JP4128477B2 - Communication system and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication system that transmits and receives data and a program that can be used in a communication apparatus that constitutes the communication system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, in a communication apparatus having a function as a facsimile, the communication contents of image data (for example, transmission destination, transmission source, communication date and time, communication time, number of pages, etc.) are stored (recorded) in a memory. Generally, the communication contents accumulated at the timing when a predetermined operation is performed are configured to be printed on a sheet. Thereby, the user can confirm the communication content on the paper.
[0003]
In recent years, a technique has been proposed for confirming the communication content of a communication device from the terminal device connected to the communication device so that data communication is possible.
For example, a terminal device (personal computer PC) is provided with a recording unit (RAM 12) that can be recognized as an external recording device connected to the terminal device itself, and data indicating communication contents (facsimile transmission / reception data) is recorded in this recording unit. Thus, the communication device (data input / output device) can be freely checked for communication contents from the terminal device side (see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
In addition, this communication device is suitable because it is easy to move data indicating the communication content by the communication device to the terminal device side, and the communication content by the communication device can be stored and managed as data on the terminal device side. It is.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-282694 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the above-described communication device simply records data indicating communication contents in a state accessible from the terminal device side, it is convenient to store and manage communication contents as data on the terminal device side. It was not good.
[0007]
For example, after the data is recorded on the communication device side, the user searches the data indicating the communication content while checking whether the data recorded in the recording unit of the communication device is the data indicating the communication content. Therefore, it is necessary to perform an operation such as saving this data on the terminal device side. In such an operation, there is a possibility that data unrelated to the data indicating the contents of communication is erroneously saved.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving usability when storing and managing communication contents by a communication device as data on the terminal device side. It is.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
In order to solve the above problem, a communication system according to claim 1 is a communication system in which a communication device and a terminal device are connected so as to be capable of data communication, and the communication device includes communication means, communication-side recording means, and communication. Side recording command means, and the terminal device comprises terminal side recording means , Terminal side recording command means And terminal side delete command means It has.
In the communication device of this communication system, the communication means performs first communication means for performing data communication via a telephone line network or the Internet and second communication means for performing data communication with the terminal device via an interface. The communication-side recording unit is a unit that can record various data and can recognize the terminal device as an external recording device connected to the terminal device. And the communication side recording command means is: Check whether or not the predetermined recording area exists in the communication-side recording means provided in the communication device, and if the predetermined recording area exists, Communication-side recording means provided in the communication device First region or second region of Is recorded in Communication data or log data Each as a recording area corresponding to the recording area in which the data is recorded, Via the second communication means Recording is performed in a recording area prepared in the terminal-side recording means.
In the terminal device, the terminal-side recording means is means for recording various data. The terminal-side recording command means prepares each data recorded in the communication-side recording means included in the communication device as a recording area corresponding to the recording area where the data is recorded in the terminal-side recording means. Recorded in the recorded area. The terminal-side deletion command means is identical to the data from the recording area of the communication-side recording means corresponding to the recording area where the data is recorded, on condition that the data is recorded in the terminal-side recording means. Delete the data.
According to the communication system configured as described above, after the content data is recorded on the communication device side (communication side recording means), the content data is automatically recorded on the terminal device side (terminal side recording means). Can do.
Therefore, after the communication is performed by the communication device and the content data indicating the communication content of the communication is recorded on the communication device side, the user intentionally sets the terminal device to record the content data on the terminal device side. There is no need to operate. Therefore, it is easier to use when storing and managing content data indicating the communication content of the communication device on the terminal device side, compared to a conventional device that requires such an operation.
Further, the communication system according to claim 2 is configured as follows. That is, the terminal device includes a recording detection unit that detects that data has been recorded in the communication-side recording unit included in the communication device, and the terminal-side recording command unit includes a detection result obtained by the recording detection unit. Accordingly, the data recorded in the communication-side recording means is recorded in the terminal-side recording means.
A communication system according to a third aspect is configured as follows. That is, the terminal device includes an access check unit that checks whether the communication device includes the communication-side recording unit that is accessible from the terminal device, and the record detection unit includes the access check unit. The communication-side recording means that can be accessed as a result of checking by the means is configured to detect that data has been recorded in the communication-side recording means.
Further, the communication system according to claim 4 is configured as follows. That is, the terminal device is in a state in which data rewriting is permitted to the communication-side recording unit included in the communication device on condition that the recording detection unit detects data recording on the communication-side recording unit. Instructing that the data should be changed, and then instructing the communication-side recording means to change to a state in which data rewriting is not permitted, on condition that data has been deleted by the terminal-side deletion instruction means. It is the composition of having permission command means.
Further, as a communication system for solving the above problems, a communication device and a terminal device are connected so that data communication is possible, and the communication device includes communication means, communication side recording means, and communication side recording. The terminal device may include a command unit, and the terminal device may include a terminal-side recording unit and a terminal-side recording command unit.
[0010]
In the communication device of this communication system, the communication means performs data communication via the network. The communication-side recording means can record various data and can be recognized as an external recording device in which the terminal device is connected to the terminal device itself. Then, the communication-side recording command means causes the communication-side recording means to record content data indicating the content of communication by the communication means in a state that satisfies a predetermined recording condition.
[0011]
In the terminal device, the terminal-side recording means is means for recording various data, and the terminal-side recording command means satisfies the recording condition among the data recorded in the communication-side recording means included in the communication device. The data is recorded as content data, and the content data is recorded in the terminal-side recording means.
[0012]
According to the communication system configured as described above, after the content data is recorded on the communication device side (communication side recording means), the content data is automatically recorded on the terminal device side (terminal side recording means). Can do.
Therefore, after the communication is performed by the communication device and the content data indicating the communication content of the communication is recorded on the communication device side, the user intentionally sets the terminal device to record the content data on the terminal device side. There is no need to operate. Therefore, it is easier to use when storing and managing content data indicating the communication content of the communication device on the terminal device side, compared to a conventional device that requires such an operation.
[0013]
In particular, on the communication device side, content data is recorded in a state satisfying a predetermined recording condition, and on the terminal device side, data recorded in a state satisfying this recording condition is read as content data. There is no risk that irrelevant data will be erroneously read out and recorded on the terminal device side.
[0014]
Note that the communication means included in the communication device described above is a means for performing data communication via a network. For example, a configuration for communicating image data (facsimile communication) via a telephone line network or the Internet, or via the Internet. A configuration for communicating various data can be considered.
[0015]
Further, the communication-side recording means accesses (records and deletes data) an external recording device connected to the terminal device, that is, via a function (file system) provided as a standard in an OS (operating system). It is a means that can be recognized as a recordable area.
[0016]
By the way, the terminal-side recording command means included in the terminal device causes the terminal-side recording means to record the content data when the content data is recorded in the communication-side recording means on the communication device side. For this reason, if the content data is recorded on the communication device side after the content data is recorded on the terminal device side, the same content data may be recorded on the terminal device side again. Therefore, in order to prevent a plurality of pieces of the same content data from being recorded as described above, the following configuration may be employed.
[0017]
For example, when data (content data, communication data to be described later) is recorded in the terminal-side recording means in accordance with a command from the terminal-side recording command means, this data is the same data and is stored in the communication-side recording means of the communication device. A configuration is conceivable in which terminal-side correction command means for correcting the recorded data so as not to satisfy the recording conditions is provided. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a plurality of the same content data from being recorded.
[0018]
In addition, as a configuration for preventing the same content data from being recorded multiple times, end When data (content data, communication data to be described later) is recorded in the terminal-side recording means by a command from the end-side recording command means, the terminal side that deletes the same data as this data from the communication-side recording means provided in the communication device A configuration in which a deletion command means is provided is conceivable.
[0019]
According to the communication system configured as described above, when data is recorded in the terminal-side recording unit in response to a command from the terminal-side recording command unit, the data that causes the recording failure is deleted from the communication-side recording unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a plurality of the same content data from being recorded.
[0020]
Furthermore, since the content data itself is deleted from the communication-side recording means, there is no fear that the communication-side recording means will occupy unnecessary data, and the recording area of the communication-side recording means can be used effectively. it can.
In the communication system described above, it is convenient if the terminal device side can store not only the content data indicating the communication content on the communication device side but also the communication data itself communicated on the communication device side. As a configuration for that purpose, for example, the following configuration can be considered.
[0021]
In the communication apparatus, the communication-side recording command means causes the communication-side recording means to record the communication data transmitted or received by the communication means in a state satisfying a predetermined first recording condition, and the communication contents of the communication data. Is recorded in the communication side recording means in a state satisfying a predetermined second recording condition, and in the terminal device, the terminal side recording command means is recorded in the communication side recording means included in the communication device. The data satisfying the first recording condition is the communication data, and the data satisfying the second recording condition is the content data, and these data are recorded on the terminal-side recording means. .
[0022]
According to the communication system configured as described above, on the communication device side, the communication data communicated by the communication unit and the content data indicating the communication content of the communication data are satisfied in different recording conditions. It can be recorded on the communication side recording means. On the terminal device side, it is possible to determine whether the data is content data or communication data based on the data recording condition on the communication device side, and record it in the terminal-side recording means. In this way, not only the content data indicating the communication content on the communication device side but also the communication data itself communicated on the communication device side can be stored on the terminal device side.
[0023]
As the “recording condition” when the above-mentioned communication-side recording command unit records data, for example, a condition that a file name when recording data in the communication-side recording unit is a specific file name is considered. It is done. As a specific configuration when such a condition is adopted as the “recording condition”, for example, a state in which the communication-side recording command unit in the communication apparatus records a specific file name in the communication-side recording unit is recorded. The data is recorded in the communication-side recording means as a state satisfying the condition, and the terminal-side recording command means in the terminal device stores the data recorded with a specific file name among the communication-side recording means provided in the communication device. A configuration in which recording is performed by the side recording means is conceivable.
[0024]
If comprised in this way, the data of the file name prescribed | regulated by the recording conditions on the terminal device side can be read from the communication terminal side as content data or image data, and can be recorded on the terminal side recording means.
In this configuration, when the communication device records both the content data and the communication data, the content data and the communication data may be recorded with different file names.
[0025]
Further, as the “recording condition”, a condition that a recording area in which data is recorded in the communication-side recording unit is a specific recording area can be considered. As a specific configuration when such a condition is adopted as the “recording condition”, the following configuration may be considered.
[0026]
The communication-side recording command means in the communication device causes the communication-side recording means to record data with the state recorded in a specific recording area in the communication-side recording means as a state satisfying the recording condition, and the terminal in the terminal device The side recording command means causes the terminal side recording means to record data recorded in a specific recording area among the communication side recording means provided in the communication device.
[0027]
According to the communication system configured as described above, on the terminal device side, the data recorded in the recording area defined by the recording condition is used as the content data or communication data, and this data is read from the communication terminal side and the terminal side It can be recorded by a recording means.
[0028]
In this configuration, when the communication device records both the content data and the communication data, the content data and the communication data may be recorded in different recording areas.
The above-mentioned “specific recording area” is, for example, a folder with a specific name.
[0029]
Also, in each communication system described above, identification data for identifying that the communication device is a device configured to record content data in the communication recording unit is recorded in the communication recording unit of the communication device. The terminal-side recording command means of the terminal device may instruct the recording of the data to the terminal-side recording means when the identification data is recorded in the communication-side recording means included in the communication device. Good.
[0030]
According to the communication system configured as described above, the terminal device causes the terminal-side recording means to record the data recorded in the communication-side recording means only from the communication-side recording means in which the identification data is recorded. Here, in a configuration in which the terminal device is connected to a device that can be recognized as a recording device in addition to the communication device, some data may be recorded in a state that satisfies the “recording condition” in the recording device. . However, since it is unlikely that the same data as the identification data is recorded in these recording devices, it is possible to prevent data other than content data and communication data from being erroneously recorded on the terminal device side.
[0031]
In addition, in this configuration, in order to prevent data other than content data and communication data from being erroneously recorded on the terminal device side, it is also possible to adopt the following configuration. It is done.
That is, in the communication device, the identification data recorded in the communication-side recording means is set as data indicating the calculation contents calculated through a specific procedure from the predetermined calculation target data recorded in the communication-side recording means, The terminal-side recording command means of the terminal device has the identification data recorded in the communication-side recording means provided in the communication device, and the calculation content indicated by the identification data and the calculation recorded in the communication-side recording means Only when the calculation contents calculated from the target data through a specific procedure match, the recording of the data to the terminal-side recording means is instructed.
[0032]
According to the communication system configured as described above, the terminal device has the identification data recorded in the communication-side recording unit, and the calculation content indicated by the identification data matches the calculation content calculated from the calculation target data. Only the data (content data and communication data) recorded in the communication-side recording means is recorded in the terminal-side recording means. Therefore, in a configuration in which the terminal device is connected to a device that can be recognized as a recording device in addition to a communication device, some data is recorded in a state that satisfies the “recording condition” in this recording device, and further, these recording devices are identified. Even when the same data as the data has been recorded, the calculation content indicated by the identification data and the calculation content calculated from the calculation target recorded in the recording device are less likely to match. The probability that data other than the content data and the communication data is erroneously recorded on the terminal device side can be further reduced.
[0033]
Note that the above “calculation target data” is data recorded in the communication-side recording means, and for example, content data and communication data can be used.
Further, in each communication system described above, in the communication apparatus, the operation state of the communication-side recording unit is changed to a changeable state in which data can be recorded and deleted in the communication-side recording unit, and data recording and deletion are not possible. There is provided a state switching means for switching to one of the possible non-changeable states. This state switching means is instructed to record data by the communication-side recording command means, and the data is sent to the communication-side recording means that has received this command. Communication side recording means until data is instructed by the terminal side deletion command means provided in the terminal device, and until data is deleted from the communication side recording command means that has received this command. The operation state may be switched to a changeable state.
[0034]
According to the communication system configured as described above, the communication-side recording unit of the communication device receives the command from the communication-side recording command unit and the terminal-side deletion command unit and only records data until it is recorded and deleted. Can be recorded and deleted. Therefore, the communication-side recording means of the communication device may, for example, cause the user to operate the communication device or the terminal device so that the communication-side recording means mistakenly records data, or from the communication-side recording means to mistakenly record data. Even if an attempt is made to delete the data, the data is not recorded and deleted, so that it is possible to prevent unnecessary data from being recorded or necessary data from being deleted.
[0035]
[0036]
Each of the communication devices described above may be realized by incorporating a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for functioning as any of the communication means and the communication-side recording command means described above.
A computer system controlled by such a program can constitute a part (communication terminal) of any of the communication systems described above.
[0037]
Further, this program may be a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for functioning as the above-described state switching means. In this case, the computer system can constitute a part (communication terminal) of the communication system described above.
[0038]
Claims 5 Is a program that causes a computer of a terminal device to execute processing for storing data stored in a communication device connected to a network in a terminal-side recording unit. Specifically, communication data and log data were recorded on the communication device. Predetermined recording area exists The communication data and log data are recorded in the first area and the second area of the terminal-side recording means according to the detection result of the step, and the communication data and the log. Deleting the communication data and the log data recorded in these areas out of the data recorded in the communication device on condition that the data is recorded in the first area and the second area; Is a program that causes a computer of a terminal device to execute processing including the above.
In addition, each terminal device described above has a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the terminal-side recording command unit and the terminal-side deletion command unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to function. It may be realized by incorporating.
A computer system controlled by such a program can constitute a part (terminal device) of the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
[0039]
[0040]
Each of the above-described programs is composed of an ordered sequence of instructions suitable for processing by a computer system. For example, the program is a recording medium such as an FD, CD-ROM, or memory card, or a communication line such as the Internet. It is provided to a communication system, a communication device, a terminal device, a computer system, or a user who uses these via a network. As a computer system for executing this program, for example, a computer system provided in a communication device, a computer system provided in a terminal device, a communication device or a terminal device is connected to be able to perform data communication via a wireless or wired communication path. A computer system or the like can be used.
[0041]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with examples.
[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a multifunction peripheral 100 and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 200 connected via a communication cable 300 so that data communication is possible.
[0042]
The multifunction device 100 is a device that functions as a telephone terminal, a facsimile, a copier, a scanner, and the like, and includes a handset 112, a display panel 114, an operation panel 120, a CPU 132, a ROM 134, a RAM 140, a scanner unit 152, a modem 154, and a printer unit 156. , A voice input / output unit 160, a PC interface unit (hereinafter referred to as PCI / F) 172, a line control unit 174, a media drive 180, and the like.
[0043]
Among these, the handset 112 is a handset that is used by being detached from the main body of the multifunction device 100.
The display panel 114 displays various information in response to a command from the CPU 132.
[0044]
The operation panel 120 includes a plurality of input buttons that can input characters, numbers, and symbols.
Further, the CPU 132 controls the overall operation of the multifunction device 100 by sending commands (control signals) to each component of the multifunction device 100 via the bus 190 in accordance with the processing procedure indicated by the program recorded in the ROM 134.
[0045]
The RAM 140 is a shared area in which a part of the recording area can be recognized as an external recording device (virtual drive) connected to the PC 200 itself by the PC 200 connected to the multifunction peripheral 100. As a result, the PC 200 can recognize this shared area as a recording area that can be accessed (data recording and deletion) by a file system that is a partial function provided as a standard in an OS (operating system). The shared area has a tree-type folder (also called “directory”) structure, and is configured to classify and store data files in the folder.
[0046]
The scanner unit 152 receives an instruction from the CPU 132, reads an image from a sheet set at a predetermined reading position (not shown), and generates image data of the image. The image data is encoded and modulated by the modem 154 to be converted into an image signal that can be transmitted to the telephone line network 400, and then output to the telephone line network 400 via the line control unit 174.
[0047]
Further, the printer unit 156 receives an instruction from the CPU 132 and prints an image indicated by image data on a sheet set at a predetermined sheet feeding position (not shown). As described above, the image data to be printed is, for example, image data generated by demodulating and decoding the image signal input from the telephone network 400 via the line control unit 174 by the modem 154. Etc.
[0048]
The audio input / output unit 160 includes a speaker 162, a microphone 164, and a drive circuit 166 that drives them. In addition to outputting audio based on various audio signals from the speaker 162, the audio input / output unit 160 transmits the speaker 162 and the microphone 164. By functioning as a handset, it can also be used to make a hands-free call.
[0049]
The PCI / F 172 is an interface for connecting the multi-function device 100 to the PC 200 via the communication cable 300, and thereby enables data communication between the multi-function device 100 and the PC 200.
In addition, the line control unit 174 inputs various signals from the telephone line network 400 and outputs signals to the telephone line network 400, and inputs / outputs to / from the telephone line network 400 in response to an instruction from the CPU 132. Set the transmission destination and transmission path of the signal.
[0050]
This “transmission destination and transmission path of signals input / output to / from the telephone network 400” is an operation to remove the handset 112 from the main body of the multifunction device 100 as an off-hook operation, or to perform hands-free operation using the operation panel 120. When an operation for starting a call is performed, a path from the line control unit 174 to the handset 112 or the voice input / output unit 160 is set as the above-described transmission path, and this path is in a state in which a voice signal can be transmitted. Become. The transmission path thus set is canceled when an operation for returning the handset 112 to the MFP 100 main body or an operation for terminating the hands-free call is performed as an on-hook operation, and an audio signal is transmitted through this path. It will be in a state that is not.
[0051]
Further, a series of operations (FAX transmission) from when a transmission destination identification number (phone number in the present embodiment) is input through the operation panel 120 and transmission is started in a state where a sheet to be read is set at the reading position. When the operation is performed or when the input of the image signal is started from the telephone network 400 side, the route toward the modem 154 is set as the above-described transmission route, and the image signal can be transmitted through this route. It becomes a state. The set transmission path is canceled when the output of the image signal by the modem 154 is completed or when the input of the image signal from the telephone network 400 is completed, and the image signal is not transmitted through this path. .
[0052]
The media drive 180 is a device that is detachably attachable to the memory card 500 and that records and reads data to and from the memory card 500 attached. Here, the “memory card” refers to, for example, a compact flash (registered trademark), smart media (registered trademark), memory stick (registered trademark), multimedia card, SD memory card, and the like.
[0053]
The PC 200 includes a CPU 212, a ROM 214, a RAM 216, a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HD) 220, an external interface unit (hereinafter referred to as external I / F) 232, an input unit 240, a display 250, and the like connected via a bus 260. Is.
[0054]
Among these, the HD 220 incorporates a history collection program for executing a history collection process (FIG. 4) described later in addition to various application software.
The external I / F 232 is an interface for connecting the PC 200 to the multi-function device 100 via the communication cable 300, thereby enabling data communication between the PC 200 and the multi-function device 100.
[0055]
The input unit 240 is an input device including a keyboard 242 and a mouse 244.
Facsimile communication processing by CPU 132 of multifunction machine 100
Hereinafter, facsimile communication processing executed by the CPU 132 included in the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This facsimile communication process is repeatedly executed until the MFP 100 is activated and then stopped (power is turned off).
[0056]
First, a storage folder for storing a history of facsimile communication is generated in the shared area of the RAM 140 (s110). In this process, as shown in FIG. 3A, first, a “FAX history” folder is created in the root directory of the shared area. Then, a “FAXTX” folder, a “FAXRX” folder, and a “FAXLOG” folder are respectively created in the “FAX history” folder. These folders are recognized as a directory structure of the external recording device (Removable disk (F :)) from the PC 200 side, as shown in FIG.
[0057]
Next, the shared area of the RAM 140 is changed from the read / write (READ / WRITE) attribute in the initial state to the read only (READ ONLY) attribute (s120). This “read / write attribute” is a state that allows rewriting (recording and deletion) of data in response to an external command, and “read-only attribute” is that data can be rewritten even when receiving an external command. It is not allowed. Note that data can be read from the shared area with any attribute.
[0058]
Next, it is checked whether or not reception by facsimile communication (FAX reception) is started (s130). In this process, when input of an image signal is started from the telephone line network 400 via the line control unit 174, it is determined that reception by facsimile communication is started.
[0059]
If reception by facsimile communication is started in the process of s130 (s130: YES), the shared area of the RAM 140 is changed from the read-only attribute to the read / write attribute (s140).
Next, reception processing by facsimile communication is performed (s150). In this process, first, the line control unit 174 sets a path connecting the modem 154 and the telephone line network 400 as a signal transmission path. As a result, an image signal can be transmitted through this path. Subsequently, image data is generated by causing the modem 154 to demodulate and decode image signals sequentially input from the telephone line network 400 (transmission source) via the line control unit 174. Subsequently, the printer unit 156 prints the image indicated by the image data. In this way, the image indicated by the image signal input from the telephone line network 400 is printed on the paper. Then, the line control unit 174 cancels the setting of the path connecting the modem 154 and the telephone line network 400 as the transmission path. As a result, the image signal is not transmitted through this path.
[0060]
Next, the image data generated by the modem 154 in the process of s150 is recorded in the “FAXRX” folder of the RAM 140 (s160). In this process, the image data is recorded with a file name including a numeric string concatenated with the date and time when the process of s150 (facsimile communication) was performed. For example, when the communication date is “2003.03.17” and the communication time is “16:55”, the file name is “RX200303171655”.
[0061]
Next, log data indicating the communication contents of the facsimile communication in the process of s150 is recorded in the “FAXLOG” folder in the RAM 140 (s170). In this process, the communication type indicating the date, time, transmission or reception, the identification number of the communication partner, the time required for communication, the amount of data communicated (in this embodiment, the number of paper pages), and the communication was successful. The communication result indicating whether the data has failed or the data that can specify the file name of the image data recorded in the process of s160 is recorded as log data. In this s170 process, log data is recorded with a file name (RX200303171655LOG) including a numeric string concatenated with the date and time when the facsimile communication was performed, as in the process of s160.
[0062]
Then, after returning the shared area of the RAM 140 from the read / write attribute to the read-only attribute (s180), the process returns to s130.
If reception by facsimile communication is not started in the processing of s130 (s130: NO), it is checked whether transmission (FAX transmission) by facsimile communication has been started (s190). In this process, it is determined that transmission by facsimile communication is started when the above-described FAX transmission operation is performed.
[0063]
If transmission by facsimile communication is not started in the process of s190 (s190: NO), the process returns to the process of s130.
On the other hand, if transmission by facsimile communication is started in the process of s190 (s190: YES), the shared area of the RAM 140 is changed from the read-only attribute to the read / write attribute (s200).
[0064]
Next, transmission processing by facsimile communication is performed (s210). In this process, first, as in the process of s150, the line control unit 174 sets a path connecting the modem 154 and the telephone line network 400 as a signal transmission path. Subsequently, the scanner unit 152 is caused to read an image, and image data of this image is generated. Subsequently, the image data is encoded and modulated by the modem 154 to obtain an image signal that can be transmitted through the telephone network 400. Subsequently, the image signal is output to the line control unit 174 side by the modem 154. In this way, the image signal is output to the telephone network 400 side (transmission destination). Then, as in the processing of s150, the line control unit 174 cancels the setting of the path connecting the modem 154 and the telephone line network 400 as the transmission path.
[0065]
Next, the image data generated by the scanner unit 152 in the process of s210 is recorded in the “FAXTX” folder of the RAM 140 (s220). In this process, the image data is recorded with a file name including a numeric string concatenated with the date and time when the process of s210 (facsimile communication) was performed. For example, when the communication date is “2003.03.17” and the communication time is “16:55”, the file name is “TX200303171655”.
[0066]
Next, log data indicating the communication contents of the facsimile communication in the process of s210 is recorded in the “FAXLOG” folder in the RAM 140 (s230). In this process, as in the process of s170, the date, time, communication type, identification number, time required for communication, data amount, communication result, and file name of the image data recorded in the process of s220 can be specified. Data is recorded as log data. In this s230 process, the log data is recorded with a file name (TX200303171655LOG) including a numeric string concatenated with the date and time when the facsimile communication was performed as in the process of s220.
[0067]
The shared area of the RAM 140 is returned from the read / write attribute to the read only attribute (s240), and the process returns to s130.
History collection processing by the CPU 212 of the PC 200
Hereinafter, a history collection process executed by the CPU 212 of the PC 200 will be described with reference to FIG. This history collection process is repeatedly executed from when the history collection program is started until it is terminated.
[0068]
First, the variable N is initialized (s310). In this process, the variable N is set to “1” (1 → N). Note that “n” described below indicates the value set in the variable N.
Next, it is checked whether the nth drive is accessible (s320). In this process, among the drives (recording apparatuses) that can be recognized by the CPU 212 (see (a :) to (F :) in FIG. 3B), the nth drive can be accessed from the A drive in order. Check whether or not. Here, in the case of a drive in which a recording medium such as an FD, a CD-ROM, or a memory card 500 is detachable, it is checked whether or not the recording medium is mounted by checking “accessibility”. become.
[0069]
If it is not possible to access the nth drive in the process of s320 (s320: NO), “1” is added to the variable N (1 + n → N) (s330).
Next, it is checked whether or not the nth drive exists (s340). In this process, it is checked whether or not the nth drive, counting from the A drive in order, among the drives that can be recognized by the CPU 212 exists.
[0070]
In the process of s340, if the nth drive does not exist (s340: NO), the process returns to the process of s310, while if the nth drive exists (s340: YES), the process returns to the process of s320.
If the nth drive can be accessed in the process of s320 described above (s320: YES), it is checked whether a storage folder exists in the nth drive (s350). In this processing, as shown in FIG. 3B, first, the “FAX history” folder exists in the root directory of the nth drive, and the “FAXTX” folder, “ If all the “FAXRX” folder and “FAXLOG” folder exist, it is determined that the storage folder exists.
[0071]
If the storage folder does not exist in the process of s350 (s350: NO), the process proceeds to s330.
On the other hand, in the process of s350, if a storage folder exists (s350: YES), the MFP 100 is instructed to change the shared area of the RAM 140 to the read / write attribute (s360). In this process, a command signal for changing the attribute of the shared area is transmitted to the multi-function device 100, and the multi-function device 100 that has received this command signal changes the shared area of the RAM 140 to the read / write attribute.
[0072]
Next, it is checked whether data is recorded in the “FAXTX” folder in the “FAX history” folder in the shared area (s370). The “FAXTX” folder is a folder in which image data is recorded in the process of s220 in FIG.
[0073]
If data is recorded in the “FAXTX” folder in the process of s370 (s370: YES), this data is recorded in the HD 220 (s380). In this process, the data (image data) recorded in the “FAXTX” folder is recorded in a recording area predetermined as a recording location where the data recorded in the “FAXTX” folder is to be recorded.
[0074]
Next, the same data as the data recorded on the HD 220 in the process of s370 is deleted from the “FAXTX” folder in the shared area (s390).
Thus, after the processing of s390 is completed, or when data is not recorded in the “FAXTX” folder in the processing of s370 (s370: NO), the data is stored in the “FAXRX” folder in the “FAX history” folder in the shared area. It is checked whether data is recorded (s400). The “FAXRX” folder is a folder in which image data is recorded in the process of s160 in FIG.
[0075]
If data is recorded in the “FAXRX” folder in the process of s400 (s400: YES), this data is recorded in the HD 220 (s410). In this process, the data (image data) recorded in the “FAXRX” folder is recorded in a recording area predetermined as a recording location where the data recorded in the “FAXRX” folder is to be recorded.
[0076]
Next, the same data as the data recorded on the HD 220 in the process of s410 is deleted from the “FAXRX” folder in the shared area (s420).
In this way, after the processing of s420 is completed, or when data is not recorded in the “FAXRX” folder in the processing of s400 (s400: NO), the data is stored in the “FAXLOG” folder in the “FAX history” folder in the shared area. It is checked whether data is recorded (s430). The “FAXLOG” folder is a folder in which image data is recorded by the processing of s170 or s230 in FIG.
[0077]
If data is recorded in the “FAXLOG” folder in the process of s430 (s430: YES), this data is recorded in the HD 220 (s440). In this process, the data (log data) recorded in the “FAXLOG” folder is recorded in a recording area predetermined as a recording location where the data recorded in the “FAXLOG” folder is to be recorded.
[0078]
Next, the same data as the data recorded on the HD 220 in the process of s440 is deleted from the “FAXLOG” folder in the shared area (s450).
In this way, after the processing of s450 is completed, or when data is not recorded in the “FAXLOG” folder in the processing of s430 (s430: NO), the MFP 100 changes the shared area of the RAM 140 to the read-only attribute. After instructing the effect (s460), the process proceeds to s330.
[0079]
[Effect of the first embodiment]
According to the communication system 1 configured as described above, after image data or log data is recorded on the multifunction peripheral 100 side (shared area of the RAM 140) (processing of s160, s170, s220, and s230 in FIG. 2), these are performed. Data can be automatically recorded on the PC 200 side (HD 220) (processing of s380, s410, and s440 in FIG. 4).
[0080]
Therefore, after the facsimile communication is performed by the multifunction device 100 and log data indicating the communication content of this communication is recorded on the multifunction device 100 side, the user intentionally uses the PC 200 to record the log data on the PC 200 side. There is no need to operate. Therefore, it is easier to use when storing and managing the log data indicating the communication contents of the multi-function device 100 on the PC 200 side, compared to the case where such an operation is necessary.
[0081]
In particular, on the MFP 100 side, log data is recorded in the “FAXLOG” folder of the shared area in the RAM 140, and on the PC 200 side, data recorded in this “FAXLOG” folder is read out as log data. It is possible to prevent data irrelevant to the contents from being erroneously read and recorded on the PC 200 side. On the MFP 100 side, image data is recorded in the “FAXTX” and “FAXRX” folders in the shared area of the RAM 140, and on the PC 200 side, the data recorded in the “FAXTX” and “FAXRX” folders are stored as image data. Since the data is read out as data, it is possible to prevent data irrelevant to image data by facsimile communication from being erroneously read out and recorded on the PC 200 side.
[0082]
Further, after the data is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140 included in the multifunction peripheral 100, the PC 200 records the data on the HD 220 (processing of s380, s410, and s440 in FIG. 4). Therefore, after the log data is recorded on the PC 200 side, if the log data remains recorded on the multifunction peripheral 100 side, the same log data may be recorded on the PC 200 side again. . However, when the log data is recorded on the HD 220 on the PC 200 side, this log data is deleted from the multifunction peripheral 100 side (shared area of the RAM 140) (the processes of s390, s420, and s450 in FIG. 4), so the same It is possible to prevent a plurality of log data from being recorded.
[0083]
Furthermore, since the data itself is deleted from the RAM 140 of the multi-function device 100, there is no fear that unnecessary data will be occupied in the RAM 140, and the recording area of the RAM 140 can be used effectively.
On the multifunction device 100 side, image data and log data can be recorded in separate folders. On the PC 200 side, it is possible to determine whether it is image data or log data based on the folder name in the shared area of the RAM 140 included in the multi-function peripheral 100, and to record it in the HD 220. In this way, not only log data but also image data itself can be stored on the PC 200 side.
[0084]
Further, the PC 200 can perform the process of recording the data recorded in the drive on the HD 220 only when the storage folder exists in the nth drive in the process of s350 in FIG. Therefore, in a configuration in which the PC 200 is connected to a device that can be recognized as a recording device in addition to the multifunction device 100, even if some data is recorded in this recording device, data other than image data and log data is erroneously recorded. It is possible to prevent recording on the PC 200 side.
[0085]
Further, the MFP 100 receives a command from the PC 200 side until receiving the FAX and recording each data in the RAM 140, transmitting the FAX and recording each data in the RAM 140, and receiving a command from the PC 200 side. Only until the data is read and deleted, the shared area of the RAM 140 is set as a read / write attribute so that data can be recorded and deleted. For this reason, the shared area of the RAM 140 included in the multifunction peripheral 100 is, for example, the user operating the multifunction peripheral 100 or the PC 200 to try to record data in the shared area by mistake or to delete data from the shared area by mistake. Even if it tries, since data is not recorded and deleted, it is possible to prevent unnecessary data from being recorded or necessary data from being deleted.
[0086]
[Second Embodiment]
The communication system 2 has the same configuration as that of the communication system 1 in the first embodiment, and only part of the processing content is different. Therefore, only this difference will be described in detail.
Facsimile communication processing by CPU 132 of multifunction machine 100
This facsimile communication process is configured such that each process as shown in FIG. 5 is performed between the process of s110 and the process of s120 in FIG.
[0087]
First, after a storage folder is generated in the process of s110, identification data is recorded in the root directory in the shared area of the RAM 140 (s112). The “identification data” is data for identifying that the multi-function device 100 is a device that records image data and log data in the RAM 140.
[0088]
Then, the creation time of the identification data recorded in the process of s112 is corrected to a value obtained by adding the creation time of each folder generated in the process of s110 (s114). In this process, first, the creation time of the identification data is corrected to a value obtained by adding the creation times of the “FAXTX” folder, the “FAXRX” folder, and the “FAXLOG” folder. Specifically, if the creation time of the “FAXTX” folder is “21:00”, the creation time of the “FAXRX” folder is “21:00”, and the creation time of the “FAXLOG” folder is “21:00”, the identification data At the time of creation, “15 (= (21 + 21 + 21) mod 24)” is obtained. Then, the creation amount of the identification data is corrected to a value obtained by adding the creation amounts of the “FAXTX” folder, the “FAXRX” folder, and the “FAXLOG” folder. Specifically, if the creation time of the “FAXTX” folder is “52 minutes”, the creation time of the “FAXRX” folder is “52 minutes”, and the creation time of the “FAXLOG” folder is “53 minutes”, the identification data The creation amount is “37 (= (52 + 52 + 53) mod 60)”.
[0089]
In this way, after finishing the process of s114, it transfers to the process of s120.
History collection processing by the CPU 212 of the PC 200
This facsimile communication process is configured such that each process shown in FIG. 6 is performed between the process of s350 and the process of s360 in FIG.
[0090]
First, when it is possible to access the nth drive in the process of s320, it is checked whether or not identification data is recorded in the root directory of this drive (s352).
If the identification data is not recorded in this process (s352: NO), the process proceeds to the process of s330. If the identification data is recorded (s352: YES), whether the creation time of the identification data is correct. Is checked (s354). In this process, first, among the folders in the “FAX History” folder of the nth drive, the value obtained by adding the creation time of each of the “FAXTX” folder, “FAXRX” folder, and “FAXLOG” folder, and Then, a value obtained by adding the respective creations is calculated in the same manner as the processing of s114 in FIG. When these values coincide with the creation time of the identification data, it is determined that the creation time of the identification data is correct.
[0091]
If the creation time of the identification data is not correct in the process of s354 (s354: NO), the process proceeds to the process of s330, while if the creation time of the identification data is correct (s354: YES), the process proceeds to the process of s360.
[Effect of the second embodiment]
According to the communication system 2 configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained as effects obtained from a configuration different from that of the first embodiment.
[0092]
According to the communication system 2 configured in this way, the PC 200 performs a process of recording the data recorded in this drive on the HD 220 only from the drive in which the identification data is recorded (the process of s352 in FIG. 6). Perform (process after s360). Therefore, in the configuration in which the PC 200 is connected to a device that can be recognized as a recording device in addition to the multi-function device 100, even if a storage folder has been recorded in this recording device, these recording devices are similar to the identification data. Therefore, data other than image data and log data can be prevented from being erroneously recorded on the PC 200 side.
[0093]
The PC 200 records the identification data on the drive, and only when the creation time of the identification data matches the time calculated from each folder (the process of s354 in FIG. 6), is recorded on the drive. The image data and log data to be recorded are recorded on the HD 220. Therefore, in a configuration in which the PC 200 is connected to a device that can be recognized as a recording device in addition to the multifunction device 100, a storage folder is recorded in the recording device, and further, data similar to the identification data is recorded in the recording device. Even in this case, it is unlikely that the creation time of the identification data matches the time calculated from the storage folder recorded in the recording device. The probability of being erroneously recorded on the PC 200 side can be further reduced.
[0094]
[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said specific embodiment, It can implement with a various form besides this.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the configuration of the communication system according to the present invention is applied to a system including the multifunction peripheral 100 and the PC 200 is illustrated. However, the communication system according to the present invention may be configured by a device other than the multifunction peripheral 100 and the PC 200, or may be configured by one or more devices.
[0095]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the processing illustrated in each flowchart is exemplified as being configured to be executed by a computer system including the CPU 132 included in the multifunction peripheral 100 and the CPU 212 included in the PC 200. However, a part or all of these processes may be executed by another computer system connected to the multifunction peripheral 100 and the PC 200 via a wired / wireless signal transmission path.
[0096]
Further, in the MFP 100 of the above-described embodiment, an example in which the processing shown in each flowchart is configured to be executed according to a program recorded in the ROM 134 is illustrated. However, the above-described program is recorded in the memory card 500, and the processing shown in each flowchart is executed according to the program recorded in the memory card 500 in a state where the memory card 500 is mounted in the media drive 180. It may be configured.
[0097]
Further, in the PC 200 of the above-described embodiment, an example in which the processing shown in each flowchart is configured to be executed according to a program recorded in the HD 220 is illustrated. However, when the PC 200 is configured to be able to input / output data to / from a recording medium such as an FD or a memory card, the processing shown in each flowchart is based on the recording medium on which the above program is recorded. May be configured to be executed.
[0098]
In the above embodiment, the telephone line network 400 may be a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or an IP telephone network.
In the above embodiment, the MFP 100 is configured to transmit and receive image signals (facsimile communication) via the telephone line network 400. However, when the multi-function device 100 is configured to be capable of data communication via the Internet, it may be configured to perform facsimile communication via the Internet.
[0099]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which various data is exchanged between the multifunction device 100 and the PC 200 using the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction device 100 is illustrated. However, the exchange of data may be performed by the memory card 500 attached to the media drive 180. In this case, the description “shared area in RAM 140” in the above embodiment is read as “memory card 500 attached to media drive 180”.
[0100]
In the above embodiment, the MFP 100 is configured to record log data and transmission / reception data by facsimile communication in the shared area of the RAM 140. However, if the multi-function device 100 can perform data communication via the Internet, for example, log data and transmission / reception data by data communication via the Internet may be recorded in the shared area. In this case, the history of data communication can be stored and managed on the PC 200 side via the Internet.
[0101]
In the above embodiment, data other than image data and log data based on the time calculated based on the creation time of each storage folder (the process of s114 in FIG. 5 and the process of s354 in FIG. 6). In this example, the system is configured to prevent erroneous recording on the PC 200 side. However, the configuration for preventing data other than image data and log data from being erroneously recorded on the PC 200 is not limited to this configuration.
[0102]
In the above embodiment, in order to prevent a plurality of the same image data and log data from being recorded on the PC 200 side, the image data and log data recorded on the PC 200 side are deleted from the MFP 100 side. 1 is illustrated (processing of s390.s420, s450 in FIG. 4). However, in order to prevent a plurality of the same image data and log data from being recorded, the following configuration may be employed. For example, image data and log data recorded on the PC 200 side are moved from the folder in which these data were recorded to another folder (for example, a root directory).
[0103]
In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 100 is configured to record image data and log data on the condition that recording is performed in a folder determined according to the type of data and whether transmission or reception is performed. (Processing of s160, s170, s220, s230 in FIG. 2). However, as conditions for recording the image data and log data, any conditions may be applied as long as the PC 200 side can specify what kind of data it is. For example, on the MFP 100 side, there may be a condition that the file name used when recording the image data and log data in the shared area of the RAM 140 is a specific file name. In this case, the PC 200 side responds according to the file name. The image data (transmission or reception) and the log data may be specified, and the data may be recorded on the HD 220. More specifically, first, in the facsimile communication processing of FIG. 5, the multifunction peripheral 100 performs the processing of s160, s170, s220, and s230 to receive the received image file name, the log data file name, and the transmission image Each data is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140 with the file name and the file name for the log file. In the history collection process of FIG. 6, the shared area indicates whether the PC 200 has transmitted image data, received image data, or log data in the processes of s370, s400, and s430. In the case where the file names recorded in the file name are respectively determined and exist, the corresponding data may be recorded in the HD 220 by the processes of s380, s410, and s440.
[0104]
[Relationship with the present invention]
In the embodiment described above, the multifunction device 100 is a communication device according to the present invention, and the shared area of the RAM 140 included in the multifunction device 100 is a communication-side recording unit according to the present invention.
[0105]
The PC 200 is a terminal device in the present invention, and the HD 220 provided in the PC 200 is a terminal-side recording unit in the present invention.
2 and 5 are the communication means in the present invention, and the processes of s160, s170, s220, and s230 are the communication side recording command means in the present invention. In these processes, the condition of recording in a folder corresponding to the type of data to be recorded is the recording condition in the present invention. In particular, recording by the processes of s160 and s220 is the first condition, and recording by the processes of s170 and s230 is the second condition. Further, the configuration (CPU 132) that changes the attribute of the shared area in response to the commands of the processes of s120, s180, and s240 and the processes of s360 and s460 in FIGS.
[0106]
4 and 6 are the terminal-side recording command means in the present invention, and the processes of s390, s420, and s450 are the terminal-side deletion command means in the present invention.
Moreover, the process of s354 in FIG. 6 is the terminal side recording command means in this invention.
[0107]
In addition, each folder that is a target for calculating the hour and minute in the process of s114 in FIG. 5 and each folder that is a target for calculating the hour and minute in the process of s354 in FIG. It is data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system in the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of facsimile communication processing in the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a directory structure of a shared area
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of history collection processing in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of facsimile communication processing in the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of history collection processing in the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,2 ... Communication system 100 ... Multifunction machine 112 ... Handset 114 ... Display panel 120 ... Operation panel 132 ... CPU, 134 ... ROM, 140 ..RAM, 152 ... scanner unit, 154 ... modem, 156 ... printer unit, 160 ... voice input / output unit, 162 ... speaker, 164 ... microphone, 166 ... drive Circuit: 172: PC interface unit, 174: Line control unit, 180 ... Media drive, 190 ... Bus, 200 ... Personal computer, 212 ... CPU, 214 ... ROM, 216 ... RAM, 220 ... hard disk, 240 ... input unit, 242 ... keyboard, 244 ... mouse, 250 ... display, 260 ..Bus, 300 ... communication cable.

Claims (5)

A communication system in which a communication device and a terminal device are connected so that data communication is possible,
The communication device
A communication means comprising a first communication means for performing data communication via a telephone line network or the Internet, and a second communication means for performing data communication with the terminal device via an interface ;
Various types of data can be recorded, and communication side recording means that the terminal device can recognize as an external recording device connected to the terminal device;
The communication data communicated by the first communication means is recorded in a first area which is a predetermined recording area in the communication-side recording means, and log data indicating communication contents by the first communication means is recorded in the communication Communication side recording command means for recording in a second area which is a recording area different from the first area in the side recording means,
The terminal device
Terminal-side recording means for recording various data;
It is checked whether or not the predetermined recording area exists in the communication-side recording means provided in the communication device, and if the predetermined recording area exists , the first of the communication-side recording means provided in the communication device Each of the communication data or log data recorded in the second area or the second area is set as a recording area corresponding to the recording area in which the data is recorded to the terminal-side recording means via the second communication means. Terminal-side recording command means for recording in the prepared recording area;
Same as the data from the recording area of the communication-side recording means corresponding to the recording area where the data is recorded via the second communication means, provided that the data is recorded in the terminal-side recording means. And a terminal-side deletion command means for deleting data. In the terminal device,
A record detecting means for detecting that data is recorded in the communication-side recording means included in the communication device;
The terminal-side recording command unit causes the terminal-side recording unit to record data recorded in the communication-side recording unit according to a detection result by the recording detection unit. Communications system. In the terminal device,
An access check means for checking whether or not the communication device includes the communication-side recording means accessible from the terminal device;
The record detection means detects that data has been recorded in the communication-side recording means for the communication-side recording means that can be accessed based on a check result by the access check means. The communication system described. The terminal device
Instructing the communication side recording means included in the communication device to change to a state in which data rewriting is permitted, on condition that the recording detection means detects data recording on the communication side recording means. Then, on the condition that the data recorded in the communication-side recording means has been deleted by the terminal-side deletion instruction means, the communication-side recording means is instructed to change to a state in which data rewriting is not permitted. The communication system according to claim 2, further comprising permission command means. A program for causing a computer of a terminal device to execute processing for storing data stored in a communication device connected to a network in a terminal-side recording unit,
Detecting the presence of a predetermined recording area in which communication data and log data are recorded in the communication device;
Recording the communication data and log data in the first area and the second area of the terminal-side recording means according to the detection result of the step;
On the condition that the communication data and the log data are recorded in the first area and the second area, the communication data and the log data recorded in those areas among the data recorded in the communication device. A step of deleting
The program which makes the computer of a terminal device perform the process containing this.

Images