JP3387344B2 - Facsimile machine and facsimile communication system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine and a facsimile communication system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile machine transmits and receives information via a general telephone line.
In recent years, facsimile machines have grown tremendously and have become popular in general households. The facsimile apparatus is provided with various functions such as a sender registration function and an auto dial function. The settings for these features are
Input is made using an input key (for example, a one-touch key) on the operation panel provided in the facsimile apparatus.

Normally, a dedicated service person inputs the above settings when the facsimile apparatus is installed.

[0004]

However, when installing the facsimile apparatus, it is a great labor for the service person to bother to go to each home, and the setting contents are not only required for the above setting but also for the normal use. There was a problem that the service person had to go out, even just to read.

However, if the setting contents of a plurality of functions set in the facsimile apparatus can be read from a host computer connected via a telephone line, it becomes easy to rewrite remotely, and the service is improved. There is a case in which a person does not necessarily have to go to the place where the facsimile device is installed for each service. However, some users do not want to read the setting contents of any one of the various functions from the host computer in order to keep the user secret.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and the setting contents of various functions provided in the facsimile apparatus can be read from the host computer, and at least some of the functions set by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus and a facsimile communication system capable of prohibiting reading from a host computer for each function in order to keep the user's secret.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus having a plurality of functions set by a user, which is connected to a telephone line, at least a part of the plurality of functions is provided. Regarding setting contents, setting means for selecting whether or not to prohibit reading from a host computer connected via the telephone line can be set for each function to keep the user's secret. It is a feature. Further, in the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the functions set by the user include an auto dial registration function and a communication management report function. According to a third aspect of the present invention, an R storing the setting contents of the plurality of functions is provided.
The RA from the host computer having an AM
Whether or not to prohibit access to a predetermined address area of M is selected for each function by selecting whether or not to prohibit reading from the host computer by selecting an input operation from the input device of the facsimile device. It is characterized in that the user's secret is kept by providing a setting means which can be selectively set in.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile machine and a host computer connected through a telephone line, and the facsimile machine is provided with the input operation of an input device provided in the host computer. In a facsimile communication system in which the setting contents of various functions are read, the facsimile device is a host computer connected via the telephone line for the setting contents of at least some of the functions set by the user. It is characterized in that setting means for selecting whether or not to prohibit reading from each function can be selected and set for each function to keep the user's secret. The invention according to claim 5 is the facsimile communication method according to claim 4, wherein the functions set by the user include an auto-dial registration function and a communication management report function. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile communication system according to the fourth aspect, the facsimile apparatus has a RAM that stores the setting contents of the various functions, and the RAM of the predetermined size from the host computer. By selecting whether to prohibit access to the address area of the facsimile machine by an input operation from the input device of the facsimile machine, whether to prohibit reading from the host computer is selected for each function. It is characterized in that the user's secret is kept by providing a setting means that can be set by

[0009]

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example of a preferred embodiment of the facsimile communication system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a communication system for implementing the system of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a facsimile machine installed at a customer's office having the original function of a facsimile, 2 is a host computer installed in a management center room, and 3 is a fax interface. The facsimile machine 1 and the host computer 2 are telephone lines 4
Connected through.

First, the facsimile machine 1 will be described. Reference numeral 5 is a main control unit composed of a microcomputer, that is, CPU, 6 is a ROM in which an operation program of this facsimile apparatus is recorded, and 7 is various data generated as the program progresses, and a sender registration name, an auto dial number, etc. A RAM that stores information, and the RAM 7 has a battery backup. Reference numeral 8 is an operation panel for performing various input operations such as transmission / reception commands. 9 is a modulator / demodulator or modem, 10 is a network controller or N
It is a CU, and the modem 9 is connected to the line 4 through the NCU 10. Reference numeral 11 is an auto dial device, 12 is a scanning device for scanning and reading an original document, and a reading device for converting the image data of the original document into a binary electric signal indicating white or black and sending it out. A recording device for printing out on recording paper, and 14 is a hard dip switch.

Next, the host computer 2 will be described. Reference numeral 15 is a CPU, 16 is a ROM recording the operation program of the host computer 2, 17 is an internal memory for storing various data, 18 is an input device such as a keyboard capable of inputting character data, and the input device 18 The character data and various commands input from are encoded by the character code generator 19 into a character code corresponding to each character. Reference numeral 20 is a known character generator for converting the character code into a pattern signal, 21 is a display device such as a CRT device or LCD device, 22 is an external memory such as a floppy disk device, and 23 is a printer. The fax interface 3 comprises a network control unit or NCU 25 connected to the telephone line 4 and a modulator / demodulator or modem 26. Signals are exchanged between the facsimile unit 1 and the host computer 2 via the fax interface 3. Be done. Reference numeral 27 is a telephone, which is connected to each of the NCUs 25.

Next, the setting of various functions by the communication system will be specifically described. In the facsimile device 1, the memory map 30 in a predetermined area of the ROM 6 and the RAM 7 is, for example, an area of memory addresses "0000H" to "8000H" as shown in FIG.
M6 and memory address "8000H" to "FFF"
The area "H" is configured as the RAM 7. In addition,
Needless to say, the memory address area in FIG. 5 is not limited to this embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows an example of setting contents of various functions provided in the ROM 6 and the RAM 7. In FIG. 9, the software version a is the content that stores the model name, type version number, etc. of the facsimile apparatus 1, the soft DIP switch b is the content of the switch that internally switches the telephone line, and the autodial information c is shortened. The destination telephone number and the like are stored together with the number, the sender registration d is the content of the user name or the company name, and the communication management report e is the content of the usage state during transmission / reception of the facsimile.

The contents a, b, and
Write prohibition for prohibiting writing of contents is preset in c, d, and e, and a and e correspond to this. Further, in order to keep the contents set by the user of the facsimile apparatus 1 confidential, it is possible to set a selection of access prohibition, which corresponds to c, d, and e. The above-mentioned access prohibition selection can be easily selected and set by the user by switching the hard DIP switch 14 provided in the facsimile apparatus 1.

In this embodiment, the facsimile machine 1
The case where the setting of the auto-dial information c in the above is performed by way of the host computer 2 via the telephone line 4 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned setting of the auto-dial information c. Needless to say.

Generally, in the auto-dial function, a destination telephone number is input and set in advance together with an abbreviated number of several digits, and at the time of transmission, the operation of the abbreviated number of several digits causes the automatic dial device 11 to enter the RAM 7 in advance ( The registered destination telephone number is loaded, a pulse signal corresponding to the telephone number is output to the NCU 10, and the NC
U10 connects the line by outputting the pulse signal on the line 4 and enables communication with the destination. In the above input settings, not only the destination telephone number,
Usually, the destination name is also registered.

In FIG. 5, T0 to Tn are examples schematically showing a destination information table in the auto dial information area C of the RAM 7. The area (C1) stores a shortened number, the area (C2) stores a destination telephone number, and the area (C3) stores a destination name.

In the host computer 2, the input device 18
The character data and various commands input from are converted into a character code corresponding to each character by the character code generator 19, for example, an ASCII code or a binary code, and then modulated by the modem 26 controlled by the CPU 15 to output the NCU 25. It is sent out on the telephone line 4 via. In the facsimile device 1, the character code transmitted through the telephone line 4 is demodulated by the modem 9 through the NCU 10 and controlled by the CPU 5 to be input to a predetermined area of the RAM 7.

Next, the control signal used for transmitting and receiving the character code and the like will be described. 6 to 8 are diagrams schematically showing an embodiment of the format of the control signal frame, and only the fields used in the present invention will be described here.

FIG. 6 shows a non-standard function identification signal (NSF) indicating an optional function, 31 is a control field necessary for ordinary facsimile communication, and 32 is a service indicating whether or not the communication system of the present invention can be performed. This is a utility function field. FIG. 7 shows a non-standard function command signal (NSC), 33 is a control field, 3
Reference numeral 4 is a data read / write instruction field for displaying data reading or writing, 35 is a software version instruction field for instructing reading of the software version a, 36 is a start address field for instructing a start address of a memory address at the time of reading or writing, Reference numeral 37 is a byte number designating field for designating the number of bytes of data required for reading or writing from the start address of the memory address. FIG. 8 shows a non-standard function setting signal (NSS) that displays optional functions.
8 is a control field, 39 is a data read / write instruction field, 40 is an access prohibition instruction field by a set of access prohibition selection, 41 is a start address field, 42 is a byte number instruction field, and 43 is a data field or a software version field. In the signal (NSS), when the host computer 2 attempts to read or write an area for which access is prohibited by the facsimile device 1, the facsimile responds by turning on the bit of the access prohibition instruction field 40 (turning it into a bit). Set 1) and respond. When the access is possible, the bit of the access prohibition instruction field 40 is turned off (the bit is set to 0) and a response is made.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation procedure of the host computer 2, and FIG.
3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a communication procedure between the host computer 2 and the facsimile machine 1.

First, the reading procedure will be described. The input device 18 of the host computer 2 is operated to issue an input setting command, and the telephone 27 or an auto dial device (not shown) is used to dial (S1). Host computer 2 when instructed to connect to
Sends a calling signal (CNG) (S2), and the facsimile apparatus 1 sends a called station identification signal (CED) indicating that the line is connected (S25). Furthermore, a non-standard function identification signal (N
SF) ・ Called station identification signal (CS) that displays the telephone number, etc.
I) Digital identification signals (DIS) indicating the CCITT standard are sent from the facsimile apparatus 1 (S26).

In the host computer 2, when the signal (CSI) is detected by the CPU 15 (S4), the telephone number in the signal (CSI) is taken in and the telephone number dialed in S1 is used. Confirm (S
5). Then, the signal (NSF) is detected (S6),
If "1" is set in the service utility function field 32 in the signal (NSF) (S7), first, R
In order to request the reading of the software version of the OM6 (S9), the software version instruction field 35 of the non-standard function command signal (NSC) is turned on (S1).
0), and sends it to the facsimile apparatus 1 (S12).

In the facsimile apparatus 1, when the CPU 5 detects the software version designation field 35 of the signal (NCS) (S28), the software version a of the ROM 6 is read (S29) (S30),
Non-standard function setting signal (NS
The software version 43 in S) is fetched and sent (S31).

When the CPU 15 of the host computer 2 detects the signal (NSS) (S15), the software version field 43 of the signal (NSS) is detected.
Read the software version from (S17) (S
18), storing in the internal memory 17 and reading the address table (containing the memory address of the information stored in the RAM 7) of the contents stored in the external memory 22 corresponding to the version number therein, The information is displayed on the display device 21 and searched (S19). In an example of this embodiment, the memory address of the auto dial information c is searched.

Next, the writing procedure will be described. From the facsimile apparatus 1, the above signals (NCF) (CSI) (D
When IS) is retransmitted (these signals are periodically transmitted at a constant cycle), the host computer 2 inputs the start address and the data by operating the input device 18 as data writing (S8). Shi (S
13) The data is stored in the internal memory 17 and set in the start address field 41, the data field 43 and the data read / write instruction field 39, and sent as a signal (NSS) (S14).

For example, in FIG. 5, the start address is "9000H" as the memory address, the data is "000" as the abbreviated number (C1), and the transmission destination telephone number (C2) is "01-234-5678". When the name (C3) is "ABC Shoten", these can be easily and accurately input by the input device 18 of the host computer 2.

In the facsimile device 1, the CPU
When the signal (NSS) is detected by 5 (S34),
The hard DIP switch 14 for access prohibition selection is checked (S35), and if access is possible, the area (T
The above data is written and set in 0) (S3).
6). By inputting a plurality of the destination information tables (T0) to (Tn) from the host computer 2 in FIG.

Further, this embodiment is provided with a confirmation procedure for confirming whether or not the above setting has been performed without error, and in the host computer 2, the start address and data according to the above-mentioned writing procedure are stored in the internal memory 17. Since it is stored, the start address and the number of bytes of the data are input, and the start address field 36, the number-of-bytes instruction field 37 and the data read / write instruction field 34 are set (S1).
1), it is sent as a signal (NSC) (S12). In the facsimile apparatus 1, the data corresponding to the start address of the start address field 36 is read from the RAM 7 (S33), and is taken into the data field 43 of the signal (NSS) and sent (S31). When the host computer 2 detects the signal (NSS) (S15), the data field 4 in the signal (NSS) is detected.
By reading the data from the data No. 3 and temporarily storing the data in the internal memory 17 (S20), and checking the write data and the read data in the internal memory 17 in S21, the setting according to the write procedure can be confirmed.

Then, when the setting input from the host computer 2 is completed (S23), a line disconnection command (DC
N) is transmitted (S24), and when the facsimile device 1 receives the signal (DCN) (S42), all communication is completed.

By the way, in this embodiment, as described above, in order to keep the user of the facsimile apparatus 1 confidential, the hard dip switch 14 which can set the selection of access prohibition is provided. In the flow charts of FIGS. 2 and 3, when the hard dip switch 14 is set to the access prohibition in S32 or S35, the bit of the access prohibition instruction field 40 of the signal (NSS) is turned on and the facsimile apparatus 1 transmits When it is sent (S37, S38), the signal (NS
It is possible to confirm the access prohibition by detecting the field 40 in S). Further, when the writing of data is completed in S36, the bit of the access prohibition field 40 of the signal (NSS) is turned off and sent as a response signal (S39), and the field 40 of the signal (NSS) is detected in S17. It can be confirmed that the writing of data is completed.

Incidentally, S27 is confirmation of reception of a response signal (NSC) or (NSS) from the host computer 2,
In S40, when the digital command signal (DCS) is received, the normal facsimile procedure (S41) is started. S3 is a command signal (CS
I), (NSF), (NSS) reception confirmation, S22 is an operation input from the host computer 2, for example, setting contents are created in advance, or an emergency stop command is input.

In this embodiment, the present invention has been described by a series of reading procedure, writing procedure, and confirming procedure (see FIG. 4). However, the confirming procedure is omitted or only the reading procedure is used. You can run it.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the setting of various functions provided in the facsimile device 1 is set by remote operation by the input device from the host computer 2 connected via the telephone line 4. It is possible to perform the above setting easily and accurately, and it is possible to prevent the trouble of facsimile communication due to erroneous input. Further, there is an advantage that the service person does not need to go out to input the setting, and the labor can be reduced. The above settings can be dealt with immediately not only when the facsimile apparatus is installed but also when the setting contents are changed during normal use.

Further, in the facsimile device 1, a hard dip switch 14 which can be set to prohibit access is set.
Etc. (privacy protection means), the user's secret protection is maintained.

In this embodiment, the host computer 2 is provided with the fax interface 3. However, the host computer 2 and the fax interface 3 are separately provided, and a connecting interface (for example, RS-. 232C or the like).

The setting of various functions according to the present invention is not limited to the input (registration or change) of the setting contents such as the auto-dial information C, but the contents of the communication management report e are output (read) and read by the host. By being managed by the computer 2, there is an advantage that the usage state of the facsimile apparatus 1 (for example, transmission / reception error or trouble state) can be grasped and maintenance or the like can be dealt with in advance.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When reading the setting contents of various functions of the facsimile apparatus by input operation from the host computer connected through the telephone line, at least the function set by the user by the input operation from the input device provided in the facsimile apparatus. With regard to the setting contents of some functions, the setting means for selecting whether to prohibit reading from the host computer connected through the telephone line for each function and setting it is provided by the user. It is possible to keep the confidentiality of the user by preventing the host computer from reading the setting contents that are not desired to be protected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a communication system for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of a host computer.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation procedure of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a communication procedure between a host computer and a facsimile machine.

FIG. 5 is a ROM and R provided in the facsimile device.
It is an explanatory view of an example of a predetermined area of AM.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a format of a control signal frame of a non-standard function identification signal (NSF).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a format of a control signal frame of a non-standard function command signal (NSC).

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a format of a control signal frame of a non-standard function setting signal (NSS).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of setting contents of various functions.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Facsimile machine, 2 ... Host computer, 3 ...
Fax interface, 4 ... Line, 5 ... CPU, 6
... ROM, 7 ... RAM, 8 ... operation panel, 9 ... modem,
10 ... NCU, 11 ... Auto dial device, 12 ... Reading device, 13 ... Recording device, 14 ... Hard DIP switch,
15 ... CPU, 16 ... ROM, 17 ... Internal memory, 18
... input device, 19 ... character code generator, 20 ... character generator, 21 ... display device, 22 ... external memory,
23 ... Printer, 25 ... NCU, 26 ... Modem, 27 ...
Telephone.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-57-78256 (JP, A) JP-A-58-48568 (JP, A) JP-A-62-154842 (JP, A) Actual development Sho-63- 44554 (JP, U) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/32-1/36 H04N 1/42-1/44

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus connected to a telephone line and having a plurality of functions set by a user,
A setting means is provided which can select and set, for each function, whether or not to prohibit reading from a host computer connected via the telephone line for the setting contents of at least a part of the plurality of functions. Facsimile apparatus characterized in that the confidentiality of the user is kept. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the functions set by the user include an automatic dial registration function and a communication management report function. 3. An R storing the setting contents of the plurality of functions.
The RA from the host computer having an AM
Whether to prohibit access to a predetermined address area of M is selected by an input operation from the input device of the facsimile apparatus to determine whether to prohibit reading from the host computer for each function. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user's secret is kept by providing a setting means which can be selectively set in. 4. A facsimile machine and a host computer connected via a telephone line, and by an input operation from an input device provided in the host computer,
In a facsimile communication system that reads the setting contents of various functions provided in the facsimile device,
The facsimile device selects, for each function, whether or not to prohibit the setting contents of at least a part of the plurality of functions set by the user from being read from the host computer connected via the telephone line. The facsimile communication system is characterized in that the user's secret is kept by providing setting means that can be set. 5. The facsimile communication system according to claim 4, wherein the functions set by the user include an auto dial registration function and a communication management report function. 6. The facsimile device has a RAM for storing setting contents of the various functions, and determines whether or not to prohibit access from the host computer to a predetermined address area of the RAM. By selecting by input operation from the input device of the device,
5. The facsimile communication according to claim 4, further comprising setting means for selecting whether to prohibit reading from the host computer for each function and setting the setting means so as to keep the user's secret. method.