JP3881832B2 - Digital multifunction device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to control of an RTC in a digital multi-function peripheral having a facsimile function, and more particularly to a method for using the RTC in a digital multi-function peripheral capable of setting various applications and a method for adjusting the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In addition to the conventional system configuration of digital multifunction devices, in addition to the printer I / F and facsimile functions, the local storage (LS) function by installing large capacity memory (HDD) as standard, and the host PC via the network Many applications, such as data transfer, can be provided. Further, as the number of applications to be installed increases, the system configuration becomes complicated, and more data needs to be managed.
[0003]
Conventionally, the RTC (clock IC), which was not particularly necessary as a function of a single copying machine, manages the date and time when the user stored file data in the HDD using, for example, the local storage function, and the usage status of each application. It is necessary for the administrator to understand. Conventionally, a facsimile always requires time information from an RTC in order to manage a communication history.
[0004]
Considering the system configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral, having two RTCs as a system is wasteful in terms of cost and should be avoided. However, a facsimile control unit (FCU) for realizing a facsimile function is a system. It is advantageous in terms of function to have an RTC alone on the FCU.
[0005]
When time information is required on the communication function, time data must be obtained from the controller board (CTR) each time. If the exchange is frequently performed, the function as a system is affected in the worst case. It can be considered. In addition, even if the digital multifunction peripheral cannot function as a system, if the FCU has an RTC, the FCU can function alone, and at least the communication standby state file is stuck in a state where it cannot communicate. Can be avoided.
[0006]
Naturally, there is a time lag between the RTC on the CTR and the RTC on the FCU, so it is necessary to adjust the time periodically. In that case, it is necessary to consider the influence on the time-designated transmission file in the FCU that is managed according to time by adjusting the time automatically.
[0007]
JP-A-5-327952 discloses an invention relating to time management and file control for time-designated transmission, and JP-A-6-62213 discloses a method for determining a transmission order when there are a plurality of time-designated transmission files. Related inventions are disclosed respectively. However, unlike the present invention, these have two clock ICs as a system, and the clock data to be referred to is not properly used depending on the function used.
[0008]
JP-A-8-289059 discloses an invention relating to reception time recording of a facsimile having a facsimile function and a data communication (mail transfer) function between user terminals using a network (LAN). Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-224139 describes inventions related to power saving mode control of a multifunction peripheral that can be switched from a telephone network to a normal mode and a power saving mode. However, unlike the present invention, these are not related to the usage of the watch IC.
[0009]
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-174920 discloses an invention relating to card usage time control of a digital copying machine that can be restricted by a key card device. This invention also relates to the present invention. Unlike the system, there are two clock ICs, and the clock data to be referred to is not used properly depending on the function used.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention (Claim 1) has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to allow time management as a digital multi-function peripheral system and time management in facsimile communication to be performed separately. To provide a digital multi-function peripheral.
[0011]
A further object is to prevent the problem of time management as a digital multi-function peripheral system by periodically adjusting the time gap between two RTCs.
[0012]
Further, an object of the present invention is to prevent a problem related to time management in communication from occurring when a file whose time is already managed exists in the FCU.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a digital multi-function peripheral having a built-in RTC (clock IC) backed up by a battery and having a copy function and a facsimile function. The RTC for performing management and the RTC for performing time management in facsimile communication are separately provided, and the RTC for performing time management of the entire multifunction peripheral is on the controller board (CTR). The RTC for time management is provided on a facsimile control unit (FCU) that can be installed as an option, and the two RTCs operate independently, but periodically exchange time information. If there is a time lag between these two RTCs, the time is set to the RTC time on the CTR. If the LE is stored, narrowing combined of the time is a digital multifunction peripheral, characterized in that it does not perform.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral. The copier itself is controlled by a large LCD display, various LED controls, various key input controls, an operation unit controller 500, a system controller 501 for paper feed / conveyance / fixing / both sides / process control, and image control / scanner reading control. An image processing controller 502 that performs ADF control, an ADF controller 503 that performs ADF control, a sorter controller 504 that controls a sorter, a paper feed tray controller 505 that controls a paper feed unit, a fax controller 506 that performs fax transmission / reception control and file management, G3 The G3 controller 507 that performs protocol control of the G4, the G4 controller (ISDN control unit) 508 that performs protocol control of the G4, and the like. Reference numeral 509 denotes an expansion G3 controller.
[0017]
Further, a LAN I / F board 510 for connecting a network (LAN) and a digital multi-function peripheral, and a large-capacity memory HDD 511 used for a local storage function or the like are connected to the main controller 501.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of images during the FAX / G3 transmission / reception operation in the digital multi-function peripheral. The FAX image accumulation / transmission operation starts by acquiring transmission destination information (telephone number etc) input from the operation unit 400 (see FIG. 3). Depending on the user's method of use, the user can directly enter the phone number of the destination using the 10 keys, or use the pre-registered "one-touch key" to specify multiple destinations at once, The operation may be instructed by the “program key” registered up to the operation mode.
[0019]
Data read from the scanner is subjected to various types of image processing by the image processing controller 502, and then stored in the image memory 620 on the main controller 501 from the selector 612. Thereafter, the compressed code (MH, MR, MMR) designated by the compression / decompression unit 622 is compressed and stored in the large-capacity memory 623 on the FAX controller 506.
[0020]
At this time, if it is more efficient to transmit the data stored in the image memory 620 by rotating A4 landscape or B5 landscape, the rotation is performed when the data is transferred from the image memory 620 to the compression / decompression device 622. The image is rotated by using the device 621 to perform compression.
[0021]
The data stored in the large-capacity memory 623 is transferred to a line buffer (buffer memory) 624 in the G3 controller 507, recompressed by the compression / decompression unit 627 in accordance with the mode of the receiver, and then transmitted via the modem 625 to the NCU 628. Sent from At the time of FAX reception operation, data sent from the line is stored in the large capacity memory 623 via the NCU 628 and the modem 625.
[0022]
The data stored in the large-capacity memory 623 is decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 622 on the main controller 501 and expanded on the 620 as necessary. If it is more efficient to print by rotating A4 landscape or B5 landscape during decompression, the image is rotated using the rotator 621 when passing data from the compression / decompression device 622 to the image memory 620. Perform elongation. The data developed on the image memory 620 is sent to the image processing controller 502, passed from the selector 612 to the writing control, and is printed.
[0023]
Considering the system configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral, recent multi-function peripherals place importance on the fusion function with the network (LAN). In the block diagram of FIG. 1, the LAN I / F board 510 and the large capacity memory HDD 511 are It has been installed as a standard configuration.
[0024]
As for the facsimile communication function, there is a response to a digital line and a user's request for storing multiple lines, and the portion below the FAX controller 506 shown in FIG. 1 can be provided as an optional function. In the digital multi-function peripheral having the above configuration, the time information (RTC) that has been conventionally required mainly for the facsimile communication function is also required in the digital multi-function peripheral having the standard configuration. It may be necessary to manage the time for exchanging data via the network (LAN) and the time for storing document data in the HDD 511.
[0025]
In FIG. 1, the time related to the above operation is managed using the time information of the RTC 1 512 on the main controller 501. The time information of the RTC1 512 is not used in the form of directly displaying the current time on the operation unit (see the operation unit 400 in FIG. 3). For example, the date and time when the document data is accumulated in the HDD 511 as a filing list is not used. A report is output.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 1, the FAX controller 506 also has an RTC2 513, and the time information of the RTC2 513 is used for time management in facsimile communication. Regarding the use of RTC2 513, after the user confirms the current time on the FAX operation screen, it is used for time management of the set “time designation transmission”, or the time when transmission is performed together with TTI at the head of transmission image data It is displayed or used as time management information when each transmission / reception is performed on the communication management report.
[0027]
In such a configuration, there are two RTCs as a system, which seems wasteful in terms of cost, but considering the simultaneous operation of each application, a controller that has two RTCs and references each time information It is easier to build the software if it is completely separated, and the expandability of the system is improved. Even in this configuration, the main controller 501 and the FAX controller 506 can operate independently without having to exchange RTC data. When the time information is required on the FAX operation screen, it is necessary to display the RTC2 513 information.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit of the digital multi-function peripheral. The user performs various operations in accordance with operation instructions shown on the large LCD display unit 401 on the operation unit 400. The time initial data setting of the two RTCs of this system is also performed using the large LCD display unit 401.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by this digital multi-function peripheral. Regarding the setting of the initial time data of the two RTCs, the same time data is set for both the RTCs 1 and 2 (S1, S2). The exchange of time information of the RTC1 512 and the RTC2 513 is performed periodically (S3), and when a time lag more than the number of display digits (usually in minutes) occurs (Y in S4), the main controller 501 The process proceeds to a procedure for adjusting the time of RTC2 513 on the FAX controller 506 to the value of RTC1 512 mounted above (S5 to S8, S9).
[0030]
Before performing the time adjustment, it is confirmed whether there is a transmission file in which the time designation transmission is set in the FAX controller 506 (S5). If there is a file, the RTC2 time adjustment (RTC1) Is not carried out (S6).
[0031]
The transmission designation time of the time designation transmission file is set from the time of RTC2 513, and the file waiting for transmission is checked whether it has reached the transmission time while referring to the time of RTC2 513. However, here, if the time of RTC2 513 is suddenly changed, the time to be transmitted is skipped, and there is a possibility that transmission may not be performed normally or a problem on the system may occur. large. In order not to cause such a problem, the time adjustment of the two RTCs is performed after confirming that the facsimile transmission file does not exist in the system (S5, S9).
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides the following effects.
(1) Invention of Claim 1 Since the RTC for managing the system operation and the RTC for managing the facsimile operation time are separately provided, the efficiency of the system operation is increased and the abnormal operation of the RTC occurs. Even in this case, it is possible to easily cope with it.
[0033]
(2) Since time information as a digital multi-function peripheral is unified, it is possible to suppress occurrence of problems in system management related to time.
[0034]
(3) When the time designation transmission file is included, the RTC time used by the FCU is not changed, so that the time designation transmission can be reliably performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of an image during FAX / G3 transmission / reception operation in the digital multi-function peripheral.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the digital multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing by the digital multi-function peripheral.
[Explanation of symbols]
400 Operation unit 401 Large LCD display unit 500 Operation unit controller 501 Main controller (system controller)
502 Image processing controller 503 ADF controller 504 Sorter controller 505 Paper feed tray controller 506 FAX controller 507 G3 controller 508 G4 controller (ISDN controller)
509 Expansion G3 controller 510 LAN I / F board 511 Large capacity memory HDD
512 RTC1
513 RTC2
612 Selector 620 Image memory 621 Rotator 622 Compression / decompression device 623 Large capacity memory 624 Buffer memory (line buffer)
625 modem 627 compression / decompression unit 628 NCU

Claims (1)

RTC (clock IC) backed up by a battery, a digital multifunction peripheral having a copy function and a facsimile function, and an RTC for managing time of the entire digital multifunction peripheral as a system, and a facsimile The RTC for performing time management for communication is separately provided, and the RTC for time management for the entire MFP is on the controller board (CTR). The RTC for time management for communication is It is on the facsimile control unit (FCU) that can be installed as an option .
The two RTCs operate independently. However, when time information is regularly exchanged between these two RTCs, a time shift occurs between these two RTCs. But
The digital multifunction peripheral is characterized in that the time adjustment is not performed when a time-designated transmission file is stored in the FCU .

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