JP5599108B2 - Facsimile apparatus and facsimile communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus and a facsimile communication system.

  In communication systems, there is a technology that uses SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) as a protocol for controlling communication. Note that SIP is defined in RFC (Request for Comments) 3261 of Internet Engineering Task Force (IETE).

  Here, a presence service or the like is known as a service provided using SIP (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The presence service is, for example, notification of presence information indicating the state of the own device to a partner device that is a communication destination, or notification of presence information indicating the state of the partner device to the own device. The presence service is realized, for example, by installing a SIP server (presence server) on a network to which the own device and the other device are connected.

  When using the presence service, the own device requests the SIP server to notify the presence information indicating the status of the partner device. Thus, when a state change occurs in the partner machine, presence information indicating the state of the partner machine at that time is sent to the own machine. Therefore, the own device can grasp the state of the partner device in real time.

  For example, in a facsimile apparatus and a facsimile communication system including the facsimile apparatus, if the presence information on the size of paper accommodated in the partner machine is obtained before transmitting a facsimile signal from the own machine to the partner machine, the partner machine It is possible to grasp in advance the paper size to be printed out.

JP 2005-278084 A

  However, even if the size of the paper stored in the partner machine can be grasped in advance, the paper size printed out by the partner machine is set by the user of the partner machine. Therefore, when a document having a predetermined paper size is transmitted by facsimile from the own machine to the other machine, the output is often performed on the other machine with a paper size different from the predetermined paper size. In this case, there may be a problem that the image (document) to be printed out is reduced or cut off in the middle. That is, the contents printed out by the counterpart machine are unclear.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and provides a facsimile apparatus and a facsimile communication system capable of suppressing the contents printed out by the counterpart machine from becoming unclear. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention acquires presence information about paper stored in a partner machine, and receives a user instruction and a communication unit that transmits and receives a facsimile signal to and from the partner machine. And an operation panel for displaying predetermined information. When a facsimile signal is transmitted to the partner machine, the operation panel displays the size of the paper stored in the partner machine based on the presence information of the partner machine, and the partner machine stores a plurality of different sizes of paper. When the operation is being performed, designation of the paper size to be printed out by the partner machine is received, and the communication unit transmits an instruction signal to the other machine to instruct printing output at the paper size accepted by the operation panel.

  According to this configuration, when transmitting a facsimile signal to the partner machine, the operation panel displays the size of the paper stored in the partner machine based on the presence information of the partner machine, and a plurality of sizes different from each other in the partner machine Accepts the size of the paper to be printed out by the partner machine, and the communication unit sends an instruction signal to the partner machine to instruct printing output at the paper size accepted by the operation panel. To do. As a result, when a predetermined document is facsimile-transmitted from the own machine to the other machine, it can be printed out on the other machine at a paper size desired by the user of the own machine. In this way, the contents (images and documents) of the original sent from the own machine can be obtained in an appropriate size by the user of the other machine, and the contents (images and documents) sent from the own machine can be obtained. Document) is accurately transmitted to the user of the other machine. That is, it is possible to prevent the contents printed out by the counterpart machine from becoming unclear.

  In the configuration described above, preferably, when transmitting a facsimile signal to the partner machine, the operation panel accepts designation of a print magnification at the time of printing output by the partner machine, and the communication unit accepts the print magnification accepted by the operation panel. An instruction signal for instructing print output is transmitted to the partner machine. According to this configuration, when a predetermined document is facsimile-transmitted from the own machine to the other machine, the user can print out the paper size desired by the user of the own machine, in addition to the user of the own machine. It is also possible to print out at the other machine at the desired print magnification.

  In the above configuration, preferably, the operation panel displays the size name of the paper stored in the partner machine as a designation key, and the paper size corresponding to the selected designation key is printed out on the partner machine. Accept as. With this configuration, it is easy to understand and the user can indicate a sheet size that can be specified. Therefore, the convenience when the user designates the paper size is improved.

  In the configuration described above, the operation panel preferably displays a non-designated key for accepting that the paper size to be printed out by the counterpart machine is not designated, in addition to the designated key. With this configuration, it is possible to improve convenience when a user who does not need to specify a paper size performs transmission setting. That is, a user who does not need to specify the paper size may select a non-designated key without hesitation.

  In this case, preferably, when the non-designated key is selected, the operation panel cancels the transmission of the transmission start key for accepting that the facsimile signal transmission is started without designating the paper size, and the facsimile signal transmission. A transmission stop key for accepting the message is displayed. With this configuration, the convenience of an operation for transmitting a facsimile signal without specifying a paper size and an operation for canceling the transmission of the facsimile signal itself are improved.

  The facsimile communication system of the present invention includes the above-described facsimile apparatus and a partner machine that is communicably connected to the facsimile apparatus. With this configuration, when a predetermined document is facsimile-transmitted from the own machine to the other machine, it can be printed on the other machine at the paper size desired by the user of the own machine. It becomes possible to suppress the contents to be unclear.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain a facsimile apparatus and a facsimile communication system capable of suppressing the contents to be printed out by the counterpart machine from becoming unclear.

Schematic of the facsimile communication system of the present invention Schematic showing an example of a facsimile machine (multifunction machine) of the present invention The top view which showed an example of the operation panel of the facsimile apparatus (multifunction machine) of this invention Schematic showing an image forming unit of a facsimile machine (multifunction machine) of the present invention The block diagram which showed the hardware constitutions of the facsimile apparatus (multifunction machine) of this invention The sequence diagram which showed an example of the communication sequence of this invention Flowchart for explaining operation of facsimile apparatus (multifunction machine) of the present invention (operation when transmitting facsimile signal from own machine to partner machine) The figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel of the facsimile apparatus (multifunction machine) of this invention The figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel of the facsimile apparatus (multifunction machine) of this invention The figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel of the facsimile apparatus (multifunction machine) of this invention The figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel of the facsimile apparatus (multifunction machine) of this invention The figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the operation panel of the facsimile apparatus (multifunction machine) of this invention

  First, a facsimile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the facsimile communication system of the present embodiment transmits and receives presence information based on, for example, a SIP communication protocol.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile communication system is constructed by connecting a plurality of facsimile apparatuses 100 (100A and 100B), a SIP server 150, and the like to each other via a network NT.

  Each facsimile apparatus 100 is a multifunction machine having a copy function, a scan function, a printer function, and the like in addition to a fax function, and can communicate with each other via a network NT. In FIG. 1, the number of connected facsimile machines 100 is two, but the number of connected facsimile machines 100 is not particularly limited. The configuration of each facsimile apparatus 100 will be described in detail later.

  The SIP server 150 is a server that executes session establishment for each facsimile apparatus 100. The SIP server 150 also has a function as a presence server that manages and holds information indicating the status of each facsimile machine 100, for example. That is, for example, when the SIP server 150 receives a request for notification of presence information indicating the status of the facsimile device 100B from the facsimile device 100A, the SIP server 150 acquires information indicating the status of the facsimile device 100B, and uses the information as presence information for the facsimile device 100A. Notify There are various types of presence information, but one example is information such as whether or not the user is online (whether or not communication is possible).

  Next, the configuration of each facsimile machine 100 (100A and 100B) will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the configurations of the respective facsimile apparatuses 100 may be the same or different. In the following description, it is assumed that the configurations of the respective facsimile apparatuses 100 are the same.

  Each facsimile apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 101, an image reading unit 102, an engine unit (a paper feeding unit 103, a conveyance path 104, an image forming unit 105, an intermediate transfer unit 106, a fixing unit 107, and a double-side conveyance path 108). Yes.

  The operation panel 101 is disposed at a location indicated by a broken line in FIG. 2, for example. Further, the operation panel 101 includes a liquid crystal display unit 11 as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal display unit 11 displays menus and keys for performing various settings, and also displays messages indicating the device status and the like. In addition to information indicating the status of the own device, information indicating the status of the other device (presence information) can also be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11.

  The user can make various settings by pressing a key displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. The liquid crystal display unit 11 is provided with a touch panel for detecting the coordinates of the pressed position when a key displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 is pressed by the user.

  The operation panel 101 is provided with hard keys such as a numeric keypad 12 and a start key 13. The numeric keypad 12 is a hard key for the user to input numbers. The start key 13 is a hard key for receiving instructions for executing various functions from the user.

  Further, the operation panel 101 is provided with hard keys such as a copy key 14, a scanner key 15, a fax key 16 and a box key 17. When the copy key 14 is pressed by the user, keys and messages necessary for using the copy function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. When the scanner key 15 is pressed by the user, keys and messages necessary for using the scanner function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. When the fax key 16 is pressed by the user, keys and messages necessary for using the fax function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. When the user presses the box key 17, keys and messages necessary for using the box function are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. The box function is a function for storing an electronic document of a document read by the image reading unit 102 in a predetermined storage area called a box (for example, a folder provided in the storage unit 113 described later).

  Returning to FIG. 2, the image reading unit 102 reads a document and forms image data of the document. Although not shown, the image reading unit 102 is provided with optical system members such as an exposure lamp, a mirror, a lens, and an image sensor. The image reading unit 102 irradiates a document placed on the placement reading contact glass 21 with a beam, and A / D converts the output value of each pixel of the image sensor that receives the reflected beam of the document. , Generate image data. Note that when the original is read by the image reading unit 102, the original placed on the placement contact glass 21 is pressed by the original cover 22.

  The paper feed unit 103 includes a plurality of cassettes 31 that store paper P as recording media, and supplies the paper P stored in the plurality of cassettes 31 to the conveyance path 104. In addition, the paper feed unit 103 is provided with a pickup roller 32 that pulls out the paper P stored in the cassette 31, a separation roller 33 for suppressing double feeding of the paper P, and the like.

  The conveyance path 104 conveys the paper P inside the multifunction peripheral 100. More specifically, the paper P supplied from the paper supply unit 103 passes through the intermediate transfer unit 106 and the fixing unit 107 in this order by the conveyance path 104 and is guided to the discharge tray 109. The conveyance path 104 is provided with a registration roller 41 that waits for the paper P in front of the intermediate transfer unit 106 and feeds the paper P to the intermediate transfer unit 106 in time.

  The image forming unit 105 forms a toner image based on image data. The image forming unit 50 for four colors (an image forming unit 50Bk that forms a black toner image, an image that forms a yellow toner image) The image forming unit 50Y includes an image forming unit 50C that forms a cyan toner image, an image forming unit 50M that forms a magenta toner image, and the exposure device 5. The image forming units 50Bk, 50Y, 50C, and 50M form toner images of different colors, but all have basically the same configuration. Therefore, in the following description, symbols (Bk, Y, C, and M) representing each color are omitted.

  Each of the image forming units 50 includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2, a developing device 3, and a cleaning device 4, as shown in FIG. Each image forming unit 50 uses the exposure apparatus 5 in common.

  Each photosensitive drum 1 carries a toner image on its outer peripheral surface and has a photosensitive layer on its outer peripheral surface. Each charging device 2 charges the corresponding photosensitive drum 1 with a constant potential. Each developing device 3 stores a developer of a corresponding color and supplies toner to the corresponding photosensitive drum 1. Each cleaning device 4 cleans the corresponding photosensitive drum 1. The exposure device 5 performs scanning exposure on each photoconductor 1 to form an electrostatic latent image.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the intermediate transfer unit 106 performs the secondary transfer on the paper P after receiving the primary transfer of the toner image from the image forming unit 105. The intermediate transfer unit 106 includes at least an intermediate transfer belt 61 and primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M assigned to the image forming units 50, respectively. The primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 61 with the corresponding image forming unit 50 (specifically, the photosensitive drum 1) and also transfer voltage (transfer bias). ) Is applied.

  The intermediate transfer unit 106 also includes a driving roller 63 and a driven roller 64. The driving roller 63 and the driven roller 64 stretch the intermediate transfer belt 61 together with the primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M.

  Further, the intermediate transfer unit 106 includes a secondary transfer roller 65. The secondary transfer roller 65 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 61 between the drive roller 63 and a transfer voltage (transfer bias) is applied.

  The toner images formed by the image forming units 50 are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 61 by the primary transfer rollers 62Bk, 62Y, 62C, and 62M to which a transfer voltage is applied. Is done. Thereafter, the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 61 is secondarily transferred to the paper P by the secondary transfer roller 65 to which a transfer voltage is applied.

  The intermediate transfer unit 106 also includes a belt cleaning device 66. The belt cleaning device 66 cleans the intermediate transfer belt 61 after the secondary transfer of the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 61 to the paper P.

  The fixing unit 107 heats and presses the toner image secondarily transferred onto the paper P to fix it. The fixing unit 107 includes a fixing roller 71 having a built-in heat source, and a pressure roller 72 that is pressed against the fixing roller 71. Then, the sheet P on which the toner image is secondarily transferred passes between the fixing roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 and is heated and pressed. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper P.

  The paper P passes through the fixing unit 107 and is then discharged to the discharge tray 109. Thereby, the image forming process is completed.

  The duplex conveyance path 108 enables duplex printing. The double-sided conveyance path 108 branches off from the conveyance path 104 on the downstream side of the fixing unit 107 and merges with the conveyance path 104 on the upstream side of the registration roller 41. In the double-sided conveyance path 108, a switching claw 81 disposed at a branch point with the conveyance path 104, a discharge roller 82 disposed in a discharge port 109a connected to the discharge tray 109 and capable of switching between forward and reverse rotation, In addition, a transport roller 83 that transports the paper P is provided.

  When performing duplex printing, the switching claw 81 is in a position to close the duplex conveyance path 108 and guides the paper P sent from the fixing unit 107 to the discharge tray 109. Further, the discharge roller 82 first rotates forward to discharge the paper P to the discharge tray 109. Thereafter, the discharge roller 82 rotates in the reverse direction before the paper P passes through the discharge roller 82. At this time, the switching claw 81 rotates in a direction to open the double-sided conveyance path 108. As a result, the sheet P printed on one side is guided to the duplex conveyance path 108.

  The paper P guided to the double-sided conveyance path 108 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 83 and reaches the upstream side of the registration roller 41. Then, it is sent again from the intermediate transfer unit 106 to the fixing unit 107. At this time, since the front and back of the paper P are reversed, the secondary transfer process and the fixing process are performed on the back surface (unprinted surface) of the paper P. Then, the paper P on which double-sided printing is completed is discharged to the discharge tray 109.

  Next, the hardware configuration of each of the facsimile machines 100 (100A and 100B) will be described with reference to FIG.

  Each facsimile machine 100 has a main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 includes a CPU 111 and an image processing unit 112 which are central processing units. The main control unit 110 is connected to the operation panel 101, the image reading unit 102, the paper feeding unit 103, the conveyance path 104, the image forming unit 105, the intermediate transfer unit 106, the fixing unit 107, the double-side conveyance path 108, and the like. Then, control and calculation of each unit are performed based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 113 described later. The main control unit 110 may be divided into a main control unit that performs overall control and image processing, and an engine control unit that controls on / off of a motor that rotates the image forming and various rotating bodies.

  The operation panel 101 connected to the main control unit 110 has a display control unit 18. The display control unit 18 includes a CPU, an IC, and the like, and controls display on the liquid crystal display unit 11. Further, when a key displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 (touch panel) is pressed by the user, the display control unit 18 receives the output of the touch panel and specifies the coordinates of the pressed position. Thereby, the position (selected key) pressed by the user with respect to the liquid crystal display unit 11 is specified. Note that data such as a table indicating the correspondence between the output of the touch panel and the coordinates of the pressed position is stored in the memory 19, for example. Further, even if data for displaying keys, messages, and the like necessary for using the functions such as the copy function, the scanner function, the fax function, and the box function on the liquid crystal display unit 11 are stored in the memory 19. Good.

  The main control unit 110 is connected to the storage unit 113. The storage unit 113 includes a volatile storage device such as a ROM 113a, a RAM 113b, and an HDD 113c, and a nonvolatile storage device. The storage unit 113 stores various programs and data. For example, programs and data necessary for controlling various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a box function are stored in the ROM 113a and expanded in the RAM 113b.

  The main control unit 110 is connected to the communication unit 114. The communication unit 114 includes a chip and a driver for performing network connection. And the communication part 114 is connected with the computer 200 (for example, personal computer), for example. Further, communication unit 114 is connected to a partner machine as a communication destination via network NT (facsimile apparatuses 100A and 100B are connected to each other so as to be communicable via network NT).

  The communication unit 114 includes a network control unit 114a and a presence function control unit 114b. For example, the communication unit 114 takes the form of an interface card in which the presence function control unit 114b is built in the network control unit 114a in software. Of course, the network control unit 114a and the presence function control unit 114b may be separated in hardware. In FIG. 4, for convenience, the network control unit 114a and the presence function control unit 114b are illustrated separately.

  The network control unit 114a communicates with the counterpart device via the network NT. The presence function control unit 114b makes the network control unit 114a make a request for notification of presence information or cancel the request for notification of presence information. Then, the network control unit 114a receives the presence information for which the notification request is being made. The presence function control unit 114b may have a storage unit 114c for storing presence information.

  Hereinafter, an example of a communication sequence via the SIP server 150 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the facsimile machine 100A is the own machine and the facsimile machine 100B is the other machine. Then, it is assumed that the facsimile apparatus 100A makes a request for notification of presence information indicating the state of the facsimile apparatus 100B and cancels the notification request.

  First, the facsimile machine 100B notifies the SIP server 150 of presence information. The timing at which the facsimile apparatus 100B notifies the presence information is various, but may be, for example, when a notification request for presence information is received from the SIP server 150 or after the main power is turned on. . Alternatively, the facsimile apparatus 100B may notify the presence information periodically (periodically). In addition, when there is a change in status (for example, when an incommunicable error occurs, when communication is possible after returning from the error, or when the accommodated paper has changed), the facsimile machine 100B may notify the presence information.

  In the communication sequence shown in FIG. 6, for example, the facsimile machine 100A transmits a presence information notification request (SUBSCRIBE) indicating the status of the facsimile machine 100B to the SIP server 150 after the main power is turned on. The SIP server 150 that has received this notification request returns success (200 OK) to the facsimile machine 100A. Further, when receiving the notification request, the SIP server 150 notifies the facsimile apparatus 100A of presence information indicating the state of the facsimile apparatus 100B at that time (NOTIFY). Then, the facsimile machine 100A that has received the notification from the SIP server 150 returns a success (200 OK) to the presence server 150.

  Thereafter, when receiving a status update from the facsimile apparatus 100B, the SIP server 150 notifies the facsimile apparatus 100A of presence information indicating the status of the facsimile apparatus 100B at that time (NOTIFY). The facsimile machine 100A that has received the notification from the SIP server 150 returns a success (200 OK) to the SIP server 150.

  When the SIP server 150 accepts the cancellation of the notification request for presence information indicating the status of the facsimile machine 100B (SUBSCRIBE (Expires header = 0)) from the facsimile machine 100A, it returns a success (200 OK) to the facsimile machine 100A. .

  By the way, the presence information includes information related to the sheets stored in the partner machine in addition to the information indicating the connection state (online state / offline state) of the partner machine to the network NT. The presence information related to the paper accommodated in the counterpart device is information indicating what size paper is accommodated in the counterpart device. For example, when the partner apparatus has a plurality of cassettes, information indicating what size paper is stored in each of the plurality of cassettes can be notified from the partner apparatus as presence information. Alternatively, information indicating what setting (equal magnification setting / reduction setting) is set for the printing magnification at the time of facsimile signal reception printing can be notified from the partner machine as presence information. .

  Specifically, the communication unit 114 of the own machine (facsimile apparatus 100A) includes presence information indicating what size paper is stored in the other machine (facsimile apparatus 100B), and the other machine (facsimile apparatus 100B). The SIP server 150 is requested to notify the presence information indicating the setting of the print magnification at the time of facsimile signal reception printing. Then, the SIP server 150 acquires the presence information for which the notification request has been received from the partner machine (facsimile apparatus 100B), and transmits the presence information to the communication unit 114 of the own machine (facsimile apparatus 100A). In this way, the own machine (facsimile apparatus 100A) acquires the presence information of the other machine (facsimile apparatus 100B). Alternatively, the own machine (facsimile apparatus 100A) communicates directly with the partner machine (facsimile apparatus 100B) without using the SIP server 150, and acquires presence information of the partner machine (facsimile apparatus 100B).

  As a result, for example, when transmitting the facsimile signal from the own machine to the other machine, if the above-mentioned presence information is obtained, the paper size and print magnification to be printed out by the other machine can be grasped in advance. Can do.

  However, the paper size and print magnification to be printed out by the partner machine are arbitrarily set by the user of the partner machine. Therefore, for example, even if the user of the own machine wants to print the same size on A4 paper in the other machine, there is a possibility that the user of the other machine does not make such setting. In this case, for example, if the A4 sheet is not accommodated in the partner machine and only the B5 sheet is accommodated, the B5 sheet may be reduced and printed out. Alternatively, the printed image (document) may be cut off halfway by being printed on B5 paper at the same magnification.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when a facsimile signal is transmitted from the own machine to the partner machine, the operation panel 101 designates the paper size to be printed out by the partner machine and the print magnification at the time of print output by the partner machine. And is received from the user. Then, the communication unit 114 transmits an instruction signal for instructing print output at the paper size and print magnification accepted by the operation panel 101 to the partner machine. The operation when a facsimile signal is transmitted from the own machine to the other machine will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, at the start of the flow of FIG. 7, the communication unit 114 indicates the presence information regarding the paper stored in the partner device, that is, what size paper is stored in each of the plurality of cassettes of the partner device. Presence information indicating is acquired in advance. The presence information of the partner machine may be notified from the partner machine when a facsimile signal is transmitted from the own machine to the partner machine. Alternatively, as described above, the presence information of the partner device may be notified from the partner device every time the partner device updates the state. In this case, the presence information of the partner device is stored in the storage unit 114c. . Therefore, when a facsimile signal is transmitted from the own machine to the other machine, the presence information stored in the storage unit 114c may be referred to as the presence information of the other machine at that time.

  Then, the flow in FIG. 7 starts when the user presses the fax key 16.

  In step S1, the operation panel 101 receives various setting instructions necessary for transmitting a facsimile signal from the user. For example, the operation panel 101 displays an address book stored in the memory 19 and accepts an instruction to select a destination machine as a transmission destination from the address book. Here, operation panel 101 also accepts other setting instructions such as image quality. A setting screen for performing various settings is displayed on the operation panel 101 when the user presses the fax key 16, for example.

  In step S2, the operation panel 101 displays the size of the paper accommodated in the counterpart device based on the presence information, and accepts designation of the paper size to be printed out by the counterpart device from the user. More specifically, the operation panel 101 displays the size name of the paper accommodated in the counterpart machine as a designation key in order to accept designation of the paper size to be printed out by the counterpart machine.

  For example, it is assumed that the counterpart machine has four cassettes, and A4 paper, B5 paper, B4 paper, and A3 paper are accommodated in each of the four cassettes. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation panel 101 uses the identification names (cassette 1, cassette 2, cassette 3, and cassette 4) assigned to the four cassettes of the counterpart machine to the sheets stored in each cassette. Along with the size (A4, B5, B4 and A3), it is displayed as a designation key.

  The operation panel 101 receives the paper size corresponding to the selected designation key (pressed by the user) as the paper size to be printed out by the counterpart machine. That is, when the designation key K1 is selected, the paper size accepted by the operation panel 101 is “A4”, and when the designation key K2 is selected, the paper size accepted by the operation panel 101 is “B5”. Similarly, when the designation key K3 is selected, the paper size accepted by the operation panel 101 is “B4”, and when the designation key K4 is selected, the paper size accepted by the operation panel 101 is “A3”. In other words, the operation panel 101 receives, from the user, designation of a cassette that is a paper supply source at the time of printing output by the partner machine among the four cassettes of the partner machine.

  In addition to the designation keys K1 to K4, the operation panel 101 also displays a non-designation key K5 for accepting from the user that the paper size to be printed out by the counterpart machine is not designated. The non-designated key K5 is accompanied by a message “No cassette designated”. For example, there is a case where the user of the own machine wants to select “cassette 1 (A4)”, but the other machine does not contain A4 paper. In this case, the user selects the designation keys K2 to K4 other than the designation key K1 corresponding to the A4 sheet, or the non-designation key K5. If A4 paper is not accommodated in the counterpart machine, operation panel 101 displays a message or symbol indicating that A4 paper is not contained in the counterpart machine, or a designation corresponding to A4 paper, for example. The key K1 itself is not displayed.

  When the process proceeds from step S2 to step S3, the operation panel 101 determines whether or not the designation of the paper size to be printed out by the partner apparatus has been received from the user. In other words, when any of the designation keys K1 to K4 is selected by the user, the operation panel 101 determines that the designation of the paper size to be printed out by the counterpart device has been received from the user, and proceeds to step S4.

  When the process proceeds to step S4, the operation panel 101 displays, for example, a magnification designation screen as shown in FIG. 9, and accepts designation of the print magnification at the time of print output on the counterpart machine from the user. That is, the operation panel 101 receives from the user designation of whether the print magnification at the time of print output on the counterpart machine is equal or reduced (or enlarged). For this reason, on this magnification designation screen, a designation key K11 assigned with an identification name “equal magnification” and a designation key K12 assigned an identification name “reduction (enlargement)” are displayed.

  The operation panel 101 receives the print magnification corresponding to the selected designation key (pressed by the user). That is, when the designation key K11 is selected, the printing magnification accepted by the operation panel 101 is equal, and when the designation key K12 is selected, the printing magnification accepted by the operation panel 101 is reduced (or enlarged). When the designation key K12 is selected, for example, a magnification setting screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the operation panel 101, and a specific print magnification designation is received from the user.

  When the process proceeds from step S4 to step S5, the operation panel 101 displays a transmission confirmation screen on which transmission conditions are listed as shown in FIG. 11, for example. On this transmission confirmation screen, a transmission start key K21 (a key given “Yes”) for receiving an instruction to start transmission of a facsimile signal from the user, and a transmission for receiving an instruction to stop transmission of the facsimile signal from the user. A stop key K22 (a key to which “No” is attached) is displayed. If there is no problem after confirming the transmission confirmation screen, the user selects the transmission start key K21 (instructs the facsimile signal transmission start), while changing the transmission condition or canceling the transmission itself. The transmission stop key K22 is selected (facsimile signal transmission stop instruction is given).

  In the above transmission confirmation screen, an image corresponding to a facsimile signal received by the partner machine may be displayed as a preview.

  If an instruction to start transmission is received from the user in step S6 (if the user selects (presses) the transmission start key K21), the process proceeds to step S7, and the communication unit 114 starts transmission of the facsimile signal. At this time, the communication unit 114 transmits an instruction signal for instructing print output at the paper size and print magnification accepted by the operation panel 101 to the partner machine. As a result, the other device performs print output at the paper size and print magnification desired by the user of the own device.

  Until step S7, the main control unit 110 acquires image data of a document read by the image reading unit 102 and image data received by the communication unit 114 from the computer 200, and performs image processing on the acquired image data. As a result, image data to be transmitted to the other machine as a facsimile signal is generated. Then, the main control unit 110 temporarily stores the image data in the storage unit 113 until, for example, transmission of a facsimile signal is started. Here, the image data generated by the main control unit 110 is, for example, the same size as the original document.

  On the other hand, if an instruction to start transmission is not received from the user in step S6 (if the user selects (presses) the transmission stop key K22), the process returns to step S2.

  In step S3, if the user does not accept the designation of the paper size to be printed out by the partner machine (if the non-designated key K5 is selected (pressed) by the user on the paper size designation screen shown in FIG. 8). The process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the operation panel 101 determines whether or not an instruction for starting transmission of a facsimile signal without specifying a paper size has been received from the user.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the operation panel 101 displays a confirmation screen for confirming whether or not to start transmission of a facsimile signal without designating a paper size (cassette). On this confirmation screen, a transmission start key K31 (a key given “Yes”) for accepting an instruction to start transmission of a facsimile signal from the user and a transmission stop for accepting an instruction to stop sending a facsimile signal from the user A key K32 (a key to which “No” is attached) is displayed.

  If the transmission start key K31 is selected (pressed) by the user, the process proceeds to step S9, and the communication unit 114 starts transmitting a facsimile signal without designating the paper size and printing magnification. On the other hand, if the transmission start key K32 is selected (pressed) by the user, the process proceeds to step S10, and the communication unit 114 stops the transmission of the facsimile signal.

  Even until step S9, the main control unit 110 acquires the image data of the document read by the image reading unit 102 and the image data received by the communication unit 114 from the computer 200, and the acquired image data is converted into an image. By processing, image data to be transmitted to the partner machine as a facsimile signal is generated. Then, the main control unit 110 temporarily stores the image data in the storage unit 113 until, for example, transmission of a facsimile signal is started.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when a facsimile signal is transmitted to the partner machine, the operation panel 101 displays the size of the paper stored in the partner machine based on the presence information of the partner machine, and the partner machines are mutually connected. When storing paper of a plurality of different sizes, the designation of the paper size to be printed out by the partner machine is accepted, and the communication unit 114 instructs the print output with the paper size accepted by the operation panel 101. Send an instruction signal to the other machine. As a result, when a predetermined document is facsimile-transmitted from the own machine to the other machine, it can be printed out on the other machine at a paper size desired by the user of the own machine. In this way, the contents (images and documents) of the original sent from the own machine can be obtained in an appropriate size by the user of the other machine, and the contents (images and documents) sent from the own machine can be obtained. Document) is accurately transmitted to the user of the other machine. That is, it is possible to prevent the contents printed out by the counterpart machine from becoming unclear.

  In this embodiment, when transmitting a facsimile signal to the partner machine, the operation panel 101 accepts designation of a print magnification at the time of printing output on the partner machine, and the communication unit 114 accepts the print magnification accepted by the operation panel 101. An instruction signal for instructing print output at is transmitted to the partner machine. According to this configuration, when a predetermined document is facsimile-transmitted from the own machine to the other machine, the user can print out the paper size desired by the user of the own machine, in addition to the user of the own machine. It is also possible to print out at the other machine at the desired print magnification.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the operation panel 101 displays the size name of the paper accommodated in the counterpart device as designation keys (K1 to K4), and sets the paper size corresponding to the selected designation key at the counterpart device. Accepted as the paper size to be printed out. With this configuration, it is easy to understand and the user can indicate a sheet size that can be specified. Therefore, the convenience when the user designates the paper size is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the operation panel 101 displays a non-designation key K5 for accepting that the paper size to be printed out by the counterpart machine is not designated, in addition to the designation keys K1 to K4. With this configuration, it is possible to improve convenience when a user who does not need to specify a paper size performs transmission setting. That is, a user who does not need to specify the paper size may select the non-designated key K5 without hesitation.

  In the present embodiment, the operation panel 101 includes a transmission start key K31 for accepting that transmission of a facsimile signal is started without designating a paper size when the non-designated key K5 is selected, and a facsimile signal. A transmission stop key K32 for accepting the fact that the transmission is stopped is displayed. With this configuration, the convenience of an operation for transmitting a facsimile signal without specifying a paper size and an operation for canceling the transmission of the facsimile signal itself are improved.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

100, 100A, 100B Facsimile device 101 Operation panel 114 Communication unit K1, K2, K3, K4 Designated key K5 Non-designated key NT network

Claims (6)

A communication unit that acquires presence information about paper stored in the partner machine and transmits / receives a facsimile signal to / from the partner machine;
An operation panel that accepts user instructions and displays predetermined information;
A storage unit for storing presence information relating to paper stored in the counterpart device ,
Presence information about the paper stored in the partner machine is notified from the partner machine every time the partner machine updates the status, and is stored in the storage unit.
When sending a facsimile signal to the partner machine,
The operation panel displays the size of the paper stored in the partner device based on the presence information of the partner device stored in the storage unit, and the partner device stores a plurality of different sizes of paper. Accepts designation of the paper size to be printed out by the partner machine,
The facsimile apparatus, wherein the communication unit transmits an instruction signal for instructing printing output at a paper size received by the operation panel to the partner machine. When sending a facsimile signal to the partner machine,
The operation panel accepts designation of a print magnification at the time of print output on the counterpart machine,
2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits an instruction signal for instructing printing output at a printing magnification received by the operation panel to the partner machine.   The operation panel displays the size name of the paper accommodated in the counterpart device as a designation key, and accepts the paper size corresponding to the selected designation key as a paper size to be printed out by the counterpart device. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:   4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operation panel displays, in addition to the designation key, a non-designation key for accepting that a paper size to be printed out by the counterpart machine is not designated.   When the non-designated key is selected, the operation panel accepts a transmission start key for accepting the start of facsimile signal transmission without designating a paper size, and a notice for stopping the facsimile signal transmission. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a transmission stop key is displayed.   6. A facsimile communication system comprising: the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1; and a counterpart machine connected to be communicable with the facsimile apparatus.