JPH02113763A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To very easily execute various services only in changing the combination of message commands by activating respective modules with the message commands in prescribed formats, and executing action independently of the transmitting sources of the message commands. CONSTITUTION:At facsimile equipment 1, a command sent from a host computer 2 is received by a host interface part 16, and it is transferred to each destination address in the same way as one given from a main control part 11. For such a reason, for example, a filling part 12 starts a filing action by an activating command in a message part (c) of the command to be issued, where the command comes from is not asked for, and the fact is notified to a transmitting source address recognized from a transmitting source field (b) after the action is completed. The control configuration is executed in the same way also to the other respective modules. Thus, the host computer 2 can control the actions of respective modules in the same way as executed by the main control part 11 in the facsimile equipment 1, and various kinds of services can be executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile machine having an interface for connection to a host computer.

(Prior Art) As is well known, some facsimile machines have a file function for image information.

In order to search for image information stored in this type of conventional facsimile machine, there are two methods: to record all pages of the filed image information as a hard copy, or to connect it to a post-combicota and download software for each page. There were methods such as displaying it as a copy.

However, with the former method, records must be monitored for a long time to confirm the desired search information, and with the latter method, sequential processing is required for transferring image information, etc. From a practical standpoint, it was impractical.

In particular, this is an important factor that reduces the practicality of the latter method.
CG, “In conventional facsimile machines, boss 1- =]
The services that can be performed by operations from the computer are limited to those predefined in the facsimile machine.

This is due to the fact that this type of conventional facsimile machine uses a job-starting startup method, in which a service program prepared in advance in the facsimile machine is started by the 21st command from the host computer. It is.

As a result, in this type of conventional facsimile machine, when it comes to retrieval processing of image information from the file section, for example, '', operation from the host(~) amp coater, title section, etc. from the file section, etc. Reads the image information in the minimum area and transfers it to the host computer for display,
After confirming the desired location using this display, it is not possible to support random search control such as specifying the image information of the full text of one page corresponding to the area A again and transmitting it to the host I/computer for display. It had no choice but to take a long time.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile machine, the service between the facsimile machine and the facsimile machine that can be realized by operation from the host computer corresponds to the service program prepared in advance for this facsimile machine. However, it was not possible to provide a variety of highly flexible services without having to take the trouble of adding or changing this one novice program one by one.

In connection with this, when searching for image information stored in the file section of the facsimile machine by operating from the host 1 to the combicoater, the image information stored in the file section of the facsimile machine can be searched in units of one page from the facsimile machine to the boss 1 to the computer according to the above operation. This method can only perform control such as sequentially transferring and displaying image information, which has the problem of increasing search time and reducing efficiency.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is possible to realize various services according to the user's needs from small to medium speeds, regardless of the convenience of a single novice program prepared in a facsimile machine, and it also makes it possible to realize various services according to the user's needs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile device that can also contribute to improving information retrieval efficiency.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) A facsimile device of the present invention stores image information.
i'; a main control unit that controls the operation of each module including the file unit according to a message command in a predetermined format generated from a command generating means; and a host interface unit that connects the host computer. , the host computer generates a message generating means that generates message commands in the same format as those generated from the command generating means, and generates all or part of the message for each page of image information stored in the file section. an input/output means for selectively specifying an area for a part; and a display means for displaying image information read from the file part and returned through the host interface part in correspondence with the area designated by the input/output means. It is characterized by having the following.

(Function) In the present facsimile machine, each module of the facsimile machine is activated by a message command in a predetermined format, and is configured to operate regardless of the source of the message command.

As a result, the host computer is also provided with a means for generating message commands in the same format, and the message commands are given to the facsimile machine from the lower stage of generation through the connection interface, which is completely different from when the message commands are given from the main control section of the facsimile machine. Its operation can be controlled as well.

Therefore, with the facsimile machine of the present invention, various desired services can be realized without changing the service program as in the past.
Regarding the search process for image scraps from the Hung-Il section, it is also possible to perform a random search process in which only the minimum necessary area is specified and transferred to the host computer for display.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a system according to the present invention, in which 1 is a facsimile machine, 2 is a host computer, 3 is a connection interface, and 4 is a line interface.

The detailed configuration of the facsimile machine 1 is shown in FIG. It is equipped with an operation section 17.

Further, the computer 2 to the host 1 consists of an input/output section 21, a display section 22, and a control section 23, of which the control section 23 has a CPU 231, an input/output interface section 232, and a main memory, as shown in detail in FIG. 233, an auxiliary memory section 234, a display control section 235, and an external interface section 236.

The operation will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

First, in order to operate the facsimile machine 1, the operator performs an input operation corresponding to a desired service from the operation unit 17.

The main control unit 11 performs processes such as starting the operation, monitoring, detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality, or detecting the end of the operation based on the input information accompanying this input operation.

To realize this process, the main control unit 11 includes a file unit 12, a
Each module such as the transmission control section 13, scanner section 14, printer section 15, etc. is driven in combination.

For example, when a copy service is started, the main control unit 1
1 gives a command to the scanner section 14 to transfer the image information read so far to the printer section 15;
The process is monitored until notification of the end of transfer is received from the scanner unit 14.

Furthermore, when printing out file information is started, the main control section 11 gives a command to the file section 12 to transfer the image information stored in the file to the printer section 15, and the file section 12 transfers the image information. Monitor the process until notification of termination.

These '2! At the same time as the L filling, the main control section 11 starts up the printer section 15, and monitors its operation until the scanner section 14 finishes recording and scanning all of the image information transferred from the file section 12.

Furthermore, when facsimile transmission is instructed again, the first control unit 11 gives a command to the scanner unit 14 to transfer the image information read so far to the transmission control unit 13, and the transmission control unit 13 transfers the image information. Monitor the process until notification of termination.

At the same time as this processing, the main control section 11 gives a startup command to the transmission control section 13, and with this startup command, the transmission control section 13 notifies the line interface 4 of a call request, which is transferred from the scanner section 14. Implement a call procedure to transmit image information.

Next, the operation when receiving a call will be explained.

When a call is received from the line interface 4, the transmission control section 13 notifies the main control section 11 of this fact.

Thereafter, either the printer section 15 or the file section 12 is selected based on a selection command given by the main control section 11 in response to the above notification, and the incoming image information at this time is transferred to the corresponding module.

At the same time as this process, the main control unit 11 instructs the operation unit 17 to display a message indicating that there is an incoming call, and then monitors the process until the transmission control unit 13 receives a notification that the incoming call operation has ended. .

In the facsimile device 1 of the present invention, the scanner section 14,
Each module, such as the printer section 15, is designed to operate in response to commands.

As a result, when starting up the scanner section 14 or the like, the main control section 11 controls the operation of these controlled sections by outputting commands with corresponding contents to each of the controlled sections.

Similarly, notification of the end of the control is also performed by sending back a command indicating this from the controlled section such as the skip section 14 to the main control section 11.

FIG. 4 shows an example of this type of control command according to the present invention, which is composed of a destination field a, a sender field, and a message section C element J:.

Corresponding to such control commands, each module of the C facsimile device 1, for example, the scanner section 1/1, printer section 15, etc., is assigned an address number in a unique system, and when an attempt is made to perform a certain operation, the command The destination field a and the source field b contain the address number of the receiving or sending side of the command, respectively, and in addition, the message section C contains information such as "Start" and "End-" related to the action to be performed by this command. It contains a binary code that means j, etc.

Therefore, when controlling the facsimile machine M1, if a command corresponding to a desired service is given from the main control section 11, the scanner section 14, for example, is sent to the scanner section 14 depending on the contents of the destination field a. Further, the scanner section 171I starts operations such as reading and scanning based on the contents of the message section C of A.

By the way, as is clear from the configuration of FIG. 1, the facsimile machine 1 of the present invention is connected to a host computer 2 via a connection interface 3.
-Various operations can also be controlled by operations from the combination coater 2.

In this case, the host computer 2 is the main controller 1 mentioned above.
A command in the same format as that related to the control in 1 is created and transferred to the facsimile device 1 through the connection interface 3.

As a specific example of creating a command in this host computer 2, the CPU 2 receives input information from the large pressure section 21 through the input/output interface section 232.
31 determines the contents of each column of destination field a, source field b, and message section C in the command in the format shown in FIG. The command is sent to the connection interface 3 through the external interface section 236.

On the other hand, in the facsimile machine 1, the command sent from the postcombicota 2 is received by the host interface section 16, and is transferred to each destination address in the same way as the command given from the main control section 11.

For this reason, for example, the file section 12 starts a file operation by a startup command in the message section C of a given command, but at this time, regardless of where the command came from, this fact is recognized from the source field b after the operation is completed. It operates to notify the source address that is sent.

Such a control form is similarly applied to each of the other modules.

Thereby, the host combination coater 2 can control the operation of each module in exactly the same way as the main control section 11 in the facsimile machine 1, and various services can be realized without being limited to predetermined operations.

An example of this type of service is a process of searching image information stored in the file section 12 of the facsimile machine 1 by operating the host computer 2.

When starting this search process, the operator on the host 1-computer 2 specifies the image information that needs to be searched, but in the present invention, it is possible to specify the entire page of this image information at that time. Of course, the configuration is such that only a portion of the area can be specified.

Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining this area specification method.
The hatched area surrounded by the main scanning direction A-B and the sub-scanning direction C-0 represents one designated area.

As a concrete method for specifying this area, the host 1--J
In the input/output section 21 (consisting of a keyboard or mouse, etc.), select the desired area corresponding to the shaded area while referring to the document size displayed on the display section 22 consisting of a CRTT' display, etc. There is a method of manually inputting the information in the form of numerical information or location information.

At that time, this numerical information or position information is
[Modozusa-Host] CPU of Npicoter 2 231
'C' is added to the message section C in the created command, and the command thus created is transmitted to the facsimile machine 1 via the same route as described above.

On the other hand, in the facsimile machine 1, the command from the host computer 2 is received by the post interface unit 16 through the connection interface 3, and transferred to the file unit 12, which is the destination address.

1] The file section 12 that receives the transfer of the cloak recognizes the designated area from the numerical value or positional information contained in the message section C, and selectively reads and outputs only the image information of this designated area.

The output from the file section 12 is directed to the source address in the previously given command, and is sent to the host interface section 1 of the facsimile machine 1.
6 to the host l-computer 2 via the reverse route to that described above.
will be returned to.

On the other hand, in the host 1 to the combination coater 2, the returned image information is stored in, for example, the auxiliary memory section 234, and the display control section 235 controls the display section 2.
Display on 2.

This allows the operator of the host computer 2 to refer to the display on the display unit 22 and check only the designated area portion of all the image information.

Therefore, for example, if you specify and cover only the upper part of the document → noise corresponding to the title part, only that part will be transferred from the file section 12 of the facsimile machine 1 to the host computer 2 and displayed on the display section 22. become.

In general, search information that is not what is desired can often be predicted from its title, and by repeating this process, the location of the desired information can be found extremely easily.

After confirming the location of the desired search information in this way, if you specify an area for the entire page of the desired location, the image information of this area is transferred from the facsimile machine 1 to the host computer 2 and displayed on the display screen. Since it is displayed on 22,
The operator can confirm all the contents of this one page's worth of image information C'.

For example, if the image information at this time is stored and held in the memory section 233, this image information can be stored in the storage section (not shown) on the host computer 2 side as needed.
It is also possible to eject records.

In this way, the present invention repeatedly searches for image information in small areas such as tiles, and when the location of the desired image information is found, the entire page is transferred and displayed. The amount of image information to be transferred can be reduced significantly compared to the conventional method, which could only be transferred sequentially one page at a time, and the overall search time can be reduced accordingly. can.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, each module is activated by a message command in a predetermined format and is configured to operate independently of the source of this message command. By giving message commands in the same format from the host computer, the facsimile machine can be controlled in exactly the same way as by the main control unit, and various services can be realized extremely easily by simply changing the combination of the message commands mentioned above. can.

Therefore, when using this control to search for image information on the facsimile machine side by operation from the host I/combicoater, it is possible to randomly read out image information from the file section by specifying a partial area, and the desired 1
This is an excellent method that can greatly improve search efficiency by shortening transfer processing time by displaying one page's worth of information as a soft copy only when necessary. Right advantage.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the computer 2 to the host 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an area designation method in file information search processing of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Facsimile v;M, 2...Host computer, 3...Connection interface, 4...Line ink-face, 11...Main control section, 12...File section, 13...・Transmission control section, 14... scanner section,
15... Printer section, 16... Boss 1-interface section, 17... Operation section, 21... Input/output section, 2
2... Display section, 23... Control section, 231... CP
U, 232... input/output interface section, 233.
... Main memory section, 234... Auxiliary memory section, 235.
...Display control section, 236...External interface section

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A file section that stores image information; a main control section that controls the operation of each module including the file section using message commands in a predetermined format generated from a command generating means; and a host that connects a host computer. an interface unit; the host computer includes: message command generation means for generating a message command in the same format as that generated by the command generation unit; input/output means for selectively specifying all or a part of the area; and displaying image information read from the file section and transferred back through the host interface section in correspondence with the area specified by the input/output means. 1. A facsimile device comprising: a display means for displaying a message;