JP3611927B2 - Facsimile device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus such as a facsimile or a personal computer that automatically receives file data by facsimile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there have been the following facsimile machines.
(1) A facsimile apparatus that stores character data received by facsimile in an external storage device such as a flexible disk for each file management data and sector unit data (see, for example, JP-A-7-123194).
[0003]
(2) When storing data received by facsimile in an external storage device such as an IC memory card, a facsimile device for storing additional information for controlling the switching of the output order and the selection of data to be output (for example, special features) (See Kaihei 7-87229).
[0004]
(3) A facsimile apparatus that stores character data such as a word processor received by facsimile in a storage device such as a floppy disk (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-66926).
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In general, since image data is printed out in a facsimile machine, the file name seen by the operator is not very important, and is only enough to give a file number. The file number is managed by adding unique management information such as the communication date / time of the file data, destination name, communication mode, transmission time, etc., but when performing file operations, the operator has to do with that file number. .
However, since the file name of file data can indicate what the file is, it plays an important role in performing file operations.
[0006]
In the above-described facsimile apparatus (1), when the received data is stored in the external storage device for each file management data and sector unit data, the file name is not confirmed, so that a file having the same name exists. File management becomes difficult.
[0007]
For this reason, when the file management data such as the file name of the received file has the same name as the file already stored in the external storage device, (i) overwrite and manage the file, or (2) change the extension File management, (c) File management with a new name for the waiting distinction, (d) Contact with the sender in advance to change the file name, or file management (e) Already stored The file management process was either performed by moving the file on the current disk to a different directory and managing the file.
[0008]
However, in the case of the file management (b), there is a problem that the file data stored earlier is lost when the file data has the same name but different contents. In addition, in the case of file management (b) above, the extension often has the meaning of the file's attributes, etc., and it is not desirable to use several types of extensions because that meaning is lost. There is.
[0009]
Furthermore, in the case of the file management in (c) above, the file name is named with some meaning, so changing it has the problem that the contents of the file are lost and this is not preferable for file management. .
[0010]
For example, file data such as text, images, and audio may include search information such as the creation date and serial number in the file name, and changing the file name without permission makes file operations inconvenient. There is.
In the case of a program file, there is a problem that the program cannot be started.
[0011]
Furthermore, in the case of the file management (b), there is a problem in that the effectiveness of automatic facsimile reception is lost because a file name must be previously discussed with the transmission side. In addition, in the case of the file management of (e), there is a problem that it is not possible to deal with a plurality of files having the same name while the operator is absent.
[0012]
In that case, the facsimile device to automatically receive full Airudeta, upon receiving a file with the same file name, may be to leave the file data and the file name.
[0013]
Next, in the above-mentioned facsimile apparatus (2), additional information for rearrangement and selection control is given to each received data at the stage of storing the received data in an external storage device such as an IC memory card. There is a problem in that it is impossible to know what kind of file data is used when performing various controls during output from the external storage device.
[0014]
Also, even if the data stored in the external storage device is taken into the personal computer with the additional information, it cannot be processed by the personal computer unless the additional information is suitable for the file. There is also a problem that it cannot be used unless it is heard.
[0015]
In addition, if the personal computer is not turned on quickly, there is a risk that data will accumulate in the external storage device and there will be a shortage of data, so you can prepare an external storage device with sufficient free space, There is also a problem that it must be restricted so that a large amount of file data is not sent.
[0016]
Furthermore, when only a part of the file can be received due to a communication error or insufficient memory, there is also a problem that the reception of the file cannot be completed until the reception can be completed without error unless the data received correctly is saved. .
Therefore, when the entire file data cannot be received due to a communication error or a shortage of memory, the present invention allows the file name to be stored and stored so that only the data that could not be received later can be received. and purpose that.
[0017]
Next, the facsimile apparatus (3) described above has a problem that only part of the file data can be received when the remaining capacity of the storage device is small or the size of the received data is large.
In that case, may prevent not be facsimile reception to insufficient remaining capacity and the data size of the memory is large.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Since this invention to achieve the above purpose, a receiving means for automatically facsimile receiving the file data, the facsimile device provided with a storage memory for storing the file data received by the unit,
File reception control for creating a new non-overlapping directory and storing the correctly received file data in that directory when only a part of the file data can be received correctly due to a communication error or insufficient storage and storage means Means are provided.
[0024]
The facsimile apparatus according to the present invention creates a new non-overlapping directory when only a part of the file data can be correctly received due to a communication error or a shortage of storage and storage means, and the file data that can be correctly received in the directory. Therefore, only the remaining file data can be easily received later.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile apparatus includes a display / operation unit 1, a reading unit 2, a recording unit 3, a compression / reproduction unit 4, a modulation / demodulation unit 5, a communication control unit 6, a network control unit 7, a main control unit 8, a storage unit 9, and an accumulation storage. Part 10 and an external storage device 11.
[0027]
The display / operation unit 1 includes a display unit such as an LCD for displaying various work screens and messages during facsimile transmission / reception and various operations, and a plurality of keys and buttons for a user to input various operation information. Consists of an operation unit.
The reading unit 2 is an image reading device such as a scanner that optically reads information written on a document and inputs the image information.
[0028]
The recording unit 3 is a printing device such as a laser printer or an ink jet printer that copies the image information read by the reading unit 2 to a recording sheet or prints image data received by facsimile on a recording sheet.
The compression / reproduction unit 4 compresses image data to be transmitted by facsimile and reproduces image data received by facsimile.
[0029]
The modem 5 is a modem or the like that modulates data transmitted by facsimile and demodulates data received by facsimile.
The communication control unit 6 controls facsimile transmission / reception. The network control unit 7 is connected to a communication line such as a public line and controls facsimile transmission / reception using the communication network.
[0030]
The main control unit 8 is a CPU, controls the entire facsimile apparatus, and also performs facsimile reception control processing according to the present invention.
The storage unit 9 is a memory such as a ROM or a RAM, stores a program for the main control unit 8 to execute various processes, and provides a work area for executing the various processes.
[0031]
The storage unit 10 and the external storage unit 11 are terminal devices such as personal computers such as image data received by facsimile transmission and reception, text data storing character information as they are, and binary files created depending on special programs. Stores file data handled by.
The file data includes application programs such as personal computers and image data processed as files.
[0032]
The storage unit 10 and the external storage device 11 are storage devices such as a non-volatile memory and a hard disk. The external storage device 11 may be a storage device such as a floppy disk device or an optical disk device. Removable from the device.
[0033]
This facsimile apparatus performs facsimile transmission / reception of image data and file data. In this embodiment, only functions and processes related to file management at the time of facsimile reception of file data in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention will be described. Since it is the same as a normal facsimile apparatus, the description thereof is omitted.
[0034]
That is, each unit such as the main control unit 8 automatically receives a file data by facsimile, a storage unit that stores file data received by the unit, a file data stored in the storage unit, When other file data having the same file name is received, a new non-overlapping directory is created and the function of file reception control means for storing the other file data in the directory is achieved.
[0035]
In addition, when only a part of the file data can be received correctly due to a communication error or insufficient storage storage means, a new non-overlapping directory is created, and the file data that can be correctly received is stored in the directory. It also functions as a reception control means.
[0036]
Furthermore, when an external storage device is connected and the remaining amount of the storage device decreases, it also functions as a file reception controller that writes the received file data to the external storage device.
[0037]
Next, the format of the file data stored in the storage storage unit and the external storage device received by the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a format of file data stored in the storage storage unit and the external storage device received by the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.
[0038]
FIG. 2A shows a file structure when file data is transmitted by facsimile. A file name 21 is added to the contents 22 of the file data.
The facsimile apparatus receives the file data having the file structure shown in FIG.
[0039]
FIG. 2B shows a file structure when file data having the same name as the file data shown in FIG. 2A is stored in the storage unit 10 and the external storage device 11. A new directory 23 that does not overlap with the file data already stored with the same name is added and stored.
[0040]
Next, processing when the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 receives file data will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing when the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 receives file data.
[0041]
In this process, it is determined whether or not there is an incoming call for facsimile transmission in step (indicated by "S" in the figure), and if there is, the process proceeds to step 2 to determine whether or not the data transmitted by facsimile is a data file. If the image data is not a data file, the process proceeds to step 16 to execute image data processing for receiving and printing the image data, and this reception processing is terminated.
[0042]
If it is determined in step 2 that it is a data file, it is determined whether or not the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit is greater than a predetermined value set in advance. The storage destination is changed to the storage device, and the process proceeds to Step 5.
[0043]
In step 5, the file name is further detected, and the process proceeds to step 6 to determine whether or not the same file name exists in the file data already stored in the storage unit and the external storage device. If yes, go to Step 7 to create a new non-overlapping directory, go to Step 8, change the receiving directory, and go to Step 9.
[0044]
In step 9, the file data is received by facsimile. The process proceeds to step 10, and if the storage destination is not changed, the received data is stored in the storage unit, and if the storage destination is changed, the received data is stored in the external storage unit. The process proceeds to step S12 to determine whether or not there is a remaining storage capacity. If so, the process proceeds to step S12 to determine whether or not there is a communication error. If there is no communication error, the reception process is terminated.
[0045]
If it is determined in step 11 that there is no remaining storage capacity, the process proceeds to step 13 to notify the transmission source of an unreceived frame, and the process proceeds to step 14 to create a new directory and store or store in the new directory. The file data stored in the apparatus is moved, and this reception process is terminated.
[0046]
If it is determined in step 12 that there is a communication error, the flow proceeds to step 13 to notify the transmission source of the unreceived frame, and the flow proceeds to step 14 to create a new directory, and the new directory is stored in the storage storage unit or the external storage device. The file data that has been correctly received and stored is moved, and the reception process is terminated.
[0047]
Further, this process will be described.
In this facsimile apparatus, when the network control unit 7 receives an incoming call from the transmission source, the communication control unit 6 detects image data or file data to be received from the source according to a predetermined protocol, and the detection result is sent to the main control unit 8. Inform.
[0048]
When the received data is image data according to the notification result from the communication control unit 6, the main control unit 8 demodulates the image data received by the network control unit 7 by the modem unit 5 and receives the image data received by the compression / reproduction unit 4. And the reproduced image data is printed by the recording unit 3.
[0049]
On the other hand, when the notification result from the communication control unit 6 is file data, the remaining memory capacity of the storage unit 10 is inspected, and it is determined whether or not the remaining amount is larger than a predetermined amount. When the number is smaller, the storage destination is changed to the external storage device 11, and a new directory is automatically created in the external storage device 11.
[0050]
Further, the communication control unit 6 detects the file name of the received data by a predetermined protocol and notifies the main control unit 8 of it.
The main control unit 8 checks whether the directory of the storage unit 10 and the external storage unit 11 already has a file name having the same name as the file name, and if it exists, automatically creates a new alias directory. Then, the receiving directory is changed, and the file name of the file data to be received is written in the directory.
[0051]
Then, the main control unit 8 newly creates the received file data in the storage storage unit 10 or the external storage device 11 and writes it in the directory in which the file name is written.
[0052]
When the main control unit 8 can correctly receive only a part of the file data due to a communication error or a shortage of the remaining amount of the storage unit 10 when receiving the file data, it returns an unreceived frame to the transmission source and stores it. A new directory is automatically created in the storage unit 10 or the external storage device 11, and a received file composed of correctly received data is moved to the directory.
[0053]
Next, an example of operation when using the received file data in the facsimile apparatus will be described.
4 is a diagram showing an example of the display / operation unit of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a diagram showing an example of an initial screen of the display / operation unit, and FIG. 6 is a screen when file operation is selected in the display / operation unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a file transmission destination is input on the display / operation unit.
[0054]
On the display / operation unit 1, as shown in FIG. 4, a display unit 31, a numeric key 32, a start key 33, a stop key 34, a cursor button 35, and the like are provided.
Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when the file operation selection key 41 is touched by the operator when the initial screen of file operation and facsimile operation is displayed on the display unit 31, the operation shifts to file operation processing and the facsimile operation selection is performed. When the key 42 is touched, the process proceeds to facsimile operation processing.
[0055]
When file operation is selected, a file list is displayed on the display unit 31 as shown in FIG. When the file list protrudes, the list screen is scrolled by the cursor button 35. When the operator touches the file name when the file name to be selected is found, the file data of that file name is selected as the operation target.
[0056]
Thereafter, when the file data selected by the file operation is transmitted by facsimile, a transmission destination designation screen is displayed on the display unit 31 as shown in FIG.
On this screen, the one-touch key 51 and a key whose transmission destination has been registered in advance (from A to Z in the figure) are touched, and the above-mentioned selection is made by calling the facsimile number registered in that key. Send file data to its destination.
This screen also performs destination selection during normal facsimile transmission.
[0057]
In the file operation, when the received file data is a program file, when the file is selected, a registration selection menu for the program file is displayed on the display unit 31. Thereafter, when registration is selected by the program registration key 52, the file is automatically moved to the program execution directory and registered as an execution file. If a file with the same name exists, it may be overwritten.
[0058]
In this way, when this facsimile apparatus receives new file data having the same file name as the file data already stored in the storage unit 10, it creates a new non-overlapping directory and creates a new file in that directory. Since the data is stored, even if a plurality of files having the same file name are received, the file data and the file name can be left, and the file data having the same file name can be easily managed.
[0059]
Therefore, there is no possibility that the new file data with the same name is overwritten on the old file data and the old file data is lost.
Also, file management of file data with the same name can be performed appropriately without using an extension.
[0060]
Further, it is possible to prevent the file contents received from facsimile from being changed and the contents of the file from being lost.
Furthermore, file management can be performed appropriately without having to discuss the file name with the transmission side when receiving a file with the same name.
In addition, even when the operator is absent, the file management when receiving the file with the same name can be appropriately performed.
[0061]
In addition, when only a part of the file data can be correctly received due to a communication error or the remaining amount of the accumulation storage unit 10, a new non-overlapping directory is created, and the file data that can be correctly received is stored in the directory. By receiving only the remaining file data from the transmission source later, the file data can be received efficiently.
[0062]
Further, when the remaining amount of the storage unit 10 is small, the storage destination is switched to the external storage unit 11 and the received file data is written to the external storage unit 11, so that the remaining amount of memory or the data size of the storage unit 10 is insufficient. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the facsimile reception from becoming impossible, and the user can leave the facsimile reception with peace of mind.
When this facsimile apparatus receives other file data having the same file name as the file data already stored in the storage means, a new non-overlapping directory is created and the other file data is stored in the directory.
Therefore, when a file with the same file name is received, the file data and the file name can be left, and the file data with the same file name can be easily managed. Therefore, there is no risk of overwriting the file data. In addition, file management of file data with the same name can be appropriately performed without using various types of extensions.
Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the file contents from being lost because the file name is not changed. Furthermore, file management can be performed appropriately without having to discuss the file name with the transmission side when receiving a file with the same name. In addition, even when the operator is absent, the file management when receiving the file with the same name can be appropriately performed.
Further, since this facsimile apparatus writes the received file data to the external storage device when the external storage device is connected and the storage and storage means is low, the facsimile device has a shortage of memory and a large data size. It is possible to prevent the reception from becoming impossible, and the facsimile reception standby can be performed with peace of mind.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As has been described above, according to the full Akushimiri apparatus of this invention, when that did not receive all of the file data by remaining lack of communication errors and memory, and to be able to store, leaving the file name, after the Thus, it is possible to easily receive only the amount that cannot be received.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram showing an example of a format of file data stored in a reception and storage unit and an external storage device in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing when file data is received by the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a diagram showing an example of a display / operation unit of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen of a display / operation unit of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a file operation is selected in the display / operation unit of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a file transmission destination is input in the display / operation unit of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Display / operation unit 2: Reading unit 3: Recording unit 4: Compression / reproduction unit 5: Modulation / demodulation unit 6: Communication control unit 7: Network control unit 8: Main control unit 9: Storage unit 10: Accumulation storage unit 11: External storage device 21: File name 22: Contents 23: Directory 31: Display section 32: Ten key 33: Start key 34: Stop key 35: Cursor button 41: File operation selection key 42: Facsimile operation selection key 51: One touch key 52: Program registration key

Claims (1)

In a facsimile apparatus comprising receiving means for automatically receiving file data by facsimile, and storage means for storing file data received by the means,
File reception control for creating a new non-overlapping directory and storing the correctly received file data in the directory when only a part of the file data can be received correctly due to a communication error or insufficient storage and storage means A facsimile apparatus comprising means.

Images