JP4281710B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to a facsimile apparatus that handles a code image.

Patent Document 1 includes information for identifying print data and information for identifying the print state at the upper end and the lower end of the paper when the printer device prints print data requested from the terminal device, respectively. A system is disclosed that prints a printed barcode together with print data, identifies the printing state by reading the barcode at a paper discharge port, and manages it as a printing history. Here, a barcode reader is provided at the paper discharge port, and by reading the barcode at the paper discharge port, it is possible to identify the printing state and notify the user that the paper discharge is completed. ing.
JP 2004-90235 A

  By the way, in the facsimile apparatus, after the received and printed facsimile document is rewritten, the facsimile document may be returned to the transmission source. For example, when a merchandise seller accepts an order by facsimile, there may be a case in which the receipt confirmation or the planned shipment date of the merchandise is added to the facsimile manuscript and returned to the orderer. In addition, a questionnaire or the like may be transmitted to a large number of people by facsimile, for example, to obtain an answer.

  However, conventionally, it has not been possible for the apparatus to grasp the correspondence between transmission and reception of a facsimile document handled on a paper basis. Therefore, especially when dealing with a large amount of originals, it has been difficult to grasp the correspondence between facsimile data transmission and reception.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for facilitating management of a facsimile document transmitted and received by a facsimile apparatus.

According to the present invention,
Which receives the facsimile data of the document, including a predetermined format code image obtained by converting the code information including an identification number for identifying a document, a predetermined format code image obtained by converting the code information including an identification number for identifying the document A communication control unit for transmitting facsimile data of the document including
A print processing unit that prints the facsimile data including the code image by the communication control unit receives,
A document reading unit that reads a document including a code image of the predetermined format obtained by converting code information including an identification number for identifying the document, and generates facsimile data transmitted by the communication control unit;
Code information for decoding the code image included in the facsimile data to be printed by the print processing unit and the facsimile data transmitted by the communication control unit, converting the code image into code information, and extracting the identification number from the code information An analysis unit;
The identification number of the facsimile data to be printed by the print processing unit is stored in the communication history storage unit in association with the reception history of the facsimile data, and the identification number of the facsimile data transmitted by the communication control unit is A data recording unit for storing in the communication history storage unit in association with a transmission history of facsimile data;
Including
A facsimile apparatus is provided in which the data recording unit stores a reception history and a transmission history of facsimile data having the same identification number in association with each other based on the identification number.

  Here, the code image can be two-dimensional code information. Various information generally known as two-dimensional code information can be used as the two-dimensional code information. For example, a QR code can be used.

With such a configuration, the history of transmission / reception of facsimile data handled on a paper basis can be stored in association with the identification number of the facsimile data. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp the correspondence between transmission and reception of facsimile data.
In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention,
The document reading unit can read a document that has been added to the facsimile data printed by the print processing unit, and generate facsimile data transmitted by the communication control unit,
The communication control unit transmits the facsimile data generated by the document reading unit,
The data recording unit refers to the communication history storage unit based on the identification number extracted from code information obtained by decoding the code image included in the facsimile data transmitted by the communication control unit, and uses the same identification number. If the reception history associated with is already stored, the transmission history of the facsimile data can be stored in association with the reception history.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, referring to the communication history storage unit, a history detection unit that detects the identification number associated with only one of the reception history and the transmission history, and the history detection unit A notification processing unit that notifies the reception history or the transmission history associated with the detected identification number .

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the history detection unit can detect the identification information associated with only one of the reception history and the transmission history, and the notification processing unit includes the history detection unit. The reception history or the transmission history associated with the identification information detected by can be notified.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the data recording unit can store the processing time limit of the facsimile data received by the communication control unit in the communication history storage unit in association with the reception history of the facsimile data, The history detection unit refers to the communication history storage unit, detects the presence or absence of an unprocessed matter in which the transmission history associated with the same identification number with respect to the reception history is not stored, and among the unprocessed items, The identification number that has passed the processing deadline can be detected.

If the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the code information analysis unit, along with determining whether the communication control unit includes the code image in the facsimile data received, it is determined not contain the code image, A code image adding unit that generates code information including an identification number for identifying the facsimile data, converts the code information into a code image, and generates image data including the code image in the facsimile data; If the code data is included in the facsimile data received by the communication control unit, the code information analysis unit outputs the facsimile data to the print processing unit as it is, and the facsimile information received by the communication control unit. The code image is not included in the data, and the code image adding unit If the image data has been generated, it can be directly output to the print processing section the image data as facsimile data received by the communication control unit.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily manage a facsimile document transmitted and received by a facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The facsimile apparatus 100 includes a communication control unit 102, a document reading unit 104, a code information analysis unit 106, a data recording unit 108, a history detection unit 110, a notification processing unit 112, a print processing unit 114, a code image adding unit 116, and a communication history storage. Part 118 and setting storage part 120.

  In the present embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 100 can be a multi-function machine that integrates a facsimile, a printer, a copy, a scanner function, and the like. In addition, the facsimile apparatus 100 can be a network complex machine such as a network facsimile apparatus or an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral).

  In the present embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 100 determines whether or not a facsimile image to be transmitted / received includes a code image of a predetermined format. If the code image of a predetermined format is included, the facsimile apparatus 100 decodes the code image. To convert it into code information. Next, the facsimile machine 100 analyzes the code information and extracts necessary information from the code information. Here, the code image can be two-dimensional code information. Various information generally known as two-dimensional code information can be used as the two-dimensional code information. For example, a QR code can be used.

  Hereinafter, a case will be described as an example in which the facsimile apparatus 100 is used when a merchandise seller accepts a merchandise ordering slip, adds it to the ordering slip, and sends it back to the orderer. The merchandise seller distributes an ordering slip including a code image obtained by converting code information including an identification number for identifying each ordering slip to the orderer. The orderer performs facsimile transmission to the product seller using the order slip distributed from the product seller. The facsimile machine 100 decodes the code image and converts it into code information, and extracts an identification number from the code information.

  Further, the facsimile apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a function of giving a code image to an order slip when it receives an order slip that does not include a code image. The facsimile apparatus 100 can convert code information including an identification number for identifying each order slip into a code image.

  In this way, the code image is included in the order slip received and printed by the merchandise seller. For example, when adding a confirmation of receipt or a planned shipment date of the product to the order slip and returning it to the orderer with the facsimile device 100, the facsimile device 100 detects the code image included in the order slip and sets the identification number. It can be taken out. As a result, it is possible to grasp the correspondence between transmission and reception of facsimile data transmitted and received by the facsimile apparatus 100. Therefore, for example, when a reply process is not performed on the received order slip, it can be easily grasped.

  Each component of the facsimile apparatus 100 is centered on a CPU, a memory, a program for realizing the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing the program, and a network connection interface. Realized by any combination of hardware and software. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. Each drawing described in the embodiment shows a block of functional units, not a configuration of hardware units. In FIG. 1, the configuration of parts not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, network 150 may be a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). The communication control unit 102 transmits / receives facsimile data to / from other facsimile apparatuses via the network 150. The document reading unit 104 reads a document and generates facsimile data.

  The code information analysis unit 106 determines whether the facsimile data received by the communication control unit 102 or the facsimile data generated by the document reading unit 104 includes a code image of a predetermined format. If the code data is included in the facsimile data, the code information analysis unit 106 extracts the code image, decodes the code image, and converts it into code information. Further, the code information analysis unit 106 extracts necessary information from the code information. In the present embodiment, the code information analysis unit 106 extracts the identification number of the order slip from the code information.

  When the code information analysis unit 106 determines that the code data does not include a code image of a predetermined format, the code image adding unit 116 generates a code image and adds the code image to the facsimile data. The code image adding unit 116 generates code information including an identification number that can identify the facsimile data from other data. Next, the code image adding unit 116 converts the code information into a code image, and generates image data including the code image in the facsimile data. The code image assigning unit 116 can arrange the code image in the margin of the original facsimile data, reduce the original facsimile data, generate a margin, and arrange it in the margin.

  The print processing unit 114 prints facsimile data. When the facsimile data received by the communication control unit 102 or the facsimile data generated by the document reading unit 104 includes a code image in a predetermined format, the code information analysis unit 106 directly transmits the facsimile data to the print processing unit 114 or the communication unit. Output to the control unit 102. On the other hand, the code information analysis unit 106 does not include a code image of a predetermined format in the facsimile data received by the communication control unit 102 or the facsimile data generated by the document reading unit 104. If generated, the image data is output to the print processing unit 114. The print processing unit 114 prints the image data.

  The setting storage unit 120 stores setting information necessary for managing facsimile data in the facsimile apparatus 100. The code image adding unit 116 can add code information to the facsimile data with reference to the setting storage unit 120.

  The data recording unit 108 stores the identification number of the order slip extracted by the code information analysis unit 106 in the communication history storage unit 118 in association with the transmission / reception history of the order slip. In the present embodiment, the data recording unit 108 stores the processing time limit for returning facsimile data received by the facsimile apparatus 100 in the communication history storage unit 118 in association with the identification number. The processing time limit may be set in the setting storage unit 120 or may be included in the code information.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the communication history storage unit 118.
The communication history storage unit 118 includes an identification number field, a reception history field, a transmission history field, and a processing time limit field. The reception history column includes a transmission source column and a date / time column. The transmission history column includes a transmission destination column and a date / time column.

  For example, the facsimile data having the identification number “123456” is transmitted from OO trading at 8:00 on August 18 and returned to XX trading at 10:00 on August 18. Further, for example, facsimile data having an identification number “987654” is transmitted from the XX store at 10:00 on August 18 and has not yet been returned. Further, the processing time limit of the facsimile data with the identification number “987654” is one hour.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the history detection unit 110 refers to the communication history storage unit 118 and detects whether or not both the reception history and the transmission history are associated with a certain identification number. The notification processing unit 112 outputs the result detected by the history detection unit 110. The history detection unit 110 can detect, for example, an identification number associated with only one of the reception history and the transmission history. In this case, the notification processing unit 112 notifies the reception history or the transmission history associated with the identification number detected by the history detection unit 110. In the present embodiment, the history detection unit 110 includes the reception date and time included in the reception history or the transmission history associated with the identification number among the identification numbers associated with only one of the reception history and the transmission history. Alternatively, based on the transmission date and time, an identification number that has passed the processing deadline is detected.

  Next, a processing procedure when the facsimile apparatus 100 receives facsimile data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of this processing procedure.

  When the communication control unit 102 receives facsimile data (YES in S100), the code information analysis unit 106 determines whether or not the facsimile data includes a code image of a predetermined format (S102). If the code data is included in the facsimile data (YES in S102), the code information analysis unit 106 extracts the code image from the facsimile data, decodes the code image, and converts it into code information. Subsequently, the code information analysis unit 106 analyzes the code information and extracts an identification number (S104).

  The data recording unit 108 stores the communication history of the facsimile data in the communication history storage unit 118 in association with the identification number extracted by the code information analysis unit 106 (S106). The print processing unit 114 prints facsimile data (S108).

  On the other hand, if the code data in the predetermined format is not included in the facsimile data in step S102 (NO in S102), the code image adding unit 116 determines whether to add the code image to the facsimile data (S110). . When it is determined that a code image is to be added to the facsimile data (YES in S110), the code image adding unit 116 converts the code information including the identification number into a code image of a predetermined format, and adds the code image to the facsimile data. Then, image data is generated (S112). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S106, and the data recording unit 108 stores the communication history of the facsimile data in the communication history storage unit 118 in association with the identification number assigned by the code image adding unit 116. Note that step S110 can be omitted, and if the code data of a predetermined format is not included in the facsimile data, the code image is added without determining whether or not to add the code image. You can also

  If it is determined in step S110 that a code image is not provided (NO in S110), the data recording unit 108 stores the communication history of facsimile data in the communication history storage unit 118. In this case, no number is assigned to the corresponding identification number column. Thus, the facsimile data reception process in the facsimile apparatus 100 is completed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a processing procedure when the facsimile apparatus 100 transmits facsimile data will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of this processing procedure.

  When there is a facsimile transmission instruction (YES in S120), the document reading unit 104 reads the document and generates facsimile data (S122). The code information analysis unit 106 determines whether a code image is included in the facsimile data generated by the document reading unit 104 (S124). When the code data is included in the facsimile data (YES in S124), the code information analysis unit 106 extracts the code image from the facsimile data, decodes the code image, and converts it into code information. Subsequently, the code information analysis unit 106 analyzes the code information and extracts an identification number (S126).

  Subsequently, the communication control unit 102 transmits the facsimile data to the designated transmission destination (S128). This process can also be performed in parallel with step S124 and step S126. Next, the data recording unit 108 stores the communication history of the facsimile data in the communication history storage unit 118 in association with the identification number extracted by the code information analysis unit 106 (S130). At this time, the data recording unit 108 refers to the communication history storage unit 118, and if a reception history associated with the same identification number has already been stored, the data recording unit 108 stores the transmission history in association with the reception history. . Thus, the facsimile data transmission process in the facsimile apparatus 100 is completed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a processing procedure when the facsimile apparatus 100 detects whether or not a reply process is performed on received facsimile data will be described. By such processing, when the reply processing is not performed for the order slip received from any of the transmission sources, the case can be grasped.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in which the history detection unit 110 refers to the communication history storage unit 118 and detects an order slip whose processing has expired.

  The history detection unit 110 refers to the communication history storage unit 118 and detects the presence or absence of an unprocessed item for which no transmission history is stored for the reception history associated with the same identification number (S140). When there is an unprocessed matter (YES in S140), the history detection unit 110 refers to the reception date and time and the processing deadline of the matter and determines whether the processing deadline has passed (S142). If there is a case that has expired (YES in S142), the notification processing unit 112 notifies the user to that effect (S144). For example, the notification processing unit 112 can print out a list in which only unprocessed matters are extracted from the list configured as shown in FIG. 2 or display the list on the display unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a received document and a transmitted document that are transmitted and received by the facsimile apparatus 100.
FIG. 6A shows the received document 300. The received document 300 includes a code image 302. FIG. 6B shows a transmission original 304 in which the reception confirmation 300 and the estimated shipping date are added to the reception original 300 shown in FIG. The transmission original 304 also includes the code image 302. As described above, by including the code image 302 in the received original 300 and the transmitted original 304, the correspondence between the received original and the transmitted original is grasped based on the code information obtained by decoding the code image 302. be able to.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .

  The code image can also be generated by an ordering facsimile machine and attached to facsimile data. In this case, various information such as order contents can be included in the code image, and the facsimile apparatus 100 can also retrieve the contents. Thereby, such information can be handled electronically. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the received document 300. Here, the code image is obtained by converting code information including an identification number, an orderer, an orderer, an order date, an ordered product, and an ordered quantity. In addition, it is possible to include a desired processing time limit in the code image generated on the orderer side. In this case, the data recording unit 108 can record the desired processing time limit in the communication history storage unit 118.

  Further, the data recording unit 108 can store not only the items shown in FIG. 2 but also other information included in the code image 302 in the communication history storage unit 118. For example, when the code image 302 includes a communication path for facsimile data, the communication path can be managed.

  The processing time limit stored in the history detection unit 110 can determine whether or not the processing time limit has passed based on the date and time of the reception history, the date and time of the transmission history, and the current date and time. If so, you can save it in that way. In addition, for example, as the processing time limit, a time shorter than the time during which actual processing must be performed can be set. For example, when it is necessary to send a reply to the sender within 3 hours after receiving the facsimile data, for example, “2 and a half hours” can be set as the processing time limit. Thereby, it can respond early.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the facsimile apparatus 100 includes the code image providing unit 116 has been described. However, the facsimile apparatus 100 may be configured not to include the code image providing unit 116. In this case, in step S110 of FIG. 3, it is determined that the code image is not given (NO in S110), and the process can proceed to step S106.

  In the above embodiment, when the transmission history is not associated with the reception history associated with a certain identification number, the notification processing unit 112 has notified the fact, On the contrary, when the reception history is not associated with the transmission history associated with a certain identification number, the notification processing unit 112 may notify that fact. For example, in the case where facsimile data requesting an answer from a transmission destination, such as a questionnaire, is transmitted from a facsimile apparatus 100 to a plurality of transmission destinations, it is determined whether or not an answer to the facsimile data is received using a code image as a key. Can do.

  In this case, in the facsimile data transmission process shown in FIG. 4, if a code image is not included in step S124 (NO in S124), the code image adding unit 116 includes an identification number for identifying the facsimile data in the facsimile data. A process of assigning a code image can be performed. In this case, the communication control unit 102 transmits the facsimile data generated by the code image adding unit 116 to the transmission destination.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of a communication log | history memory | storage part. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment receives facsimile data. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure when the facsimile apparatus transmits facsimile data. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence in which a log | history detection part detects an order receipt slip with a process expiration with reference to a communication log | history memory | storage part. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a received document and a transmitted document that are transmitted and received by a facsimile apparatus. It is a schematic diagram showing a received document received by a facsimile machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Facsimile apparatus 102 Communication control part 104 Original reading part 106 Code information analysis part 108 Data recording part 110 History detection part 112 Notification processing part 114 Print processing part 116 Code image provision part 118 Communication history storage part 120 Setting storage part

Claims (5)

Which receives the facsimile data of the document, including a predetermined format code image obtained by converting the code information including an identification number for identifying a document, a predetermined format code image obtained by converting the code information including an identification number for identifying the document A communication control unit for transmitting facsimile data of the document including
A print processing unit that prints the facsimile data including the code image by the communication control unit receives,
A document reading unit that reads a document including a code image of the predetermined format obtained by converting code information including an identification number for identifying the document, and generates facsimile data transmitted by the communication control unit;
Code information for decoding the code image included in the facsimile data to be printed by the print processing unit and the facsimile data transmitted by the communication control unit, converting the code image into code information, and extracting the identification number from the code information An analysis unit;
The identification number of the facsimile data to be printed by the print processing unit is stored in a communication history storage unit in association with the reception history of the facsimile data, and the identification number of the facsimile data transmitted by the communication control unit is A data recording unit for storing in the communication history storage unit in association with a transmission history of facsimile data;
Including
The data recording unit stores a reception history and a transmission history of facsimile data having the same identification number in association with each other based on the identification number. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1,
The original reading unit reads the original that has been added to the facsimile data printed by the print processing unit, and generates facsimile data transmitted by the communication control unit;
The communication control unit transmits the facsimile data generated by the document reading unit,
The data recording unit refers to the communication history storage unit based on the identification number extracted from code information obtained by decoding the code image included in the facsimile data transmitted by the communication control unit, and uses the same identification number. A facsimile apparatus characterized by storing a transmission history of the facsimile data in association with the reception history when a reception history associated with the is already stored. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
With reference to the communication history storage unit, a history detection unit that detects the identification number associated with only one of the reception history and the transmission history;
A notification processing unit for notifying the reception history or the transmission history associated with the identification number detected by the history detection unit;
A facsimile apparatus further comprising: The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3,
The data recording unit stores the processing time limit of the facsimile data received by the communication control unit in the communication history storage unit in association with the reception history of the facsimile data;
The history detection unit refers to the communication history storage unit, detects presence / absence of an unprocessed matter in which a transmission history associated with the same identification number with respect to a reception history is not stored, A facsimile apparatus that detects the identification number that has passed the processing deadline. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The code information analysis unit determines whether or not the code image is included in the facsimile data received by the communication control unit, and identifies the facsimile data when determining that the code image is not included A code image adding unit that generates code information including a number, converts the code information into a code image, and generates image data including the code image in the facsimile data;
When the code image is included in the facsimile data received by the communication control unit, the code information analysis unit outputs the facsimile data as it is to the print processing unit, and adds the facsimile data received by the communication control unit to the facsimile data received by the communication control unit. A facsimile apparatus that outputs the image data as it is to the print processing unit as facsimile data received by the communication control unit when the code image is not included and the image data is generated by the code image adding unit.

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