JPH03218169A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the versatiliy by providing a transfer destination registering part for registering in advance a transfer destination facsimile equipment of at least one part, reading out picture data received when recording is impossible from a storage part, and transferring it in accordance with the encoding/decoding capacity of a transfer destination. CONSTITUTION:Picture data received when recording is impossible is encoded and accumulated with high compressibility in a storage part 2 through an encoding/decoding part 6, a registered transfer destination is read out of a transfer destination registering part 21 and calling is executed, and information indicating that the transmitted picture data is the one transferred is sent out by using a code generating part 7. The equipment is constituted so that subsequently, the picture data obtained by decoding the accumulated picture data in accordance with the encoding/decoding capacity of the transfer destination is transferred. In such a way, when such a recording impossible state such as no recording paper, etc., is detected at the time of receiving or in the course of reception, it is accumulated temporarily in the storage part, and when the reception is finished, calling is executed to the transfer destination and it is connected, the accumulated data is transmitted and recorded instead thereof, and plural transfer destinations are registered in advance, by which the reception can be executed continuously and almost unlimitedly.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] This invention relates to a facsimile machine that can continue to receive data even when it runs out of recording paper or is unable to record due to a paper jam, etc. Furthermore, the aim is to improve usability by making it possible to continue receiving data even with a device having a small memory capacity. It includes an encoding/decoding unit that compresses or expands the image data, a communication control unit that transmits and receives the image data, and a recording unit that records the image data, and stores the received image data in the storage unit when the recording unit is unable to record. The facsimile device is provided with a transfer destination registration section that registers in advance at least one transfer destination facsimile device, and the image data received at the time of recording failure is sent to the storage section via the encoding/decoding section at a high compression rate. The stored image data is coded and stored, reads out the registered transfer destination from the transfer destination registration section, makes a call, sends out information indicating that the image data to be transmitted is transfer using the code generation section, and transmits the stored image data. The data is read from the storage section, decoded according to the encoding/decoding ability of the transfer destination, and both data are transferred.

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a facsimile device that can continue to receive data even when recording paper runs out or when recording is impossible due to a paper jam or the like.

[Prior Art] In conventional facsimile machines, when recording becomes impossible due to running out of recording paper, jamming, or failure of the recording section, a message to that effect is displayed and the received image data is sent to the facsimile machine. Continuing to receive data by storing it in memory, and when recording becomes possible due to replenishment of recording paper, etc.
The stored received image data was output to recording paper.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, since there is a limit to the amount of memory, it is not possible to receive more than the memory capacity, and it is necessary to take measures such as replenishing recording paper until the limit is exceeded. It was necessary to be able to do so and record it. However, replenishment of recording paper is always necessary, and most of the time it is done manually, so if there are many receptions at times when replenishment is not possible, such as on holidays, a situation may occur where reception is not possible.
This reduced the usability of facsimile machines.

For this reason, a method of increasing the receiving capacity is to increase the amount of memory, but this has caused a problem as it increases the cost of the device.

The present invention was created in view of these problems, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile device which can continue to receive data without any restrictions, and can also continue to receive data even if the device has a small memory capacity, thereby improving the usability of the facsimile device. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] Means in the present invention for achieving the above object include a storage unit that stores received image data, and an encoding/encoding unit that compresses or expands the image data when storing or reading the received image data. A facsimile apparatus includes a decoding section, a communication control section for transmitting and receiving the image data, and a recording section for recording the image data, and stores the received image data in the storage section when the recording section is unable to record. A transfer destination registration unit is provided to register a transfer destination facsimile device in advance, and the image data received at the time of recording failure is stored in the storage unit by the encoding and the transfer destination registration unit.
A code generation unit encodes and stores the image data at a high compression rate through a decoding unit, reads out and calls the registered transfer destination from the transfer destination registration unit, and generates information indicating that the image data to be transmitted is to be transferred. A facsimile device is characterized in that the facsimile device is configured to read the accumulated image data from the storage unit and transfer the image data decoded according to the encoding/decoding capability of the destination. be.

Furthermore, a transfer history area may be prepared and the transfer record of image data may be held in that area, and a notification may be sent to the originating facsimile machine that the image data has been transferred to the registered transfer destination. It may be configured to do so.

Further, when the transfer information is received, the received image data accumulated in the storage section may be configured to be outputted after waiting for a recordable state.

[Function] In the facsimile device of the present invention, when a recordable state such as no recording paper is detected during reception or during reception, reception is continued and the received data is temporarily stored in the storage unit, and reception is completed. At that point, a transfer destination registered in advance in the transfer destination registration section, for example, a nearby facsimile machine, is called and connected, and the accumulated data is transmitted and recorded instead. At this time, by registering a plurality of transfer destinations, even if one transfer destination becomes incapable of recording, the data can be recorded at other transfer destinations, and reception can continue almost unlimitedly.

Therefore, if there is a destination facsimile machine nearby, it is equivalent to one facsimile machine continuously recording reception. Also,
When the transfer destination is far away, the transfer destination can confirm that the transfer has been made.

Furthermore, a transfer history area is prepared so that the history of reception and transfer can be stored and checked, and furthermore, it is possible to notify the sender that the transfer has been made.

Conversely, when information indicating transfer is received, the accumulated received image data is held, waits until it becomes recordable, and then recorded and output to prevent transfers from occurring. .

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a main control unit that is made up of a microprocessor and controls and manages the entire device, 2 is a storage unit that stores image data during transmission and reception, and 21 is a transfer destination registration that stores information such as the phone number of the transfer destination. 22 is a transfer history area for storing the history of transfer processing, and 23 is a message area for storing character codes of various messages.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation unit into which telephone numbers, characters, etc. and communication instructions are input, 4 a reading unit which reads the transmitted original and converts it into image data, 5 a recording unit which prints out the image data on recording paper,
6 is an encoding/decoding unit that encodes image data according to a method specified among encoding methods such as MH, MR, MMR, etc., and restores the original image data from the encoded data;
Reference numeral 8 designates a code generation unit that generates facsimile dot data for additional telegrams from character codes, 8 a communication control unit that controls the interface with the telephone line, and 9 a processing unit that stores control programs for the main control unit 1 and the like.

In the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment having the above configuration, when the main control section 1 detects that the recording section 5 is unable to print records such as running out of recording paper, the main control section 1 checks the area of the storage section 2 and allows storage. If so, the received image data is temporarily stored and then transferred. The transfer destination is determined based on a telephone number input in advance from the operation unit 3 and stored in the transfer destination registration unit 21.

FIG. 2 shows the storage section 2(a) and the transfer destination registration section 21(b).
) shows the detailed configuration of the memory. Storage part 2
is for storing received image data when the recording unit 5 is in a recording disabled state. As shown in FIG. )
, the image data is stored continuously (2
area b), a plurality of pieces (1 to n) of received image data can be stored. Then, the area (1 to n) information of each received image data is stored in the management information area (2C). The received image data stored in the storage section 2 is encoded with a high compression rate by the encoding/decoding section 6 and stored, thereby increasing storage efficiency.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), the transfer destination registration unit 2I includes a plurality of transfer destination registration areas (2d-1 to 2d-m) and a transfer completion notification message area (2e).
2d-1 to 2d-m), a forwarding destination telephone number input from the operation unit 3 is registered.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a communication protocol during image data transfer between facsimile machines A, B, and C. In this example, the non-standard command NSF/NSC in the protocol is used.
A transfer flag is provided for each, and by setting the transfer flag in the non-standard command NSF in the function presentation from the receiving side to the sending side to "'1", it is sent that the record is unable to be printed and will be transferred. I'm trying to tell the other person.

Then, the transfer flag in the non-standard command NSC in the sender's response to the command is used to notify whether transfer is possible or not from the sender, thereby preventing transfers from occurring around the same time. FIG. 3 shows a case where facsimile device B, which receives a transmission from facsimile device A, which is the sender, temporarily stores the received image data and transfers it to facsimile device C when it is unable to record and print due to running out of recording paper, etc. There is. (a) in the same figure shows a protocol that allows transfer in transmission from facsimile device A to facsimile device B, and (b) in the same figure shows a protocol that does not allow transfer in transmission from facsimile device WB to facsimile device C. (C) is a protocol for notifying the forwarding destination from facsimile device B to facsimile device A, which is the sender.

To further explain the role of the transfer flag in image data transfer with reference to FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. If possible, set the transfer flag in the non-standard command NSF in the feature presentation of the protocol to “’
1'' and sends facsimile machine A.
It is suggested that the transfer be made because the record cannot be printed.

On the other hand, on the sending side A, since it is the source, it sets the transfer flag in the non-standard command NSC in the response to "1" indicating that transfer is possible.The receiving side B checks the response command NSC. , processes the reception, storage, and transfer of image data.Then, facsimile machine B on the receiving side,
When the communication line is disconnected after receiving and storing image data, it creates management information for the stored image data, reads the forwarding destination's telephone number from the forwarding destination registration section, and connects to the forwarding destination's facsimile device. If the transfer destination is unable to receive data, a connection is made to another transfer destination.

As shown in FIG.
If the receiver (receiving side) is able to receive data, the transfer flag in the non-standard command NSC is set to "0" to indicate that transfer is not possible, regardless of whether recording printing is possible or not. According to this instruction, even if the receiving side C is in a state where recording printing is not possible, the received image data is held without being transferred until recording printing becomes possible. In this way, even if the transfer destination is also in a state in which printing is not possible, the transfer is prevented from occurring such that the transfer is further transferred to another destination.

As shown in Figure (c), after the transfer to facsimile device C is completed, facsimile device B that performs the transfer creates transfer completion information and stores it in the transfer history area, and also connects to facsimile device A that is the sender. will notify you of the forwarding destination. At this time, the transfer flag in the non-standard command NSC from sender B is set to "0°".

FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart of image data transfer control performed by the main control section 1 according to the control program of the processing section 9 in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. Image data transfer control will be explained in detail with reference to the figure.

(1), (2) When the communication control unit 8 detects an incoming call, the main control unit 1 checks the recording unit 5 to see if record printing is possible.

(3), (4) If recording printing is possible, the received image data is decoded in the encoding/decoding section 6, and then one true printing is performed in the recording section 5.

(5), (6). (7) If the reception is not completed, return to (2), check the recording section 5, and if record printing is possible, receive the next page and repeat printing. When the reception is completed, the management information is printed, the line is disconnected, and the incoming call processing is completed.

(8), (9), (10) If record printing is not possible in the recording section 5, the telephone number of the caller, received image data, and management information are stored in the storage section 2. At this time, the received image data is encoded and stored at a high compression rate via the encoder/decoder 6 if possible. When the reception is completed, the line is disconnected and the incoming call processing ends.

(11) to (15) Next, the telephone number of the transfer destination is read from the transfer destination registration section 21, and sent to the communication control section 8 to make a call. If the other party is busy, return to step (10) and make the call again. At this time, the number of calls is managed, and when the call is over a predetermined number of times, the line is disconnected and the process ends (40.41).

(16), (17) Once the line is connected to the transfer destination,
The transfer flag in the non-standard command NSC is set to "0" to instruct that transfer is not possible even in a state where recording printing is not possible, and information indicating transfer is sent from the message area 23 at the beginning of the image data. The image data is read out, converted into image data using the code generation section 7, and transmitted, the accumulated image data is read out from the storage section 2, and the image data decoded according to the encoding/decoding ability of the transfer destination is transferred. .

(18), (19) When the transfer is completed, the line is disconnected, the transmission process is terminated, and the transmission is completed. Forwarding destination. Transfer history information such as time is created and recorded in the transfer history area 22.

(20) to (25) Next, the storage unit 2 is checked to find out the caller's telephone number, and if there is no telephone number, the process ends. If there is a telephone number of the caller, it is read out, set in the communication control section 8, and a call is made. If the caller is busy, the process returns to step (21) and calls are made again. At this time, the number of calls made is managed, and when a predetermined number of calls have been made, the line is disconnected and the process ends.

(26), (27) Once the source and line are connected,
The transfer completion notification message is read out, converted into image data via the code generation section 7, and transmitted.

(28), (29)', (30) When the transmission is completed, a message indicating that a transfer notification has been sent to the sender is displayed in the transfer history area 22.
, and then disconnects the line and ends the transmission process.

In this way, in this embodiment, the received image data is transferred when recording printing is not possible.
It is no longer necessary to hold received image data until recording printing becomes possible.

Therefore, it is not necessary to have a large storage capacity, and even if the storage unit has a small capacity, it is possible to continuously receive data even when recording and printing are not possible.

In addition, in the above process, the transfer is performed immediately after reception, but
If the capacity of the storage unit 2 is sufficiently large, control may be performed such that several received data are stored and transferred all at once when a certain amount of received data is reached.

[Effect of the Invention 1] As explained above, according to the facsimile device of the present invention, even if recording becomes impossible due to running out of recording paper or jamming, etc., received data is transferred to the facsimile device of the destination registered in advance. If you register multiple forwarding destinations, even if the forwarding destination becomes unable to record, you can have other forwarding destinations record the data, so you can receive data almost without limit. It can be done continuously. Therefore, if there is a destination facsimile machine nearby, it is equivalent to continuously recording reception with one facsimile machine.For example, even when you are on vacation and cannot replenish recording paper, you can receive continuous reception. This has the effect of increasing the availability of facsimile machines.

In addition, even if the forwarding destination is far away, data can be added to confirm that the transfer is being sent, the history of reception and forwarding can be stored and checked, and data can also be sent to the sender. By making it possible to notify that the transfer has been made, it becomes effective for management purposes.

Furthermore, since the received data is recorded in another facsimile device, there is no need to store the received data after transfer, and therefore, there is no need to have a large storage capacity. If you perform more advanced data compression and store it,
The storage capacity can be further reduced, which greatly contributes to reducing the cost of the device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the memory, Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the communication protocol during image data transfer, and Fig. 4 is an image data transfer control diagram. FIG. 1... Main control unit, 2... Storage unit, 2l...
Transfer destination registration section, 22... Transfer history area, 23... Message area,
3... Operation unit, 4... Reading unit, 5... Recording unit, 6... Encoding/decoding unit, 7... Code generation unit, 8... Communication control unit, 9... ...Processing section.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A storage unit (2) that stores received image data; an encoding/decoding unit (6) that compresses or expands image data when storing or reading data from the storage unit (2); and transmitting and receiving the image data. A facsimile apparatus including a communication control section (8), a recording section (5) for recording image data, and storing received image data in the storage section (2) when the recording section (5) is unable to record, the facsimile device comprising at least one A transfer destination registration unit (21) is provided to register in advance a transfer destination facsimile device, and the image data received at the time of recording failure is sent to the storage unit (2) via the encoding/decoding unit (6). The image data to be transmitted is encoded and stored at a compression rate, read out the registered transfer destination from the transfer destination registration section (21) and makes a call, and sends information indicating that the image data to be transmitted is a transfer to the code generation section (7). The stored image data is read out from the storage unit (2) and encoded/transmitted to the transfer destination.
A facsimile device characterized in that it is configured to transfer decoded image data according to its decoding capability. (2) A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transfer history area (22) is provided and a transfer record of image data is held in said area (22). (3) The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the facsimile apparatus is configured to send a transmission notification to the originating facsimile apparatus that the image data has been transferred to the registered transfer destination. (4) When the transfer information is received, the storage unit (2)
2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus is configured to record and output the received image data stored in the facsimile apparatus after waiting for a recordable state.