JPH04165754A - Facsimile equipment and method of transmitting data to the facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To transmit image data to an external apparatus such as a host computer by scanning the image of an original in accordance with an instruction, storing image data and transmitting image data to the external apparatus in response to transfer allowing information generated from the external apparatus. CONSTITUTION:When the transfer of image data is instructed by an instruting means 25a for instructing image data transfer to the external apparatus 10, the image data read out by an image reading means 26 for scanning the image of the original and inputting the image are stored in a storing means RAM 23. The image data stored in the RAM 23 are transmitted to the external apparatus 10 in response to the transfer allowing information outputted from the apparatus 10. Consequently, the image data can simply be transmitted to the external apparatus such as a host computer other than the FAX by operation executed through the FAX.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a facsimile device, and more particularly to a facsimile device that can transmit image data to an external device other than a facsimile device such as a host computer, and a data transmission method for the facsimile device. It is something.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, when transmitting image data from a facsimile device to an information processing device such as a host computer, the host computer sends an image transmission request command, etc. to the facsimile device, and the facsimile is sent as a response to the command. The facsimile device is configured to send image data from the device to the host computer, and the facsimile device has generally been treated as a general image input device rather than the host computer.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, when image data is transmitted from a facsimile machine to a host computer and the image data is input, the operator of the host computer must turn off the power supply of the facsimile machine in order to read the original image. After inputting documents, setting originals, etc., an image input command must be sent from the host computer to the facsimile machine. However, in the above conventional example, if the facsimile machine and the host computer are physically separated, for example, the operator of the host computer has to go out of his way to the location where the facsimile machine is installed to operate the facsimile machine. Alternatively, it was necessary to request someone else to set the document to be input or operate the facsimile machine by telephone or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile device that can transmit image data to an external device such as a host computer by operating the facsimile device, and a data transmission method for the facsimile device. shall be.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In order to achieve the above object, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an instruction means for instructing the transfer of image data to an external device; an image reading means for scanning a document image and inputting the image when the instruction means instructs the transfer of the image data; The apparatus includes a storage means for storing read image data, and a transmission means for transmitting the image data stored in the storage means to the external device in response to transfer permission information from the external device.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a data transmission method for a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention includes the following steps. That is, when an instruction to transfer image data to an external device is given, a step of scanning a document image and inputting the image, a step of storing the document image data, and responding to transfer permission information from the external device, and transmitting the image data stored in the storage means to the external device.

[Operation] In the above configuration, when an instruction is given to transfer image data to an external device, the original image is scanned, the image is input, and the original image data is stored. Then, in response to transfer permission information from the external device, it operates to transmit the stored image data to the external device.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Explanation of connection between facsimile device and host computer (FIGS. 1 to 3)] FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration.

In FIG. 1, a host computer 10 includes a CPU II that controls the computer, a program memory 14 that stores a control program for the CPU II, and a memory 12 that includes a RAM area used as a work area. 13 is R5232C boat, R5232C
It is connected to the facsimile machine 20 of the embodiment via an interface cable 30.

20 is a facsimile machine of the embodiment. A control unit 21 controls the entire facsimile machine 20. This control unit 21 includes a CPU such as a microprocessor, for example.
22, a ROM 24 that stores control programs and various data for the CPU 22, and a RAM 23 used as a work area for the CPU 22. Reference numeral 25 denotes an operation unit, which includes a transmission instruction switch 25a for instructing the transfer of image data to a host computer 10 (to be described later), a telephone number input key, an original reading start key, etc., and a display unit for displaying the status of the apparatus. We are prepared.

26 is a reading unit that photoelectrically reads the original and inputs the image, and is equipped with a motor for transporting the original, a line-type COD, etc.
Images are read line by line, converted to digital signals, and output. A recording section 27 inputs image data from the control section 20 and records it on a recording medium such as recording paper to form an image. A network control unit (NCU) 28 executes communication control with the communication line. 29 is an R3232C boat for communicating with the host computer 10 described above using R5232C.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication protocol between the facsimile machine 20 and the host computer 10 of the embodiment.

In FIG. 2, image data to be sent to the host computer 10 is sent to the facsimile machine 2 in the following steps.
0 and transmitted to the host computer 10.

First, the operator sets a document to be sent to the host computer IO on the document table of the facsimile machine 20. Then, the user inputs and sets the destination to which the document is to be sent from the operation section 25 of the facsimile machine 20. If the original image is to be transmitted to another facsimile machine via a telephone line, the telephone number of the destination is input and set. Here, if you want to send the original image to the host computer 10, use the transmission instruction switch 25 of the operation section 25.
a indicates that the original is to be sent to the host computer 10.

On the other hand, the host computer 10 connects the R3232C boat 13, cable 30, and R5232C boat 29 at regular intervals to check whether the image to be sent to the host computer 10 is stored in the RAM 23 of the facsimile machine 20. A message confirming the presence or absence of image data is sent to the facsimile device 2o via the facsimile device 2o.

If the facsimile device 20 reads a document image and stores image data to be sent to the host computer 10, in response to an image data presence confirmation message from the host computer 10, the stored image data is detected. R52
The data is returned to the host computer 10 via the 32C boat 29. In response to this return, the host computer 10
The R3232C boat 13 sends an instruction (image sending instruction) that allows the facsimile device 20 to send image data to the host computer 10.
Send to. As a result, the facsimile device 20 sends the stored image data to the host computer 10 from the R5232C boat 29.

[Explanation of operation of host computer (FIG. 3)] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the host computer 10, and a control program for executing this processing is stored in the program memory 14.

In step S1, normal processing such as initialization and calculation is executed, and when a predetermined time has elapsed in step S2, step S3
Then, an image confirmation message is sent to the facsimile machine 20 via the R5232C boat 13. Thereby, in step S4, it is checked whether a message indicating that image data is available is returned from the facsimile machine 20.

If a message with an image is not returned from the facsimile machine 20 within a predetermined period of time, the routine returns to step S1.

When a message with image data is returned from the facsimile device 20, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S5, where an image sending command instructing the facsimile device 20 to send the image data is output, and image reception processing is performed in step S6.

[Description of operation of facsimile machine (FIG. 4)] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing image transmission processing in the facsimile machine 20 of the embodiment, and a control program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 24.

In step SIO, the image transmission instruction key 25 of the operation unit 25
When a is pressed and image input is instructed, step Sll
Then, the reading section 26 is activated to start reading the original image. The image data thus read is input and stored in the RAM 23 of the control section 21 in step S12. In step S13, wait for an image confirmation message (step S3 in FIG. 3) from the host computer 10 to be input, and if no confirmation message is input, step S13.
Proceed to step 14 to perform other processing.

When the confirmation message is input in step S13, the process advances to step S15, and a response message (with image) indicating that there is image data stored is sent from the R5232C boat 29 to the host computer 10. This image-containing message is confirmed by the host computer 10 in step S4 in FIG. 3, and in step S16 the host computer 10 waits for an image data sending command (step S5 in FIG. 3) to be transferred. When the image sending command is transmitted, the process advances to step S17, and R
5232C, the image data stored in the RAM 23 is transmitted to the host computer 10.

Other Embodiments (FIGS. 5 and 6)> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a communication procedure between the host computer 10 and the facsimile machine 20 in another embodiment.

First, in the facsimile machine 20, when an image to be sent to the host computer 10 is stored in response to an instruction from the operation unit 25 as described above, this read image data is stored in the RAM 23 of the control unit 21. be remembered. As a result, immediately R5232C boat 29,
A check is made to the host computer 10 via the cable 30, etc. to determine whether or not image transmission is permitted. In response to this confirmation, the host computer 10 returns a message indicating permission if there is no problem with image transmission. However, if there is a problem, we will prohibit the return of the item.

The facsimile device 20 sends a command (
Upon receiving the image sending permission), the stored image data is sent to the host computer 10 via the R3232C interface.

A flowchart of the processing at this time is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, when transmission of image data to the host computer 10 is instructed by the image transmission instruction key 25a of the operation section 25, the process advances to step S21, the reading section 26 is activated, and the document is set on the document table. The document image is read, and the read image data is sent to R of the control unit 21 in step S22.
Stored on AM23. Next, in step 323, the host computer 10 is asked whether the image data may be transmitted (image transmission permission confirmation message sent).

As a result, an interrupt or the like occurs in the host computer 10, and the process of the host computer 10 proceeds to step S31. In step S31, it is determined whether or not it is currently in a state where image data can be received. If the image data can be received, a sending permission message is sent to the facsimile device 20 in step S32, and image data reception processing is executed in the subsequent step S33. on the other hand,
If the message cannot be received, the process proceeds to step S24, where a message indicating that the message cannot be received is output to the facsimile machine 20, and the process proceeds to other processing (step 535).

According to this other embodiment, when the facsimile device 20 reads image data, it can immediately check whether the image data can be sent to the host computer 10.
The operator can immediately check whether the image was sent out.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, by outputting an image data transmission request from the facsimile machine to the host computer, the operator is freed from the trouble of having to operate both the host computer and the facsimile machine. .

Furthermore, since image transmission processing can be performed in exactly the same way as when image data is sent from a facsimile machine to another facsimile machine via a telephone line, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

Note that the host computer 10 and the facsimile machine 20
In this example, the interface between
Although the present invention is not limited to this, it goes without saying that, for example, a GP-I B interface, a 5CSI interface, etc. may be used.

Further, in the embodiment described above, an image transmission instruction from the facsimile device 20 to the host computer 10 is sent to the operation unit 2.
Although the transmission instruction key 25a of No. 5 is used to perform the setting, the present invention is not limited to this, and the setting may be made by pressing the extension key twice in succession, for example.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, image data can be easily transmitted to an external device other than the facsimile device, such as a host computer, by operation from the facsimile device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the connection between a host computer and a facsimile machine and the general configuration of the facsimile machine in the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the communication procedure between the host computer and the facsimile machine, and FIG. 3 is an implementation example. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the image transmission process of the facsimile machine of the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the communication procedure between the host computer and the facsimile machine of another embodiment; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control procedure between the host computer and the facsimile machine in another embodiment. In the figure, 1o...host computer, 11...cP
U, 12 ・, i+ -11-ri, 13 ・RS 23
2 C boat, 14...program memory, 2o...
・Facsimile device, 21 ...control unit, 22 ・C
P U, 23-RAM, 24...ROM, 25...
Operation unit, 26... Reading unit, 27-... Recording unit, 28-
NCU, 29-RS232C boat, 30-RS 23
There is a 2C cablete. Tsumemata L Condo' Gouda Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) an instruction means for instructing the transfer of image data to an external device; and when the instruction means instructs the transfer of the image data,
an image reading unit that scans a document image and inputs the image; a storage unit that stores image data read by the image reading unit; and a storage unit that stores image data in the storage unit in response to transfer permission information from the external device. A facsimile device comprising: a transmission means for transmitting the image data being displayed to the external device. (2) an instruction means for instructing the transfer of image data to an external device; and when the instruction means instructs the transfer of the image data,
an image reading device that scans a document image and inputs the image; a storage device that stores image data read by the image reading device; and when the image data is stored in the storage device, a transfer request is made to the external device. and transmitting means for outputting the image data stored in the storage means and transmitting the image data stored in the storage means to the external device in response to a transfer permission from the external device. (3) When the image data transfer to the external device is instructed, there are a step of scanning the original image and inputting the image, a step of storing the original image data, and a step in response to the transfer permission information from the external device. . A data transmission method for a facsimile device, comprising the steps of: transmitting image data stored in the storage means to the external device. (4) When the image data transfer to an external device is instructed, a step of scanning the original image and inputting the image, a step of storing the original image data, and once the original image data is stored, the external device Outputs a transfer request to, and in response to transfer permission from the external device,
A data transmission method for a facsimile device, comprising the steps of: transmitting stored image data to the external device.