JP3550832B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a memory transmission function and a memory reception function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, facsimile apparatuses having a memory transmission function of automatically storing a transmission original read by a scanner unit in a memory and then automatically transmitting the original to a designated destination have been widely used.
2. Description of the Related Art In a facsimile apparatus which transmits a document to be transmitted simultaneously with reading of an original transmission original (hereinafter, referred to as "direct transmission"), when the facsimile apparatus of the other party is receiving, the operator waits until the line becomes free. Was sometimes waited longer than necessary, but in a facsimile machine with a memory transmission function, once it is read into the memory, it is automatically transmitted after that, and the reading speed to the normal memory is also increased. Is faster than direct transmission, which greatly contributes to speeding up paperwork.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the memory capacity inside the facsimile machine has a certain limit in terms of cost, when sending many originals to be sent, or when many originals sent from other memory have already been read, In some cases, the memory capacity is insufficient, and the memory may become full during reading of one transmission original.
[0004]
In this case, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, the data already written in the memory is invalidated without being transmitted, and is set in an overwritable state, and waits for a new memory transmission operation.
In addition to the above-described memory transmission function, a facsimile apparatus having a memory reception function of writing received data once in a memory and then printing out the data as necessary has appeared. Such a memory reception function is used, for example, when confidential transmission of important documents or the like is performed (printed out for the first time by inputting a password or the like by the addressee) or when paper is exhausted in the printing unit. When the received data cannot be printed out due to the trouble described above, the function is exhibited when the data is temporarily written to the memory and then printed out after the trouble is solved.
[0005]
In a facsimile apparatus having a mode in which memory transmission can be performed simultaneously with memory reception (hereinafter, this mode is referred to as "dual mode"), one memory is used for reception and transmission for effective use of memory. In general, when sending data to a memory while receiving data, the possibility of running out of memory becomes even higher. When the memory becomes insufficient, as in the case described above, the transmission data written in the memory may be invalidated, and the received data that has been written may also be invalidated.
[0006]
Unilaterally invalidating the transmission data or the reception data once written in the memory in this way results in wasting both the data read and the time, so that the operator has to first store the data in the memory. The other transmission data written in is transmitted, or the content of the memory reception is printed out, and the memory transmission is executed after the memory remaining amount is increased, or the memory transmission is abandoned. The only option is to switch to direct transmission for transmission. In either case, it is necessary to read one transmission original from the scanner unit from the beginning, and the advantage of the above-described speed-up of office work provided by the memory transmission function is lost. Not only do they reject, but rather, the transmission procedure becomes a double hassle.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a facsimile apparatus that reduces the burden of transmission procedures by rational memory management that respects the operator's intention. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a facsimile apparatus for temporarily writing a transmission original read by a scanner unit as transmission data in a memory, and transmitting the transmission data to a destination while reading the transmission data from the memory. A memory transmission unit, a memory remaining amount monitoring unit for monitoring the remaining memory amount of the memory, and comparing the remaining memory amount with a predetermined threshold value. A memory shortage monitoring unit that emits a memory shortage signal when a value becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, and a transmission that receives a designation of transmitting or discarding transmission data already written in the memory when the memory shortage signal is received. A judgment accepting unit, and when the transmission judgment accepting unit has designated transmission data discarding, or If due to reception is not within a predetermined time, and a control means for controlling the memory transmission means to discard the written transmitted data.
[0009]
In this way, when the memory is insufficient at the time of memory transmission, instead of unilaterally discarding the written transmission data, first, wait for the judgment of the operator, and when the discard is designated, the written Discard the transmission data. Also, in the case where the memory is insufficient at the time of transmitting the memory, the written transmission data is discarded even when the operator does not specify within a predetermined time.
In this specification, "discarding data" means that data already written in the memory is invalidated and erased or overwritten.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the memory shortage monitoring unit according to the first aspect compares the remaining memory amount with the threshold every time one transmission document is read, and determines whether the unread transmission document exists. A memory shortage signal is issued when the memory remaining amount becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, and the scanner unit stops reading the transmission original in response to the memory shortage signal.
[0011]
As a result, the reading of the transmission original is stopped due to the occurrence of the memory shortage signal at the time of the memory transmission, and at this time, the reading of the original is always performed up to the separation of the number of sheets.
[0012]
A facsimile apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is a facsimile apparatus comprising: a first writing unit that temporarily writes a transmission original read by a scanner unit as transmission data into a memory; and a memory transmission unit that transmits the transmission data to a destination while reading the transmission data from the memory. Second writing means for writing received data being received to the memory, remaining memory monitoring means for monitoring a remaining memory capacity gradually reduced by writing by the first and second writing means, and the remaining memory capacity And a predetermined threshold value, and a memory shortage monitoring unit that issues a memory shortage signal when the memory remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, and when receiving the memory shortage signal, issues an alarm to that effect. Transmission determination accepting means for accepting a designation of transmitting or discarding transmission data already written in the memory; When the judgment accepting means specifies transmission data discarding, or when the reception by the transmission judgment accepting means is not within a predetermined time, the memory transmitting means is controlled to discard the written transmission data. Control means.
[0013]
Thus, even if a shortage of memory occurs when writing transmit data while receiving memory, instead of unilaterally discarding the already-written transmit data, it is first necessary to wait for the operator's judgment and specify the discard. If there is, the written transmission data is discarded. In addition, even if the operator does not specify within a certain time, the written transmission data is discarded.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the memory shortage occurs after the occurrence of the memory shortage alarm, the transmission determination accepting unit does not receive the memory, and the memory of the received data continues to be written into the memory, or after the alarm is generated. The transmission data that has been written by the first writing unit is discarded at an earlier time when there is no reception by the transmission determination receiving unit within a fixed time.
[0015]
As a result, even after a predetermined time elapses without an instruction from the operator after the warning, the written transmission data is discarded when the remaining memory capacity becomes “0”.
A facsimile apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a facsimile apparatus, comprising: first writing means for temporarily writing a transmission original read by a scanner unit as transmission data in a memory; and memory transmission means for transmitting the transmission data to a destination while reading the transmission data from the memory. Second writing means for writing received data being received to the memory, remaining memory monitoring means for monitoring a remaining memory capacity gradually reduced by writing by the first and second writing means, and the remaining memory capacity And a predetermined threshold value, and a memory shortage monitoring unit that issues a memory shortage signal when the memory remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, and when receiving the memory shortage signal, issues an alarm to that effect. Transmission determination accepting means for accepting a designation of transmitting or discarding transmission data already written in the memory; When the discarding of the transmission data is specified by the judgment accepting means, the memory transmitting means is controlled to discard the written transmission data. Control means for controlling the receiving unit so as to temporarily suspend the reception when the remaining memory capacity is exhausted during the memory writing of the received data and for controlling the memory transmitting means so as to transmit the written transmission data. And
[0016]
As a result, the transmission data can be discarded while respecting the operator's intention, or the written transmission data can be transmitted by giving priority to memory transmission over memory reception.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the threshold value is a value of a memory capacity capable of writing at least transmission data of one transmission original, and the memory shortage monitoring unit determines whether the transmission original is Each time one sheet is read, the memory remaining amount is compared with the threshold value, and a memory shortage signal is issued when the memory remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value, even though there are unread transmission originals. The scanner unit is configured to stop reading the transmission original in response to the memory shortage signal.
[0017]
As a result, at the time of writing the transmission data to the memory during the memory reception, the reading of the transmission original is stopped due to the occurrence of the memory shortage signal, and at that time, the reading of the transmission document is always performed up to the separation of the number of sheets.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.
In this facsimile apparatus, a system control unit 1, a scanner unit 2, a line control unit 3, an operation panel unit 4, an image compression / decompression unit 5, a memory 6, and a printing unit 7 are each connected to a data bus DB1. , DB2.
[0019]
The system control unit 1 is mainly composed of a CPU, and controls the operation of each unit as described later to execute data transmission and reception.
The scanner unit 2 detects a transmission document placed on a tray or the like by an unread document detection unit 21 composed of a reflection type optical sensor or the like, and sends it one by one in a main scanning direction by a document feeding mechanism (not shown). The original is read by a photoelectric conversion element that moves in a sub-scanning line direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction and is converted into image data. A counter 22 is provided to count the number of read originals.
[0020]
In response to an instruction from the system control unit 1, the line control unit 3 modulates the transmission data compressed by the image compression / decompression unit 5 described later for a public line such as a telephone line and transmits the data, or receives the data from a destination. The signal is demodulated and sent to the image compression / decompression unit 5.
The operation panel section 4 includes an input section (not shown) for the operator to specify a destination and a transmission mode, an alarm generation section 41 for issuing a predetermined alarm, a forced transmission permission / inhibition section 42, a liquid crystal display panel, and the like. And a display unit 43 for displaying various messages.
[0021]
The image compression / decompression unit 5 encodes the image data read by the scanner unit 2 to generate transmission data, or decodes the reception data modulated and transmitted from the line control unit 3 and reproduces the data as image data.
The memory 6 accumulates transmission data output from the image compression / decompression unit 5 at the time of memory transmission according to an instruction from the system control unit 1, and accumulates reception data from the line control unit 3 at the time of memory reception. In the case of the dual mode, transmission data and reception data are simultaneously stored.
[0022]
The printing unit 7 prints out the image data decoded by the image compression / decompression unit 5 on thermal paper in a roll form or plain paper in accordance with an instruction from the system control unit 1.
Except for the system control unit 1, the alarm generation unit 41 and the forced transmission permission / inhibition unit 42 in the operation panel unit 4, the other units are well-known components of the facsimile apparatus. The description is omitted, and only the characteristic portions of the present invention will be described below.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the system control unit 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the system control unit 1 includes a main control unit 11 including a CPU, a memory remaining amount monitoring unit 12 for monitoring the remaining amount of memory in the memory 6, and a memory for reading the transmitted document one by one. A memory shortage monitoring unit 13 that compares the remaining amount with a predetermined threshold value and issues a memory shortage signal when the remaining memory amount becomes equal to or less than the threshold value. An alarm generation instructing unit 14 for instructing the alarm generation unit 41 of the operation panel unit 4 to generate an alarm when receiving the shortage signal, a memory transmission stop signal generation unit 15 for issuing a memory transmission stop signal based on a reference described later, and Consisting of
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the usage status of the memory 6. With reference to this diagram, first, the operation of the memory remaining amount monitoring unit 12 will be described.
The memory remaining amount monitoring unit 12 stores the current total memory remaining amount M in the memory 6 (see FIG. 4A). The total memory remaining amount M is often the total memory capacity of the memory 6, but if another transmission original has been written before and it has not been transmitted yet, the memory capacity is reduced accordingly. Has become.
[0025]
When a memory transmission instruction is issued, the transmission original read by the scanner unit 2 is compressed by the image compression / decompression unit 5 and written into the memory 6. The data amount of the compressed transmission data is determined by the main control. It is sent to the memory remaining amount monitor unit 12 via the unit 11. Since the data amount of the transmission data is equal to the memory capacity M1 used for writing the memory transmission, the memory remaining amount monitoring unit 12 subtracts the data amount from the above-mentioned total memory remaining amount M to calculate the memory remaining amount in real time. Then, the memory remaining amount is notified to the memory shortage monitoring unit 13 (see FIG. 4B).
[0026]
Further, in the case of the dual mode, the writing of the transmission data and the writing of the reception data to the memory 6 are performed at the same time, so that both data amounts are subtracted from the total memory remaining amount M to obtain the remaining memory amount (FIG. C)).
The memory shortage monitoring unit 13 includes a timing generation unit 131, a threshold setting unit 132, and a comparison unit 133, as shown in FIG.
[0027]
The timing generator 131 is provided with information on the number of transmission documents read from the counter 22 of the scanner unit 2 via the main control unit 11, and issues a comparison instruction signal each time one transmission document is read.
A predetermined threshold value Δ is set in advance in the threshold value setting unit 132. As the threshold value Δ, for example, a memory capacity capable of writing about ten originals written in a normal character size on A4 size paper is used. The value is set.
[0028]
The comparison unit 133 includes information on the presence / absence of an unread document from the unread document detection unit 21 of the scanner unit 2 via the main control unit 11 and information on the remaining memory of the memory 6 from the remaining memory monitoring unit 12. Is received, and each time the comparison instruction signal is received from the timing generation section 131, the remaining memory capacity is compared with the threshold value Δ. Only when it is determined from the above information that an unread transmission document remains, a signal indicating that the memory is insufficient is issued.
[0029]
Upon receiving the memory shortage signal, the alarm generation instructing unit 14 instructs the alarm generating unit 41 of the operation panel unit 4 to generate an alarm via the main control unit 11 and makes a predetermined inquiry to the display unit 43. The text is displayed, and at the same time, the reading of the original in the scanner unit 2 is stopped.
The memory transmission stop signal generation unit 15 starts counting time from an internal timer (not shown) from the time of the alarm generation instruction, and inputs an operation input to the forced transmission enable / disable instruction unit 42 of the operation panel unit 4 within a predetermined time. When there is no memory, or when the remaining memory capacity becomes “0”, whichever is earlier, a memory transmission stop signal is generated and sent to the main control unit 15.
[0030]
The main control unit 11 discards the written transmission data when the memory transmission stop signal is received, or when the operator gives an instruction to discard data from the forced transmission permission / inhibition instruction unit 42, and conversely, When the forcible transmission permission / inhibition instruction unit 42 receives an instruction for forcible transmission, the transmission data that has been written is read from the memory 6 and transmitted to the other party via the line control unit 3.
[0031]
First, the operation of the facsimile apparatus configured as described above when only the memory transmission is executed will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The operator sets a document to be transmitted on the scanner unit 2, inputs an instruction to transmit data to the memory from the operation panel unit 4, and then inputs a facsimile number of the destination (step S1).
[0032]
Then, an instruction to start reading is sent from the main control unit 11 to the scanner unit 2, and the scanner unit 2 reads one sheet of the transmission document (step S2).
The read image data is sent to the image compression / decompression unit 5 where it is compressed, written and stored in the memory 6 (steps S3 and S4).
Next, based on the detection signal from the unread document detection unit 21, it is determined whether or not a transmission document that has not been read remains (step S5). The transmission data read in accordance with the instruction from 11 is sent out to the public line via the line control unit 3 and transmitted to the previously input destination.
[0033]
If there is still a document to be transmitted, the process proceeds to step S6, and the memory shortage monitoring unit 13 determines whether the remaining memory capacity of the memory 6 is equal to or smaller than the threshold Δ (step S6). If the remaining memory capacity is equal to or larger than the threshold value Δ, the process returns to step S2 to read the next original to be transmitted, and thereafter repeats steps up to step S6.
If the remaining amount of memory becomes equal to or less than the threshold value Δ in step S6 after reading several transmission originals in this way, a memory shortage signal is issued from the memory shortage monitoring unit 13 to the alarm generation instruction unit 14.
[0034]
Upon receiving the memory shortage signal, the alarm generation instructing unit 14 sends an instruction to stop reading of the transmission original to the scanner unit 2 via the main control unit 11 and issues an alarm to the alarm generation unit 41 of the operation panel unit 4. To warn the operator of the memory shortage, and instructs the display unit 43 to perform a predetermined display.
The alarm generator 41 includes, for example, a light emitting diode and an electronic sound generator. Upon receiving the alarm generation instruction, the alarm generator 41 blinks the light emitting diode and generates an alarm sound to notify the operator of the memory shortage. Further, the display unit 43 displays a message informing that "memory is insufficient" and "whether to discard the written transmission data or forcibly transmit it" (step S7).
[0035]
After the warning is issued, for example, if the operator performs an input operation on the forced transmission permission / inhibition unit 42 of the operation panel unit 4 within one minute, and if the input operation is a forced transmission instruction, the main control unit 11 issues an alarm. Is stopped to cancel the warning, and the previously input facsimile number of the destination is called, and the already written transmission data is read out from the memory 6 and sent to the public line via the line control unit 3 (step S8). , S9, S10, S11).
[0036]
On the other hand, in step S9, if the instruction from the operator to the forced transmission permission / inhibition unit 42 is to discard the read data, the written transmission data is discarded, and the warning is released (steps S9 and S12). , S13).
Returning to step S <b> 8, if there is no input operation to the forced transmission permission / inhibition unit 42 by the operator even if one minute elapses after the warning is issued, the main control unit 11 automatically discards the written transmission data. (Step S14). At this stage, the warning is continued, and the warning is released only when the operator gives an instruction to stop the warning from the operation panel unit 4 (steps S15 and S16). This is to notify the operator that the written transmission data has been automatically discarded by causing the operator to perform an operation of canceling the warning by himself / herself. It has been discarded due to lack of memory. Please send it again. "
[0037]
Next, the operation when the memory transmission is executed during the memory reception will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
After the operator acknowledges that the memory is being received, the operator sets the document to be transmitted on the scanner unit 2, inputs an instruction to transmit the memory from the operation panel unit 4, and then inputs the facsimile number of the destination (step S21).
[0038]
Then, an instruction to start reading is sent from the main control unit 11 to the scanner unit 2, and the scanner unit 2 reads one sheet of the transmission document (step S22).
The read image data is sent to the image compression / decompression unit 5 where it is compressed, written and stored in the memory 6 (steps S23 and S24).
Based on the detection signal from the unread document detection unit 21, it is determined whether or not a transmission document that has not been read remains (step S25). If not, the process proceeds to step S26. The transmission data read in accordance with the instruction is sent out to the public line via the line control unit 3 and transmitted to the previously input destination.
[0039]
If there is still a document to be transmitted, the process proceeds to step S27, and the memory shortage monitoring unit 13 determines whether the remaining memory capacity of the memory 6 is equal to or smaller than the threshold Δ.
If the remaining memory capacity is equal to or greater than the threshold value Δ, the process returns to step S22 to read the next transmission original, and repeats the subsequent steps up to step S27.
[0040]
If the remaining amount of memory becomes equal to or smaller than the threshold value Δ in step S27 after reading several transmission originals in this way, the memory shortage monitoring unit 13 issues a memory shortage signal to the alarm generation instructing unit 14.
Upon receiving the memory shortage signal, the alarm generation instructing unit 14 sends an instruction to stop reading of the transmission original to the scanner unit 2 via the main control unit 11 and issues an alarm to the alarm generation unit 41 of the operation panel unit 4. To warn the operator of the memory shortage, and instructs the display unit 43 to perform a predetermined display.
[0041]
When receiving the above-mentioned alarm generation instruction, the alarm generation unit 41, for example, blinks a light-emitting diode and generates an alarm sound to notify the operator of the memory shortage, as in the case described above. Then, a message inquiring of "insufficient memory" and inquiring "whether to discard written transmission data or forcibly transmit?" Is displayed (step S28).
[0042]
Note that even if this warning occurs, the memory reception continues, and the remaining memory capacity decreases every moment. Therefore, the main control unit 11 sends the operation panel unit 4 forcibly transmission for one minute or more after the warning is generated. Either there is no input operation in the permission / inhibition unit 42, or the remaining memory capacity becomes “0”, or the written transmission data is automatically discarded at the earlier time (steps S29, S30, S31, S32), Only the memory reception is continued, and the memory area in which the transmission data has been written is overwritten (step S33).
[0043]
At this stage, the warning is continued, and the warning is released only when the operator gives an instruction to stop the warning from the operation panel unit 4 (steps S34 and S35). As in the case of only the memory transmission, the purpose is to inform the operator that the written transmission data has been automatically discarded. At this time, the display unit 43 also indicates “The memory transmission of this case is Therefore, it was discarded. Please send it again. "
[0044]
Returning to the original, within 1 minute after the warning is issued and before the remaining memory capacity becomes “0”, an input from the operator is made on the operation panel unit 4 (steps S29 and S36), and this is forcibly transmitted. If the reception is completed, and the reception is completed before the remaining memory capacity becomes “0”, the previously input facsimile number of the destination is called, and the written transmission data is written. Is read out from the memory 6 and sent to the public line via the line control unit 3 to perform transmission (steps S37, S38, S39, S41). If the remaining memory becomes "0" due to the continuation of the memory reception, once The above-mentioned transmission is executed by interrupting the memory reception (steps S38, S40, S41).
[0045]
Note that the memory reception interrupted in step S40 may be continued after the above-mentioned forced transmission, or in some cases, the memory reception may be interrupted as it is and the destination may be referred to as “reception abnormal, re-transmitting procedure. Please take a message. "
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the contents of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments, and the following modified examples can be considered.
(1) In the above embodiment, the threshold value Δ of the remaining memory in the memory shortage monitoring unit is set to a memory capacity of about 10 A4 size documents, but this is because memory reception is prioritized. Then, an appropriate threshold may be appropriately set in the threshold setting unit as needed.
[0046]
In particular, in a facsimile apparatus having only a memory transmission function, it is unnecessary to leave a memory capacity for 10 A4 size documents, and in this case, the threshold Δ is set to at least one transmission document. Memory capacity is sufficient. If there is enough memory capacity, even if the remaining memory reaches the threshold value Δ at the beginning of reading the next document, it is possible to read only that document and stop reading where the number of sheets is good. Because you can.
[0047]
Even in the case of the dual mode, even in the worst case as the threshold value Δ, if the memory capacity is sufficient to write at least one transmission document, it is possible to achieve the purpose of reading data up to the above-mentioned good division of the number of sheets.
(2) It is not necessary to make the threshold value Δ common between the mode only for memory transmission and the dual mode as in the above-described embodiment, and a table of threshold values corresponding to the mode is prepared, and the table is prepared according to the selected mode. Alternatively, the threshold value may be set automatically.
[0048]
If this mode is further subdivided and an optimal threshold is set for each mode, fine memory management becomes possible.
For example, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the case where the memory transmission is performed during the memory reception has been described. However, it is of course applicable to the case where the memory transmission operation is preceded and the memory reception is performed during the reading of the transmission original. In this case, the operator has instructed memory transmission assuming that there is no memory reception. Therefore, it is significant to give priority to memory transmission over memory reception. The memory capacity per minute may be set as a threshold, and this may be selected.
[0049]
Further, when the facsimile apparatus has not only the above-described dual mode but also a multitasking function capable of simultaneously performing functions such as copying together with a memory transmitting / receiving function, and a predetermined memory capacity is required to execute those functions. There is.
In such a case, it is desirable to reconsider the above-mentioned threshold value of the remaining memory capacity, and add a memory capacity required for executing the function to the threshold value and set a new threshold value according to the function that operates simultaneously. , May be stored in the above table.
(3) In the above-described embodiment, each time one transmission document is read, the remaining memory is compared with the threshold Δ, and a warning is generated when the remaining memory is less than or equal to the threshold Δ. The reading of the transmission original is stopped. For this reason, there is an advantage that reading can be stopped at a place where the number of sheets is good, and the operator can easily instruct forcible transmission.
[0050]
However, it is not always necessary to do so. In some cases, a warning may be generated when the remaining memory capacity reaches the threshold value Δ while sequentially comparing the remaining memory capacity with the threshold value Δ. . In this case, the transmission may be stopped in the middle of reading some transmitted documents, but it is also possible to forcibly transmit the transmitted data that has already been written. By controlling the system control unit to stop the transmission when the transmission data for this number has been transmitted with reference to the number of pages, the data for the document read halfway is not transmitted. You can also.
(4) In the setting of the threshold value Δ, assuming some sheets, for example, A4 standard originals, and empirically determining the memory capacity necessary for writing the data, the threshold value Δ is set to the threshold value Δ. However, for example, information on the memory capacity already written at the time of memory transmission or memory reception is obtained from the memory remaining amount monitor unit, and this memory capacity is divided by the number of written documents obtained from a counter or the like to obtain one document. By calculating the average memory capacity required for writing per unit and multiplying the average memory capacity by, for example, “10”, the memory capacity for ten pieces of the transmission data (or the reception data) can be accurately set as the threshold Δ.
(5) Further, the remaining writable number may be displayed on the display unit of the operation panel unit. This can be used as a reference when the operator specifies the transmission mode and the like. The writable number can be easily determined by dividing the remaining memory obtained from the remaining memory monitor by the average memory capacity required for writing one piece of transmission data or one piece of reception data obtained in the above (4). Desired.
(6) In the above-described embodiment, when the operator specifies the forced transmission, it is necessary to perform the transmission procedure again for the remaining document. For example, while forcibly transmitting the written transmission data, Automatically write the rest of the original in the empty memory area and execute memory transmission for all transmitted originals, or automatically continue the remaining originals when transmission of written transmission data is completed. You may comprise so that it may read and transmit directly. This saves the operator the trouble of creating a cover page and transmitting the remaining document.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the remaining amount of memory becomes equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value during reading of a transmission original, whether the transmission data already written in the memory is transmitted or discarded. Waits for the operator's instruction, and if the operator gives an instruction to discard the data, the transmission data is discarded. Therefore, the memory transmission that respects the operator's intention in memory transmission and does not waste the written transmission data It becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to reduce the burden of the operator performing the transmission procedure again from the beginning. Furthermore, if there is no designation by the operator within a certain time, the written transmission data is discarded, so that another memory transmission can be performed.
[0052]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, at the time of memory transmission, each time a document to be transmitted is read, the remaining memory capacity is compared with a threshold value, and when the memory remaining capacity falls below a predetermined threshold value, reading is performed. Since the scanning is stopped, there is no possibility that the transmitted original being read remains. Therefore, the operator can forcibly transmit the document at a good interval for each number of sheets, and there is no need to extract the transmission document being read from the scanner unit.
[0053]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to write the transmission data for the memory transmission together with the memory reception, and if the remaining memory becomes less than or equal to the predetermined threshold during the reading of the transmission original, the memory shortage occurs. Warning the operator that there is, first wait for the operator to specify whether to send or discard the transmission data already written to the memory, and discard the transmission data if the operator specifies data discard Therefore, it is possible to perform the memory transmission without wasting written transmission data while respecting the intention of the operator, and it is possible to reduce the burden of the operator performing the transmission procedure from the beginning again. If this threshold value is set large, memory reception can be prioritized. Further, when the memory becomes insufficient when writing the transmission data during the memory reception, the written transmission data is discarded even if there is no designation of the operator within a predetermined time. Reception or memory transmission becomes possible.
[0055]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the memory shortage occurs, after the memory shortage occurs due to the continuation of the writing of the received data to the memory, or when the transmission determination receiving unit does not receive within a predetermined time after the alarm is generated. Since the memory transmission is stopped and the written transmission data is discarded at the earliest time, the memory remains even after a certain time without warning from the operator. When the amount becomes “0”, the written transmission data is discarded, and the received data is overwritten on the memory area of the discarded data, so that the memory reception can be continued as it is.
[0056]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to write transmission data for memory transmission at the same time as memory reception, and when the remaining memory becomes less than or equal to a predetermined threshold during reading of a transmission original, the memory shortage occurs. Warning the operator that there is, first wait for the operator to specify whether to send or discard the transmission data already written to the memory, and discard the transmission data if the operator specifies data discard Therefore, it is possible to perform the memory transmission without wasting written transmission data while respecting the intention of the operator, and it is possible to reduce the burden of the operator performing the transmission procedure from the beginning again. If this threshold value is set large, memory reception can be prioritized.
Further, when the transmission is specified by the operator within a predetermined time after the memory shortage warning occurs, when the memory remaining amount is exhausted during the memory reception, the reception is temporarily stopped, and Since the written transmission data is transmitted, it is possible to respect the intention of the operator and transmit the written transmission data by giving priority to the memory transmission over the memory reception.
[0057]
According to the invention of claim 6, at the time of writing the transmission data to the memory during the memory reception, each time one transmission original is read, the remaining memory is compared with a predetermined threshold, and the remaining memory is equal to or less than the threshold. Since the reading of the transmission original is stopped when the value becomes, there is no possibility that the transmission original being read remains. Therefore, the operator can forcibly transmit the document at a good interval for each number of sheets, and there is no need to extract the transmission document being read from the scanner unit.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a system control unit in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a memory shortage monitoring unit in the system control unit.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an initial total memory remaining amount and a memory use state only in memory transmission or in memory transmission and memory reception.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation in a case where only memory transmission is performed in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation in the case where memory transmission is performed during memory reception in the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 System control unit
2 Scanner section
3 Line control unit
4 Operation panel
5 Image compression / decompression unit
6 memory
7 Printing section
11 Main control unit
12 Memory remaining monitor
13 Memory shortage monitor
14 Alarm generation instruction section
15 Memory transmission stop signal generator
21 Unread original detector
22 counter
41 Alarm generator
42 Forced transmission availability indicator
43 Display

Claims (6)

Writing means for temporarily writing the transmission original read by the scanner unit as transmission data in a memory;
Memory transmission means for transmitting the transmission data to the destination while reading the transmission data from the memory;
Memory remaining amount monitoring means for monitoring the remaining memory amount of the memory,
Comparing the memory remaining amount with a predetermined threshold value, and a memory shortage monitoring unit that issues a memory shortage signal when the memory remaining amount becomes equal to or less than the threshold value, even though there is an unread transmission document,
When receiving the memory shortage signal, transmission determination receiving means for receiving a designation of transmitting or discarding the transmission data already written in the memory,
If the transmission judgment receiving means has specified transmission data discarding, or if the transmission judgment receiving means has not received the data within a predetermined time, the memory transmitting means may discard the written transmission data. Control means for controlling;
Facsimile machine comprising: The memory shortage monitoring unit compares the remaining memory amount with the threshold value each time one transmission document is read, and determines that the memory remaining amount is equal to or less than the threshold value even though there is an unread transmission document. Sometimes emits a low memory signal,
2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanner unit stops reading the transmission original in response to the memory shortage signal. First writing means for temporarily writing a transmission original read by the scanner unit as transmission data in a memory;
Memory transmission means for transmitting the transmission data to the destination while reading the transmission data from the memory;
Second writing means for writing received data being received to the memory;
Memory remaining amount monitoring means for monitoring a remaining memory amount gradually reduced by writing by the first and second writing means;
A memory shortage monitoring unit that compares the remaining amount of memory with a predetermined threshold, and issues a memory shortage signal when the remaining amount of memory is equal to or less than the threshold.
When the memory shortage signal is received, a warning is issued to that effect, and transmission determination receiving means for receiving a designation of transmitting or discarding the transmission data already written in the memory,
If the transmission judgment receiving means has specified transmission data discarding, or if the transmission judgment receiving means has not received the data within a predetermined time, the memory transmitting means may discard the written transmission data. Control means for controlling;
Facsimile machine comprising: After the occurrence of the alarm, when there is no reception in the transmission determination receiving means, when the memory remaining amount is exhausted due to the continuation of writing the received data into the memory, or when no reception is made by the transmission determination receiving means within a certain time after the alarm is generated 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transmission data written by said first writing means is discarded at an earlier time. First writing means for temporarily writing a transmission original read by the scanner unit as transmission data in a memory;
Memory transmission means for transmitting the transmission data to the destination while reading the transmission data from the memory;
Second writing means for writing received data being received to the memory;
Memory remaining amount monitoring means for monitoring a remaining memory amount gradually reduced by writing by the first and second writing means;
A memory shortage monitoring unit that compares the remaining memory amount with a predetermined threshold, and issues a memory shortage signal when the remaining memory amount is equal to or less than the threshold value.
When the memory shortage signal is received, an alarm is issued to that effect, and transmission determination receiving means for receiving a designation of transmitting or discarding the transmission data already written in the memory,
When there is a designation of transmission data discarding in the transmission judgment receiving means, the memory transmission means is controlled to discard the written transmission data,
In the case where transmission is specified by the transmission determination accepting means, the reception unit is controlled so as to temporarily suspend the reception when the remaining memory is exhausted during the continuation of the writing of the received data into the memory, and the written data is written. To send outgoing data Control means for controlling the memory transmission means;
Facsimile machine comprising: The threshold value is a value of a memory capacity at which transmission data of at least one transmission document can be written, and the memory shortage monitoring unit sets the memory remaining amount and the threshold value each time one transmission document is read. Compare, even though there is an unread transmission original, issues a memory shortage signal when the memory remaining amount is below the threshold,
6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the scanner unit stops reading a transmission original in response to the memory shortage signal.

Images