JPH05207256A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the facsimile equipment which sends data continuously by automatic dialing and sends a transmission original to plural transmission destinations. CONSTITUTION:The facsimile equipment is provided with an input operation processing mode discrimination means 1 discriminating whether an original is sent in the usual dial mode or in the automatic dialing mode depending on the communication operation mode 2, a character read recognition means 3 recognizing a transmission destination facsimile number described at a prescribed position of a cover sheet when the automatic dialing mode is selected by the input operation processing mode discrimination means 1, a means 4 storing transmission information of an original based on a transmission destination facsimile number of the character read recognition means 3, a dial means 5 making automatic dialing to the destination based on the transmission destination facsimile number from the store means 4 and a transmission means 6 sending an original to the destination based on the transmission destination facsimile number from the dialing means 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile machine which reads a document on which a mark on a cover sheet and a facsimile number of a transmission destination are described and transmits the transmission document to a transmission destination by automatic dialing. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus, when a document set in advance in a transmitting section is transmitted by facsimile,
The facsimile number of the other party was dialed in, the facsimile machine of the other party was called, and then the original was transmitted. Then, with respect to the other party who frequently sends the original by facsimile, the troublesomeness of specifying the other party's shortened code and dialing in the facsimile number using the shortened code is reduced.

[0003]

However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, every time an original is transmitted by facsimile, the facsimile number of the other party must be dialed or a shortened code must be entered to call the other party's facsimile apparatus. At that time, there was a problem that the workability was reduced due to the labor of the clerks and the like. Therefore, conventionally, in a facsimile device, for a transmission destination that is frequently used, a predetermined facsimile number is registered in its own facsimile device, and a button operation for calling the registration of the corresponding transmission destination is performed. In some cases, the recipient was specified and the document was sent by facsimile. With this type of facsimile machine, it is possible to reduce the labor of clerks, etc., but if the button operation is mistaken due to misidentification or carelessness of the other party, it will not be sent to the other party who must send. However, there is a risk that important transmission documents will be transmitted to other places, and there was a problem from the viewpoint of confidentiality.

Further, since such a facsimile machine requires a processing function for registration of the other party, the cost of the machine may increase, and there is a problem from an economical point of view. Further, some facsimile machines of this type can display on the display as a confirmation function of the transmission destination, but if the confirmation by the display is neglected, these functions may become famous and innocent. There was also. Further, in these facsimile devices, when there are many transmission destinations, the selection operation becomes complicated, and erroneous selection and erroneous operation are likely to occur. Further, the above-mentioned facsimile device cannot automatically and continuously transmit a plurality of sets of documents.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of continuously transmitting by automatic dial and capable of transmitting a transmission document to a plurality of transmission destinations.

[0006]

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention determines whether to transmit a document in a normal dial mode or a document in an automatic dial mode according to a communication operation mode. Input operation processing mode determining means, a character recognizing means for recognizing a destination facsimile number written at a predetermined position on the cover sheet when the automatic dialing mode is selected by the input operation processing mode determining means, and the character recognizing means. Means for accumulating the transmission information of the document based on the facsimile number of the transmission destination of the means, calling means for automatically dialing the destination based on the facsimile number of the transmission destination from the accumulating means, and the calling means And a transmitting means for transmitting the document to the destination based on the destination facsimile number. Further, the recognizing means reads and recognizes the number of originals for each destination from the input operation processing mode discrimination output which is the transmission information of the original and the facsimile number, and sequentially transmits the originals to each destination.
Further, the input operation processing mode discriminating means responds to the detection output of the mark detecting means for detecting the mark described at the predetermined position on the cover sheet. The original is transmitted in the normal dial mode or the original is detected in the automatic dial mode. Responding to the output of the switch means for selecting whether to send, or sending the original in the normal dial mode or the original in the automatic dial mode or the original in the normal dial mode that responds to the dial operation of the dial means To do.

[0007]

According to the communication operation mode, the input operation processing mode determining means selects whether the original is transmitted in the normal dial mode or the automatic dial mode, and the mode is selected according to the transmission frequency. To do. When selecting the automatic dial mode by the input operation processing mode determining means, the character recognizing means recognizes the transmission destination facsimile number described at a predetermined position on the cover sheet, temporarily stores the transmission destination facsimile number, The destination is automatically dialed based on the destination facsimile number. The transmitting means transmits the original document to the destination based on the destination facsimile number from the calling means. In the present facsimile device, the time and effort required for facsimile transmission are reduced by automatically dialing the destination based on the facsimile number, which is the transmission information recognized by the character recognition means, and transmitting the original. Preferably, the character recognition means reads and recognizes the number of originals for each destination from the input operation processing mode discrimination output which is the transmission information of the original and the facsimile number, and sequentially transmits the originals to each destination. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the troublesomeness and mistaken sending when sending to a plurality of places. Further, preferably, the input operation processing mode determination means can eliminate an erroneous operation by making the input operation processing mode determination means respond to the detection output of the mark detection means for detecting the mark described at the predetermined position on the cover sheet. Further, preferably, the input operation processing mode determination means responds to the output of the switch means for selecting whether to transmit the original in the normal dial mode or the automatic dial mode, or the normal dial mode. The operation is simplified by transmitting the original with, the original in the automatic dial mode, or the original based on the dial operation.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an example of the order in which a cover sheet of a transmission original and a communication document are superposed when the communication sheet is set in the transmission section of the facsimile apparatus. Is shown. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an input operation processing mode discriminating means. In the mode discriminating means 1, a normal dial mode corresponding to an operator manually operating a transmission original in an ordinary facsimile apparatus and a transmission original are displayed. It is determined whether the automatic dial mode 100 for automatic dialing is selected by a transmission information reading unit described later without inputting a facsimile number. For example, when the operator selects the automatic dial mode 100 in the communication operation mode 2 by the input operation processing mode discrimination means 1, first, the cover sheet of the transmission original set in the transmission original setting portion of the preliminary facsimile apparatus. Whether or not there is a coded mark 10a in the mark 10 is a mark detecting means 2a which is in a communication operation mode.
Check with the mark reader. When there are a plurality of sets of documents to be transmitted, the number of sheets up to the mark 10a of the cover sheet 10 and the mark 10a of the cover sheet 10 to be detected next is counted by the mark detecting means 2a, and is used as information about the number of communication documents. To be detected. In addition,
In the communication operation mode 2, the desired mode can be selected by the switch means 2b and the dial means 2c in addition to the mark detection means 2a. In these cases, the mode selection becomes easy and the operation becomes simple.

The cover sheet 10 shown in FIG. 2 can be read by the optical character reading and recognizing means 3 and the mark 10a encoded by a narrow line from the upper end of the sheet 10 toward the center of the sheet. A column 10b for writing the facsimile number of the transmission destination, a column for writing the content of the transmitted document, and a column 10c for writing the address and comment of the transmission destination are created by printing. In FIG. 2, reference numerals 11 to 13 indicate communication documents.

As the optical character reading and recognizing means 3,
For example, an optical character reading and recognizing device (OCR) can be cited, and in response to the mark detection output 101 of the mark detecting means 2, the area in which the facsimile number 10b of the cover sheet 10 is described is read and recognized. The transmission information storage means 4 inputs the transmission information 103 such as the mark detection output 101, the signal 102 indicating the facsimile number and the signal indicating the number of the communication documents 11 to 13 to be transmitted, and temporarily stores these signals as transmission information. To do. The transmission information 103, which is the output of the transmission information storage means 4, is input to the calling means 5 for automatically calling the telephone of the facsimile apparatus. A memory such as a RAM (random access memory) is used as the transmission information storage means 4.

In the calling means 5, the transmission information storage means 4
In response to the output from, the facsimile number is automatically dialed to the telephone of the facsimile apparatus for each transmission destination. After the facsimile number is automatically dialed by the calling means 5, the transmitting means 6 sends the data coded based on the output from the calling means 5 to the other party. Therefore, in the present facsimile apparatus, by automatically dialing the transmission destination based on the mark detection output 101, which is the transmission information read by the optical character reading and recognizing means 3, and the facsimile number, the transmission original is transmitted. The effort is reduced.

The transmission information storage means 4 reads the number information indicating the number of transmission documents for each destination from the mark detection output 101, which is the transmission information of the transmission document, and the facsimile number, and the transmission document is based on the number information. Is stored in the transmission information storage means 4 for each transmission destination, the facsimile number is automatically dialed in response to the output signal, and the transmission original is transmitted for each transmission destination, thereby reducing the time and effort required for transmission and facsimile transmission. It becomes possible to reduce the number input mistake. Note that, in FIG. 3, FIGS. 3A and 3B show a general description form of the facsimile number of the cover sheet.

Next, the operation of one embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. This description will be made with reference to the configurations described in the configurations of FIGS. First, the operation content shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is started (step 1, hereinafter referred to as ST1). At this time, the cover sheet 10 and the communication documents 11 to 13 are set in a transmission sheet setting unit (not shown) (ST2). When the cover sheet 10b and the communication documents 11 to 13 are set in the paper transmission setting section, a person who wants to send the contents described in the original document by the facsimile device is set to the automatic mode or the manual mode by the input operation processing mode determination means 1. Determine whether to do (ST
3).

In this embodiment, the input operation processing mode discriminating means 1 discriminates the automatic mode when the mark 10a on the cover sheet 10 is detected. When the automatic mode is selected by the input operation processing mode discriminating means 1, the cover sheet 10 is automatically read and the coded mark 10a is detected by the mark detecting means 2 (ST4). After the mark detecting means 2 detects the coded mark 10a, the OCR which is the optical character reading and recognizing means 3 automatically reads the facsimile number 10b of the cover sheet 10 (ST5). After the facsimile number 10b of the cover sheet 10 is read by the optical character reading and recognizing means 3, the facsimile number 10b is read by the R of the transmission information accumulating means 4.
It is temporarily stored in AM (ST6).

After storing the facsimile number by the transmission information storage means 4, it is necessary to read the contents of the facsimile paper as black and white point data for each sheet, code it, and store it in the RAM, as in the conventional case. After finishing the number of sheets, the calling means 5 automatically dials a telephone (not shown) of the facsimile apparatus (ST7). The calling means 5 automatically dials a telephone (not shown) of the facsimile device,
When the facsimile machine of the other party gives a reception instruction, the cover sheet 10 and the communication documents 11 to 13 are transmitted to the other party by the transmitting means 6 (ST8). As described above, the contents of the original including the cover sheet 10 can be transmitted to the other party in the automatic mode.

In ST3, when the manual mode is selected by the input operation processing mode discriminating means 1, in this example, when the mark 10a on the cover sheet 10 is not detected, the transmission destination facsimile number is manually operated by an operator as usual. Dial (ST10).
After dialing the destination facsimile number, a transmission start button (not shown) is pressed to start transmission (ST11). After the transmission is started, the content of the document is read and recognized by an optical character reading means (not shown) and temporarily stored in the transmission information storage means 4 (ST12).
After the transmission information is temporarily stored in the transmission information storage means 4, the transmission information is sent to the calling means 5 and the telephone of the facsimile apparatus is automatically dialed. The content of the original is transmitted (ST8).

FIG. 5 is for operating the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 continuously so that the contents of the original can be sequentially sent to a plurality of transmission destinations A to N (N is a natural number of 2 or more). It shows a flow chart. First, a flowchart for starting the operation so that the contents described in the original can be sequentially sent to a plurality of transmission destinations A to N (N is a natural number of 2 or more) is started (ST13). At this time, the cover sheet 10b and the communication documents 11 to 13 are sequentially transmitted to the destinations A to
For each N (N is a natural number of 2 or more), the cover sheet 10 and the communication documents 11 to 13 are overlaid and set in a transmission unit (not shown) (ST14). Those who want to send the contents of the manuscript,
When the cover sheet 10b and the communication documents 11 to 13 are set in the transmission unit, the input operation processing mode determination means 1 selects the automatic mode or the manual mode depending on whether or not the mark 10a is written on the cover sheet 10 as described above. It is determined whether to do (ST15).

When the automatic mode is selected by the input operation processing mode discrimination means 1, the cover sheet 1 of the destination A is selected.
0 is automatically read and the coded mark 10a is detected by the mark detecting means 2 (ST16). After the encoded mark 10a is detected by the mark detecting means 2, the facsimile number 10b of the cover sheet 10 is automatically read by the OCR which is the optical character reading and recognizing means 3 and is temporarily stored in the RAM of the transmission information storing means 4. (ST17).

OC which is the optical character reading and recognizing means 3
After the facsimile number 10b of the cover sheet 10 is automatically read by R, the mark 1 on the cover sheet 10 is read.
The transmission information of the cover sheet 10 and the communication documents 11 to 13 is read based on 0a and is temporarily stored in the RAM of the transmission information storage means 4 (ST18).

At this time, the optical character reading / recognizing means 3
In front of the mark 10a of the cover sheet 10 on which the facsimile number 10b of the destination A is described, the mark 10a of the cover sheet 10 on which the facsimile number 10b of the cover sheet 10 of the next destination B is described The number of originals up to is counted, and the transmission information is stored in the transmission information accumulating means 4 as a document number detection signal (ST1).
9).

After the transmission information storage means 4 stores the transmission information, the calling means 5 automatically dials a telephone (not shown) of the facsimile apparatus (ST20). When the calling means 5 automatically dials a telephone (not shown) of the facsimile machine and the facsimile machine of the partner A gives a reception instruction, the cover sheet 10 and the communication documents 11 to 13 are transmitted to the partner by the transmitter 6 (ST21). ). As described above, the transmission original can be transmitted to the destination A in the automatic mode. By repeating the above ST16 to ST21 n times, it is possible to continuously and automatically transmit the content of the original document to the Nth destination. After the communication is repeated n times, when the input operation mode determination means 1 detects that there is no original to be transmitted next, the automatic repeat operation mode is ended.

When the manual mode is selected by the input operation processing mode discriminating means 1 in ST15, the destination facsimile number is dialed by a manual operation by the operator as usual (ST23). After dialing the destination facsimile number, press a transmission start button (not shown) to start transmission (ST
24). After the transmission is started, the transmission document is read by an optical character reading means (not shown) and temporarily stored in the transmission information storage means 4 (ST25). Transmission information storage means 4
Then, the transmission information is sent to the calling means 5 and the telephone of the facsimile machine is automatically dialed.
When the other party is called and there is a receiving instruction from the other party,
The content of the transmission original is transmitted from the transmission means 4. The above S
By repeating T13 to ST15 and ST23 to ST25 n times, the contents of the transmission document can be transmitted to the Nth destination.

The optical character reading and recognizing means 3 reads and recognizes the number of transmission originals for each destination from the mark detection output 101, which is the transmission information of the transmission original, and the facsimile number, and based on the output signal, the transmission original is detected. Is stored in the transmission information storage means 4 for each transmission destination, and the facsimile numbers of the transmission destinations A to N are automatically dialed in response to the output signal.
By sequentially transmitting the transmitted original document to each of the recipients A to N, it is possible to reduce the trouble at the time of transmission and the input error of the facsimile number.

In the above embodiment, the cover sheet 10
Although the mark 10a in which the narrow line is encoded has been described, it goes without saying that the mark is not limited to this.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary for the operator to dial the transmission destination each time when transmitting a communication document with a facsimile machine.
In addition, it is possible to prevent a malfunction due to an operator's operation error. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect such that it becomes possible to successively transmit a transmission document to a plurality of destinations successively.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the order in which a cover sheet of a transmission original used in an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention and a communication document are set in the transmission unit of the facsimile apparatus when the cover sheet and the communication document are superposed. ..

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a form for describing a facsimile number of a cover sheet used in an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input operation processing mode discrimination means 2 Communication operation mode 2a Mark detection means 2b Switch means 2c Dial means 3 Optical character reading recognition means 4 Transmission information storage means 5 Calling means 6 Transmission means 10 Cover sheet 10a Mark 10b Facsimile number 11 to 11 13 correspondence

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An input operation processing mode discriminating means for discriminating whether an original is transmitted in a normal dial mode or an original is transmitted in an automatic dial mode according to a communication operation mode, and the input operation processing mode discriminating means. When selecting the automatic dialing mode, the character recognition means for recognizing the facsimile number of the transmission destination written on the predetermined position of the cover sheet, and the transmission information of the original document are stored based on the facsimile number of the transmission destination of the character recognition means. Means, a calling means for automatically dialing the destination based on the destination facsimile number sent from the storage means, and a transmission for sending an original to the destination based on the destination facsimile number sent from the calling means Facsimile apparatus having means. 2. The character recognizing means reads and recognizes the number of originals for each destination from the input operation processing mode discrimination output which is the transmission information of the original and the facsimile number, and successively recognizes the originals for each destination. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, which transmits. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input operation processing mode discriminating means responds to a detection output of a mark detecting means for detecting a mark described at a predetermined position on the cover sheet. 4. The input operation processing mode discriminating means is responsive to an output of a switch means for selecting whether to transmit an original in a normal dial mode or an original in an automatic dial mode. The described facsimile machine. 5. The input operation processing mode discriminating means responds to a dial operation of the dial means whether the original is transmitted in the normal dial mode or the automatic dial mode. Fax machine.