JP4764764B2 - Image forming apparatus and communication system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a communication system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus that inputs and displays settings using a Web server function in addition to a user interface by simple key operation. For example, in a digital image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-151591 (Patent Document 1), user parameter information or the like is stored in a memory in an HTML file format, and the information stored in the memory is Transmission is performed by a WWW server (hereinafter referred to as “Web server”) control unit of the image forming apparatus in response to a request from a WWW browser (hereinafter referred to as “Web browser”) of a terminal connected via the LAN.

  On the other hand, an image forming apparatus having a facsimile apparatus may be provided with a telephone device or an interface with the telephone device. In such an image forming apparatus, a network control unit (hereinafter referred to as “NCU”) performs processing such as calling and receiving and controls facsimile communication or voice call. Then, when the user presses a predetermined button while the telephone device is off-hook, a DTMF (Dial Toe Multi Frequency) signal is transmitted, and when the NCU receives the predetermined DTMF signal, processing to switch to facsimile communication I do.

  However, when the NCU detects the DTMF signal, the remote switching function of the image forming apparatus operates by erroneously detecting the voice or music included in the call as a DTMF signal, so that the voice communication is switched to the facsimile communication. Sometimes it switched.

Therefore, in the DTMF signal detection device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-265452 (Patent Document 2), the time for detecting the DTMF signal (DTMF detection ON time) and the time for not detecting the DTMF signal (DTMF) Detection OFF time) is arbitrarily set, the DTMF detection ON time is set to a predetermined time length, and the DTMF detection OFF time is lengthened to reduce false detection.
JP 2005-151591 A JP-A-8-265542

  However, in the DTMF signal detection device disclosed in Patent Document 2, since both the voice and the DTMF signal are transmitted as sound signals from the telephone device to the NCU, the voice or the DTMF signal near the predetermined frequency and the predetermined time length is transmitted. It is difficult to eliminate all erroneous detection of music signals as DTMF signals.

  Therefore, a selection signal for switching between the facsimile communication and the voice communication is displayed instead of the DTMF signal by displaying a screen prompting an input for switching between the facsimile communication and the voice communication on the Web browser of the computer that communicates with the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that inputs from a computer can be considered. At that time, a screen that prompts the display device that the computer acquires the status related to the communication such as the incoming call, response, or communication of the image forming apparatus, and controls the computer in a timely manner as necessary is displayed. It is desirable to display. For example, when a facsimile is transmitted by a user's operation during a voice call, or when the facsimile apparatus included in the image forming apparatus responds erroneously to an incoming voice call, and the user switches to a voice call by the user's operation. In addition, by promptly displaying a screen for prompting input of selection, the user can select an appropriate communication mode.

  However, in the image forming apparatus having the Web server control unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order for the computer serving as the client to acquire the state relating to the communication of the image forming apparatus, the computer forms the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to request the acquisition of the state, and it is not considered to promptly input the selection switching.

  The present invention has been invented in order to solve these problems in view of the above points, and provides an image forming apparatus in which selection of switching between a facsimile apparatus and a telephone apparatus is suitably performed by input from a computer. It is intended to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a facsimile apparatus, a telephone line interface that is an interface with a telephone line, and computer communication means for communicating with a computer, and is connected to the telephone line interface. wherein either one of the facsimile apparatus and the telephone apparatus has a switching換手stage to be connected to the telephone line by selecting a said switching means based on the switching signal input from the computer, the facsimile apparatus and selects either one of the telephone apparatus, also the switching means, based on the switched fax priority mode when the communication from the previous SL computer is interrupted for longer than a predetermined time, the The facsimile apparatus is configured to be selected from the facsimile apparatus and the telephone apparatus. It can be.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which selection of switching between the facsimile apparatus and the telephone apparatus is suitably performed by input from a computer. Further, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that selects a fax priority mode and a telephone priority mode depending on the presence / absence of communication from a computer.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention further includes the computer communication unit when the image forming apparatus is called or when the image forming apparatus makes a call. Information related to an incoming call or outgoing call can be transmitted to the computer.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that transmits information related to an incoming call to a computer that inputs a selection of switching between a facsimile apparatus and a telephone apparatus in a timely manner.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes an audio signal or data received via the telephone line when the image forming apparatus is in communication. A signal can be configured to be transmitted to the computer.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that transmits an audio signal or a data signal received via a telephone line to a computer.

In order to achieve the above object, the communication system of the present invention comprises an image forming apparatus having a telephone line interface, which is an interface between a facsimile apparatus and a telephone line, and computer communication means for communicating with a computer, and the image forming apparatus. And a computer having a communication means for performing communication with the image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus selects one of the facsimile apparatus and the telephone apparatus connected to the telephone line interface. has a switching換手stage to be connected to the telephone line Te, said switching means, based on the switching signal input from the computer, select either one of said facsimile apparatus and said telephone apparatus, also, said switching means switching et when the communication from the previous SL computer is interrupted for longer than a predetermined time Was based on the facsimile priority mode, the facsimile device and selects the facsimile device of said telephone apparatus, said computer includes an acquisition means for acquiring the status of the image forming apparatus the image forming apparatus has a display unit And the input means, and the display means is a facsimile of the image forming apparatus when the status of the image forming apparatus acquired by the acquiring means is an incoming call, response, or communication A screen prompting an input to select one of the apparatus and the telephone apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus, and the communication unit is configured to display the facsimile apparatus and the telephone apparatus input to the input unit. And a selection signal for selecting one of the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which selection of switching between a facsimile apparatus and a telephone apparatus is preferably performed by input from a computer.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, an example of a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) will be described as an image forming apparatus. However, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to an MFP, and includes a facsimile apparatus and a telephone apparatus or an IP telephone apparatus. Any image forming apparatus that performs communication by selection may be used.

(Example of system configuration including the image forming apparatus of the present invention)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration including an image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the MFP 100 has an interface with a telephone line, and is further connected to a computer 600 or the like via a network 700.

  The MFP 100 includes a network control unit (hereinafter referred to as “NCU”) 10 that is an interface with the telephone line 7 and a network interface 40 that is an interface with the network 700. The NCU 10 is an interface with the telephone line 7 and controls incoming calls or outgoing calls via the telephone line 7. The NCU 10 further has an interface for connecting the telephone device 19. The network interface 40 is an interface that connects the MFP 100 to the computer 600 or the like via the network 700.

  The telephone line 7 is a telephone line such as a public line or an extension, and a voice call or facsimile communication is performed via the telephone line 7. The telephone device 19 is a device that performs a voice call or the like. IP telephone apparatus 39 is an apparatus that is connected to MFP 100 via network 700 and performs a voice call or the like by IP telephone communication. Instead of being connected via the network 700, the IP telephone device 39 may be connected to the MFP 100 via the network 700 by being connected to the computer 600.

  The computer 600 is connected to the MFP 100 via the network 700, and displays the state of the MFP 100 or inputs an instruction. The computer 600 may also be directly connected to the MFP 100 without going through the network 700.

  In FIG. 1, both the telephone device 19 and the IP telephone device 39 are not necessarily provided, and only one of the telephone device 19 and the IP telephone device 39 may be provided.

(Example of Functional Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus and Computer of the Present Invention)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus and computer of the present invention shown in FIG. A facsimile apparatus and a telephone apparatus or IP telephone apparatus are selected by input from a computer 600 or the like connected to the MFP 100.

  The MFP 100 is configured to include a telephone line interface 11, a facsimile machine 20, an IP telephone gateway 30, a switching unit 12, a mode selection unit 13, a network interface 40, and a computer communication unit 42.

  The telephone line interface 11 is an interface for connecting the MFP 100 to the telephone line 7 and is an interface for connection with the telephone device 19. Switching means 12 switches connection between facsimile apparatus 20 and telephone apparatus 19 or IP telephone apparatus 39 in accordance with an input from computer 600.

  The facsimile apparatus 20 is a means for transmitting an image read from the scanner 22 included in the MFP 100 or outputting an image received by the MFP 100 via the telephone line 7 from the plotter 23 or storing it in the hard disk drive 55.

  The IP telephone gateway 30 is a gateway between the network 700 and the telephone line 7 when the IP telephone apparatus 39 connected via the network 700 performs communication via the telephone line 7. IP telephone gateway 30 may not be provided in MFP 100 when MFP 100 does not communicate with the IP telephone apparatus.

  The network interface 40 is an interface used when the MFP 100 is connected to another device or the like via the network 700, and the computer communication unit 42 is a unit that allows the MFP 100 to communicate with the computer 600. When the computer 600 is connected to the MFP 100 via a network, the computer communication unit communicates with the computer 600 via the network interface 40 and the network 700.

  The mode selection unit 13 is a unit that performs selection when the MFP 100 switches between the facsimile priority mode and the telephone priority mode. The facsimile priority mode is a mode in which a facsimile is received when the facsimile device 20 is selected by the switching means 12 when the NCU 10 detects an incoming facsimile communication. In the telephone priority mode, when the NCU 10 detects an incoming facsimile communication, the telephone device 19 or the IP telephone device 30 is ringed, and after the operator goes off-hook, the operator presses a predetermined button or the like to perform facsimile. In this mode, when the communication is selected, the switching unit 12 selects the facsimile apparatus 20 and the facsimile is received.

  The computer 600 is connected to the MFP 100 via the network 700 or directly, acquires the state of the MFP 100, and inputs the selection of switching the connection between the facsimile apparatus 20 and the telephone apparatus 19 by the operator. The computer 600 is configured to include a communication unit 62, an acquisition unit 63, a display unit 64, and an input unit 65.

  Communication unit 62 is a unit that communicates with MFP 100. When MFP 100 and computer 600 are connected via network 700, communication unit 62 has a network interface function.

  The acquisition unit 63 is a unit that acquires the status of the MFP 100, for example, causes the communication unit 62 to transmit a status acquisition request, and receives a signal transmitted from the MFP 100 from the communication unit 62.

  The display unit 64 is a unit that displays the processing status of the computer 600 or the status of the MFP 100 acquired by the acquisition unit 63. The display means 64 also displays a screen that prompts input such as selection between the facsimile apparatus 20 and the telephone apparatus 19. The input unit 65 is a unit that inputs a processing instruction or the like to the computer 600 and is a unit that inputs selection of the facsimile apparatus 20 and the telephone apparatus 19.

  The telephone line 7, the telephone device 19, and the IP telephone device 39 have the same functions and operations as those in FIG. IP telephone device 39 may be connected to MFP 100 via network 700 by being connected to computer 600 instead of being connected via network 700.

(Processing flow for inputting selection for switching communication device by computer 600)
FIG. 3 is an example of a flow of processing for inputting selection for switching the communication device by the computer 600. In FIG. 3, after the facsimile apparatus 20 is selected for an incoming call via the telephone line 7, a selection for switching the communication apparatus is input in the computer 600, and the telephone apparatus 19 is selected and switched.

  3 is an example in which an incoming call via the telephone line 7 is answered by the facsimile apparatus 20, but it can be easily understood from FIG. 3 that the facsimile apparatus 20 is switched after being answered by the telephone apparatus 19. In addition, when switching communication apparatuses after calling from MFP 100, it can be easily understood in the same manner, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  In step S101, the MFP 100 is called from the communication device connected via the telephone line 7, and the telephone line interface 11 receives a call signal or the like and makes a response. Communication starts. Proceeding to step S102 following step S101, an incoming call notification is transmitted from the telephone line interface 11 to the switching means 12. Progressing to step S103 following step S102, the switching means 12 determines the type of communication received. For example, when the facsimile tone signal is detected, the communication type is determined as facsimile communication, and when the facsimile tone signal is not detected, the communication type is determined as voice communication.

  Proceeding to step S104 following step S103, the switching means 12 transmits a facsimile communication start request to the facsimile apparatus 20. In step S105 following step S104, the facsimile machine 20 transmits a facsimile communication start response to the switching means 12.

  Proceeding to step S106 following step S105, the switching means 12 transmits a communication start notification transmission request to the computer communication means 42. Progressing to step S107 following step S106, the computer communication unit 42 transmits a communication start notification to the communication unit 62 of the computer 600.

  The transmission start notification transmission request may be performed subsequent to step S104. Further, in addition to the communication start notification, a request for transmission of these states may be made every time the communication-related state changes, such as a notification of call signal reception, a notification of call response transmission, or a notification of incoming call reception.

  In addition to transmission from the MFP 100 to the computer 600 every time the state changes, transmission of a state related to communication may be performed even when the MFP 100 transmits to the computer 600 when a state acquisition request is received from the computer 600. Good. The computer 600 may perform polling in order to acquire a state related to communication of the MFP 100 in a timely manner. The MFP 100 may store the state of the MFP 100 including the state relating to communication in a predetermined area of a storage device included in the MFP 100. Thereby, when there is a request for acquisition or change of a state from a plurality of devices or external devices, the state can be suitably transmitted or changed.

  Proceeding to step S108 following step S107, the computer 600 displays on the display means 64 a screen prompting input of selection for switching the communication device. A screen for prompting input of selection for switching communication devices may be held in a storage device or the like included in the computer 600 in advance. Further, when the MFP 100 notifies the state related to communication, the display screen may be transmitted and the computer 600 may display the screen. When MFP 100 has a Web server function, computer 600 may obtain a screen from MFP 100 using a Web browser.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen displayed by the display unit 64 of the computer 600 in step S108. In FIG. 4, it is displayed that the MFP 100 is in a communication state, and further, a button area for inputting a selection for switching the communication device to the telephone device 19 is displayed.

  Progressing to step S109 following step S108, a selection signal for switching the communication device is input from the input means of the computer 600. In this embodiment, the telephone device 19 is selected. In step S110 following step S109, the communication unit 62 of the computer 600 transmits a selection signal for switching the communication device to the computer communication unit 42 of the MFP 100. Proceeding to step S111 following step S110, the computer communication means 62 transmits a selection signal for switching the communication device to the switching means 12.

  Progressing to step S112 following step S111, the switching means 12 confirms the communication state of the facsimile machine 20 and the telephone device 19. The communication status may be acquired from a status list of devices and the like stored in the storage device of MFP 100. If the communication device based on the selection signal for switching the communication device received in step S111 is not in communication, the process proceeds to step S113. If the communication device is in communication, the process is terminated.

  In step S113, a request for starting voice communication is transmitted from the switching means 12 to the telephone device 19. When the telephone device 19 is in an on-hook state, the switching unit 12 may transmit a signal for ringing the telephone device 19 to the telephone device 19 in addition to a request for starting voice communication. Thereby, it is possible to suitably notify the operator of an incoming call to the telephone device 19. The determination of whether the telephone device 19 is on-hook or off-hook may be based on the current detected by the current sensor of the NCU.

  Proceeding to step S114 following step S113, the telephone device 19 transmits a response indicating the start of voice communication to the switching means 12. Progressing to step S115 following step S114, a request for terminating the facsimile communication is transmitted from the switching means 12 to the facsimile apparatus 20. Progressing to step S116 following step S115, a facsimile communication end response is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 20 to the switching means 12.

(Processing flow for inputting selection for switching communication device by IP telephone device 39)
FIG. 5 is an example of a flow of processing for inputting selection for switching communication devices by the IP telephone device 39. In FIG. 4, after the facsimile apparatus 20 is selected for an incoming call via the telephone line 7, a selection for switching the communication apparatus is input in the IP telephone apparatus 39, and the IP telephone apparatus 39 is selected and switched.

  FIG. 5 is an example in which an incoming call via the telephone line 7 is answered by the facsimile apparatus 20, but the case where the facsimile apparatus 20 is switched after being answered by the IP telephone apparatus 39 can be easily understood from FIG. 5. . Communication performed by the IP telephone device 39 may be facsimile communication or data communication in addition to voice communication. In addition, when switching communication apparatuses after calling from MFP 100, it can be easily understood in the same manner, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  Since the processing from step S201 to step S205 is the same as the processing from step S101 to step S105 in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Proceeding to step S206 following step S205, the IP telephone apparatus 39 receives a selection signal for switching the communication apparatus by the operator. The operator may input a selection signal for switching the communication device by pressing a predetermined dial button of the IP telephone device 39 to generate a predetermined DTMF signal.

  Progressing to step S207 following step S206, the IP telephone device 39 transmits a selection signal for switching the communication device to the network interface 40 of the image forming apparatus. Progressing to step S208 following step S207, a selection signal for switching the communication device is transmitted from the network interface 40 to the switching means 12.

  Progressing to step S209 following step S208, the switching means 12 confirms the communication status of the facsimile machine 20 and the IP telephone device 39. The communication status may be acquired from a status list of devices and the like stored in the storage device of MFP 100. If the communication device based on the selection signal for switching the communication device received in step S208 is not communicating, the process proceeds to step S210. If the communication device is communicating, the process is terminated.

  In step S <b> 210, a request for starting voice communication of the IP telephone device 39 is transmitted from the switching unit 12 to the network interface 40. When the IP telephone device 39 is in an on-hook state, the switching unit 12 may transmit a signal for causing the IP telephone device 39 to ring in addition to a request for starting voice communication. Thereby, it is possible to suitably notify the operator of an incoming call to the IP telephone device 39. Whether or not the IP telephone device 39 is on-hook may be determined based on the presence or absence of an IP telephone off-hook notification packet.

  Proceeding to step S211 following step S210, a request for starting voice communication or the like is transmitted from the network interface 40 to the IP telephone apparatus 39. Proceeding to step S212 following step S211, a response indicating that voice communication has been started is transmitted from the IP telephone apparatus 39 to the network interface 40. In step S213 following step S212, a response indicating that the IP telephone apparatus 39 has started voice communication is transmitted from the network interface 40 to the switching unit 12. Proceeding to step S214 following step S213, the switching means 12 transmits a request for terminating the facsimile communication to the facsimile apparatus 20. Progressing to step S215 following step S214, a facsimile communication end response is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 20 to the switching means 12.

  In steps S201 to S215, MFP 100 may store the state of MFP 100 including the state relating to communication in a predetermined area of the storage device included in MFP 100. Thereby, when there is a request for acquisition or change of a state from a plurality of devices or external devices, the state can be suitably transmitted or changed.

(Example of processing flow for causing the computer 600 to intercept the communication contents)
FIG. 6 is an example of a flow of processing for causing the computer 600 to intercept the contents communicated by the MFP 100 of the present invention. Steps S301 to S305 in FIG. 6 are the same as the processes in steps S101 to S105 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 306, a transmission request for communication content is transmitted from the switching unit 12 to the computer communication unit 42. Progressing to step S307 following step S306, the contents of communication are transmitted from the computer communication means 42 to the computer 600. In FIG. 6, since the facsimile communication is performed, the content of the communication received by the computer 600 is based on the facsimile communication, and the computer 600 may display the content of the communication by the display unit 64. In addition, when the content of communication is based on voice communication, the computer 600 may reproduce the voice using a speaker or the like.

  In FIG. 6, when communication is started, transmission is performed from MFP 100 to computer 600, but MFP 600 may transmit the content of communication in response to a transmission request from computer 600. The computer 600 may be configured to access the MFP 100 by polling in order to acquire the contents of communication in a timely manner.

(Example of processing flow for switching the reception mode depending on the presence or absence of communication from the computer)
FIG. 7 is an example of a flow of processing in which the MFP 100 of the present invention switches between the facsimile priority mode and the telephone priority mode depending on the presence / absence of communication from the computer 600. In FIG. 7, when communication from the computer 600 is interrupted for a longer time than a predetermined time, processing for switching to the facsimile priority mode is performed.

  In step S 401, communication is performed from computer 600 to computer communication means 42 of MFP 100. The communication performed here may be communication performed from the computer 600 to the MFP 100 in addition to the communication performed from the computer 600 to the MFP 100 in the flow of FIGS.

  Progressing to step S402 following step S401, the computer communication means 42 transmits a notification that there is communication from the computer 600 to the mode selection means 13. Progressing to step S403 following step S402, the mode selection means 13 sets the communication time. The communication time set here may be the time when the mode selection unit 13 receives the notification in step S402. The time may be set to 0.

  Progressing to step S404 following step S403, the mode selection unit 13 determines an elapsed time from the time set in step S403. If the elapsed time is greater than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S405. If the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time, the process of step S404 is repeated. If there is communication from the computer 600 while the process of step S404 is repeated, the process proceeds to step S401.

  In step S405, the mode selection unit 13 transmits a setting request for the facsimile priority mode to the switching unit 12. Progressing to step S406 following step S405, the switching means 12 sets the facsimile priority mode. Switching unit 12 may store the currently set mode in a predetermined area of the storage device of MFP 100.

  In FIG. 7, the mode is switched depending on the presence / absence of communication from the computer 600, but a signal is transmitted from the MFP 100 to the computer 600 at a predetermined time interval, and the computer 600 responds to the signal, whereby the computer 600 Whether or not there is communication may be determined.

  Further, the process of switching between the facsimile priority mode and the telephone priority mode may be performed by input from the computer 600.

  In addition to the processing of FIGS. 3 to 7, for example, the computer 600 transmits a value input by displaying a screen prompting a predetermined input to the MFP 100 for setting the playback volume of the speaker included in the MFP 100. May be set based on Thus, when the operator determines the communication state of MFP 100 by voice, it can be transmitted at a suitable volume.

(Example of configuration in which MFP 100 is realized by a computer)
FIG. 8 shows an example of a configuration in which the functions of MFP 100 of the present invention are realized by a computer. In FIG. 8, the functions of the MFP 100 are realized by the CPU 59 controlling a plurality of devices connected to the local bus 70.

  8 includes a CPU 59, a memory 58, a clock circuit 57, an image processing unit 56, a hard disk drive 55, an NCU 10, a facsimile modem 21, an IP telephone gateway 30, a network transmission control unit 41, a network interface 40, a scanner 22, and a plotter 23. And an operation display unit 90 and a speaker 80.

  The CPU 59 executes processing for realizing the functions of the MFP 100 or controls devices and the like. The CPU 59 implements the function of the MFP 100 by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 58, for example. The memory 58 is a memory that stores programs executed by the CPU 59. The memory 58 may also be a work memory when the CPU 59 executes a program. The clock circuit 57 is a circuit that generates a time used for a time stamp or a time-out of processing executed by the MFP 100.

  The image processing unit 56 performs processing of an image handled by the MFP 100, and performs processing such as rotation, enlargement / reduction, or compression / decompression of image data. The image processing unit 56 may be configured as a dedicated ASIC. The hard disk drive 55 is a storage device that stores a large amount of data, and stores image data and the like.

  The NCU 10 has an interface for connection with the telephone line 7 connected to the MFP 100, and controls outgoing calls or incoming calls. The NCU 10 also has an interface for connection with the telephone device 19. The facsimile modem 21 is a device that controls communication to the telephone line 7 when performing facsimile communication, and controls facsimile communication by being connected to the local bus 70 and the NCU 10. The IP telephone gateway 30 is an apparatus that serves as an interface for connection between the network 700 and the telephone line 7 when the IP telephone apparatus 39 connected to the network 700 performs communication via the telephone line 7.

  The network transmission control unit 41 is a device that controls communication with devices connected via the network 700, and the network interface 40 is an interface for connection between the network 700 and the MFP 100.

  The scanner 22 is a device that reads an image formed on a medium such as paper and acquires it as image data, and the plotter 23 is a device that forms an image on a medium such as paper and outputs the image. The function of the facsimile apparatus of the MFP 100 is realized by transmitting image data read from the scanner 22 by the facsimile modem 21 and the NCU 10 and outputting an image received by the NCU 10 and the facsimile modem 21 from the plotter 23.

  The speaker 80 is a device that transmits voice or facsimile tone or the like to the operator when performing communication by voice or facsimile, and the operation display unit 90 displays the state of the MFP 100 or is executed by the MFP 100. This is an apparatus for inputting processing instructions. The operation display unit 90 may be configured as a liquid crystal touch panel.

Although the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the best mode. Modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is an example of a system configuration including an image forming apparatus of the present invention. 2 is a functional configuration example of an image forming apparatus and a computer according to the present invention. An example of a flow of processing for inputting selection for switching communication devices by the computer 600. An example of a screen displayed by the display means 64 of the computer 600. An example of a flow of processing for inputting selection for switching communication devices by the IP telephone device 39. The example of the flow of a process which makes the computer 600 intercept the content of communication. The example of the flow of the process which switches a reception mode with the presence or absence of communication from a computer. Example of configuration in which MFP 100 is realized by a computer

Explanation of symbols

7 Telephone line 10 NCU
11 telephone line interface 12 switching means 13 mode selection means 19 telephone apparatus 20 facsimile apparatus 21 facsimile modem 22 scanner 23 plotter 30 IP telephone gateway 39 IP telephone apparatus 40 network interface 41 network transmission control section 58 burnup 59 CPU
62 Communication means 63 Acquisition means 64 Display means 65 Input means 80 Speaker 100 Image forming apparatus (MFP)
600 computer 700 network

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus having a facsimile apparatus, a telephone line interface that is an interface with a telephone line, and computer communication means for communicating with a computer,
Either one of the telephone line interface connected to said facsimile apparatus and the telephone apparatus has a switching換手stage to be connected to the telephone line by selecting,
The switching means selects either the facsimile apparatus or the telephone apparatus based on a switching signal input from the computer,
Further, the switching means, the communication from the previous SL computer based on the switched fax priority mode when interrupted for longer than a predetermined time, selecting the facsimile apparatus of said facsimile apparatus and said telephone apparatus An image forming apparatus. When there is an incoming call to the image forming apparatus, or when the image forming apparatus makes a call,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer communication unit transmits information related to the incoming call or the outgoing call to the computer. When the image forming apparatus is communicating,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the computer communication unit transmits an audio signal or a data signal received via the telephone line to the computer. A communication system having an image forming apparatus having a computer communication means for communicating with a computer and a telephone line interface that is an interface between a facsimile apparatus and a telephone line, and a computer having a communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus Because
The image forming apparatus includes:
Either one of the telephone line interface connected to said facsimile apparatus and the telephone apparatus has a switching換手stage to be connected to the telephone line by selecting,
The switching means selects either the facsimile apparatus or the telephone apparatus based on a switching signal input from the computer,
Further, the switching means, the communication from the previous SL computer based on the switched fax priority mode when interrupted for longer than a predetermined time, selects the facsimile apparatus of said facsimile apparatus and said telephone apparatus ,
The computer
Obtaining means for obtaining a state of the image forming apparatus included in the image forming apparatus;
Display means;
Input means,
When the state of the image forming apparatus acquired by the acquiring unit is an incoming call, a response, or communication,
The display means displays a screen for prompting an input to select one of a facsimile machine included in the image forming apparatus and a telephone device connected to the image forming apparatus;
The communication unit transmits a selection signal for selecting any one of the facsimile apparatus and the telephone apparatus input to the input unit to the image forming apparatus.

Images