JP3606904B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus connected to a host device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, multifunctional image forming apparatuses that combine an online printer function, a filing function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like have become widespread. In this image forming apparatus, a destination to be frequently transmitted is registered in advance with an abbreviated number to simplify the operation.
[0003]
In addition, a touch panel is provided so that the facsimile number can be selected while confirming the destination name, a facsimile function that displays a list of destination names and facsimile numbers registered in advance on the touch panel, and selects and inputs the destination from the touch panel. There is also an image forming apparatus having. In an image forming apparatus equipped with a touch panel or the like, the user can select a partner while confirming the company name displayed on the touch panel, thereby preventing erroneous input of a facsimile number.
[0004]
In addition, the filing function can register a document to be repeatedly used for facsimile transmission such as an invoice or greeting card, call it at the time of transmission, and perform facsimile transmission. In addition, when sending originals that differ only partially, to many different destinations, you can register in advance the parts that can be used in common and send them together with different originals for each destination. Since there is no need for registration, the working time and memory consumption can be reduced.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the kanji conversion function used when inputting the partner name or the like is inferior to the kanji conversion function of the word processor, and it takes time to input the partner name or the like.
[0006]
In the image forming apparatus combining the printer function and the facsimile function, the host unit function of the printer unit can be used to receive data in the facsimile function without installing a special communication line. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be operated via a host device and has excellent operability.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a data receiving unit that receives data from a host device via a first communication line, a data storage unit that stores print data received from the host device, and a print received from the host device. A printer control unit that converts data into image data and prints, a data transmission unit that transmits data to another device via the second communication line, and a transmission that stores transmission destination information of the other device a target information storing unit, data received by the data receiving unit, whether a registration data Ru stored in the data storage unit, or whether an update data transmission destination information, the head of the received data from the host apparatus a determination unit that determines based on the additional strings, based on the discrimination result by the discrimination unit, the corresponding data or the storage of the transmission destination information storage unit stored in the data storage unit The destination information and having an updating unit for updating.
[0008]
[Action]
According to the present invention, determination unit, data received by the data receiving unit, whether a registration data Ru stored in the data storage unit, or to whether the update data transmission destination information, received from the host device The determination is made based on the character string added to the beginning of the data. If the determination result is registration data stored in the data storage unit, the data transmission unit transmits the data to another device via the second communication line. If the determination result is update data of the transmission destination information, the update unit updates the transmission destination information of another device stored in the transmission destination information storage unit.
[0009]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a host device 2. The host device 2 uses the built-in word processor 3 to update phone book information and printing conditions, and to input frequently used sentences.
[0010]
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation display unit 4, an image forming apparatus main body 5, a printer control unit 6, and a facsimile control unit 7. The operation display unit 4 includes a large LCD 8 capable of touch input. As shown in the screen configuration diagram of FIG. 2, the LCD 8 displays phone book information such as the destination facsimile number and the name of the destination, as well as printing conditions and frequent use as shown in the screen configuration diagrams of FIGS. Display the text to be used. Further, the LCD 8 inputs selection of a destination facsimile number. The image forming apparatus main body 5 communicates with an external facsimile machine. The printer control unit 6 prints out image image data.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 5, the facsimile control unit 7 includes a main control unit 9, a telephone directory storage unit 10, a control condition storage unit 11, a document storage unit 12, an information registration unit 13, an image editing unit 14, a code method communication unit 15, A function detection unit 16, a communication control unit 17, a host interface 18, and a scanner 19 are included.
[0012]
The main control unit 9 controls the entire facsimile control unit 7. The telephone directory storage unit 10 stores telephone directory information such as a destination facsimile number and destination name registered in advance. The control condition storage unit 11 stores control conditions such as a facsimile transmission destination, a reading condition, and a facsimile transmission time designation when performing memory transmission that designates a transmission time and reserves transmission. The document storage unit 12 stores frequently used sentences such as invoices created and sent by the host apparatus 2 as print data composed of character codes. The information registration unit 13 detects the type of information received from the host device 2, and stores the phone book information stored in the phone book storage unit 10 in the case of phone book information, or the control condition storage unit 11 in the case of control conditions. If the control condition is a document for registration, the document stored in the document storage unit 12 is updated with information sent from the host device 2, registered, or deleted. The image editing unit 14 converts the print data stored in the document storage unit 12 into image image data that can be transmitted by facsimile. The code system communication unit 15 performs facsimile transmission / reception using print data including character codes instead of image data. The function detection unit 16 detects whether or not the partner facsimile machine includes the code communication unit 15 at the time of facsimile transmission. When the function detecting unit 16 detects that the partner facsimile machine is provided with the code type communication unit 15, the communication control unit 17 transmits the print data stored in the document storage unit 12 by facsimile and sends it to the partner facsimile machine. When it is detected that the code system communication unit 15 is not present, the image image data converted by the image editing unit 14 is transmitted by facsimile. The host interface 18 controls communication with the host device 2.
[0013]
Next, an operation in a case where update information such as phone book information created by the host device 2 is sent to the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration to update the phone book information will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0014]
For example, when updating the phone book information such as the destination facsimile number or the destination name, the host device 2 calls the previously entered phone book information from a magnetic disk or the like and uses the word processor 3 to add, change or change the phone book information. Editing such as deletion is performed (step S1). When the editing of the phone book information is finished and the transmission of the phone book information is instructed, the host device 2 inserts a character string “// phone book information //” at the head of the phone book information, for example, and the image forming apparatus Send to 1. It should be noted that “// program //” is inserted at the beginning of the information when transmitting the control condition, and “// document bank //” is inserted at the beginning of the information when transmitting the registration document. When the information registration unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the information created by the host device 2 via the host interface 18 (step S2), the information registration unit 13 checks the top of the received information (step S3), and the first character string of the received information. Accordingly, the information stored in the phone book storage unit 10, the control condition storage unit 11 or the document storage unit 12 is replaced with received information from which character strings such as “// phone book information //” are deleted (steps S4, S5, S6). ). In this way, since the host device 2 edits the phone book information and the like using the existing word processor 3 or the like, new creation or editing of the phone book information or the like can be easily performed. Further, even when the image forming apparatus 1 is replaced, if the telephone directory information or the like is stored in the host apparatus 2, it can be set again only by transmitting again, and the image forming apparatus 1 can be easily replaced.
[0015]
In the above embodiment, a character string such as “// phone book information //” is added to the head of the phone book information to distinguish information from print data such as normal facsimile transmission data. Instead of adding a character string, the mode of the image forming apparatus 1 may be switched, and the information received from the host apparatus 2 may be determined as the information for the set mode.
[0016]
When facsimile transmission is performed from the image forming apparatus 1, the user operates the operation display unit 4 to display the destination facsimile number and the destination name stored in the telephone directory storage unit 10 while confirming the destination name and the like. Since the facsimile transmission destination can be selected, it is possible to prevent an erroneous input of the facsimile number or an incorrect selection of the facsimile number. Instead of displaying the phone book information on the operation display unit 4, the phone book information may be displayed on the host device 2 and a transmission destination selection may be input from the host device 2.
[0017]
In addition, since the destination facsimile number and the like in the case of memory transmission can be input from the screen of the host device 2 using the word processor 3 while comparing each item of memory transmission designation, input errors are reduced and input is facilitated.
[0018]
Next, for example, an operation when a document stored in the document storage unit 12 is transmitted to the memory will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.
[0019]
The user selects a desired control condition from the control conditions stored in the control condition storage unit 11 and sets memory transmission to the image forming apparatus 1. When the set transmission time is reached, the main controller 9 instructs the function detector 16 to check the function of the counterpart facsimile machine (step S11). When the function detection unit 16 detects that the counterpart facsimile machine does not have the same function as the code system communication unit 15 (step S12), the image editing unit 14 converts the print data stored in the document storage unit 12 into image image data. (Step S13), the communication control unit 17 performs facsimile transmission of the image data converted by the image editing unit 14 to the set transmission destination (Step S14). Since the print data stored in the document storage unit 12 at the time of facsimile transmission is converted into image image data, the document storage unit 12 can store print data with a small amount of data instead of the image image data, thus saving the storage area. .
[0020]
When the function detection unit 16 detects that the counterpart facsimile apparatus has the same function as the code communication unit 15 (step S12), the communication control unit 17 converts the print data including the character code stored in the document storage unit 12 into the code method. Facsimile transmission is performed via the communication unit 15 (step S14). When the counterpart facsimile machine has the same function as the code communication unit 15, the print data can be transmitted as it is, so that the conversion time and the transmission time of the print data can be shortened.
[0021]
Next, designation of print data stored in the document storage unit 12 in advance, and instructions for facsimile transmission by adding the designated print data to the facsimile transmission data read from the scanner 19 or the facsimile transmission data input from the host device 2, A case where input is made from the operation display unit 4 or the host device 2 will be described. When the above instruction is input, the image editing unit 14 selects the designated print data from the print data stored in the document storage unit 12. When the data for facsimile transmission is image image data, the image editing unit 14 converts the selected print data into image image data and then attaches it to the head of the facsimile transmission data. When the facsimile transmission data is print data, the image editing unit 14 adds the selected print data to the head of the facsimile transmission data and then converts it to image image data. The communication control unit 17 transmits the facsimile transmission data prefixed with the print data to the designated destination by facsimile. As a result, for example, when it is desired to send a document by facsimile with an invoice, the invoice can be registered in advance, and there is no need to prepare an invoice every time the facsimile is transmitted.
[0022]
When the print data selected from the document storage unit 12 is added to the head of the facsimile transmission data, the number of originals of the facsimile transmission data is counted and attached to a predetermined location of the print data, or the predetermined location of the print data You may make it date.
[0023]
In addition, the operation display unit 4 is specified so that a specific print data stored in advance in the document storage unit 12 and an instruction to send the specified print data to the facsimile transmission data by facsimile transmission can be performed with a simple operation. The above functions may be assigned to the keys or selected from the operation display unit 4 or the screen of the host device 2.
[0024]
In the above embodiment, the case of facsimile transmission has been described, but the same operation is performed when printing.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a data receiving unit that receives data from the host device via the first communication line, a data storage unit that stores print data received from the host device, and A printer control unit that converts print data received from the host device into image data and prints, a data transmission unit that transmits data to the other device via the second communication line, and transmission of the other device a destination information storage unit that stores target information, the data received by the data receiving unit, whether a registration data Ru stored in the data storage unit, or to whether the update data transmission destination information, the host device a determination unit that determines based on the additional string to the beginning of the received data, based on the discrimination result by the discrimination unit, the corresponding data or transmitting stored in the data storage unit And a update unit for updating the destination information stored in the information storage unit. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus that combines a printer function and a facsimile function, by using the host connection function of the printer unit, it is possible to receive data in the facsimile function without separately installing a special communication line. In addition, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having excellent operability because it can be operated via the host device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a screen configuration diagram of phone book information.
FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram of control conditions.
FIG. 4 is a screen configuration diagram of a registration document.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile control unit.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation for updating telephone directory information and the like.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation during memory transmission.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Host apparatus 3 Word processor 4 Operation display part 5 Image forming apparatus main body 6 Printer control part 7 Facsimile control part 10 Telephone directory storage part 11 Control condition storage part 12 Document storage part 13 Information registration part 14 Image editing part 15 Code System communication unit 16 Function detection unit 17 Communication control unit

Claims (1)

A data receiving unit for receiving data from the host device via the first communication line;
A data storage unit for storing print data received from the host device;
A printer control unit for converting print data received from the host device into image image data and printing;
A data transmission unit that transmits data to another device via the second communication line;
A destination information storage unit for storing destination information of the other device;
Data received by the data receiving unit, wherein whether a registration data Ru stored in the data storage unit, or whether the an update data transmission destination information, is added to the head of the received data from the host device A discriminator for discriminating based on the character string,
An update unit for updating the corresponding data stored in the data storage unit or the transmission destination information stored in the transmission destination information storage unit based on a determination result by the determination unit; Image forming apparatus.

Images