JPH04345259A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To utilize the facsimile equipment in the dual function mode and in the real time operating mode. CONSTITUTION:The facsimile equipment is provided with a setting means which selects either the real time operating mode or the dual function mode. The setting means consists of a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a time setting key 9a and a mode setting key 9b of a key entry section 9. A timer means consists of a timer 10 and the CPU 1 and the CPU 1 selects either the real time operating mode or the dual function mode based on a program stored in the ROM 2 at the time entered by the time setting key 9a.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention is applicable to either a real-time operation mode in which received data is output in real time, or a store mode in which the received data is temporarily stored in a memory section in order to be output after the reception is completed. The present invention relates to a facsimile machine that can be switched to one mode.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art In a facsimile machine generally referred to as a dual access facsimile machine, one of a real-time mode and a dual access mode can be switched by operating a switch. The real-time mode is a mode in which received data is output in real time or read document data is transmitted in real time. Dual access mode does not perform real-time output or real-time transmission, but instead stores received data and read data in the memory.
This mode outputs and transmits data when necessary. Therefore, in the dual access mode, it is possible to copy or read an original even during reception, or to receive or output received data even when reading an original.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, if the amount of data exceeds the capacity of the memory unit in dual access mode, it becomes impossible to store the data that exceeds the capacity, especially at night or when you are away. If the received data exceeds the memory capacity when no operator is present, further data cannot be received.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a facsimile machine that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a real-time operation mode in which received data is output in real time, and a memory section in which the received data is outputted after reception is completed. In a facsimile machine in which a setting means can be used to switch between a store mode and a store mode in which data is temporarily stored, the facsimile machine is provided with a timer that activates said setting means at a specified time to switch from one mode to the other mode. This means that a means has been established.

[0006]

[Operation] Therefore, according to the present invention, by the timer means,
The setting means is activated at a designated time to automatically switch from the real-time operation mode to the store mode, or from the store mode to the real-time operation mode.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the circuit configuration of the facsimile machine of this embodiment. CPU (central processing unit) 1 is R
The operation of the entire facsimile machine is controlled based on a program stored in an OM (read only memory) 2. A RAM (random access memory) 3 stores data such as a fax number, received image information, or document reading information. An NCU (network control unit) 4 controls input and output of data transmitted and received via a telephone line 5. A modem (modulator/demodulator) 6 modulates and demodulates the data. The image reading section 7 is for reading the image on the paper, and the print output section 8 prints the image on the paper based on the received image information or the image information read by the image reading section 7. It is for.

The key input unit 9 is provided with a plurality of numeric keys for inputting a fax number, etc., a time setting key 9a for inputting a set time, a mode setting key 9b, etc. In addition, the ROM2 has a real-time operation mode in which the device operates in real time in connection with reception and document reading, and a mode in which the data is temporarily stored in the RAM3 in order to output the received data after completion of reception, and a mode in which the data read from the document is read out. A program for operating a dual function mode including a store mode in which data is temporarily stored in the RAM 3 for later transmission is stored. In the dual function mode, multiple operations can be performed simultaneously, such as copying or reading an original while receiving, or transmitting other original data while reading an original. In this embodiment, the CPU 1, ROM 2, and the time setting key 9a and mode setting key 9b of the key input section 9 constitute a setting means.

10 is a timer, and this timer 10 and C
PU1 constitutes a timer means. And C
The PU 1 switches between the real-time operation mode and the dual function mode based on a program stored in the ROM 2 at the time input using the time setting key 9a of the key input unit 9. The facsimile machine also includes information such as the amount of data stored in the RAM 3, the fax number, the current mode,
A display section 11 for displaying the set time and the like is provided.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine configured as described above will be explained. Now, in this facsimile machine, the operations shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3 are performed under the control of the CPU 1. That is, Figure 2
As shown in FIG. 3, when a required switching time is input by operating the time setting key 9a and the time is set in the RAM 3, and a mode to be switched to at the switching time is set by the mode setting key 9b (step S1 ), it is determined whether the current time is the switching time (step S2), and if it is the switching time, the device is switched from the real-time operation mode to the dual function mode or from the dual function mode to the real-time operation mode (
Step S3). If it is not the switching time, the current mode is continued (step S4). After the switching time is set, the routine of steps S2 to S4 is constantly repeated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the operation of the device is started, it is determined what mode is currently set (step S11), and in the case of real-time operation mode, transmission of read data is performed. and output of received data is performed in real time (step S12), and in the case of dual function mode, read data or received data is
The data is temporarily stored in AM3 (step S13), and it is possible to copy the data while receiving it or output other data while reading the document. Further, the amount of data stored in the RAM 3 is displayed on the display section 11.

[0012] For example, if the time is set so that the dual function mode is set during times when an operator is present, such as during the day, and the real-time operation mode is set during times when there is no operator, such as at night, the facsimile machine can be used during the daytime. Copying and document reading can be performed while the telephone line 5 is in use during times when the telephone line 5 is used frequently, and the device can be used effectively. Since the amount of data stored in the RAM 3 can be confirmed on the display unit 11, the remaining capacity of the RAM 3 can be saved by transmitting or outputting the stored data before the memory capacity of the RAM 3 is exceeded. This makes it possible to prevent communication from becoming impossible due to memory overflow. In addition, during times when the facsimile machine is not used frequently, such as at night, the mode can be automatically switched at a set time and output can be performed in real time as the facsimile machine is received. It is possible to reliably prevent a situation where the memory becomes overflowing and reception becomes impossible.

[0013]

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, the dual function mode and the real-time operation mode can be effectively used, and the excellent effect of reliably avoiding reception failure due to memory overflow is achieved. demonstrate.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a facsimile device embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU constituting the setting means and timer means, 2
ROM constituting a setting means; 9a a time setting key constituting a setting means; 9b a mode setting key constituting a setting means; 10 a timer constituting a timer means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A means for setting one of a real-time operation mode in which received data is output in real time, and a store mode in which received data is temporarily stored in a memory section in order to be outputted after reception is completed. What is claimed is: 1. A facsimile device which can be switched and set by a timer means for activating the setting means at a specified time to switch from one mode to the other mode.