JP3471545B2 - Data communication device - 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 device and a data communication device for a terminal device such as a personal computer having a facsimile communication function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a document and a work content instruction by an OMR sheet attached to the document are received by facsimile communication, a data communication device for performing work on the document based on the work content instruction (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-38017).
(See Japanese Patent Publication). There is also known a data communication device which is connected to a host computer so as to be capable of data communication and transmits image information received by facsimile to the host computer.

[0003]

However, according to the conventional data communication apparatus, although the image information received by facsimile can be processed based on the work content instruction and can be transmitted to the host computer as it is, On the other hand, there is a problem that it is not possible to reduce the processing load on the host computer by transmitting only necessary information.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to transmit only necessary information out of image information received by facsimile to a host computer.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is connected to a facsimile transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving facsimile image information via a public line and a host computer so as to be able to perform data communication, and the above facsimile transmitting / receiving means. In the data communication device having means for transmitting the image information received by the host computer to the host computer, the sheet format storage means for storing the format of a predetermined data collecting sheet and the format of the image information received by the facsimile transmitting / receiving means are Format determining means for determining whether or not it corresponds to the format stored in the sheet format storage means, and when it is determined that the format of the received image information corresponds to the stored format by the means,
There is provided an information extracting means for extracting only the information entered in a predetermined column in the format of the image information and a means for transmitting the information extracted by the means to the host computer.

Further, it is preferable to provide means for reading the image information of the predetermined data collecting sheet, and means for storing the format based on the image information read by the means in the sheet format storage means.

Further, it is preferable to provide a means for storing the format of a predetermined data collection sheet received from the host computer or the public line in the sheet format storage means.

Further, a sheet creating sheet format storage means for storing a format of the sheet creating sheet for entering creation information for creating the data collecting sheet, and a sheet creating sheet based on the format stored by the means. Sheet creating sheet to be printed, printing means, created information reading means for reading the creating information of the data collecting sheet written in the sheet creating sheet printed by the means, and data based on the creating information read by the means It is preferable to provide a data collection sheet creating means for creating a collection sheet and a means for storing the format of the data collection sheet created by the means in the sheet format storage means.

Further, data collection sheet printing means for printing the data collection sheet based on the format of the data collection sheet, and data after additional information is written on the data collection sheet printed by the means Means for reading the image information on the collection sheet,
It is preferable to provide a means for storing the format of the data collection sheet based on the image information read by the means in the sheet format storage means.

Furthermore, the means for judging the type of the data collecting sheet based on the format of the data collecting sheet, and the information extracted by the information extracting means based on the type judged by the means, the host computer It is advisable to provide a means for transmitting to each of the directories created for each type of data collection sheet.

A data communication apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is
A predetermined data collection sheet format is stored, it is determined whether the format of the image information received by facsimile corresponds to the stored format, and the format of the received image information corresponds to the stored format. If so, the format of the above image information is
Only the information read from the predetermined column in the table is extracted, and the extracted information is transmitted to the host computer.

Therefore, only the necessary information read based on the image information at the predetermined position among the image information received by the facsimile (for example, only the information of the mark written in the predetermined column in the OMR sheet) is transmitted to the host computer. Therefore, the host computer can receive and process only the necessary information read from the image information transmitted via the public line network, and do not have to perform the process of retrieving the information, thus reducing the processing load. Can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a data communication device reads image information of a predetermined data collection sheet,
Since the format based on the read image information is stored, the format of the existing data collection sheet can be easily registered.

Further, since the data communication apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention stores the format of the predetermined data collection sheet received from the host computer or the public line, the data communication apparatus created at the host computer or at a remote place is used. The sheet format can be easily registered.

Further, the data communication apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention stores the format of the sheet preparation sheet for entering preparation information for preparing the data collection sheet, and prepares the sheet preparation sheet based on the stored format. Print the sheet, read the creation information of the data collection sheet written on the printed sheet creation sheet,
Since the data collection sheet is created based on the read creation information and the format of the created data collection sheet is stored, the operator can easily register the data collection sheet in a desired format.

Further, the data communication apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention prints the data collecting sheet based on the format of the data collecting sheet, and after the additional information is written on the printed data collecting sheet. Since the image information of the data collection sheet is read and the format of the data collection sheet based on the read image information is stored, the operator can easily additionally register information such as a title on the data collection sheet. it can.

Further, the data communication apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention determines the type of the data collection sheet based on the format of the data collection sheet, and the extracted information is obtained based on the determined type. Since the data is transmitted to the directories created by the host computer for each type of data collection sheet, the host computer can easily manage the information for each type of data collection sheet.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment of a data communication apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data communication system using the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this data communication system, a facsimile device 1 which is a data communication device according to the present invention is connected to a host computer 2 via a cable 3 so that data communication can be performed. It is connected to another facsimile device 5 via a public telephone line 4 so as to be capable of facsimile communication.

The facsimile machine 1 performs facsimile communication with other facsimile machines 5 via the telephone line 4, transfers image information received from each facsimile machine 5 to the host computer 2 as it is, and transmits from the host computer 2. The created information is transmitted to the facsimile machine 5 of the other party via the telephone line 4.

Then, the image information of the predetermined OMR sheet for data collection is received by facsimile from each facsimile apparatus 5 according to the present invention, the information at the predetermined position is read from the image information, and the information is transmitted to the host computer 2.

Further, the print output of the data collecting OMR sheet, the print output of the sheet creating OMR sheet for entering the creation information of the data collecting OMR sheet, and the creation information on the sheet creating OMR sheet are read to obtain data. Create an OMR sheet for collection, store the format, print out the OMR sheet for data collection, add information to the OMR sheet for data collection, and apply to the host computer for each type of OMR sheet for data collection. Sends information to the directory.

A reading unit 11, a recording unit 12, an encoding / decoding unit 13, a system control unit 14, a system memory unit 15, and an image information memory 1 which are realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like.
6, operation display unit 17, communication control unit 18, modem 19, D
TMF detection unit 20, host interface (I / F)
A functional unit such as the unit 21 and the OMR sheet storage unit 22 is provided, and each of these units is connected by a bus 23 so that data can be exchanged.

The reading unit 11 is an image reading device such as a scanner that optically reads an image of a document and inputs the image information. The recording unit 12 is a printing device such as a laser printer or an inkjet printer that prints image information received by facsimile, image information read by the reading unit 11, various reports, and OMR sheets according to the present invention on recording paper.

The encoding / decoding unit 13 encodes image information to be transmitted by facsimile and decodes image information received by facsimile. The system control unit 14 controls the entire facsimile apparatus and executes various processes related to the present invention.

The system memory unit 15 is a work area used by the system control unit 14. Image information memory 16
Is a storage device such as a hard disk device that accumulates and saves image information as needed.

The operation display section 17 includes an operation section having keys for the operator to input various operation information, an LCD for displaying work screens such as facsimile communication and output of an OMR sheet related to the present invention, and various messages. And a display unit including a lamp such as an LED for notifying various work statuses.

The communication control section 18 controls transmission of facsimile communication. The modem 19 modulates / demodulates an analog signal of image information between the telephone line 4 and the communication control unit 18. The DTMF detector 20 detects a dial signal (DTMF signal) sent from a telephone line.

The host / I / F unit 21 is an interface unit for connecting the facsimile apparatus 1 and the host computer 2 in a data communicable manner, and functions as a physical interface and a software interface. OM
The R sheet storage unit 22 stores various OMRs related to the present invention.
It is a memory that stores the format of the sheet.

On the other hand, the host computer 2 has a CPU,
A microcomputer including a ROM, a RAM, etc. is built-in, and a display such as an LCD, a CRT, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, a storage device such as a hard disk device and a removable storage device, and the like are transmitted from the facsimile device 1. Various data processing such as processing based on the information read from the OMR sheet to be performed is executed.

That is, the communication control unit 18 and the modem 1
9 and the like function as a facsimile transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving image information by facsimile via a public line. The host / I / F unit 21 and the like function as means for connecting to the host computer so that data communication is possible and for transmitting the image information received by the facsimile transmitting / receiving means to the host computer.

The OMR sheet storage section 22 and the like serve as a sheet format storage means for storing the format of a predetermined data collection sheet. The system control unit 14 or the like determines the format of the image information received by the facsimile transmission / reception means to be the format stored in the sheet format storage means, and the format determination means for receiving the format information. When it is determined that the format of the image information corresponds to the stored format, the format of the image information is
It functions as an information extracting means for extracting only the information written in a predetermined column in the mat .

The information extracting means extracts the image information at the predetermined position in the image information as it is, and reads only the image information at the predetermined position in the image information, and the characters (numbers, symbols, etc.) of the image information are also read. Including) and extracting the information of the recognized character.

The host / I / F section 21 and the like fulfill the function of means for transmitting the information extracted by the information extracting means to the host computer.

Further, the reading section 11 and the like serve as a means for reading the image information of the predetermined data collecting sheet. The system control unit 14 and the like fulfill the function of a unit for storing the format based on the image information read by the reading unit in the sheet format storage unit.

Further, the system control section 14 and the like serve as means for storing the format of a predetermined data collection sheet received from the host computer or the public line in the sheet format storage means.

Further, the OMR sheet storage unit 22 and the like are
It fulfills the function of a sheet-forming sheet format storage means for storing the format of the sheet-forming sheet for entering the formation information for forming the data-collecting sheet. The recording unit 12 and the like perform the function of the sheet creating sheet printing unit that prints the sheet creating sheet based on the format stored by the sheet creating sheet format storage unit.

Further, the reading unit 11, the system control unit 14, etc. of the creation information reading unit for reading the creation information of the data collection sheet written in the sheet creation sheet printed by the sheet creation sheet printing unit. Perform a function. The system control unit 14 or the like uses the data collection sheet creating means for creating a data collection sheet based on the creation information read by the creation information reading means, and the format of the data collection sheet created by the means. It fulfills the function of the means for storing in the format storage means.

Further, the recording section 12 and the like serve as a data collecting sheet printing means for printing the data collecting sheet based on the format of the data collecting sheet. The reading unit 11, the system control unit 14, and the like perform the function of a unit for reading the image information of the data collection sheet after the additional information is written on the data collection sheet printed by the data collection sheet printing unit. . The system control unit 14 and the like perform the function of a unit for storing the format of the data collection sheet based on the image information read by the reading unit in the sheet format storage unit.

Further, the system control unit 14 and the like serve as a means for judging the type of the data collection sheet based on the format of the data collection sheet. Means for transmitting information extracted by the information extracting means based on the type judged by the means to the host / I / F unit 21 or the like to the directories created by the host computer for each kind of data collection sheet Fulfill the function of.

(1) Next, the processing in the facsimile apparatus 1 will be described. In this process, when the image information received by facsimile is received by the OMR sheet of a specific format, only the data written at the specific position in the image information is taken out and transmitted to the host computer.

First, the data collecting OMR sheet registration process of the facsimile apparatus 1 will be described. Figure 3
It is a flowchart which shows the data acquisition OMR sheet registration process of this facsimile apparatus.

In this processing, in step (indicated by "S" in the figure) 1, an OMR sheet for data collection (OMR sheet 1)
Read in the OMR sheet memory in step 2
The format of the MR sheet 1 is stored, and this processing ends.

This process will be further described. When the OMR sheet for data collection prepared in a predetermined format is set in the reading unit 11, the OMR sheet registration process for data collection is selected from the operation display unit 17, and the reading start is instructed, the system control unit 14 Reads the image of the data acquisition OMR sheet by the reading unit 11, temporarily stores the image information in the image information memory 16, and then stores and registers the image information in the OMR sheet storage unit 22 as a format.

In this way, the image information of the data collecting OMR sheet used at the time of facsimile reception is read by the reading unit 11 and the format based on the image information is stored in the OMR sheet storage unit 22 in advance.
At that time, the image information itself may be stored as a format, or may be stored as data for recognizing the format.

Further, the system control unit 14 sets the format of the OMR sheet for data collection received from the host computer 2 via the cable 3 or from the other facsimile apparatus 5 via the telephone line 4 to the OMR sheet storage unit 22.
Since it is stored in, it is possible to easily register the format of the data collection sheet created by the host computer or a remote place.

Next, the process of transmitting only the information at the predetermined position of the image information received by the facsimile of the facsimile apparatus 1 to the host computer will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting only the information at a predetermined position of the image information received by the facsimile of the facsimile apparatus to the host computer.

In this process, when the image information is received by facsimile in step 11, it is judged in step 12 whether or not the format of the image information is a pre-stored data collecting OMR sheet (OMR sheet 1), and the OMR sheet is read. If it is not sheet 1, in step 15 a process of printing out or transmitting it to the host computer as it is is performed as a normal receiving operation, and this process ends.

On the other hand, if the OMR sheet 1 is determined in step 12, the data (information) to be sent to the host computer from the predetermined position of the image information is read and extracted in step 13.
In step 14, the extracted data is sent to the host computer, and this processing ends.

Further, this processing will be described. When the system control unit 14 receives the image information by facsimile via the communication control unit 18, the system control unit 14 determines whether the format of the image corresponds to the format of the OMR sheet for data collection stored in the OMR sheet storage unit 22. To do.

In this determination processing, it is determined whether or not the format of the received image information matches the image information of the format of the data collecting OMR sheet stored in the OMR sheet storage unit 22, and the OMR sheet storage. Part 22
There is a case where it is determined whether or not they match based on the data indicating the format of the OMR sheet for data collection stored in.

If the above judgment is true, only the information indicated by the image at the predetermined position is read and extracted from the received image information. In this extraction processing, there are a case where only the image information at a predetermined position in the image information is extracted, and a case where character recognition is performed from the image information at the predetermined position in the image information and the data is taken out.

Then, the host I / F unit 21 transmits the data to the host computer 2. At that time, when there are multiple types of OMR sheet formats for data collection,
Host computer 2 with data indicating its type
Send to.

In this way, the format of the predetermined OMR sheet for data collection is stored, it is judged whether or not the format of the image information received by facsimile corresponds to the format stored in advance, and the format of the received image information is determined. When the format corresponds to the format stored in advance, only the information read from the predetermined position in the received image information is extracted and the extracted information is transmitted to the host computer.

On the other hand, the host computer 2 prepares a directory for each type of OMR sheet for data collection in the storage unit in advance, judges the type of OMR sheet for data collection based on the data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 1, Facsimile device 1 in the directory assigned to that type
Store the data extracted in.

As described above, only the necessary information read based on the image information at the predetermined position in the image information received by the facsimile (for example, only the information of the mark written in the predetermined column in the OMR sheet) is sent to the host. Since the data can be transmitted to the computer, the user on the host computer side can receive and manage only the desired data.

Therefore, it is not necessary to take out only the necessary information from the image information received via the facsimile apparatus 1, and the processing load can be reduced.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the OMR sheet for data collection. OM for this data collection
The R sheet format is an example of an application form for obtaining an overseas mail order catalog, and various fill-in fields for the user to enter information such as name, FAX number, TEL number, etc., and to fill in the mark on the name of the catalog to be purchased. It consists of columns etc. Each name of the catalog in the figure is a registered trademark.

The user of each facsimile machine 5 fills in the necessary information on the data collecting OMR sheet, and then
The image information of the data collecting OMR sheet is transmitted to the facsimile device 1 by each of the facsimile devices 5.

When the image information received from each of the facsimile devices 5 is in the format of the OMR sheet for data collection, the facsimile device 1 includes a character code such as a name written in each column from the image information and a filled item. The data is read and transmitted to the host computer 2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information read from a predetermined position of image information received by the facsimile by the facsimile. The facsimile machine 1 reads the code of each character of the name recognized by reading from the name field of the OMR sheet for data collection shown in FIG. 5 (data 1), the code of each character of the person (data 2), and the FAX number field. FAX No. Code (data 3), TEL No. recognized by reading from the TEL number column. (Data 4), other data (data 5 to 8), and data (data 9 to 25) indicating whether or not the filled field is filled are transmitted to the host computer 2. As data indicating whether or not the filled-in column is filled, for example, data “1” indicating that it is filled and data “0” indicating that it is not filled may be used.

Upon receiving the code data and the like, the host computer 1 stores the data in a directory and manages the data, and can manage the order of the catalog requested by the user of each facsimile apparatus 5.

(2) Next, still another registration processing of the data collecting OMR sheet of this facsimile apparatus will be described. When only specific data is collected using the data collection OMR sheet, the collected data changes depending on various conditions such as time and place. Therefore, the format of the data collection OMR sheet may be changed, It would be convenient to be able to easily perform work such as increasing the types of formats.

Therefore, in this processing, a sheet creating OMR sheet in which the number of data to be collected, the contents of the data to be collected, and the like are written is output, and the user creates the sheet creating OMR sheet.
The creation information written on the MR sheet is read to create an OMR sheet for data collection, the format is registered and printed out, and the sheet after additional information is written on the printed OMR sheet for data collection is read. The OMR sheet format for data collection is registered together with additional information such as a title.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing another registration processing of the data collecting OMR sheet of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. In this process, in step 21, a data acquisition OMR sheet (OMR sheet 1) for creating a sheet creation OMR sheet (OMR sheet 2) is printed out, and in step 22, the user creates the sheet creation OMR sheet.
When the sheet is set in the reading section after the creation information such as the number and contents of the data to be collected is entered, the sheet creation OMR sheet (OMR sheet 2) is read in step 23.

Then, in step 24, the sheet-forming OM is executed.
An OMR sheet for data collection (OMR sheet 1) is created based on the creation information read from the R sheet, the format is stored in the OMR sheet storage unit in step 25, and the OMR sheet (OMR sheet for data acquisition (OMR sheet (OMR sheet
The MR sheet 1) is printed out.

Further, in step 27, the OM for data collection
After the OMR sheet for data collection after the additional information such as supplementary items has been entered on the R sheet (OMR sheet 1), it is determined whether or not the OMR sheet for data collection has been registered or instructed, and the O
If the MR sheet is not set and registration is not instructed, this processing ends.

On the other hand, when the data collection OMR sheet is set and registration is instructed in the judgment of step 27, the image of the set data collection OMR sheet (OMR sheet 1) is read in step 28, and in step 29. The format of the read OMR sheet for data collection (OMR sheet 1) is stored in the OMR sheet storage unit,
This process ends.

Further, this processing will be described. First,
The data acquisition OMR is previously stored in the OMR sheet storage unit 22.
OM for sheet creation to fill in creation information
The format of the R sheet is stored. At this time, the image information itself may be stored, or the data indicating the format may be stored. Further, in the registration processing, the original of the OMR sheet for sheet creation that has been created in advance may be read and registered, or the data transmitted from the host computer 2 may be registered.

After that, when the OMR sheet output instruction for sheet creation is input from the operation display section 17, the system control section 14 records the OMR sheet for sheet creation based on the format stored in the OMR sheet storage section 22. 12
To print out. The user fills in the necessary items such as the number of collected data and the contents of the collected data on the OMR sheet for creating the sheet, and then sets it in the reading unit 11.

When the operation display section 17 gives an instruction to create an OMR sheet for data collection, the system control section 14 reads the image of the OMR sheet for sheet creation set in the reading section 11, and the OMR sheet for sheet creation is read. Read the creation information of the OMR sheet for data collection entered in each column, create a format of the OMR sheet for data collection based on the read creation information, and set the format of the created OMR sheet for data collection to the OMR sheet. It is stored in the storage unit 22.

Further, the system control unit 14 causes the recording unit 12 to print out the data collecting OMR sheet based on the format of the data collecting OMR sheet. The user fills in additional information such as the title and item name on the OMR sheet for data collection, and then the reading unit 11
Set to.

When the operation display unit 17 instructs the system control unit 14 to register the data collection OMR sheet, the system control unit 14 displays the image of the data collection OMR sheet after the additional information set in the reading unit 11 is written. The data is read, and the format of the data acquisition OMR sheet based on the read image information is stored in the OMR sheet storage unit 22.

In this way, the OMR for data collection in which the number and contents of data to be collected differ depending on the user's preference.
Sheets can be easily created. That is, the user can easily customize the OMR sheet for information collection by the host computer. Further, the user can easily additionally register information such as a title on the data collection sheet.

The format stored after the data collection OMR sheet is created may be deleted. Also,
If the process is terminated after registering the format of the created OMR sheet for data collection, unnecessary print output is not required when additional information is not added. further,
Data collection OM created based on instructions from the user
If the R sheet is printed out, additional information can be added whenever the user needs it.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the OMR sheet for data creation. This information collection OMR sheet creation OMR sheet (data creation OMR sheet)
Includes items for marking whether or not each column such as a name column, a FAX number column, and a TEL number column is required on the OMR sheet for data collection, and an item for writing the number of information items to be collected.

FIG. 9 shows the OMR for data creation shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the example of an entry to a sheet. The user has the OMR sheet for creating the above information collection OMR sheet. As the creation information, "Do you need a name?""Do you need a fax number?""Do you need a TEL number.""Do you need contact time?" Mark "YES" in each item of "", fill in "0015" (indicating 15 pieces) in the entry column for the number of information you want to collect, and select "Application" of the choice item whether the information you want to collect is an application or a questionnaire After marking, the reading unit 11 reads the mark.

FIG. 10 shows the OMR for data creation shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of the format of the OMR sheet for data collection created based on the creation information filled in on the sheet. The facsimile device 1 recognizes the marked portion and the written number from the image of the information collecting OMR sheet for producing the information collecting OMR sheet in which the above-mentioned production information is written, and based on them, the data of the format as shown in FIG. Create an OMR sheet for collection.

When the data collecting OMR sheet created by the facsimile apparatus 1 is printed, the user writes additional information on the data collecting OMR sheet.

FIG. 11 shows the data collection O shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of a format when additional information is added to an MR sheet. For example, on the data collecting OMR sheet, additional information such as the title "recycle" want to buy "information!" And the names "bookshelf" and "table" of each selection item in the application field is entered.

When the data collecting OMR sheet is newly set in the reading unit 11 and a registration instruction is issued from the operation display unit 17, the format of the data collecting OMR sheet with the additional information shown in FIG. 11 is changed. register.

After that, the user selects another facsimile machine 5
11 to the users of the respective facsimile devices 5 by instructing the facsimile transmission to the user, and by facsimile transmitting the data collecting OMR sheet shown in FIG. 11, the data collecting OMR sheet can be easily distributed to a large number of users. can do.

Furthermore, if the data is also sent to the host computer 2, the host computer 2
When only the necessary information in the data collecting OMR sheet transmitted from each of the facsimile apparatuses 5 via the facsimile apparatus 1 is received, the management for each user can be easily performed.

(3) Next, a process of transmitting information read from a predetermined position of image information received by the facsimile by the facsimile apparatus to each directory of the host computer will be described. If the host computer 2 collects information from one type of OMR sheet for data collection, it is not difficult to organize the data, but multiple types of data collection OMR sheets are used.
When collecting the information by the MR sheet, it takes a lot of time and effort to organize the information for each type of the data collecting OMR sheet as the type increases.

Therefore, when sending the collected data from the facsimile apparatus 1 to the host computer 2, it is preferable to automatically send the collected data to the directory for each data collecting OMR sheet created by the host computer 2.

First, on the host computer 2 side,
A directory for each type of OMR sheet for data collection is created in the storage unit. Further, the facsimile machine 1 is set to send data to each directory.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a process of transmitting information read from a predetermined position of image information received by facsimile by the facsimile apparatus for each directory of the host computer. This process is step 31.
At, the image information of the OMR sheet for data collection is received, and data extraction processing is performed. This processing corresponds to the processing of steps 11 to 13 in FIG. 4 described above.

Then, in step 32, the OM for data collection
The data extracted from the R sheet and the data indicating which type of data collecting OMR sheet the image information was received are sent to the host I / F unit, and in step 33, which type of data collecting OMR sheet is received. Based on the data indicating whether the data has been collected, it is determined in which directory of the host computer the data extracted from the data collecting OMR sheet is stored, and in step 34, the data is stored in the target directory based on the determination result. To the host computer, and this processing ends.

Further, this processing will be described. When the system control unit 14 receives the image information in the format of the data collecting OMR sheet by facsimile, it refers to the formats of the plurality of types of data collecting OMR sheets stored in the OMR sheet storage unit 22, and which format is selected. To determine if

Then, the system control section 14 sends data indicating which kind of data collecting OMR sheet is to the host / I / F section 21 based on the judgment result, and the format of the data collecting OMR sheet is set. Based on the received image information, the data read and extracted from the predetermined position is transmitted to the host / I / F unit 21.

The host / I / F unit 21 sends the data extracted by the system control unit 14 to the host computer 2 based on the data indicating from the system control unit 14 which type of data collecting OMR sheet is received. Determine whether to send to a directory and send to that directory.

In this way, the type of the data collecting OMR sheet is judged based on the format of the data collecting OMR sheet, and the information extracted from the image information based on the judged type is used as the data collecting sheet Send to each directory created for each type. In the transmission process to the directory, for example, the address data of the directory may be transmitted.

On the other hand, the host computer 2 stores the data extracted by the facsimile machine 1 based on the address data received from the facsimile machine 1 in the directory of the address.

In this way, the data received by the same data collection sheet can be stored in the same directory of the host computer. Further, when it is desired to combine the data extracted for each type of data collection sheet into one database, it is possible to store the data in each directory in the storage unit on the host computer 2 and automatically create a database. Information for each type of work sheet can be easily organized, and complicated work for that can be reduced.

[0095]

As described above, according to the data communication apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to transmit only necessary information out of the image information received by facsimile to the host computer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment of a data communication apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data communication system using the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a data collection OMR sheet registration process of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting only information at a predetermined position of image information received by facsimile of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 to a host computer.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a format of an OMR sheet for data collection.

6 is a diagram showing an example of information read from a predetermined position of image information received by the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

7 is a flowchart showing another registration process of the data collection OMR sheet of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a data creating OMR sheet.

9 is a diagram showing an example of entry on the data creating OMR sheet shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an OM for data collection created based on the creation information entered in the OMR sheet for data creation shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows an example of a format of an R sheet.

11 is a diagram showing an example of a format when additional information is added to the OMR sheet for data collection shown in FIG.

12 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting information read from a predetermined position of image information received by facsimile by the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 for each directory of a host computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 5: Facsimile device 2: Host computer 3: Cable 4: Telephone line 11: reading unit 12: recording unit 13: Encoding / decoding unit 14: System control unit 15: System memory section 16: Image information memory 17: Operation display unit 18: Communication control unit 19: Modem 20: DTMF detector 21: Host / I / F unit 22: OMR sheet storage unit 23: Bus

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. Facsimile transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving facsimile image information via a public line, and means for connecting to a host computer in a data communicable manner and transmitting the image information received by the facsimile transmitting / receiving means to the host computer. In the provided data communication device, sheet format storage means for storing a predetermined data collection sheet format, and whether the format of the image information received by the facsimile transmission / reception means corresponds to the format stored in the sheet format storage means. Format determining means for determining whether or not the format of the received image information corresponds to the stored format by the means,
A data communication device comprising: an information extracting means for extracting only the information entered in a predetermined column in the format of the image information ; and a means for transmitting the information extracted by the means to the host computer. 2. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for reading the image information of the predetermined data collecting sheet, and the means for storing the format based on the image information read by the means in the sheet format storage means. And a data communication device. 3. The data communication device according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing in the sheet format storage means a format of a predetermined data collection sheet received from the host computer or the public line. Data communication device. 4. A data communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet preparation sheet format storage means for storing sheet creation sheet format to fill the created information to create a data collection sheet, by said means Sheet creating sheet printing means for printing the sheet creating sheet based on the stored format; and creation information reading means for reading creation information of the data collecting sheet filled in the sheet creating sheet printed by the means A data collection sheet creating means for creating a data collection sheet based on the creation information read by the means; and means for storing the format of the data collection sheet created by the means in the sheet format storage means. A data communication device characterized by the above. 5. The data communication device according to claim 1 , further comprising a data collection sheet printing means for printing the data collection sheet based on the format of the data collection sheet, Means for reading image information of the data collection sheet after additional information is written on the data collection sheet printed by the means, and a format of the data collection sheet based on the image information read by the means A data communication device comprising: a storage unit for storing the data. 6. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the data collection sheet is determined based on a format of the data collection sheet, and the determination is performed by the means. A data communication device comprising means for transmitting information extracted by the information extraction means based on the type to a directory created by the host computer for each type of data collection sheet.