JPH0522485A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the management of communication recording, selection operation of a desired equipment and to prevent illegal use in the facsimile equipment provided with plural handy scanners. CONSTITUTION:Picture information read by a picture information read means 10 of a handy scanner 1 is compressed by a compression means 11, stored once in a picture information storage means 12 and transferred to a main body section 2 with a transfer means 14 together with an identification code outputted from an identification code output means 13. The picture information received in the main body section 2 is sent to a scheduled opposite station by a facsimile communication means 21 and the communication recording is outputted to a processing result storage means 23. The processing result storage means 23 stores the processing result of the received picture information such as communication recording while managing it with an identification code detected together with the said picture information. The storage content of the processing result storage means 23 is recorded on recording paper or the like by the facsimile communication means 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, a scanner section for reading image information and a main body section for transmitting / receiving the image information are separated from each other, and the image information read by the scanner section is transferred to the main body section. However, the present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus in which the main body section performs facsimile communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to easily read a part of a large manuscript such as a newspaper or one page of a thick book, it can be separated from a main body which performs a main operation such as a transmitting operation and a receiving operation. There are facsimile machines equipped with various small readers. As a small reader of this type, a handy scanner using an image sensor is known.

However, in the conventional handy scanner,
Since the power supply cable and the signal cable were connected, there was a problem that the usability was not good.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-193658, a handy scanner unit is constructed so as to be driven by a battery, and an image in which read image information is stored is stored. A technique is disclosed in which a memory and a transfer unit that transfers the stored image information to the main body unit are provided, and the main body unit performs a facsimile communication of the transferred image information to a planned partner station.

According to the facsimile apparatus having a structure in which the handy scanner unit and the main body unit are separated from each other, the handy scanner unit has no cables such as a power cord, so that the usability is improved.

[0006]

In the facsimile apparatus having the above-described structure, if a plurality of handy scanners are provided in one main body and the transmission processing can be similarly performed from any of the handy scanners, the usability thereof will be improved. Is further improved.

However, when a plurality of handy scanners are provided, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to manage communication records such as which handy scanner and what kind of facsimile communication is performed.

Further, when a plurality of main bodies are installed close to each other, there is a problem that a plurality of devices are simultaneously operated by remote operation from the handy scanner.

Further, when the number of handy scanners increases, the storage and management of the handy scanners become insufficient, and there is a problem that unauthorized use by non-authorized users is likely to occur.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art so that in a facsimile apparatus having a plurality of handy scanners, communication records can be easily managed, and a plurality of main body parts are close to each other. Even in the case of being installed in such a manner, it is possible to selectively remote-control only a desired device, and further to prevent unauthorized use by anyone other than a legitimate user.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, a scanner section for reading image information is separated from a main body section of a facsimile apparatus, and the image information read by the scanner section is transferred to the main body section. The facsimile machine that processes the data is characterized in that the following means are taken. (1) The scanner side reads the document information optically and converts it into image information, the document information reading unit that outputs the identification code unique to the scanner, and the image information and the identification code to the main body side. And a transfer means for transferring. (2) The scanner side outputs a document information reading unit that optically reads document information and converts it into image information, an image information storage unit that stores the image information, and a first identification code unique to the scanner. The identification code output means, the identification code input means for inputting the second identification code, the first identification code and the second identification code are compared, and the operation of the scanner unit is restricted according to the comparison result. And a comparison means. (3) The main body side is provided with an identification code detecting means for detecting the identification code transferred from the scanner side, and a storage means for managing a storage area by the detected identification code. The processing result is stored in the storage means. (4) The main body side has an identification code detection means for detecting the identification code transferred from the scanner side, an identification code registration means for registering the identification code of a specific scanner, and the detected identification code and the registered identification. It is provided with a comparison means for comparing the code and limiting the operation of the main body according to the comparison result.

[0012]

[Operation] By using the scanner section having the above-mentioned configuration (1) and the main body section having the above-mentioned (3), communication records when the image information read by the scanner section is transmitted from the main body section or printed by the main body section The processing result of the image information such as the number of prints at that time is recorded for each identification code unique to the scanner transferred from the scanner unit.

If the scanner section having the above-mentioned configuration (1) and the main body section having the above-mentioned (4) are used, only the main body section in which the same identification code as the identification code output from the scanner section is previously registered. It will work.

If the scanner unit having the above-mentioned configuration (2) is used,
If the first identification code peculiar to the scanner does not match the second identification code input by the user, the operation of the scanner unit will be restricted.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the present invention.

Document information reading means 1 of the handy scanner 1
0 reads original information and converts it into image information of an electric signal. The compression unit 11 encodes and compresses the image information output from the document information reading unit 10. The compressed image information is stored in the image information storage means 12.

The identification code output means 13 outputs an identification code unique to the handy scanner 1. The transfer unit 14 transfers the image information stored in the image information storage unit 12 to the main body 2 by wireless communication together with the identification code.

On the other hand, the receiving means 20 of the main body 2 receives the image information and the identification code sent from the handy scanner 1. The received image information is facsimile communication means 2
1 and the identification code is detected by the identification code detecting means 22. The detected identification code is output to the processing result storage means 23. Facsimile communication means 21
Performs a transmission process or a copy process of the image information sent from the handy scanner 1, and outputs the processing result to the processing result storage means 23. The processing result storage unit 23 manages and stores the processing result output from the facsimile communication unit 21 with the identification code detected by the identification code detection unit 22.

In such a configuration, the image information read by the image information reading means 10 of the handy scanner 1 is compressed by the compression means 11 and temporarily stored in the image information storage means 12, and then the identification code output means 13 is provided. With the identification code output from the main body 2 by the transfer means 14.
Transferred to.

In the main body 2, the received image information is transmitted to the intended other station by the facsimile communication means 21, and the communication record of the date and time of the transmission, the transmission time, the name of the other party, the fee, etc. is stored in the processing result storage means 23. Is output to. Further, when the received image information is copied onto the recording paper, the number of used recording papers is output to the processing result storage means 23. The processing result storage unit 23 manages and stores the processing result of the received image information such as the communication record and the number of copies with the identification code detected together with the image information. Processing result storage means 23
The stored content of is recorded on recording paper or the like by the facsimile communication means 21.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the handy scanner 1 of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

A display portion 71, a ten-key pad 72, and a function key 80 are provided on the main surface of the handy scanner 1. The function key 80 is a transfer key 76, a start key 7
7 and a selection key 78.

An image sensor 73 is provided at one end of the long side of the handy scanner 1, and a light transmitting section 38 is provided at one end of the short side. Further, rollers 74 for detecting the scanning speed of the handy scanner 1 are provided on both sides of the end where the image sensor 73 is provided.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the same symbols as those used above represent the same or equivalent portions. Although the facsimile machine of the present invention has all the essential components of the facsimile machine, only the components necessary for explaining the present invention are shown here.

In the figure, a scanner 31 of the handy scanner 1 reads document information and converts it into image information of an electric signal. The compression unit 32 encodes and compresses the image information. The compressed image information is stored in the image memory 33. The operation panel 34 has a numeric keypad, a display unit, and the like.

The system control unit (CPU) 35 controls the operation of the entire handy scanner unit 1. ROM36 is
An identification code unique to the handy scanner 1 is stored together with the control program and various basic data. R
AM37 provides a work area and operation panel 3
The data input by the user from 4 is stored. The light transmitting unit 38 converts the image information, the identification code, etc. into an optical signal and outputs it.

On the other hand, the light receiving section 48 of the main body section 2 receives the optical signal output from the handy scanner section 1 and converts it into image information and an identification code. The image memory 43 stores the received image information. The decompression unit 42 decodes and decompresses the encoded image information. The modem 49 modulates image information to be transmitted and demodulates received image information. The line control unit (NCU) 44 automatically dials the telephone number of the partner station to call the partner station, or performs a predetermined communication procedure according to a predetermined protocol. Printer 41
Prints out the received image information on recording paper. C
The PU 45 controls the operation of the entire main body 2. ROM4
Reference numeral 6 stores a control program for operating this system, various basic data, and the like. RAM 47 provides a work area.

FIG. 8 shows the light transmitting section 38 and the light receiving section 48.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. The image information and the control information input to the light transmitting unit 38 are amplified by the amplifier 61, FM-modulated by the FM modulator 62, and then input to the light-emitting diode drive circuit 63. The light emitting diode drive circuit 63 drives the light emitting diode 64 based on the input signal. The optical signal output from the light emitting diode 64 is output from the lens system 60.

On the other hand, in the light receiving section 48, the optical signal input from the lens system 60 is detected by the high speed PIN photodetector 65 and converted into an electrical signal. The detection signal is amplified by the preamplifier 66, then demodulated by the FM demodulator 67, and then amplified by the amplifier 68 and output.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 5A shows the operation of the handy scanner 1, and FIG. 5B shows the operation of the main body 2. Is shown.

When the start key 77 for instructing the start of reading the document information is pressed, the document information is read by the scanner 31 and converted into image information of an electric signal in step S101. In step S 102, the read image information is encoded and compressed by the compression unit 32 and stored in the image memory 33. In step S103, it is determined whether the reading of the document information is completed. Whether or not the reading of the document information is completed is determined based on the rotation speed of the roller 74 provided for detecting the scanning speed of the handy scanner, for example.

When the reading of the manuscript information is completed, in step S104, the user instructs whether the image information is the image information for transmission or the manuscript only for making a copy.

If the document is simply a copy document, the process goes to step S106, and if it is the image information for transmission,
In step S105, the user operates the operation panel 34.
The destination telephone number is input from and is stored in the RAM 37.

In step S106, it is determined whether or not there is a transfer instruction. When the user presses the transfer key 76 on the operation panel 34 to instruct the transfer, the identification code registered in advance in the ROM 36 is read out, converted into an optical signal and transferred from the light transmitting unit 38 in step S107. It In step S108, the image information stored in the image memory 33 is converted into an optical signal together with the telephone number stored in the RAM 37 and transferred from the light transmitting unit 38.

On the other hand, in the main body section 2, in step S121, the light receiving section 48 determines whether or not there is an optical signal from the handy scanner 1, and when the optical signal is received, step S1.
At 22, the identification code is extracted from that and the RAM 4
It is output to 7. In step S123, the work area managed by the identification code is set on the RAM 47.

In step S124, the image information received by the light receiving section 48 and the telephone number of the transmission destination are stored in the image memory 43 and the RAM 47, respectively. Step S1
In 25, it is determined whether the image information is image information for transmission or image information for copy. If it is image information for transmission, the process proceeds to step S126, and if it is image information for copy, step S129. Go to.

In step S126, the telephone number of the transmission destination stored in the RAM 47 is read and automatically dialed by the NCU 44 to transmit the image information. When the transmission of the image information is completed, the communication record is output to the RAM 47 in step S127. In step S128,
A communication record is registered in the work area managed by the identification code.

On the other hand, in step S129, the image information stored in the image memory 43 is printed by the printer 41. When the printing of the image information is completed, step S
At 130, the number of prints is output to the RAM 47.
In step S131, the number of prints is stored in the work area managed by the identification code.

According to this embodiment, each handy scanner 1
Since the communication record and the number of recording papers used are managed by the unique identification code for each, even when a plurality of handy scanners are provided, the use status of each handy scanner can be easily grasped. As a result, it becomes easy to manage the charge and the charge for the recording paper.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same symbols as those used in the preceding description represent the same or corresponding portions. Since the configuration of the handy scanner 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that described above, only the configuration of the main body 2a is shown here.

In the figure, in the identification code registration means 25, the identification code of the handy scanner permitted to use the facsimile apparatus is registered in advance.
The comparison means 24 compares the identification code detected by the identification code detection means 22 with the identification code registered in the identification code registration means 25, and outputs the comparison result to the facsimile communication means 21. Facsimile communication means 21
Limits the operation of the main body portion 2a based on the comparison result of the comparison means 24.

In such a configuration, the identification code transferred from the handy scanner 1 is the identification code detecting means 2
When detected by 2, the detected identification code is compared with the identification code registered in the identification code registration means 25 by the comparison means 24. The identification code registered in the identification code registration means 25 is not limited to one, but the identification codes of all the handy scanners permitted to use the facsimile apparatus are registered.

The comparing means 24, when the identification code detected by the identification code detecting means 22 is registered in the identification code registering means 25, the facsimile communicating means 21.
Is allowed to receive image information and is not registered,
The facsimile communication means 21 is prohibited from receiving image information.

The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 4 and the flowchart of FIG. In addition, in the flowchart of FIG.
Since the same or equivalent processing is executed in the processing designated by the same reference numeral as in FIG. 5, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the main body portion 2a, in step S121, the light receiving portion 48 determines whether or not there is an optical signal from the handy scanner portion 1, and when the optical signal is received, step S12.
In 2, the identification code is extracted from it and the RAM 47
To be remembered. In step S140, the ROM 46 is stored in advance.
Alternatively, the identification code registered in the RAM 47 is compared with the detected identification code, and if the identification code that matches the detected identification code is registered, input of image information is permitted, and the image information is not registered. The input of image information is prohibited, and the process ends.

When the input of image information is permitted, step S
At 142, the received image information and the telephone number of the transmission destination are stored in the image memory 43 and the RAM 47, respectively. In step S143, it is determined whether the image information is image information for transmission or image information for copying. If the image information is for transmission, the process proceeds to step S144.
If the image information is for copying, the process proceeds to step S145.

In step S144, the telephone number of the transmission destination stored in the RAM 47 is read out and automatically dialed by the NCU 44 to transmit the image information. On the other hand, in step S145, the image information stored in the image memory 43 is printed by the printer 41.

According to the present embodiment, the remote operation of the main body 2a by the handy scanner is permitted only when the identification code registered in advance in the main body 2a and the identification code output from the handy scanner match. Therefore, even if a plurality of main bodies are arranged close to each other, only a desired main body can be remotely operated.

Further, since remote operation from the handy scanner which outputs different identification codes is prohibited, illegal use or erroneous operation is prevented.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the identification code output from the handy scanner has been described as being registered in advance in the handy scanner, but the present invention is not limited to this. The user may input the identification code from the operation unit 34 of the handy scanner 1 during use.

In this way, each user can use all the handy scanners, and thus the handy scanners can be used efficiently.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention, in which the same reference numerals as those used above represent the same or equivalent portions. In this embodiment, the structure of the main body is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that only the structure of the handy scanner 1a is shown here.

In the figure, the identification code is input from the identification code input means 15 by the user and output to the comparison means 16. In the identification code registration means 17, an identification code for specifying an individual user who is permitted to use the facsimile machine or a department to which the user belongs is registered in advance. The identification code registration means 1
The identification code registered in 7 is not limited to one, but all the identification codes of the users who are permitted to use the facsimile apparatus are registered.

The comparison means 16 is the identification code input means 15
The identification code output from the ID code is compared with the identification code registered in the identification code registration means 17, and if they match,
The image information reading unit 10 is allowed to read the image information, and if the two do not match, the image information reading is prohibited.

In such a structure, when the handy scanner 1a reads document information and tries to transfer the image information to the main body, the user first inputs his own identification code. If the identification code input by the user is registered in the identification code registration means 17, the comparison means 1
Since the image information is permitted to be read by 6 so that the image information can be read and transferred, the image information is permitted to be read unless the inputted identification code is registered in the identification code registration means 17. , It becomes impossible to read image information.

According to this embodiment, the handy scanner cannot be used unless the identification code entered by the user and the identification code registered in advance in the handy scanner cannot be used. Use is prevented.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus having a plurality of handy scanners, the operations of the handy scanner unit and the main body unit are managed by the identification code. The effect is achieved. (1) Since the communication records and the number of used recording papers are managed and stored for each identification code of the handy scanner, it becomes easy to manage the charge and the recording paper charge for each handy scanner. (2) Only when the identification code output from the handy scanner and the identification code registered in advance on the main unit match.
Since the operation of the main body is permitted, only a desired device can be remotely operated even when a plurality of main bodies are installed close to each other. (3) Since the operation of the handy scanner is permitted only when the identification code registered in advance in the handy scanner and the identification code input by the user match, unauthorized use by a person other than the authorized user is prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a handy scanner that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a light transmitting unit and a light receiving unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Handy scanner part, 2 ... Main body part, 10 ... Original document information reading means, 11 ... Compression means, 12 ... Image information storage means, 1
3 ... Identification code output means, 14 ... Transfer means, 15 ... Identification code input means, 16, 24 ... Comparison means, 17, 25 ...
Identification code registration means, 20 ... Receiving means, 21 ... Facsimile communication means, 22 ... Identification code detecting means, 23 ... Processing result storing means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Toshitaka Nakagawa             Fujize, 3-7-1, Fuchu, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture             Rox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office (72) Inventor Yutaka Uehara             Fujize, 3-7-1, Fuchu, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture             Rox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a facsimile apparatus in which a scanner section for reading image information is separated from a main body section of a facsimile apparatus, and the image information read by the scanner section is transferred to the main body section for processing, the scanner side optically reads the original information. Document information reading means for reading and converting the image information into image information, image information storage means for storing the image information, identification code output means for outputting an identification code unique to the scanner, and stored image information and the identification code. The main body side comprises an identification code detecting means for detecting the identification code transferred from the scanner side, and a storage means for managing a storage area by the detected identification code. A facsimile, characterized in that the processing result of the transferred image information is stored in a storage means based on the identification code. Location. 2. In a facsimile apparatus in which a scanner section for reading image information is separated from the main body section of the facsimile apparatus, and the image information read by the scanner section is transferred to the main body section for processing, the scanner side optically reads the original information. Document information reading means for reading and converting the image information into image information, image information storage means for storing the image information, identification code output means for outputting an identification code unique to the scanner, and stored image information and the identification code. The main body side comprises a transfer means for transferring to the main body side, the main body side is an identification code detection means for detecting the identification code transferred from the scanner side, an identification code registration means for registering an identification code of a specific scanner, and the detection means. Comparing the registered identification code with the registered identification code, and providing a comparison means for limiting the operation of the main body unit according to the comparison result. A facsimile machine characterized by. 3. In a facsimile apparatus in which a scanner section for reading image information is separated from a main body section of a facsimile apparatus, and the image information read by the scanner section is transferred to the main body section for processing, the scanner side optically reads the original information. A document information reading unit that reads the image information and converts it into image information; an image information storage unit that stores the image information; an identification code output unit that outputs a first identification code unique to the scanner; and a second identification code. Comparing the identification code input means for inputting with the first identification code and the second identification code,
A facsimile apparatus comprising: a comparing unit that limits the operation of the scanner unit according to a comparison result.