JPH05143500A - Composite peripheral device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize various functions by designating some of respective elements except an operation panel as a data transmission source and a data reception source by the control signal from some of elements to remove restriction on elements as data of the control signal communicated between function parts and elements as output or input of a data signal. CONSTITUTION:This device consists of respective elements of a communication part 2 to a public line, an interface 3 to a computer, a document read and, print part 5, an operation panel Part 1, and a control part 4. Some of elements other than the operation panel is designated as the data transmission source and some of elements other than the operation panel 1 is designated as the data reception source by the control signal inputted to the control part 4 from some of elements. For example, when the document read and print part 5 and the interface 3 are designated as the input and the output of the data signal respectively, the data signal flows to the document read and print part 5 through the interface 3 and is printed on paper; and thus, various information processings are possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to copying, image reading,
The present invention relates to a composite peripheral device that realizes various functions such as printing on paper and transmitting / receiving images and data over a public line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The functions of OA devices tend to be integrated in order to reduce the size and cost and realize an integrated information processing system. Aiming to realize more diverse functions, a copier capable of printing out computer information, a copier capable of transmitting / receiving images to / from a public line, and the like have been developed.

[0003] In all of these, the element parts serving as a data transmission source or a data receiving source are limited, or the element parts outputting a control signal designated to the data transmitting source or the data receiving source are limited.

In an example of a copying machine capable of transmitting and receiving an image to and from a public line, the element portion for outputting a control signal designated to the transmission source or the reception source is limited to the operation panel portion, and the data transmission source or the reception source. The elements designated as the source are limited to the communication section with the public line and the document reading and printing section.

[0005]

When the element portion for outputting the control signal is limited (for example, to the operation panel), there is a drawback that any of the following various functions cannot be realized.

Control the flow of data from a terminal located at a remote place via a public line.

Control the flow of data from the computer through the interface.

The flow of data is controlled by the image pattern read by the image reading / printing unit.

Further, when the element part which is the data transmission source or the data reception source is limited, there is a drawback that any of the following various functions cannot be realized.

Image data is taken into the memory of the computer from the public line.

Outputting image data from the memory of the computer to the public line.

The data read by the image reading / printing unit is taken into the memory of the computer.

Outputting data from the memory of the computer to the image reading printer section.

Data is output from the public line to the image reading and printing section.

Data is sent from the image reading and printing section to the public line.

[0016]

The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems has a communication section with a public line, an interface with a computer, a document reading print section operation panel section, and a control section, and inputs to this control section. According to a control signal from any of the respective units, any one of the above units except the operation panel unit is designated as a data transmission source, and any one of the respective units except the operation panel unit is designated as a reception source. And

[0017]

[Function] A control signal for designating a data transmission source or a data reception source can be output from any one of a communication section with a public line, an interface with a computer, an original reading / printing section, and an operation panel section. Any of the above elements other than can serve as a data transmission source or a data reception source, which enables various information processing.

[0018]

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The control signal entering the control unit 4 includes an operation panel unit 1, a communication unit 2 with a public line, an interface 3 with a computer,
It is output from any of the document reading and printing units 5.
The communication unit 2 with the public line, the document reading / printing unit 5, and the interface 3 with the computer are all used as a printing mechanism of a computer which is well known by the name of a terminal printer which is designated to input or output a data signal. When the compound peripheral device of the invention is made to function, by outputting a control signal from the operation panel 1 or the interface 3 with the computer, the original reading and printing section 5 is designated as the input of the data signal and the interface 3 with the computer is output with the data signal. Specify in. The data signal flows to the document reading / printing section 5 through the interface 3 with the computer and is printed on paper. In addition to the above, by changing the control signal to be output from the communication section 2 for the public line, printing on paper can be started from a distant place. An original reading unit 5 that can read various control signals expressed by a graphic pattern instead of the operation panel unit 1
By outputting the control signal from the control panel 1, complicated setting by the operation panel 1 need not be repeated.

When the multifunction peripheral of the present invention is made to function as a FAX for receiving an image, the document reading and printing section 5 is designated as an input of a data signal, and the communication section 2 with a public line is designated as an output of a data signal. When functioning as a FAX for transmitting an image, the designation of input and output of a data signal is reversed. By outputting the control signal from the program of the computer through the interface 3 with the computer, it becomes possible to realize various functions that cannot be performed by a normal FAX.

When the compound peripheral device of the present invention is made to function as a photoelectric conversion mechanism well known by the name of a scanner, the original reading and printing section 5 is designated as an output of a data signal, and the interface 3 with a computer is designated as an input. Unlike a normal scanner, by outputting a control signal from the communication unit 2 with the public line, it is possible to control the capturing of an image into a computer from a remote place.

By controlling the data signal read by the image reading mechanism inside the document reading / printing unit 5 to be output to the print mechanism inside, the function as a copying machine can be realized by the composite peripheral device of the present invention. realizable. Since the control signal can be output not only from the operation panel unit 1 but also from the communication unit 2 with the public line and the interface 3 with the computer, the copying function can be operated by various programs from a remote place.

By designating the communication unit 2 with the public line and the interface 3 with the computer as the input / output of the data signal, the function of transmitting / receiving data to / from a remote place known by the name of personal computer communication is realized.

[0023]

As described above, the composite peripheral device according to the present invention is an element that outputs control signals to and from the operation panel, the communication section with the public line, the control section, the interface with the computer, and the document reading and printing section. And the elements that are output or input of the data signal are not limited, and various functions are realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Operation panel section 2 Communication section with public line 3 Control section 4 Interface with computer 5 Original reading and printing section

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A composite peripheral device comprising respective elements of a communication section with a public line, an interface with a computer, a document reading / printing section, an operation panel section and a control section, from any one of the elements input to the control section. The control signal for controlling any one of the elements other than the operation panel to be a data transmission source and the control signal to specify any one of the elements except the operation panel to be a reception source.