JP3624860B2 - Facsimile device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus including a receiving unit that receives image data using a plurality of communication protocols.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an Internet facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication via a LAN or the Internet in addition to the public telephone network, the following print jobs are generated in addition to the print jobs by G3 or G4 facsimile reception.
(A) A print job of image data by receiving an e-mail attached with image data via a LAN or the Internet using SMTP or POP. 37 and T.W. A print job by receiving an Internet facsimile conforming to 38.
(B) A print job by a copy function using the scanner of its own machine.
(C) A print job called “network print” received from a client personal computer via a LAN.
[0003]
In the conventional Internet facsimile apparatus, the print jobs are executed based on the order in which the print jobs are generated.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, an image data print job based on SMTP is more immediate than an image data print job based on POP. However, if other print jobs are accumulated, printing is performed after that, and the image data print job based on SMTP is performed. There was a problem that the immediacy of print jobs was not utilized.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a facsimile apparatus that can take advantage of the immediacy of each communication protocol in a facsimile apparatus having a receiving means for receiving image data using a plurality of communication protocols. There is.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is a facsimile apparatus having a receiving means for receiving image data using a plurality of communication protocols, a storage means for storing a priority order table in which the print priority order for each communication protocol is set. When the image data of a plurality of print jobs is received by SMTP reception or POP reception by the receiving means, the priority order according to the SMTP reception or POP reception for the image data of each print job based on the priority order table And control means for controlling to print each of the image data. The facsimile apparatus is characterized in that the priority of printing for SMTP reception is set higher than the priority of printing for POP reception. In the priority table, the print priority and print switching timing are set for each communication protocol, and the control means selectively switches the print switching timing according to the priority corresponding to the communication protocol. It is characterized by controlling to print. Here, the print switching timing is a timing for interrupting at the end of the page being printed in the first priority order, and printing one file in the second priority order lower than the first priority order. It is characterized by the timing of interrupting at the end.
[0007]
In the facsimile apparatus, preferably, when the image data of a print job having a higher priority is received by the receiving means while the image data of the print job is being printed, the control means The print job is interrupted, and control is performed so that image data of a print job having a higher priority is preferentially printed.
[0008]
Further, in the facsimile apparatus, preferably, when the image data of the print job having a higher priority is received by the receiving means while the image data of the print job is being printed, the control means After the print job is finished, control is performed so that image data of a print job with a higher priority is printed with priority.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
<Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an Internet facsimile machine 20 having a print job priority order function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The Internet facsimile machine 20 is a facsimile machine that can receive image data using a plurality of communication protocols, and the ROM 6 stores a print job priority table 6a in which the print priority for each communication protocol is set. When the main control unit 1 receives image data of a plurality of print jobs, the main control unit 1 sets the priority order for the image data of each print job based on the print job priority order table 6a and prints the image data. It is characterized by controlling to do.
[0011]
In the Internet facsimile machine 20, when image data of a print job is being printed, when image data of a print job with a higher priority, such as a print job of image data by SMTP, is received, the main control unit No. 1 performs control so that a print job being executed is interrupted and image data of a print job having a higher priority is printed with priority. Furthermore, when image data of a print job is being printed and image data of a print job with a higher priority, such as a “network print” print job, is received, the main control unit 1 After the job is finished, control is performed so that image data of a print job with a higher priority is preferentially printed.
[0012]
In FIG. 1, an Internet facsimile machine 20 has a conventional facsimile communication function such as the G3 method and a print job priority order function. The main control unit 1 is specifically composed of a CPU, and is connected to the following hardware units via the bus 13 to control them, and executes various software functions to be described later. The image reading unit 2 reads a document with a scanner using a CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data converted into black and white binary. The image recording unit 3 is an electrophotographic printer or the like, and prints out image data received from another facsimile apparatus by facsimile communication as a hard copy and records it. The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display, and displays the operating state of the Internet facsimile machine 20 and displays image data of a document to be transmitted and received image data. Do.
[0013]
The operation unit 5 includes character keys necessary for operating the Internet facsimile machine 20, a numeric keypad for dialing, speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys, and the like. In addition, you may comprise so that a part or all of the various keys of this operation part 5 may be substituted by making the above-mentioned display part 4 into a touch panel system.
[0014]
The ROM 6 stores various software programs that are necessary for the operation of the Internet facsimile machine 20 and executed by the main control unit 1 in advance. Here, the ROM 6 stores the print job priority order table 6a shown in FIG. These programs may be recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk, MO, DVD-RAM, etc., and loaded into the SRAM 7 via the drive device as necessary to execute the program. The SRAM 7 is used as a working area of the main control unit 1 and stores temporary data generated when the program is executed. Here, the SRAM 7 stores the print job waiting table 7a of FIG. The compact flash 8 functions as a so-called image memory and a memory as a program recording medium.
[0015]
The fax modem 10 is a modem that is connected to the public telephone network 50 via the public telephone line L and has a function of a fax modem for normal facsimile communication. An NCU (Network Control Unit) 11 is a hardware circuit that performs an operation of closing and opening a DC loop of an analog public telephone line L and having an automatic dial function. Is connected to the public telephone line L. Here, the NCU 11 detects the ID receiving terminal activation signal and the normal telephone call signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service, and transmits the primary response signal and the secondary response signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service as necessary. can do. The NCU 11 may be connected to a baseband transmission type digital line (for example, an ISDN line) via a predetermined terminal adapter and a DSU (Subscriber Line Terminating Unit: Digital Service Unit).
[0016]
The interface circuit 12 is an interface circuit that performs signal and data signal conversion and protocol conversion in order to connect the Internet facsimile machine 20 to, for example, a LAN 30 such as Ethernet, and the LAN 30 includes a mail server device 31 and a router device. 32 and client personal computers 60-1 and 60-2 are connected.
[0017]
Further, the router device 32 is connected to a mail server device (not shown) of the other party via the Internet 40. When the image data is sent from the Internet facsimile machine 20 by attaching it to the mail text, the mail data is sent from the LAN interface 12 to the mail server device 31 via the LAN 30, and then the mail server device 31 sends the Internet mail to the LAN 30. Then, the mail is transmitted to the destination facsimile apparatus via the router apparatus 32, the Internet 40, and the other party mail server apparatus (not shown). On the other hand, when Internet mail is received, it is received through the reverse route described above. Here, as a method of receiving Internet net mail from the mail server device 31, POP3 may be used, or may be received by SMTP. The line connection to the Internet 40 is not limited to a dedicated line, but may be a dial-up connection using a public telephone line L.
[0018]
The Internet facsimile machine 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above has a print job priority function in addition to a normal facsimile communication function such as the G3 method. In the facsimile communication function, the dot image data read by the image reading unit 2 is encoded by software in accordance with an encoding method such as MH, MR, or MMR defined in the facsimile communication standard, and then the counterpart facsimile machine On the other hand, the encoded data received from the facsimile machine of the other party is also decoded into image data by software and output from the image recording unit 3 as a hard copy.
[0019]
In the Internet facsimile machine 20, the following print job is generated.
(A) ITU-T Recommendation T. Print job by facsimile reception using 30 communication procedures.
(B) A print job of image data by receiving an e-mail attached with image data via the LAN 30 or the Internet 40 using SMTP or POP. 37 and T.W. A print job by receiving an Internet facsimile conforming to 38.
(C) A print job by a copy function using the scanner of its own machine.
(D) A print job called “network print” received from the client personal computer 60-1 or 60-2 via the LAN 30.
[0020]
In the present embodiment, when these print jobs occur, the main control unit 1 refers to the print job priority table 6a in the ROM 6 and determines the priority in the queue of the generated print jobs. The priority of print jobs is controlled by managing a queue of print jobs that are being printed and have not been printed using the print job wait table 7a in the SRAM 7.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the print job priority table 6a stored in the ROM 6 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in the print job priority table 6a, priority is given according to the print job reception method (here, a higher priority number is assigned to a higher priority). And the print switching timing. In the example of FIG. 2, the SMTP received print job has the highest priority, interrupts when the page being printed is interrupted, executes the print job with priority over other print jobs, and then performs the original print Run the job. That is, the print job is preferentially executed without waiting for the end of the print job being executed. After the SMTP reception, the print job of the network print has the highest priority, and after the printing of the other file is finished, that is, in this embodiment, one file corresponds to one print job, so the printing of the other print job is finished. Later, the print job is executed with priority over other print jobs. In addition, POP3 reception or T.P. For a print job by 30 facsimile reception, the priority is set to “3”, and the print job is executed after printing of another file, that is, after printing of another print job is completed.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the print job waiting table 7a stored in the SRAM 7 of FIG. The print job waiting table 7a in FIG. 3 is used by the main control unit 1 to manage the queues of a plurality of print jobs. As shown in FIG. Or waiting for printing), a reception method, an address of an image memory in the compact flash 8, and a file size.
[0023]
In an Internet facsimile machine, when both SMTP reception and POP3 reception are possible as means for receiving electronic mail, SMTP reception is sent directly from the mail server rather than going to polling at regular intervals compared to POP3 reception. Therefore, it is highly effective in the LASN 30 such as an intranet with high immediacy. However, even if the image data of the original is received by SMTP reception, a large number of e-mails have already been received at POP3 at that time, and if they are waiting for printing, the SMTP will continue until those originals are printed. The received document may not be printed, and immediacy may be lost. Therefore, in the Internet facsimile machine 20 according to the present embodiment, priorities are assigned to the communication means for SMTP reception and POP3 reception, and there are a plurality of documents received by the respective reception means and waiting for printing. The higher received document is printed first.
[0024]
Further, in a facsimile apparatus having means for receiving image data of several types of originals in addition to facsimile reception, such as an Internet facsimile machine function and a network print function, the priority order when printing received originals is When a received document having a higher priority is received during printing of a received document assigned to the communication means, the document is preferentially printed. Further, in the present embodiment, when printing image data of a high-priority document, if a low-priority document is being printed as a timing to preferentially start printing, the image data file of one document The print job priority table 6a can also be set to switch when the printing of (or print job) is completed, or when the page being printed is switched by an interrupt when printing is completed.
[0025]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the ROM 6 stores the print job priority table 6a in which the print priority for each communication protocol is set, and the main control unit 1 stores the image data of a plurality of print jobs. Is received, the priority is set for the image data of each print job based on the print job priority table 6a, and control is performed to print each image data. Therefore, by setting the priority order of the print job according to each communication protocol, it is possible to perform printing utilizing the immediacy of the communication protocol.
[0026]
In the Internet facsimile machine 20, when image data of a print job is being printed, when image data of a print job with a higher priority, such as a print job of image data by SMTP, is received, the main control unit 1 suspends a print job that is being executed, controls to print image data of a print job having a higher priority, and then executes the interrupted print job. Therefore, when image data of a print job with a higher priority is received, the print job being executed can be interrupted, and image data of a print job with a higher priority can be preferentially printed, making use of the immediacy of the communication protocol. Printing can be performed.
[0027]
Further, in the Internet facsimile machine 20, when image data of a print job is being printed, for example, when image data of a print job having a higher priority such as a “network print” print job is received, the main control unit No. 1 performs control so that image data of a print job having a higher priority is preferentially printed after the print job being executed is terminated. Therefore, when image data of a higher priority print job is received, after the current print job is finished, image data of a higher priority print job can be preferentially printed, making use of the immediacy of the communication protocol. Printing can be performed.
[0028]
<Modification>
In the above embodiment, an example of the Internet facsimile machine 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a telephone set or a data communication apparatus connected to a public network such as a public telephone network or a public digital network. The present invention can be applied to communication terminal devices including the above.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus having a receiving means for receiving image data using a plurality of communication protocols, priority in which the print priority order for each communication protocol is set. storage means for storing the order table, when receiving the image data of a plurality of print jobs in SMTP received or POP received by said receiving means, SMTP receiving the image data of each print job based on the priority table Or a control means for controlling to print the image data by setting a priority order in response to POP reception . Here, in the above-described facsimile apparatus, the priority for printing for SMTP reception is set higher than the priority for printing for POP reception. Therefore, by setting the priority order of the print job according to each communication protocol, it is possible to perform printing utilizing the immediacy of the communication protocol.
Further, in the facsimile apparatus, when both SMTP reception and POP3 reception are possible as means for receiving electronic mail, SMTP reception does not go to the mail server for polling at regular intervals, but directly from the mail server as compared to POP3 reception. Since it is sent, it is highly effective in the LASN 30 such as an intranet with high immediacy. However, even if the image data of the original is received by SMTP reception, a large number of e-mails have already been received at POP3 at that time, and if they are waiting for printing, the SMTP will continue until those originals are printed. The received document may not be printed, and immediacy may be lost. Therefore, in the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, priority is given to the communication means for SMTP reception and POP3 reception, and there is a plurality of originals received by the respective reception means, and the higher priority is also given. The received document is printed first.
In the priority table, the print priority and print switching timing are set for each communication protocol, and the control means selectively switches the print switching timing according to the priority corresponding to the communication protocol. It is characterized by controlling to print. Here, the print switching timing is a timing for interrupting at the end of the page being printed in the first priority order, and printing one file in the second priority order lower than the first priority order. It is characterized by the timing of interrupting at the end. Therefore, the print switching timing can be switched according to the priority order corresponding to the designation information. That is, when printing image data of a high-priority document, if a low-priority document is being printed as a timing to preferentially start printing, the image data file (or print job) of one document is printed. It is possible to set in the priority table whether to switch when printing is finished or to switch by interrupt when printing is finished.
[0030]
In the facsimile apparatus, preferably, when the image data of a print job having a higher priority is received by the receiving means while the image data of the print job is being printed, the control means Control is performed so that the print job is interrupted and image data of a print job having a higher priority is preferentially printed. Therefore, when image data of a print job with a higher priority is received, the print job being executed can be interrupted, and image data of a print job with a higher priority can be preferentially printed, making use of the immediacy of the communication protocol. Printing can be performed.
[0031]
Further, in the facsimile apparatus, preferably, when the image data of the print job having a higher priority is received by the receiving means while the image data of the print job is being printed, the control means After the print job is finished, control is performed so that image data of a print job with a higher priority is preferentially printed. Therefore, when the image data of a higher priority print job is received, after the print job being executed is terminated, the image data of the higher priority print job can be preferentially printed, making use of the immediacy of the communication protocol. Printing can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an Internet facsimile machine 20 having a print job priority order function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job priority table 6a stored in the ROM 6 of FIG.
3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job waiting table 7a stored in the SRAM 7 of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... main control part,
3 ... image recording unit,
6 ... ROM,
6a: Print job priority table,
7 ... RAM,
7a: Print job waiting table,
8 ... Compact flash,
10. Fax modem,
11 ... NCU,
12 ... Interface circuit,
13 ... Bus
20 ... Internet facsimile machine,
30 ... LAN,
31 ... Mail server device,
32 ... Router device,
40 ... Internet,
50 ... public telephone network,
60-1, 60-2 ... Client personal computer,
L: Public telephone line.

Claims (6)

In a facsimile apparatus having a receiving means for receiving image data using a plurality of communication protocols, a storage means for storing a priority order table in which print priority orders for each of the communication protocols are set, and a plurality of prints by the receiving means. When image data of a job is received by SMTP reception or POP reception, priority is set according to SMTP reception or POP reception for the image data of each print job based on the priority order table, and the image data And a control means for controlling to print the facsimile. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority of printing for SMTP reception is set higher than the priority of printing for POP reception. In the priority table, the print priority and print switching timing are set for each communication protocol, and the control means selectively switches the print switching timing according to the priority corresponding to the communication protocol for printing. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus is controlled as follows. The print switching timing is an interrupt timing at the end of the page being printed at the first priority, and is interrupted at the end of printing of one file at the second priority lower than the first priority. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the timing is timing. When image data of a print job having a higher priority is received by the receiving unit while the image data of the print job is being printed, the control unit interrupts the print job being executed, 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein control is performed so that image data of a high print job is preferentially printed. When the image data of a print job having a higher priority is received by the receiving unit while the image data of the print job is being printed, the control unit has a higher priority after finishing the print job being executed. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein image data of a print job having a high image quality is controlled to be printed with priority.

Images