can be newly assigned for transmission result output.

It should be noted that the management structure and the structure of each table shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0030]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the user of the facsimile device can output and confirm the result of transmission simply by operating the one-touch dial key or the numeric keypad assigned at the time of the transmission operation. Since the transmission result can be output immediately when necessary, there is no problem that the transmission result is mixed with the received document even when it is printed. Also, the user needs to remember the assigned key, which is less burdensome than storing the file number. Further, operating the key is much easier than inputting the file number, and there are few erroneous operations. Further, since only the result of the intended transmission is output, there is no troublesome search as in the case of confirming with the communication management report.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the key assignment is automatically released when it becomes unnecessary, it is possible to prevent forgetting to release the key.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a user-friendly facsimile apparatus in which the operability of confirming the transmission result is greatly improved as compared with the conventional one.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a control flow diagram for explaining key assignment during a transmission operation.

FIG. 3 is a control flow diagram for explaining transmission result output.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a table related to key assignment and transmission result output.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 scanner 5 plotters 6 Operation display section 7 modem 8 Network control unit 10 Image data processing unit 11 Image memory 20 key assignment routine 22 Transmission result output routine 30 key assignment table 40 Transmission management table 50 Transmission result file 60 send files

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transmission operation when the start key is operated.
Operation is performed and the key assignment key is operated, the key
Waiting for input , performing a process of allocating a specific type of key such as the input one-touch dial key or numeric keypad for output of the result of the transmission, a means for executing the transmission operation , When the key is operated ,
And a means for outputting the result of the transmission assigned to the key. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for canceling the key assignment for outputting the result of the transmission when the result of the completed transmission is output .