JP3635383B2 - Image communication system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a plurality of devices that handle image information, for example, digital copiers, and at least one of these devices can transmit / receive image information to / from devices outside the system, such as a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as a facsimile). The present invention relates to an image communication system composed of devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image communication system that includes a plurality of devices that handle image information and that transmits and receives image information between the plurality of devices is known. This image communication system is usually set in one office, for example. Such an image communication system includes a FAX apparatus in the system when image information is transmitted / received to / from an arbitrary external FAX apparatus.
[0003]
Various data are input to the FAX apparatus in the system through a telephone line. In a FAX apparatus capable of storing received data, input received data is sequentially stored in a storage unit. The received data includes data such as advertisements and advertisements that the receiver does not need. Accordingly, when all of the received data stored in the storage unit is printed, for example, waste is likely to occur. In particular, when all the received data is printed by a color printing apparatus with high printing cost, the waste becomes significant.
[0004]
Therefore, in recent years, a configuration for managing transmission / reception data of a FAX apparatus has been proposed in order to eliminate the above waste. For example, in the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-145719, image data transmitted / received by a FAX apparatus is stored in an external storage device. In order to manage the image data, file information for the image data is automatically created by a file information creation unit, and the file information is stored in the external storage device. With respect to this file information, items instructed through the operation panel of the FAX apparatus can be searched by the file information search unit and displayed on the display unit. The designated transmission / reception data can be printed by the printing unit.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the FAX apparatus disclosed in the above publication, management of transmission / reception data is easy. That is, it is possible to prevent useless printing by checking image data that does not require printing by displaying on the display unit and performing printing by removing the image data.
[0006]
However, even when the image communication system is equipped with the FAX apparatus disclosed in the above publication, the system operator must go to the position of the FAX apparatus and directly operate the FAX apparatus. Annoying. In addition, there is a disadvantage that information cannot be transmitted quickly. This problem is not limited to the case where the operator confirms the image information received by the in-system FAX device, but is the same when the image information is transmitted from the system to the external FAX device using the in-system FAX device. .
[0007]
In order to solve the above problem, it is conceivable to provide each operator in the office with a FAX device connected to a telephone line. However, such a configuration greatly increases the facility cost and the communication cost. And not realistic.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention is capable of transmitting and receiving an image forming apparatus that performs image formation based on image information, and image information between apparatuses inside and outside the system, A first image transmission / reception device capable of determining whether or not image information from the image forming device can be received and transmitting result information indicating the determination result to the image forming device and forming a monochrome image; Can be transmitted / received to / from apparatuses inside and outside the system, and it is determined whether image information from the image forming apparatus can be received, and result information indicating the determination result can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus, A second image transmission / reception device that forms a color image; and a transmission device that transmits information between the first and second image transmission / reception devices and the image formation device. information Image information input means for transmitting, and image information input from the image information input means to the first or second image transmission / reception apparatus via the transmission apparatus, and to the image transmission / reception apparatus as an image information transmission destination If the result information transmitted from the camera cannot be received, the image information is transferred to the other information.Image transmission / reception deviceAnd the image information is color image information, the transmission destination of the image information is the first image transmission / reception device, and the first image transmission / reception device cannot restore the color image. When possible, the control means of the image forming apparatus changes the transmission destination of the image information to the second image transmitting / receiving apparatus.
[0009]
According to the configuration of the first aspect, the image information input in the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the image transmitting / receiving apparatus by the control means via the transmission apparatus. When color image information is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the external apparatus using the first or second image transmission / reception apparatus, the transmission destination of the color image information is the first image transmission / reception apparatus for monochrome image formation. If the color image cannot be restored in the first image transmitting / receiving apparatus, the color image information cannot be processed in the first image transmitting / receiving apparatus.
[0010]
Therefore, in the present invention, in the above case, the control means of the image forming apparatus is a color image. The transmission destination of the image information is automatically changed to the second image transmission / reception apparatus for forming. Therefore, it is possible to quickly and reliably transfer image information to an external device using the first and second image transmission / reception devices.
[0011]
In addition, it is not necessary to provide a telephone line for connecting the image forming apparatus to an external apparatus, and the equipment cost and communication cost can be reduced.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1 of the Invention
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the image communication system 1 includes, for example, three digital copying machines 2 to 4 connected to each other, and a network is configured by these. Each of the digital copiers 2 to 4 has a FAX function, and the digital copier 2 can be connected to the external FAX apparatus 5 through a telephone line 6.
[0014]
The digital copying machines 2 to 4 have the structure shown in FIG. 3, and the scanner unit 11 (image information input means) and laser printer unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 and the operation panel unit 13 (information confirmation unit) shown in FIG. Means, input means, transmission command input means), image processing control unit 14 and communication unit 15 (transmission device).
[0015]
The scanner unit 11 includes a document table 21 made of transparent hard glass, a document circulation feeding device (hereinafter referred to as RDF: Recirculating Document Feeder) 22, and a scanner unit 23. The RDF 22 supplies the originals placed on the original placement unit one by one to a position facing the scanner unit 23. The RDF 22 includes a mechanism for inverting the front and back surfaces of the document, and causes the scanner unit 23 to read one side or both sides of the document according to the operator's selection.
[0016]
The scanner unit 23 includes an exposure lamp 24 for irradiating light on a document, a plurality of mirrors 26..., A lens 27, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 25 that is an image sensor. Reflected light from the original of the light emitted from the exposure lamp 24 forms an image on the CCD 25 via the mirrors 26 and the lens 27. As a result, image data of the original is obtained from the CCD 25.
[0017]
The scanner unit 11 scans the scanner unit 23 along the lower surface of the document table 21 when reading an image of the document placed on the document table 21. When the original is conveyed by the RDF 22, the original is conveyed with the scanner unit 23 stopped at a predetermined position below the RDF 22. The document image data read by the scanner unit 23 is sent to the image processing control unit 14 shown in FIG. 1 and subjected to various processes, and then temporarily stored in the memory 42 of the image processing control unit 14. The image data stored in the memory 42 is supplied to the laser printer unit 12 according to the output instruction.
[0018]
The laser printer unit 12 includes a paper storage unit 31, a laser writing unit 32, and an electrophotographic process unit 33. The paper storage unit 31 includes a manual feed tray 31a in which paper of an arbitrary size is arranged, and a plurality of paper cassettes 31b for storing paper of a predetermined size.
[0019]
The laser writing unit 32 irradiates the photosensitive member 34 of the electrophotographic process unit 33 with laser light based on the image data. For this purpose, the laser writing unit 32 includes a semiconductor laser driven by the image data supplied from the memory 42, a polygon mirror that polarizes laser light at a constant angular velocity, an f-θ lens that corrects the laser light, and the like. Yes.
[0020]
The electrophotographic process unit 33 executes an electrophotographic process for image formation. For this purpose, the electrophotographic process unit 33 includes a photosensitive drum 34 and a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a peeling device, a cleaning device, and a static eliminator around the photosensitive drum 34. Then, a developer image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 34 by a known electrophotographic process, and this image is transferred onto a sheet.
[0021]
The operation panel unit 13 is provided on the upper surface of the digital copying machine 2 and includes a numeric keypad that receives a setting input of the number of copies, a print switch that receives an operation start instruction input, a display unit that displays a message, and the like.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, the control system of the digital copying machine 2 includes the operation panel unit 13, the image processing control unit 14, and the communication unit 15.
[0023]
The image processing control unit 14 includes an image data input unit 50, an image data processing unit 51, an image data output unit 52, a CPU 41 (control means, history information creation means), and a memory 42 (storage means) including a RAM.
[0024]
The image data input unit 50 includes a CCD unit 50a, a histogram processing unit 50b, and an error diffusion processing unit 50c. The image data input unit 50 binarizes and converts the image data of the document read by the CCD 25, processes it by the error diffusion method while taking a histogram as a binary digital quantity, and temporarily stores it in the memory 42.
[0025]
Therefore, in the CCD unit 50a, an analog electric signal corresponding to each image density of the image data is A / D converted and then subjected to MFT correction, black and white correction, or gamma correction, and an 8-bit (256 gradation) digital signal. Is output to the histogram processing unit 50b. In the histogram processing unit 50b, the digital signal output from the CCD unit 50a is added for each pixel density of 256 gradations to obtain density information (histogram data). The histogram data is sent to the CPU 41 as necessary, and is sent to the error diffusion processing unit 50c as pixel data. The CPU 41 recognizes image data based on the histogram data. The error diffusion processing unit 50c uses an error diffusion method, which is a kind of pseudo halftone processing, that is, a method of reflecting a binarization error in binarization determination of adjacent pixels. The digital signal of the pixel is converted to 1 bit (binary), and a redistribution calculation is performed to faithfully reproduce the local area density in the original.
[0026]
The image processing unit 51 includes a multi-value processing unit 51a / 51b, a composition processing unit 51c, a density conversion processing unit 51d, a scaling processing unit 51e, a character recognition unit 51f, an image processing unit 51g, an error diffusion processing unit 51h, and a compression process. The unit 51i is provided. The image processing unit 51 is a processing unit that finally converts input image data into image data desired by the operator. That is, the input image data is processed in this processing unit until it is stored in the memory 42 as finally converted image data. However, each processing unit included in the image processing unit 51 functions as necessary.
[0027]
In the multilevel processing units 51a and 51b, the data binarized by the error diffusion processing unit 50c is converted again into 256 gradations. In the synthesis processing unit 51c, a logical operation for each pixel is selectively performed. The data to be subjected to this calculation is image data stored in the memory 42 and bit data from the pattern generator (PG). In the density conversion processing unit 51d, the relationship between the output density and the input density is arbitrarily set based on a predetermined gradation conversion table for a 256-gradation digital signal. In the scaling processing unit 51e, pixel data for the target pixel after scaling is obtained by performing interpolation processing based on the input known data in accordance with the instructed scaling factor. In the scaling process, the main scanning direction is changed after the sub-scanning direction is changed. In the character recognition unit 51f, characters are extracted by an isolated figure separation method, a stroke extraction / separation method, a superposition method, a feature extraction method, or a structure analysis method. In the image processing unit 51g, various image processes are performed on the input pixel data, and information collection for a data string such as feature extraction is performed. In the error diffusion processing unit 51h, processing similar to that of the error diffusion processing unit 50c of the image data input unit 50 is performed. In the compression processing unit 51i, binary data is compressed by encoding called run length. Regarding the compression of the image data, the compression functions in the final processing loop when the final output image data is completed.
[0028]
The image data output unit 52 includes a restoration unit 52a, a multi-value processing unit 52b, an error diffusion processing unit 52c, and a laser output unit 52d. The image data output unit 52 converts the image data stored in the memory 42 in a compressed state again to the original 256 gradations and restores the quaternary data that becomes a smooth halftone expression from the binary data. Error diffusion is performed, and the data is transferred to the laser output unit 52d.
[0029]
For this purpose, the restoration unit 52a restores the image data compressed by the compression processing unit 51i, and the multilevel processing unit 52b performs the same processing as the multilevel processing units 51a and 51b of the image processing unit 51. Is done. In the error diffusion processing unit 52c, processing similar to that of the error diffusion processing unit 50c of the image data input unit 50 is performed. In the laser output unit 52d, the digital image data is converted into a laser on / off signal based on a control signal from the CPU for controlling the print unit, and the laser is turned on / off.
[0030]
The data handled in the image data input unit 50 and the image data output unit 52 are basically stored in the memory 42 in the form of binary data in order to reduce the capacity of the memory 42. It is also possible to process in the form of quaternary data in consideration of deterioration.
[0031]
The communication unit 15 that performs FAX communication includes a modem 43, an NCU 44, and a network interface unit 45. The memory 42 of the digital copying machine 2 stores image data transmitted from the external FAX apparatus 5 via the modem 43, NCU (network control unit) 44, and telephone line 6. The same applies to the case where image data stored in the memory 42 is transmitted to the external FAX apparatus 5. When the received image data is stored in the memory 42, if there is an incoming image data from the external FAX apparatus 5, the CPU 41 stores the image data in the memory 42. When this image data is printed, the CPU 41 reads the image data stored in the memory 42 and drives the laser writing unit 32 in accordance with this image data. Further, other digital copying machines 3 and 4 are connected to the memory 42 via a network interface unit 45 and a communication line 46.
[0032]
On the other hand, the digital copiers 3 and 4 (image forming apparatuses) are not directly connected to the external FAX apparatus 5 in the image communication system 1, so that the modem 43, the NCU 44, and the telephone line 6 in the configuration of FIG. The configuration is excluded. That is, the digital copying machines 3 and 4 are connected to the digital copying machine 2 (image information transmitting / receiving apparatus) via the communication line 46 and the interface unit 45.
[0033]
In the above configuration, first, an operation of receiving image data from the external FAX apparatus 5 in the digital copying machine 2 of the image communication system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034]
When the digital copying machine 2 and the external FAX apparatus 5 can communicate with each other via the telephone line 6, the transmission FAX number information and the sender name information are transmitted from the external FAX apparatus 5 to the digital copying machine 2 as communication information (S1). ).
[0035]
When the communication information is received via the NCU 44 and the modem 43, the CPU 41 of the digital copying machine 2 creates received image management information based on the communication information and stores it in the memory 42. In this case, the CPU 41 recognizes the communication partner based on the communication information, compares the communication partner with the communication partner of the received image management information already stored in the memory 42, and communicates in the past. It is discriminated whether or not it is the other party (S2). Thereafter, the CPU 41 transmits result information indicating that the communication information has been received to the external FAX apparatus 5 (S3). The received image management information indicates, for example, as shown in the upper table of FIG. 9, the transmission source of the received image information, its FAX number, received date and time, received number of sheets, communication result, transfer mode, and the like. Is.
[0036]
When the image information is transmitted from the external FAX apparatus 5 that has received the result information (S4), the CPU 41 stores the image information in the memory 42 (S5).
[0037]
Thereafter, when the transmission of the image information from the external FAX apparatus 5 is completed (S6), the operation for storing the image information in the memory 42 is completed (S7). Further, communication information asking whether the telephone line 6 is disconnected or kept open is transmitted from the external FAX apparatus 5, and the CPU 41 that receives the communication information transmits to the external FAX apparatus 5 communication information indicating the completion of the opening of the telephone line 6. To do. As a result, the open state of the telephone line 6 ends (S8), and the reception state in the digital copying machine 2 ends (S9).
[0038]
Next, the communication operation between the digital copying machine 2 having the FAX function in the image communication system 1 and the digital copying machines 3 and 4 as terminal devices will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, for example, the digital copying machine 3 serving as a terminal device exists near the operator, while the digital copying machine 2 holding the image information received from the telephone line 6 is located far away from the operator. It is assumed that the operator is operating the digital copying machine 3. Further, it is assumed that image information is transferred from the digital copying machine 2 to the digital copying machine 3 and the image information is printed by the digital copying machine 3. Further, for convenience of explanation, the digital copying machine 2 will be described as a FAX apparatus and the digital copying machine 3 will be described as a terminal apparatus. Further, the image information handled at this time is assumed to be received by the digital copying machine 2 from the external FAX apparatus 5, but it may be read by the digital copying machine 2 itself by the scanner unit 11. Such a setting change can be similarly performed in the description of other embodiments of the invention described later.
[0039]
At the time of the above operation, the operator controls the received image management information stored in the memory 42 of the digital copying machine 2, that is, the FAX apparatus, with respect to the digital copying machine 3, that is, the operation panel unit 13 of the terminal device. A confirmation operation is performed. At this time, the CPU 41 of the terminal device causes the display unit (not shown) of the operation panel unit 13 to display to instruct the operator's operation (S11). This display is performed when the operator operates a predetermined key provided on the operation panel unit 13.
[0040]
Through the above operation, the CPU 41 of the terminal device confirms whether or not the line connection between both devices is possible, that is, calls the FAX device and confirms whether or not the terminal device can be connected to this, and also receives the received image. A management information transfer request and terminal ID information indicating the terminal device on the calling side are transmitted via both the interface units 45 and the communication line 46 (S12).
[0041]
As a result of the call connection confirmation, for example, when the FAX apparatus cannot communicate with the terminal apparatus because it is communicating with another apparatus (S13), the CPU 41 of the terminal apparatus displays “Line connection error” on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13. Is displayed (S14), and the operation is terminated. Thereby, the operator is notified that the terminal device could not be connected to the FAX apparatus.
[0042]
On the other hand, when the terminal device can be connected to the FAX device in S13, the CPU 41 of the FAX device transfers the received image management information stored in the memory 42 to the terminal device (S15).
[0043]
When receiving the received image management information, the CPU 41 of the terminal device stores it in the memory 42 (S16) and supplies it to the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 via the image data bus for display on this display unit (see FIG. S17). Accordingly, the operator can select desired image information based on the received image management information displayed on the display unit. The selection here is to select what should be confirmed as image information to be printed.
[0044]
If there is an instruction input by the operator to the operation panel unit 13 for the above selection (S18), the CPU 41 stores information specifying the instructed image information in the memory 42 (S19). In the instruction input, a plurality of pieces of image information may be instructed. In S18, for example, if no instruction is input within a predetermined time, the process is terminated.
[0045]
Next, when the instruction input is completed (S20), the CPU 41 of the terminal apparatus confirms the call connection to the FAX apparatus, and transmits a transfer request for the image information selected by the instruction input and the calling side. Terminal ID information indicating the terminal device is transmitted (S21).
[0046]
As a result of the call connection confirmation, if the FAX apparatus cannot be connected to the terminal apparatus (S22), the CPU 41 of the terminal apparatus displays a “line connection error” message on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S23) and performs the operation. finish.
[0047]
On the other hand, when the terminal device can be connected to the FAX device in S22, the CPU 41 of the FAX device performs compression / decompression encoding (MH: Modified Huffman, MR: Modified READ, MMR: Modified Modifided READ, etc.) in the terminal device. For the confirmation, the communication information indicating the compression / decompression encoding method of the selected image information is transmitted to the terminal device (S24). Thereafter, the FAX apparatus prepares transfer to the terminal apparatus for the image information that is the transfer request target stored in the memory 42.
[0048]
The terminal device that has received the communication information compares the compression / decompression coding method indicated by the communication information with the compression / decompression coding method of the terminal device itself, and transmits the result information to the FAX device (S25).
[0049]
If the compression / decompression encoding method is the same as shown in S26 of FIG. 7 based on the result information, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus compresses the image information that is the transfer request target as received from the external FAX apparatus 5. In this state, the data is transferred to the terminal device (S28).
[0050]
On the other hand, when the compression / decompression encoding method is not the same in the result information in S26, the CPU 41 sets the compression method so that the transfer request target image information conforms to the compression / decompression encoding method of the terminal device. After the conversion (S27), it is transferred to the terminal device (S28). At this time, if there are a plurality of pieces of image information subject to the transfer request, the compression method conversion is performed on these pieces of image information, and the image information is collectively transferred to the terminal device.
[0051]
When the image information transmitted from the FAX apparatus is received, the CPU 41 of the terminal apparatus stores the image information in the memory 42 (S29). Thereafter, when the transfer of the transfer request target image information is completed (S30), the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus transmits information indicating the end of transfer of the transfer request target image information to the terminal apparatus (S31).
[0052]
As the transfer ends, the terminal device ends the storage of the image information in the memory 42 (S32). Thereafter, the CPU 41 of the terminal device confirms reception of the image information to be transferred based on the stored contents of the memory 42, and transfers the result of this confirmation to the FAX device (S33).
[0053]
Next, the CPU 41 of the terminal device calls the image information from the memory 42 to the restoration unit 52a, and causes the restoration unit 52a to restore from the state compressed by a predetermined method to the original state (S34). Thereafter, the image information processed by the restoration unit 52a is stored again in the memory 42 and displayed on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S35). Thereby, the operator can confirm the content of the image information. When there are a plurality of pieces of image information, these are sequentially displayed on the display unit. This display switching is performed based on, for example, a display switching input operation by the operator to the operation panel unit 13.
[0054]
When the operator desires to print the image information displayed on the display unit, for example, a print switch (not shown) of the operation panel unit 13 is operated by the operator. When this operation is performed (S36), the CPU 41 supplies the image information to the laser printer unit 12 via the image data output unit 52. Thus, an image forming operation is performed in the digital copying machine 3 as a terminal device, and the image information is obtained as an image on a sheet (S37).
[0055]
When a plurality of pieces of image information are selected for printing, these pieces of image information are continuously output to the laser printer unit 12. In this way, the image information received by the FAX apparatus from the external FAX apparatus 5 can be obtained as a visible image from the digital copying machine 3 that is a terminal apparatus.
[0056]
The operations of S35 to S37 are performed until there is no image information received from the FAX apparatus as shown in FIG. 8 (S38). If the image information cannot be correctly transmitted from the FAX apparatus to the terminal apparatus due to some trouble (S39), the process proceeds to S46, the end of communication is transmitted to the terminal apparatus (S46), and the operation ends.
[0057]
If the image information stored in the memory 42 of the FAX apparatus is left as it is after the image information received by the FAX apparatus is confirmed on the terminal apparatus side as described above, the memory 42 is stored in the memory 42. The image information that has become unnecessary is also stored. As a result, the storage area of the memory 42 cannot be effectively used, and new information cannot be stored. In addition, since unconfirmed image information and confirmed image information are mixed in the memory 42, the operability of the image communication system 1 is also lowered. In view of this, in the memory 42 of the FAX apparatus, image information that is no longer required to be stored is deleted.
[0058]
For this processing, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus transmits erasure confirmation information for the image information that is the transfer request target to the terminal apparatus (S40). When this information is received, the CPU 41 of the terminal device causes the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 to perform a display prompting the user to input whether or not the image information is erased. Based on this display, the operator determines whether or not to leave the image information as it is in the memory 42 of the FAX apparatus, and when erasing, the operator inputs an erasure on the operation panel unit 13 of the terminal apparatus. Do. In this operation, for example, image information to be erased is displayed on the display unit, and at this time, an erase key (not shown) is operated. Based on this operation, the CPU 41 of the terminal device transmits information indicating the image information instructed to be deleted to the FAX device (S41).
[0059]
When the information is received (S42), the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus deletes the image information indicated by the information from the memory 42 (S43). Thereafter, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus transmits information indicating the end of the deletion of the image information to the terminal apparatus (S44).
[0060]
When the information is received, the CPU 41 of the terminal device displays a message indicating the end of the deletion of the image information on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S45).
[0061]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus transmits information indicating the end of communication to the terminal apparatus (S46). As a result, the communication between the two ends.
[0062]
In the image communication system 1 as described above, the operator operates the terminal device provided nearby without directly operating the FAX device provided far away from the image information stored in the FAX device. To know. Thereby, the image communication system 1 has high operability, and the operator can quickly obtain information on the image information. Further, it is not necessary to provide a telephone line for connecting to the external FAX apparatus 5 in each terminal apparatus, and the equipment cost and the communication cost can be reduced.
[0063]
In the image communication system 1, when image information held by the FAX apparatus is transferred to the terminal apparatus, the image information is transferred to the terminal apparatus without being restored in the FAX apparatus, and is restored in the terminal apparatus. Therefore, the amount of information at the time of transfer is small, and the transfer can be performed quickly. As a result, the waiting time for the operator can be minimized.
[0064]
Further, in the above-described transfer of image information, the image information restoration encoding method is converted in advance to the terminal method on the FAX apparatus side. Therefore, even when the restoration coding method on the terminal device side is different from the restoration coding method of the image device, the transferred image information can be easily processed by the terminal device. Furthermore, since the FAX apparatus has the above-described restoration coding processing function, each terminal device does not have to have the above-described restoration coding processing function.
[0065]
In addition, when the FAX apparatus is requested to transfer a plurality of pieces of image information, the FAX apparatus collectively transfers them to the terminal apparatus. That is, since the operator can collectively specify image information for which transfer is requested, an operation for requesting transfer of image information is easy.
[0066]
[Embodiment 2 of the Invention]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 9 to 11.
[0067]
4 to 8, the image information stored in the memory 42 of the FAX apparatus can be easily confirmed from the terminal apparatus, and can be printed and erased as necessary. . Therefore, in the above configuration, the personal or shared image information stored in the memory 42 is printed by an arbitrary terminal device and then deleted by mistake, or printed by an arbitrary terminal device and printed. It is also conceivable that the used paper is left on the terminal device as it is. For this reason, management of image information becomes difficult.
[0068]
Accordingly, in the image communication system 1, image transfer history information is created by using the received image management information and stored in the memory 42 of the FAX apparatus, so that image information can be managed well. Trying to get.
[0069]
As shown in FIG. 9, the image transfer history information includes, as received image management information, a transmission destination (company A), destination FAX number, reception date, reception start time, and reception of image information received by the FAX apparatus. The end time, number of received sheets and reception mode (ESM) are recorded. Further, as the image transfer history information, the ID number of the transfer destination terminal device, the transfer date, the transfer start time, the transfer end time, the transfer mode (ESM), and whether the transferred image information has been erased are recorded.
[0070]
The transfer modes are indicated by alphabets set for each mode. As an example of the above transfer mode,
E) ECM, S) character size: normal character, D) character size: small character, F) character size: fine, M) memory transmission, C) confidential, P) polling, and R) automatic reduction.
[0071]
The E) ECM (Error Correction Mode) is a mode in which when there is a part that cannot be correctly transmitted due to the influence of a telephone line or the like during transmission, the part is automatically retransmitted. S) Character size: Normal character, D) Character size: Small character, and F) Character size: Fine is a mode in which the character size of the image to be transmitted is set to the designated size. M) Memory transmission is a mode in which image information read by the transmitting FAX apparatus is temporarily stored in the memory and then transmitted. C) Confidential is a mode in which, when a confidential is designated and transmitted, the received image information can be printed or displayed only when the confidential ID number is input on the receiving side. P) Polling is a mode in which a transmission-side FAX apparatus waiting for a transmission instruction is dialed and received from the reception side. R) Automatic reduction is a mode in which image information is reduced and transmitted in accordance with the size of the paper provided in the receiving FAX apparatus.
[0072]
Since the transfer mode shown in FIG. 9 is ESM, it can be seen that each of the above-described E) ECM, S) character size: normal character, and M) memory transmission modes.
[0073]
The image communication system 1 is configured as shown in FIG. The image communication system 1 basically performs the operations shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 except for the operation of creating the image transfer history information. 10 and 11 show the main part of the operation.
[0074]
When the digital copier 2 and the external FAX apparatus 5 can communicate with each other via the telephone line 6, as shown in S61 of FIG. 10, the transmission FAX number information and the sender name information are digitally transmitted from the external FAX apparatus 5 as communication information. It is transmitted to the copying machine 2.
[0075]
When the communication information is received via the NCU 44 and the modem 43, the CPU 41 of the digital copying machine 2 transmits to the external FAX apparatus 5 result information indicating that the communication information has been received.
[0076]
When the image information is transmitted from the external FAX apparatus 5 that has received the result information, the CPU 41 of the digital copying machine 2 stores the image information in the memory 42 (S62). Further, the CPU 41 creates the received image management information shown in the upper part of FIG. 9 based on the communication information and the image information (S63), and stores it in the memory 42 (S64). Thereafter, the open state of the telephone line 6 ends as described above, and the reception state of the digital copying machine 2 ends.
[0077]
Next, the operator confirms the received image management information stored in the memory 42 of the digital copying machine 2, that is, the FAX apparatus, with respect to the operation panel unit 13 of the digital copying machine 3, that is, the terminal device. When the operation is performed, the CPU 41 of the terminal apparatus confirms the call connection and transmits a transfer request for received image management information and terminal ID information to the FAX apparatus via both the interface unit 45 and the communication line 46.
[0078]
By this operation, the FAX apparatus receives the call connection confirmation information (S65), and if it can be connected to the terminal apparatus, receives the terminal ID information (S66). The CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus determines whether the transfer request source of the received image management information is a terminal apparatus in the image communication system 1 based on the terminal ID information. As a result of the determination, if the terminal device is in the image communication system 1, the CPU 41 transfers the received image management information stored in the memory 42 to the terminal device.
[0079]
Thereafter, when there is an image information transfer request from the terminal device based on the received image management information (S67), the FAX apparatus reads the image information to be transferred from the memory 42 (S68). In S69 shown, the data is transferred to the terminal device (S69).
[0080]
The image information transmitted from the FAX apparatus is stored in the memory 42 of the terminal apparatus. Thereafter, when the transfer of the transfer request target image information is completed (S70), the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus transmits information indicating the end of transfer of the transfer request target image information to the terminal apparatus (S71).
[0081]
In the terminal device that has received the image information, the image information is stored in the memory 42 and displayed on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13. Thereby, the operator can confirm the content of the image information. The operation when the operator wants to print image information and the operation associated therewith are as described above.
[0082]
If image information cannot be correctly transmitted from the FAX apparatus to the terminal apparatus due to some trouble (S72), the end of communication is transmitted to the terminal apparatus, and the operation ends.
[0083]
Further, after the operation in S72, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus creates image transfer history information indicating the transfer destination of the image information, its time, and the like (S73), as shown in the lower part of FIG. Store (S74).
[0084]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 erases the image information to be erased stored in the memory 42 based on the image information erase instruction from the terminal device (S75). When this deletion is performed, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus adds the image deletion information to the image transfer history information (S76).
[0085]
The above-described image transfer history information is displayed or printed on the display unit based on an instruction input by the operator to the operation panel unit 13 in the FAX device or terminal device (S77). The transfer of the image transfer history information to the terminal device and the display on the terminal device are performed in the same manner as in the case of the received image management information described above.
[0086]
Embodiment 3 of the Invention
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on FIG. 2, FIG. 12, and FIG.
[0087]
The image communication system 1 shown in the embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the FAX apparatus creates journal data indicating a communication result or the like and holds the journal data in its memory. The journal data is appropriately printed by the operator's operation, and the communication result is confirmed. In this case, if the FAX apparatus is located at a position far away from the operator, the operation for obtaining the journal data becomes troublesome for the operator. In order to solve such a problem, in the present image communication system 1, as shown below, the journal data is transferred from the FAX device to the terminal device located near the operator, and can be printed by the terminal device. I have to.
[0088]
In order to perform the above operation, as shown in FIG. 13, the digital copying machine 2, that is, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus, creates journal data in response to reception of image information from the external FAX apparatus 5 (S81). Is stored in the memory 42 (S82).
[0089]
Thereafter, when the operator performs an operation for requesting transfer of journal data held in the FAX apparatus to the digital copying machine 3, that is, the operation panel unit 13 of the terminal apparatus, the CPU 41 of the terminal apparatus In addition to confirming the call connection, a journal data transfer request and terminal ID information are transmitted to the FAX apparatus via both the interface unit 45 and the communication line 46.
[0090]
By this operation, the FAX apparatus receives the call connection confirmation information (S83), and if it can connect to the terminal apparatus, it receives the terminal ID information and the journal data transfer request (S84). The CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus determines whether or not the journal data transfer request source is a terminal apparatus in the image communication system 1 based on the terminal ID information. As a result of this determination, if the terminal device is in the image communication system 1, the CPU 41 transfers the journal data stored in the memory 42 to the terminal device (S85).
[0091]
When the journal data is received, the CPU 41 of the terminal device stores the journal data in the memory 42 (S86) and displays it on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S87).
[0092]
Thereafter, when an input for printing journal data is performed by the operator on the operation panel unit 13 in the terminal device (S88), the digital data copying machine 3 as the terminal device uses the laser printer unit 12 to perform journal data. Is printed (S89).
[0093]
In S83, if the terminal device cannot be connected to the FAX device due to, for example, a trouble in the communication line 46, the CPU 41 of the terminal device displays “line error” on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S90). ), The operation ends.
[0094]
[Embodiment 4 of the Invention]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0095]
The image communication system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. In the image communication system 1 shown in the third embodiment of the invention, journal data is transferred from the FAX apparatus to the terminal apparatus in response to a request from the terminal apparatus. Instead, in the present image communication system 1, journal data is automatically transferred from a FAX apparatus to a specific terminal apparatus based on a preset transmission condition. The above-mentioned preset transmission conditions are, for example, the arrival of a predetermined time such as the end of the month, the closing date, or the end time of working hours, or the number of received or transmitted messages or the number of transmitted / received messages. Etc.
[0096]
In order to perform the above operation, as shown in FIG. 14, a journal data transmission destination and a transmission condition are input to the FAX apparatus by an operator's operation on the operation panel unit 13. These pieces of information are stored in the memory 42 by the CPU 41 (S101). The transmission condition is the arrival of a predetermined time or the arrival of a predetermined number. The arrival of the predetermined time is counted by a timer provided in the CPU 41, and the arrival of the predetermined number is counted by a counter provided in the CPU 41.
[0097]
Thereafter, when the transmission condition is satisfied, that is, when the set time arrives or the set number of cases is reached (S102), the FAX apparatus transmits call connection confirmation information to a preset terminal apparatus (S103). .
[0098]
The CPU 41 of the terminal device that has received this call connection confirmation information transmits result information indicating whether or not connection with the FAX device is possible and terminal ID information to the FAX device. When the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus that has received this information can connect to the terminal apparatus (S104), the terminal apparatus of the connection destination is further set as the journal data transmission destination based on the terminal ID information. It is determined whether it is a terminal device. As a result of this determination, if the connection destination terminal device is correct, the CPU 41 reads the journal data stored in the memory 42 and transfers it to the terminal device (S105).
[0099]
When the journal data is received, the CPU 41 of the terminal device stores the journal data in the memory 42 (S106) and causes the laser printer unit 12 to print (S107).
[0100]
In S104, for example, when the connection from the FAX apparatus to the terminal apparatus cannot be established due to a trouble in the communication line 46, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus displays “line error” on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S108). ), The operation ends.
[0101]
In the configuration in which the journal data is transmitted as described above, an operator's periodic operation for requesting the journal data becomes unnecessary, and the operability of the image communication system 1 is improved.
[0102]
[Embodiment 5 of the Invention]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 15 to 17.
[0103]
The image communication system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. The image communication system 1 transfers image information read by a terminal device, for example, the scanner unit 11 of the digital copying machine 3, to a FAX apparatus, that is, the digital copying machine 2, and transmits the information from the FAX apparatus to an external FAX apparatus 5. It has become a thing.
[0104]
In such an operation, as shown in FIG. 16, first, the operator inputs an image transmission mode instructing the operation panel unit 13 of the terminal apparatus to transmit the read image to the FAX apparatus. Is done. At this time, the transmission destination FAX number and the transfer mode etc. are input as required (S111).
[0105]
Reading of a document is started when an operator places the document on the RDF 22 of the scanner unit 11 or directly on the document table 21 and performs the above input operation. The image information obtained in this way is converted into digital data by the image data input unit 50 (S112), and is once stored in the memory 42 of the terminal device (S113).
[0106]
Thereafter, the digital data is read from the memory 42 and input to the image data processing unit 51. When the digital data is binary data (S114), the compression processing unit 51i uses the MH, MR, or MMR method. Compression processing is performed by encoding conversion (S115). On the other hand, if it is not binary data, it is compressed by a method other than the MH, MR and MMR methods (S116). When the compression process ends (S117), the digital data is stored again in the memory 42 (S118).
[0107]
When the processing in S118 is completed, the CPU 41 of the terminal device transmits call connection confirmation information to the FAX device via the interface unit 45 and the communication line 46 in order to transfer image information (S119).
[0108]
As a result of the call connection confirmation, if the FAX apparatus cannot communicate with the terminal apparatus because it is communicating with another apparatus (S120), the CPU 41 of the terminal apparatus displays “Line connection error” on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13. Is displayed (S121), and the operation is terminated.
[0109]
On the other hand, when the FAX apparatus and the terminal apparatus can be connected in S120, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus transmits reception start information indicating that reception can be started to the terminal apparatus (S122).
[0110]
Upon receiving this information, the CPU 41 of the terminal device sends communication information including terminal ID information, FAX number (sender name information), and compression method information, that is, information indicating the compression / decompression encoding method, to the FAX device. Transmit (S123).
[0111]
When the communication information is received, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus determines whether or not the compression / decompression encoding method included in the communication information matches the compression / decompression encoding method performed by the FAX apparatus as a reception preparation operation. Further, it is determined based on the capacity of the memory 42 whether the received image information can be stored, that is, whether the image information can be received. Then, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus transmits result information indicating these determination results to the terminal apparatus (S124).
[0112]
When the result information is received, when the CPU 41 of the terminal device can receive image information from the result information in the FAX apparatus and the compression / decompression encoding method is different, as shown in S126 of FIG. The image information is reconverted according to the compression / decompression encoding method of the apparatus. Thereafter, the reconverted image information is transferred to the FAX apparatus (S127).
[0113]
On the other hand, if the compression / decompression encoding method is the same in S125, the CPU 41 of the terminal apparatus transfers the image information stored in the memory 42 to the FAX apparatus (S127). When the image information is received, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus stores the image information in the memory 42 (S128).
[0114]
Thereafter, when the CPU 41 of the terminal device ends the transfer of the image information (S129), the CPU 41 of the terminal device transmits the end information of the image information transfer to the FAX device (S130). When receiving this information, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus checks whether or not the image information is normally stored in the memory 42, and transmits the result information to the terminal apparatus (S131).
[0115]
When the result information is received, the CPU 41 of the terminal device displays on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 whether or not the image information has been normally transferred. In addition, when the image information is normally transferred, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating the end of communication to the FAX apparatus (S132). Thereafter, the communication line 46 is opened.
[0116]
On the other hand, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus, when the compression / decompression encoding method of the image information received from the terminal device is a method other than the MH, MR, or MMR method, that is, when the image information is not binary data (S133). The information is restored to multi-value data before being compressed by the terminal device by the restoration unit 52a, and then converted into binary digital data by error diffusion processing (S134). Next, the CPU 41 compresses the image information by the MH, MR or MMR method (S135) and stores it in the memory 42 (S136).
[0117]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus automatically transmits the destination FAX number and the like, and finally transmits the image information stored in the memory 42 by a conventionally known transmission procedure (S137). Thereby, the image information is transmitted to the transmission destination designated by the terminal device via the modem 43, the NCU 44 and the telephone line 6.
[0118]
With regard to the compression processing in S115 and S116, in a digital copying machine that does not have a FAX function, MH, MR is applied to image information that has been converted to digital data by A / D conversion by the CCD unit 50a of the image data input unit 50. Then, compression encoding processing other than the MMR method is performed. That is, since an ordinary digital copying machine places importance on the copy image quality of the original image information read by the scanner unit 11, the 1-bit binary error diffusion process is not performed on the digital data obtained from the CCD unit 50a, and an 8-bit 256-value is used. Process to multi-value data.
[0119]
On the other hand, in a normal FAX apparatus, digital data is converted from 8-bit 256 values to 1-bit binary data in error diffusion processing in order to quickly transmit a document read by a scanner to a destination. In addition, the 1-bit binary data is further subjected to compression coding processing in order to reliably transmit to the other party.
[0120]
Here, compression coding processing such as MH, MR, and MMR methods is suitable for processing binary data such as a FAX image, and is not suitable for processing in a digital copying machine that handles multi-value data. That is, the image information processed by the MH, MR, or MMR method is binary data of 0 or 1, and when this is restored, there is a risk that the image quality will be significantly degraded. Therefore, if the binary data is to be completely restored to the original image information, it is necessary to suppress the compression of the image information. In this case, a large compression effect cannot be obtained.
[0121]
For this reason, when transmitting multi-value data as a monochrome image, it is necessary to employ a compression method suitable for multi-value data. As such a compression method, an irreversible compression encoding processing method is known. This method compresses and encodes image information into multi-value data such as 8-bit 256 values. In this method, even if the compression-encoded information is restored, it does not return completely, but the image quality deterioration is almost negligible. Therefore, a large compression effect can be expected. An orthogonal transform method or the like is known as the main irreversible compression encoding process. Since this method is already a known technique, a description thereof is omitted here.
[0122]
In the determination of S114, the compression processing method may be selected according to the resolution of the document image. In this case, for example, if the resolution of the document image is 200 dpi, the MH, MR, or MMR method is selected as the compression processing method. If the resolution of the document image is 400 dpi or more, the compression processing method is JBIG (Joint Bi- A method with a higher compression rate such as level Image Coding Experts Group) is selected.
[0123]
Thus, by selecting a compression processing method of image information according to the type of image information (binary image, multi-value image, or some resolution), the time required to transfer the image information can be shortened. .
[0124]
As described above, in the present image communication system 1, the operator can obtain image information by operating a terminal device provided nearby without directly operating a FAX device provided far away. Can be sent to any destination. Thereby, the image communication system 1 can be provided with high operability and can quickly transmit image information. Further, it is not necessary to provide a telephone line for connecting to the external FAX apparatus 5 in each terminal apparatus, and the equipment cost and the communication cost can be reduced.
[0125]
Embodiment 6 of the Invention
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0126]
As shown in FIG. 18, the image communication system 61 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a digital copier 62/63 capable of only monochrome image formation and a digital copier 64/63 capable of monochrome and color image formation. 65. The configuration of each of the digital copying machines 62 to 65 is the same as that of the above-described digital copying machines 2 to 4 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and the connection between each of the digital copying machines 62 to 65 is the same as in the above case. This is performed via the interface unit 45 and the communication line 46.
[0127]
The digital copying machine 62 for forming monochrome images and the digital copying machine 64 for forming color images can be connected to the external FAX apparatus 5 via the modem 43, the NCU 44 and the communication line 46. Accordingly, in the image communication system 61, the digital copying machine 62 (image transmission / reception apparatus) is the first FAX apparatus, the digital copying machine 64 (image transmission / reception apparatus) is the second FAX apparatus, and the digital copying machine 63 (image forming apparatus) is the first terminal apparatus. The digital copying machine 65 (image forming apparatus) functions as a second terminal device.
[0128]
The image communication system 61 performs the following operations shown in FIG.
[0129]
For example, when the digital copying machine 63, that is, the first terminal device requests the digital copying machine 62, that is, the first FAX device, to transfer the image information to the external FAX device 5, an input for the above operation is performed by the operator. The operation is performed on the operation panel unit 13 of the first terminal device (S151).
[0130]
Based on the above operation, the CPU 41 of the first terminal device transmits call connection confirmation information to the first FAX device (S152). As a result, if the connection with the first FAX apparatus is possible (S153), the CPU 41 of the first terminal apparatus transfers the communication information and the image information to the first FAX apparatus (S154). Thereby, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus transmits the image information received from the first terminal apparatus to the external FAX apparatus 5 (S155).
[0131]
In S153, if the first terminal apparatus cannot be connected to the first FAX apparatus due to some circumstances, for example, the first terminal apparatus is communicating with another FAX apparatus, the CPU 41 of the first terminal apparatus Call connection confirmation information is transmitted (S156). As a result, if the connection with the first FAX apparatus cannot be established (S157), the operation is terminated.
[0132]
On the other hand, if the connection with the second FAX apparatus is possible in S157, the CPU 41 of the first terminal apparatus transfers the communication information and the image information to the second FAX apparatus (S158). Accordingly, the second FAX apparatus transmits the image information received from the first terminal apparatus to the external FAX apparatus 5 (S159). The specific procedure of each operation described above is as described above.
[0133]
In the configuration as described above, even if the FAX apparatus that has requested transmission of image information to the external FAX apparatus 5 is in communication, for example, by switching the request destination to another FAX apparatus in the image communication system 61, Image information can be quickly transmitted to the FAX apparatus 5. Further, the operator does not need to check the state on the FAX apparatus side in advance, and it is easy to select a FAX apparatus that is an image information request destination.
[0134]
Embodiment 7 of the Invention
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on FIG. 18, FIG. 20, and FIG.
[0135]
The image communication system 61 has the configuration shown in FIG. 18 and performs the following operations shown in FIG. 20 and FIG.
[0136]
For example, when the digital copying machine 63, that is, the first terminal device requests the digital copying machine 62, that is, the first FAX device, to transfer the image information to the external FAX device 5, an input for the above operation is performed by the operator. The operation is performed on the operation panel unit 13 of the first terminal device (S171).
[0137]
Based on the above operation, the CPU 41 of the first terminal device transmits call connection confirmation information to the first FAX device (S172). As a result, if the connection to the first FAX apparatus cannot be established (S173), the CPU 41 of the first terminal apparatus displays a line connection error message on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S174) and ends the operation.
[0138]
On the other hand, if the connection between the first FAX apparatus and the first terminal apparatus is possible in S173, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus transmits reception start information indicating that reception can be started to the first terminal apparatus (S175). ).
[0139]
When this information is received, the CPU 41 of the first terminal apparatus transmits communication information including terminal ID information, FAX number (sender name information), and the compression method information to the first FAX apparatus (S176).
[0140]
When the communication information is received, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus confirms the terminal ID information and FAX number of the received communication information as a reception preparation operation, and compares the compression method with that of the first FAX apparatus. Further, whether or not image information can be received is determined based on the capacity of the memory 42, and the number of reserved transmissions that have already been requested to transmit image information to the external FAX apparatus 5 is checked. Then, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus transmits result information indicating these determination results to the first terminal apparatus (S177).
[0141]
When the result information is received (S178), the CPU 41 of the first terminal device determines whether or not there is a transmission reservation in the first FAX device based on the result information (S179). If there is no transmission reservation, the process proceeds to S188. The first FAX apparatus is requested to transmit image information to the external FAX apparatus 5.
[0142]
On the other hand, if there is a transmission reservation in S179, the CPU 41 of the first terminal device further transmits call connection confirmation information to the second FAX device (S180). As a result, if the connection cannot be established with the second FAX apparatus (S181), the CPU 41 of the first terminal apparatus displays a line connection error message on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S182), and the operation is terminated.
[0143]
On the other hand, if the connection between the second FAX apparatus and the first terminal apparatus is possible in S181, the CPU 41 of the second FAX apparatus transmits reception start information indicating that reception can be started to the first terminal apparatus (S183). ).
[0144]
Upon receiving this information, the CPU 41 of the first terminal device transmits communication information including terminal ID information, FAX number (sender name information), compression method information, and the like to the second FAX device (S184).
[0145]
When the communication information is received, the CPU 41 of the second FAX apparatus confirms the terminal ID information and the FAX number of the received communication information and compares the compression method with that of the second FAX apparatus as a reception preparation operation. Further, whether or not image information can be received is determined based on the capacity of the memory 42, and the number of reserved transmissions is checked. Then, the CPU 41 of the second FAX apparatus transmits result information indicating these determination results to the first terminal apparatus (S185).
[0146]
When the result information is received, the CPU 41 of the first terminal apparatus determines whether or not there is a transmission reservation in the second FAX apparatus (S186). If there is no transmission reservation, the second FAX apparatus transmits image information to the external FAX apparatus 5. Is requested (S189).
[0147]
On the other hand, if there is a transmission reservation in S186, it is determined which of the first FAX apparatus and the second FAX apparatus has a larger number of transmission reservations (S187). If the result of this determination is that the second FAX apparatus has a larger number of transmission reservations, it requests the first FAX apparatus to transmit image information to the external FAX apparatus 5 (S188). On the other hand, if the first FAX apparatus has a larger number of transmission reservations, the second FAX apparatus is requested to transmit image information to the external FAX apparatus 5 (S189).
[0148]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 of the first terminal apparatus transfers the image information to the FAX apparatus determined as the request destination (S190). When the image information is received, the FAX apparatus stores the image information in the memory 42 (S191).
[0149]
When the transfer of the image information is completed (S192), the first terminal device transmits communication end information to the FAX device (S193). Thereafter, the FAX apparatus transmits the image information to the destination external FAX apparatus 5 (S194), and ends the process.
[0150]
In the configuration as described above, even when a transmission reservation is already set in the first and second FAX apparatuses that can transmit image information to the external FAX apparatus 5, the image information is transferred by the fastest route. be able to. Further, the operator does not need to check the state on the FAX apparatus side in advance, and it is easy to select a FAX apparatus that is an image information request destination.
[0151]
[Embodiment 8 of the Invention]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on FIG. 18, FIG. 22, and FIG.
[0152]
The image communication system 61 has the configuration shown in FIG. 18 and performs the following operations shown in FIG. 22 and FIG.
[0153]
For example, when requesting transfer of image information to the external FAX apparatus 5 from the digital copying machine 65 for color image formation, that is, the second terminal device, to the digital copying machine 62, that is, the first FAX apparatus, the above-described operation is performed. An input operation for the operation is performed on the operation panel unit 13 of the second terminal device (S201).
[0154]
Based on the above operation, the image of the document is read by the scanner unit 11 of the second terminal device. In this case, the document image is a color image. The color image information obtained from the scanner unit 11 is converted into digital data by the CCD unit 50a of the image data input unit 50 shown in FIG. The image information processed in this way is temporarily stored in the memory 42. The image information is further subjected to encoding conversion suitable for a color still image (for example, JPEG method) in the compression processing unit 51i of the image data processing unit 51, and the image information after this processing is stored in the memory 42 again. (S202).
[0155]
Thereafter, the CPU 41 of the second terminal apparatus transmits call connection confirmation information to the first FAX apparatus (S203). As a result, if the connection to the first FAX apparatus cannot be established (S204), the CPU 41 of the second terminal apparatus displays a line connection error message on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S205), and the operation is terminated.
[0156]
On the other hand, if the connection between the first FAX apparatus and the second terminal apparatus is possible in S204, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus transmits reception start information indicating that reception can be started to the second terminal apparatus (S206). ).
[0157]
Upon receiving this information, the CPU 41 of the second terminal device transmits communication information including terminal ID information, FAX number (sender name information), the compression method information, etc. to the first FAX device (S207).
[0158]
When the communication information is received, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus confirms the terminal ID information and FAX number of the received communication information as a reception preparation operation, and compares the compression method with that of the first FAX apparatus. Further, it is determined based on the capacity of the memory 42 whether image information can be received. Then, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus transmits result information indicating these determination results to the second terminal apparatus (S208).
[0159]
When receiving the result information, the CPU 41 of the second terminal apparatus determines whether the first FAX apparatus can restore the color image based on the result information (S209). Here, the digital copying machine 62 as the first FAX apparatus is for monochrome image formation and cannot restore a color image. Therefore, the CPU 41 of the second terminal device further transmits call connection confirmation information to the second FAX device (S211).
[0160]
If the color image can be restored in the first FAX apparatus, the CPU 41 of the second terminal apparatus requests the first FAX apparatus to transfer image information to the external FAX apparatus 5 (S210). In this case, the operation after S221 is performed thereafter.
[0161]
As a result of the operation in S211, if the connection with the second FAX apparatus cannot be established (S212), the CPU 41 of the second terminal apparatus displays a message of a line connection error on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S213), and the operation is performed. finish.
[0162]
On the other hand, if the connection between the second FAX apparatus and the second terminal apparatus is possible in S212, the CPU 41 of the second FAX apparatus transmits reception start information indicating that reception can be started to the second terminal apparatus (S214). ).
[0163]
When this information is received, the CPU 41 of the second terminal apparatus transmits communication information including terminal ID information, FAX number (sender name information), and the compression method information to the second FAX apparatus (S215).
[0164]
When the communication information is received, the CPU 41 of the second FAX apparatus confirms the terminal ID information and FAX number of the received communication information and compares the compression method with that of the second FAX apparatus as a reception preparation operation. Further, it is determined based on the capacity of the memory 42 whether image information can be received. Then, the CPU 41 of the second FAX apparatus transmits result information indicating these determination results to the second terminal apparatus (S216).
[0165]
When the result information is received, the CPU 41 of the second terminal apparatus determines whether or not the second FAX apparatus can restore the color image based on the result information (S217). Here, the digital copying machine 64, which is the second FAX apparatus, is for color image formation and can restore a color image. Therefore, the CPU 41 of the second terminal apparatus requests the second FAX apparatus to transfer image information to the external FAX apparatus 5 (S220).
[0166]
If the color image cannot be restored in the second FAX apparatus, the CPU 41 of the second terminal apparatus requests the first FAX apparatus to transfer image information to the external FAX apparatus 5 (S218). In this case, the CPU 41 of the second terminal device converts the color image information into monochrome image information, and then transfers it to the first FAX device (S219). Thereafter, the operations after S222 are performed.
[0167]
After making a transmission request to the second FAX apparatus in S220, the CPU 41 of the second terminal apparatus transfers color image information to the second FAX apparatus (S221). When the image information is received, the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus stores the image information in the memory 42 (S222).
[0168]
When the transfer of the image information is completed (S223), the second terminal apparatus transmits communication end information to the FAX apparatus (S224). Thereafter, the FAX apparatus transmits image information to the destination external FAX apparatus 5 (S225), and ends the processing.
[0169]
With the above configuration, when color image information is transferred from the terminal device to the external FAX device 5 using the FAX device, the FAX device (first FAX device) to which the color image information is requested cannot be processed. If it is, the transfer request destination of the image information is automatically changed to another FAX apparatus (second FAX apparatus) capable of processing color image information. Therefore, it is possible to quickly and reliably transfer image information to the external FAX apparatus 5 using the FAX apparatus. Further, the operator does not need to check the state on the FAX apparatus side in advance, and it is easy to select a FAX apparatus that is an image information request destination.
[0170]
Embodiment 9 of the Invention
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 18 and FIGS.
[0171]
The image communication system 61 has the configuration shown in FIG. 18, and performs the following operations shown in FIGS.
[0172]
Here, for example, it is assumed that an operation for requesting transfer of image information from the digital copying machine 63, that is, the first terminal device to the digital copying machine 62, that is, the first FAX device, to the external FAX device 5 is performed. At this time, an input operation for the above operation is performed on the operation panel unit 13 of the first terminal device by the operator (S231).
[0173]
Based on the above operation, the CPU 41 of the first terminal device transmits call connection confirmation information to the first FAX device (S232). As a result, if the connection with the first FAX apparatus cannot be established (S233), the CPU 41 of the first terminal apparatus displays a line connection error message on the display unit of the operation panel unit 13 (S234), and the operation is terminated.
[0174]
On the other hand, if the connection between the first FAX apparatus and the first terminal apparatus is possible in S233, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus transmits reception start information indicating that reception can be started to the first terminal apparatus (S235). ). When this information is received, the CPU 41 of the first terminal device transfers the communication information and the image information to the first FAX device as described above (S236).
[0175]
When the communication information and the image information are received, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus stores the communication information and the image information in the memory 42 (S237). Thereafter, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus transmits image information to the external FAX apparatus 5 that is the transmission destination requested by the first terminal apparatus (S238).
[0176]
When the transfer of the image information is completed (S239), the CPU 41 of the first terminal device stores the FAX number of the destination external FAX device 5 and the transmission result received from the external FAX device 5 in the memory 42 (S240). ).
[0177]
Next, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus adds information indicating the transmission request source of the image information to the external FAX apparatus 5, transmission FAX information that transmitted the image information to the external FAX apparatus 5, and the like to the transmission result. As shown in FIG. 26, a transmission result table is created and stored in the memory 42 of the first terminal device (S241). In the first FAX apparatus, the transmission request source can be known from the terminal ID information included in the communication information.
[0178]
Next, the CPU 41 of the first FAX apparatus transmits the call connection confirmation information to the first terminal apparatus that is the image information transmission request source (S242). As a result, if the connection with the first terminal device can be established (S243), the CPU 41 of the first terminal device transfers the transmission result table to the first terminal device (S244). If the connection with the first terminal device cannot be made by one connection request, the connection operation is repeatedly performed after a predetermined time.
[0179]
When receiving the transmission result table, the CPU 41 of the first terminal device stores it in the memory 42 (S245). Thereafter, when the reception of the transmission result table is completed (S246), the CPU 41 of the first terminal device causes the laser printer unit 12 to print the transmission result table (S247).
[0180]
In the configuration in which the transmission result table is transmitted from the FAX apparatus to the transmission request source terminal device as described above, it is not necessary for the operator to go to the position of the FAX apparatus that requested the transmission and to confirm the transmission result. Management becomes easier. As a result, the image communication system 1 has high operability.
[0181]
[Embodiment 10 of the invention]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on FIG. 2, FIG. 27 and FIG.
[0182]
The image communication system 1 has the configuration shown in FIG. 2 and performs the operation shown in FIG. In the embodiment of the present invention, the digital copying machine 2 constituting at least the FAX apparatus includes two memories 42a and 42b as shown in FIG. The memory 42a stores image information transferred from the digital copying machine 3 or 4 as a terminal device. On the other hand, the memory 42b stores image information of a document read by the scanner unit 11 of the digital copying machine 2. The storage operations in the memories 42a and 42b can be performed in parallel.
[0183]
Here, for example, it is assumed that the digital copying machine 3, that is, the terminal device, requests the digital copying machine 2, that is, the FAX apparatus, to transfer image information to the external FAX apparatus 5. In parallel with this, the FAX apparatus is requested to transfer image information read by the scanner unit 11 to the external FAX apparatus 5.
[0184]
In order to perform the above operation, in the FAX apparatus, a command for transferring image information read by the scanner unit 11 of the FAX apparatus to the external FAX apparatus 5 is input by an operator who uses the FAX apparatus. In response to this input, the image of the document is read by the scanner unit 11, and the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus sequentially stores the image information output from the scanner unit 11 in the memory 42b (S251). In this case, the processing such as compression for the image information is as described above.
[0185]
On the other hand, in the terminal apparatus, an instruction to transfer image information read by, for example, the scanner unit 11 of the terminal apparatus to the external FAX apparatus 5 through the FAX apparatus is input by an operator who uses the terminal apparatus. When this command is input, the terminal apparatus performs a call connection confirmation to the FAX apparatus. If this connection is possible, the terminal apparatus sends an image transfer request to the FAX apparatus and transmits image information.
[0186]
Based on this, the FAX apparatus connects to the terminal apparatus, receives an image transfer request (S252), and further receives image information. The CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus sequentially stores the received image information in the memory 42a (S253).
[0187]
Thereafter, when the storage of the image information is completed in either one of the memories 42a and 42b (S254), the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus first transmits the image information that has been stored first to the external FAX apparatus 5 that is the transmission destination ( S255). At this time, the communication information and the image information are transmitted to the external FAX apparatus 5 (S256).
[0188]
The image information storage is completed when the image information is read by the scanner unit 11 when the image information read from the scanner unit 11 is stored in the memory 42b after the compression / conversion processing is completed. The image information is received from the terminal device when the transfer of the image information from the terminal device is finished and the communication disconnection information is received from the terminal device.
[0189]
Thereafter, when the transmission operation is completed (S257), the CPU 41 of the FAX apparatus determines whether or not image information has been stored in the other memory (S258). Is transmitted to the destination external FAX apparatus 5 (S259). At this time, the communication information and the image information are similarly transmitted to the external FAX apparatus 5 (S260). Thereafter, when this transmission operation is completed (S261), the operation is terminated.
[0190]
In the above example, the processing of the image information read by the scanner unit 11 of the FAX apparatus and the image information transferred from the terminal apparatus has been described. However, in the image communication system 1, the FAX apparatus includes an interface unit 45 corresponding to a plurality of terminal apparatuses, that is, the digital copying machines 3 and 4, and is transmitted from the plurality of digital copying machines 3 and 4 to the external FAX apparatus 5. The same applies to the case where the image information to be transferred is transferred in parallel. In this case, the memories 42a and 42b store image information from both the digital copying machines 3 and 4, respectively.
[0191]
In addition, when the input of a plurality of pieces of image information to the FAX apparatus is started at the same time, the storage in the memories 42a and 42b ends relatively quickly for image information with a small amount of information such as a text document. The delay is caused by a large number of transmissions or a large amount of information such as a halftone image.
[0192]
With the configuration as described above, when image information input times associated with transfer requests from a plurality of image information input sources to the FAX apparatus overlap, the image information can be efficiently transmitted to a predetermined transmission destination.
[0193]
In the above descriptions, it is assumed that each of the digital copying machines 2 to 4 of the image communication system 1 has a FAX function. However, as the digital copying machines 2 to 4, those having no FAX function (stand-alone type) can be used. In other words, even a digital copying machine having only a copy function can check and transmit / receive image information handled by a general FAX apparatus, and can therefore be handled as having a FAX function. .
[0194]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, the image communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention is capable of transmitting / receiving image information between an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image information and an apparatus inside and outside the system. A first image transmission / reception device that forms a monochrome image and the image information can be transmitted to the inside and outside of the system. It is possible to transmit / receive data to / from the image forming apparatus, determine whether image information from the image forming apparatus can be received, and transmit result information indicating the determination result to the image forming apparatus. A second image transmission / reception device to be formed; and a transmission device for transmitting information between the first and second image transmission / reception devices and the image formation device, wherein the image formation device inputs image information. Images Transmits the broadcast input means, the image information inputted from the image information input means, to the first or second image receiving device via the transmission deviceAt the same time, when the result information transmitted from the image transmission / reception device of the image information transmission destination cannot be received, the image information is transmitted to the other image transmission / reception device.Control means, wherein the image information is color image information, the transmission destination of the image information is the first image transmission / reception device, and the color image cannot be restored in the first image transmission / reception device In addition, the control unit of the image forming apparatus is configured to change the transmission destination of the image information to the second image transmitting / receiving apparatus.
[0195]
With the above configuration, there is an effect that image information can be quickly and reliably transferred to an external device using the first and second image transmission / reception devices. In addition, it is not necessary to provide a telephone line for connecting the image forming apparatus to an external apparatus, and it is possible to reduce the facility cost and the communication cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of a digital copying machine provided in an image communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image communication system including the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing an internal structure of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of receiving image information from an external FAX apparatus in the image communication system shown in FIG.
5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of transmitting and receiving image information and the like between a FAX apparatus and a terminal apparatus in the image communication system illustrated in FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing a front part of an operation of transmitting and receiving image information and the like between a FAX apparatus and a terminal apparatus in the image communication system shown in FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image communication system following the operation shown in FIG. 6;
8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image communication system following the operation shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of received image management information handled by an image communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a front part of the transmission / reception operation of the received image management information between a FAX apparatus and a terminal apparatus in an image communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image communication system following the operation shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of journal data handled by the image communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a journal data transmission / reception operation between a FAX apparatus and a terminal apparatus in an image communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another transmission / reception operation of the journal data between a FAX apparatus and a terminal apparatus in an image communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of transmitting image information from a terminal apparatus to a FAX apparatus and further transmitting from the FAX apparatus to an external FAX apparatus in an image communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
16 is a flowchart showing the front part of the operation shown in FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image communication system following the operation shown in FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation of transmitting image information from the terminal device to the FAX device and further transmitting from the FAX device to the external FAX device in the image communication system shown in FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of transmitting image information from a terminal apparatus to a FAX apparatus and further transmitting from the FAX apparatus to an external FAX apparatus in an image communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image communication system following the operation shown in FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation of transmitting image information from a terminal apparatus to a FAX apparatus and further transmitting from the FAX apparatus to an external FAX apparatus in an image communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image communication system following the operation shown in FIG.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of transmitting image information from a terminal apparatus to a FAX apparatus and further transmitting from the FAX apparatus to an external FAX apparatus in an image communication system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
25 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image communication system following the operation shown in FIG.
26 is an explanatory diagram showing a transmission result table created in the operation shown in FIG. 24. FIG.
FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of a digital copying machine provided in the image communication system, according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an operation of transmitting image information from the terminal device to the FAX device and further transmitting from the FAX device to the external FAX device in the image communication system including the digital copying machine shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image communication system
2 Digital copier (image transmission / reception device)
3 Digital copier (image forming device)
4 Digital copier (image forming device)
5 External FAX machine
6 Telephone lines
11 Scanner unit (image information input means)
12 Laser printer section
13 Operation panel (information confirmation means, input means, transmission command input means)
14 Image processing controller
15 Communication unit (transmission equipment)
41 CPU (control means, career information creation means)
42 Memory (storage means)
42a Memory (storage means)
42b Memory (storage means)
61 Image Communication System
62 Digital copier (first image transmission / reception device)
63 Digital copier (image forming device)
64 Digital copier (second image transmission / reception device)
65 Digital copier (image forming device)

Claims (1)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image based on image information;
Image information can be transmitted / received to / from apparatuses inside and outside the system, whether image information from the image forming apparatus can be received, and result information indicating the determination result can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus. A first image transmitting / receiving apparatus for forming a monochrome image;
Image information can be transmitted / received to / from apparatuses inside and outside the system, whether image information from the image forming apparatus can be received, and result information indicating the determination result can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus. A second image transmitting / receiving apparatus for forming a color image;
A transmission device for transmitting information between the first and second image transmission / reception devices and the image forming device;
The image forming apparatus transmits image information input means for inputting image information and image information input from the image information input means to the first or second image transmitting / receiving apparatus via the transmission apparatus, When the result information transmitted from the image transmission / reception device of the image information transmission destination is unreceivable, the image information is provided with control means for transmitting the image information to the other image transmission / reception device ,
When the image information is color image information, the transmission destination of the image information is the first image transmission / reception device, and the first image transmission / reception device cannot restore the color image, the image forming device The control means changes the transmission destination of the image information to the second image transmitting / receiving apparatus.

Images