JP3896682B2 - Facsimile device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting image information using the Internet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of facsimile apparatus, an apparatus that performs facsimile transmission via an external information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a workstation is known.
[0003]
In this apparatus, although the apparatus itself is activated, it is necessary to activate the external information processing apparatus when the facsimile transmission is to be executed when the external information processing apparatus installed in the apparatus is not activated. Further, when both are not activated, it is necessary to activate both devices separately.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, an external information processing apparatus such as a personal computer does not start immediately and often takes a certain amount of time to complete the start-up, i.e., a longer start-up time than the start-up of the facsimile apparatus. Although the required operation on the facsimile apparatus side can already be executed, it is necessary to wait for the start of the external information processing apparatus, which may be frustrating when busy.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile machine that allows a user to complete a necessary operation for facsimile transmission without waiting for completion of activation of an external information processing apparatus. To do.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, external information processing apparatus having a data transmission means to transmit data input means, data storage means and the data to store data via the Internet by way of, the facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting image information via the Internet, a storage means for storing a reading unit obtaining image information by reading an image, the image information read by the reading means, the external information When the image information read by the reading means is transmitted via the Internet via the exchange means for exchanging information with the processing apparatus and the external information processing apparatus, the activation state of the external information processing apparatus is confirmed. When it is confirmed by the first confirmation unit and the first confirmation unit that the external information processing apparatus is in an activated state, A first transmission control unit that reads the image by the capturing unit and transmits the image information obtained by the reading unit to the external information processing apparatus by the exchange unit; and the external information by the first confirmation unit. When it is confirmed that the processing apparatus is not activated, the image is read by the reading unit, and the image information obtained by the reading unit is stored in the storage unit to complete the image reading. After that, the second confirmation unit for confirming the activation state of the external information processing apparatus again, and when the second confirmation unit confirms that the external information processing apparatus is in the activation state, the second information is stored in the storage unit. And second transmission control means for transmitting the processed image information to the external information processing apparatus by the exchange means.
[0007]
According to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, when the activation of the external information processing apparatus cannot be confirmed (for example, during the activation), the image information is transmitted to the external information processing apparatus until the activation is confirmed. Wait for. Accordingly, the operation of the facsimile apparatus for facsimile transmission via the Internet can be completed without the facsimile apparatus user himself / herself waiting for completion of activation of the external information processing apparatus.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, when the first confirmation means confirms that the external information processing apparatus is not activated, the second confirmation means. Before operating the external information processing apparatus, the external information processing apparatus is provided with control means for issuing a signal for starting the external information processing apparatus.
[0009]
According to the facsimile apparatus of the second aspect, when the activation of the external information processing apparatus cannot be confirmed, the activation is automatically prompted, and the facsimile transmission via the Internet is executed and completed after the activation. Therefore, it is not necessary to confirm the activation of the external information processing apparatus or to manually activate it.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the transmission means for transmitting the image information stored in the storage means via a public line; When the confirmation means confirms that the external information processing apparatus is not activated, the transmission means includes control means for transmitting image information via a public line.
[0011]
According to the facsimile apparatus of the third aspect, when the activation of the external information processing apparatus is unsuccessful, for example, when the external information processing apparatus is out of order, the facsimile transmission via the Internet is abandoned and the same destination via the public line is given. Facsimile transmission can be automatically performed.
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 is a facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the image information cannot be transmitted through the public line, a notification means for notifying that the transmission has not been performed normally is provided. It is provided.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) connected to the apparatus, and a communication network.
[0013]
As shown in the figure, the facsimile apparatus 10 includes a scanner 11, a printer 12, an information compression / decompression unit 13 that compresses information to be transmitted and decompresses received information, and transmits and receives information via an analog public line. The communication and related parts such as the modem and line control unit 15 that is the main body that controls and controls the processing, the mail transmission / reception unit 16 that is the main body that controls the transmission and reception of electronic mail, and the modem and line control unit 15 are controlled. A communication control unit 17 that controls sound, a speaker 18 that emits sound and error sound, a numeric keypad and a character key, a panel operation unit 19 such as a start key for starting various operations, a PC interface unit 20, various programs and font data ROM 21 for storing etc., an area for temporarily storing transmission / reception information, and a communication management area for posting communication results RAM22 having, EEPROM 23 registers the mail address or a public line subscriber number of the destination, and which CPU 30 is configured by connecting to each other, CPU 30 is control and controls the overall each unit 11-23.
[0014]
The facsimile apparatus 10 is connected to the PC 40 by a cable 50 as a communication line in the PC interface unit 20. The PC 40 is connected to the transmission destination PC 90 or the transmission destination facsimile 100 capable of receiving the Internet via the transmission source provider 60, the Internet 70, and the transmission destination provider 80. Thus, when the facsimile apparatus 10 performs a predetermined operation such as image reading by the scanner 11, input of a destination mail address, or pressing of the start key, the facsimile apparatus 10 is automatically connected to the PC 40 as long as the PC 40 is activated. Deliver necessary information. The PC 40 checks whether or not the necessary information is transmitted at predetermined time intervals. If the necessary information is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 10, the PC 40 executes an interrupt control process as necessary, and automatically Perform Internet facsimile transmission.
[0015]
The facsimile apparatus 10 is connected to the destination facsimile 100 via the public line 110 in the modem and line control unit 15, and can perform normal facsimile transmission using the public line 110.
[0016]
In the facsimile apparatus 10, a public line subscription number (hereinafter referred to as a telephone number) and a mail address can be input using a numeric keypad or a character key in the panel operation unit 19. In addition, a telephone number or a mail address of a transmission destination can be registered in the EEPROM 23 in advance, and either or both of them regarding a certain transmission destination can be specified by a selection key in the panel operation unit 19. When a telephone number and a mail address are registered in the EEPROM 23 for one transmission destination, when either one of them is input with a numeric keypad or specified by a selection key, the other is automatically also executed by the CPU 30. Recognition is possible.
[0017]
Processing for facsimile transmission of image information to the transmission destination by the facsimile apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0018]
In this process, whether or not either one or both of the telephone number of the destination destination facsimile 100 to be sent and the mail address of the destination PC 90 is input by the numeric keypad in the panel operation unit 19 in the facsimile apparatus 10. Or, it waits until it is specified by the selection key (S1: NO. S means “step”, the same applies hereinafter). If it is input or specified (S1: YES), then the panel operation unit 19 Wait until the start key is pressed (S3: NO).
[0019]
If the start key is pressed (S3: YES), it is determined whether image information should be transmitted via the Internet 70 (S5). That is, if the destination mail address is input or specified in S1, or if both the destination mail address and the telephone number are input or specified, it is determined that transmission is first made via the Internet 70 ( On the other hand, if only the destination telephone number is input or specified in S1, it is determined to transmit via the public line 110 (S5: NO).
[0020]
If it is determined that the transmission is to be made via the public line 110 (S5: NO), the process jumps to a process after S43 (that is, a transmission process via the public line 110) described later.
[0021]
If it is determined that transmission is to be performed via the Internet 70 (S5: YES), the CPU 30 issues a signal for inquiring activation to the PC 40 via the cable 50 (S7), and determines whether or not there is a response from the PC 40. If the determination is made (S9) and the response from the PC 40 is confirmed (S9: YES), one line of the image to be transmitted is read by the scanner 11 (S11), and the read image information is compressed by the information compression / decompression unit 13. Process (S13) and output from the PC interface unit 20 to the PC 40 (S15). Note that necessary information such as a mail address of the transmission destination PC 90 is added to the head of the image information as an electronic mail by the mail transmission / reception unit 16 and output to the PC 40.
[0022]
Then, it is determined whether or not the output of one page of the image has been completed (S17). If the output of one page of the image has not been completed (S17: NO), the processes of S11 to S17 are repeated. . When the output of one page of the image is completed (S17: YES), it is determined whether or not there is an image of the next page (S19). If there is an image of the next page (S19: YES), the above S11 -S19 is repeated. If there is no next page image (S19: NO), the process on the facsimile machine 10 side is terminated.
[0023]
As described above, the PC 40 checks whether or not necessary information is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 10 at predetermined time intervals, and automatically executes facsimile transmission via the Internet if necessary information is transmitted. Therefore, the PC 40 automatically executes a facsimile transmission process via the Internet based on the image information and the like sent to the PC 40 through the processes up to S19.
[0024]
On the other hand, if the response from the PC 40 cannot be confirmed in S9, that is, if the activation switch of the PC 40 has been pressed but the activation has not yet been completed, the CPU 30 determines the image to be transmitted to the scanner 11. For the purpose of reading one line (S21; see FIG. 3), compressing the read image information by the information compression / decompression unit 13 (S23), and then waiting for transmission until the compressed information can be transmitted to the PC 40. Then, it is stored in the RAM 22 (S25). In this case as well, necessary information such as a mail address of the destination PC 90 is added to the head of the image information as an electronic mail by the mail transmitting / receiving unit 16.
[0025]
Then, it is determined whether or not the output of one page of the image has been completed (S27). If the output of one page of the image has not been completed (S27: NO), the processes of S21 to S27 are repeated. . When the output for one page of the image is completed (S27: YES), it is determined whether there is an image on the next page (S29). If there is an image on the next page (S29: NO), the above The processes of S21 to S29 are repeated.
[0026]
If there is no next page image (S29: NO), a signal for inquiring activation of the PC 40 is issued again (S31), and it is determined whether or not there is a response from the PC 40 (S33). If the response from the PC 40 is confirmed as in the case of completion (S33: YES), the image information with the mail address or the like added to the head is taken out from the RAM 22 and output to the PC 40 (S35). End the processing on the side.
[0027]
Also in this case, on the PC 40 side, processing for facsimile transmission over the Internet is automatically executed based on the transmitted image information and the like.
[0028]
If there is no response from the PC 40 in S33 (S33: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed (S37), and the standby is continued until the predetermined time has not yet elapsed. (S37: NO). If no response is received from the PC 40 after a predetermined time (S37: YES), it is determined that the PC 40 is out of order, and the facsimile transmission via the Internet is abandoned, and the facsimile transmission via the public line 110 is possible. Whether or not (S39). That is, when both the mail address and the telephone number are input or specified at S1, or both the mail address and the telephone number are already registered in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 23, and the mail address input or specified at S1 is used. If the CPU 30 can automatically recognize the telephone number, it is determined that transmission through the public line 110 can be automatically attempted (S39: YES).
[0029]
When transmission via the public line 90 is not possible (S39: NO), that is, only the mail address of the transmission destination is input or specified in S1, and the telephone number is not registered in advance corresponding to the mail address, and the result If the CPU 30 cannot determine the telephone number from the mail address (S39: NO), an error sound is transmitted on the speaker to convey that "Internet transmission is unsuccessful, while public line transmission is not possible". (S41), and this process ends.
[0030]
If it is determined in S39 that facsimile transmission via the public line 110 is possible (S39: YES), facsimile transmission via the public line 110 is attempted (S43). Then, it is determined whether or not the facsimile transmission via the public line 90 is successful (S45). If the transmission is successful (S45: YES), the process is terminated.
[0031]
On the other hand, if it is determined in S45 that the public line transmission is unsuccessful (S45: NO), an error sound is emitted (S47), and the process is terminated. In addition, when the steps after S7 shown in FIG. 2 are passed and the process reaches S45, an error sound having a different tone is transmitted to notify that “Internet transmission and public line transmission are unsuccessful”. On the other hand, if the process jumps from step S5 to step S43 shown in FIG. 3 and then reaches step S45, an error message is transmitted to notify that “public line transmission is unsuccessful”.
[0032]
According to such an embodiment, the user can complete an operation necessary for Internet facsimile transmission on the facsimile apparatus 10 side without waiting for the completion of activation of the PC 40. Therefore, before the start of the PC 40 is completed, it is possible to finish the necessary operation and leave the place.
Further, even if the PC 40 is out of order, there is an advantage that normal facsimile transmission is automatically executed using the public line 90 if the destination telephone number is registered.
[0033]
The above embodiment is an example on the assumption that the user himself / herself activates the PC 40 when confirming that the PC 40 is activated and not activated. However, for example, when the facsimile apparatus 10 and the PC 40 are considerably separated from each other, the user cannot easily check whether the PC 40 is activated or it is troublesome to activate the PC 40. There is. In order to deal with such a case, after no response is received from the PC 40 in S9 shown in FIG. 2 (S9: NO), and before the processing of S21 shown in FIG. What is necessary is just to add the process which issues the signal which starts PC40 from the apparatus 10. FIG.
[0034]
If the facsimile apparatus 10 is activated while the PC 40 is not activated, there is no need to send a facsimile in a hurry, but there are cases where it is desirable to finish operations necessary for that purpose. In order to cope with this, if the predetermined time in S37 shown in FIG. 3 is long (for example, 5 hours) and there is no response in S33, the interval until the next inquiry to the PC 40 in S31 is also made. Take longer. In this case, if the necessary operation is performed on the facsimile apparatus 10, for example, after 3 hours, when the PC 40 is activated for a purpose other than the Internet transmission, the Internet transmission is also executed.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, when the activation of the external information processing apparatus cannot be confirmed, the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect transmits image information to the external information processing apparatus until the activation is confirmed. Wait for. Therefore, in order to execute and complete the facsimile transmission operation via the Internet, the facsimile apparatus user does not have to wait for the completion of the startup of the external information processing apparatus. Therefore, even when the external information processing apparatus is in the middle of starting, the user can finish the necessary operation for facsimile transmission via the Internet, and can leave the place, for example.
[0036]
In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the activation of the external information processing apparatus cannot be confirmed, the activation is automatically prompted, and the facsimile transmission via the Internet is executed and completed. Accordingly, it is not necessary to confirm the activation of the external information processing apparatus or to manually activate the external information processing apparatus. For example, this is particularly convenient when the processing apparatus is far away from the facsimile apparatus.
[0037]
According to the facsimile apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, even if the facsimile transmission via the Internet via the processing apparatus is impossible due to the failure of the external information processing apparatus, etc. Performs facsimile transmission automatically. Therefore, the certainty of communication is extremely high.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention and a communication network connected thereto.
FIG. 2 is a part of a flowchart showing a process of transmitting image information to a destination facsimile by the facsimile apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a part of a flowchart showing a process of transmitting image information to a destination facsimile by the facsimile apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Facsimile apparatus 11 Scanner 12 Printer 13 Information compression / decompression part 15 Modem and line control part 17 Communication control part 21 ROM
22 RAM
30 CPU
40 Personal computer 70 Internet 90 Destination personal computer 100 Destination facsimile 110 Public line

Claims (4)

Data input means, by way of the external information processing apparatus having a data storage means and data transmitting means to transmit the data over the Internet to store data, a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting image information via the Internet,
Reading means for reading image and obtaining image information;
Storage means for storing image information read by the reading means;
Exchange means for exchanging information with the external information processing apparatus;
A first confirmation unit configured to confirm an activation state of the external information processing apparatus when transmitting the image information read by the reading unit via the Internet via the external information processing apparatus;
When the first confirmation unit confirms that the external information processing apparatus is in an activated state, the reading unit reads an image and the image information obtained by the reading unit is read by the exchange unit. First transmission control means for transmitting to an external information processing apparatus;
When the first confirmation unit confirms that the external information processing apparatus is not in an activated state, the reading unit reads an image and stores the image information obtained by the reading unit in the storage unit. A second confirmation unit for confirming a startup state of the external information processing apparatus again after executing processing and completing reading of an image;
Second transmission control for transmitting image information stored in the storage means to the external information processing apparatus by the exchanging means when the second confirmation means confirms that the external information processing apparatus is in an activated state. And a facsimile apparatus.   If it is confirmed by the first confirmation means that the external information processing apparatus is not activated, the external information processing apparatus is activated for the external information processing apparatus before the second confirmation means is operated. 2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for generating a signal to be transmitted. Transmitting means for transmitting the image information stored in the storage means via a public line;
Control means for transmitting image information via a public line by the transmission means when the second confirmation means confirms that the external information processing apparatus is not in an activated state. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising notification means for notifying that transmission is not normally performed when image information cannot be transmitted through the public line.

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