JPH06121127A - Facsimile equipment and facsimile system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the recognized result of the same mark sheet from being stored in duplex or transmitted for every time when the mark sheet is read. CONSTITUTION:A local FAX 1 detects the duplex reading of the same mark sheet due to a scanner based on the mark presence/absence recognized result (mark data) of the mark sheet. Further, the format of the mark sheet read by the scanner is discriminated based on the mark data. When the plural mark sheets in the same format are read, the mark data for each mark sheet are integrated, outputted in the form of a report and transferred to a center FAX 2 by utilizing a telephone line. Otherwise, the center FAX 2 can collect the integrated mark data of each local FAX 1 through the telephone line. On the other hand, various set contents containing the item name of the mark sheet format discriminated by each local FAX 1 can be changed by a personal computer 3.

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 a facsimile system having a mark sheet reading function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a facsimile machine, in order to conveniently realize registration of its own facsimile function and the like, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-81162, device parameters are read by reading a mark sheet. A facsimile machine which is stored and set, or, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2-141171, reads a destination telephone number written on a mark sheet on a transmission original, and a telephone line is based on the telephone number. There has been proposed a facsimile apparatus or the like in which image data of a transmission original is transmitted by connecting the above.

[0003]

However, in the former facsimile machine, since the device parameter of the read mark sheet is always stored, if the same mark sheet is read twice by the operator's mistake, the same mark sheet is read. Since the device parameters are stored separately, there is a problem that the memory is wasted.

Further, since the above-mentioned facsimile transmission in the latter facsimile apparatus is carried out every time when the mark sheet is read, there is a problem that the communication time may take a long time and the call charge will be high. . The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and prevents the result of recognition of the same mark sheet from being stored in duplicate or transmitted each time the mark sheet is read, thereby effectively using the memory. The purpose is to shorten the communication time. Another object is to provide a facsimile system suitable for use as an ordering / ordering system for goods.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a facsimile having mark sheet reading means for reading a mark sheet and mark presence / absence recognizing means for recognizing the presence / absence of a mark in the mark sheet read by the means. The apparatus is provided with a unit for detecting double reading of the same mark sheet by the mark sheet reading unit based on the recognition result by the mark presence / absence recognizing unit.

Further, the format determining means for determining the format of the mark sheet read by the mark sheet reading means based on the recognition result by the mark presence / absence recognizing means, and the mark sheet of the same format determined by the means are plural by the mark sheet reading means. There is also provided a facsimile apparatus provided with a recognition result accumulating means for accumulating the recognition result for each mark sheet by the mark presence / absence recognizing means when a sheet is read.

Further, the facsimile apparatus may be provided with a unit for outputting the result of integration by the recognition result integration unit in a report format. Further, it is preferable to provide an integration result transfer means for transferring the integration result by the recognition result integration means to the facsimile machine of the center by using the telephone line.

On the other hand, a plurality of facsimile machines provided with the accumulation result transfer means are arranged as local facsimile machines, and the facsimile machines are connected to each of the facsimile machines via a telephone line. Also provided is a facsimile system provided with a facsimile machine of a center for collecting the accumulated results.

Further, it is preferable to provide a common means for changing various setting contents including the item name of the mark sheet format discriminated by the format discriminating means in each local facsimile apparatus.

[0010]

According to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, since the double reading of the same mark sheet by the mark sheet reading means is detected based on the recognition result by the mark presence / absence recognizing means, the recognition result of the same mark sheet is duplicated. Since it is not stored in the memory, the memory can be effectively used.

Further, the recognition result of the same mark sheet will not be erroneously transmitted to another facsimile apparatus twice. For example, even when this facsimile machine is used for the ordering / ordering business of goods, the contents of the ordered goods are written on the mark sheet, and it is read and sent to another facsimile machine, the contents of the ordered goods sent are It is possible to prevent overlapping troubles.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the format of the mark sheet read by the mark sheet reading means is discriminated based on the recognition result by the mark presence / absence recognizing means, and the mark sheet of the discriminated same format is read by the mark sheet. When a plurality of sheets are read by the means, since the recognition result for each mark sheet by the mark presence / absence recognizing means is integrated, transmission to another facsimile apparatus does not have to be performed each time the mark sheet is read, and the communication time is long. It will not be lost.

For example, when this facsimile apparatus is used for ordering and ordering of articles, the ordering of articles by facsimile communication does not have to be performed every time when the mark sheet is read, so that it is collectively performed on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Therefore, it is possible to save the call charge and eliminate the complexity of managing.

Basically, a reading error should not occur, but it may be 100 due to stains on the mark sheet.
It cannot be said that% reading does not occur. Therefore, if the accumulated result by the recognition result accumulating means can be output in a report format, the reading error can be confirmed by the report, so that the facsimile transmission by reading the mark sheet (for example, ordering of articles) can be performed more reliably, Trouble can be prevented.

Further, if the result of integration by the recognition result integration means is transferred to the facsimile machine at the center by using the telephone line, the facsimile transmission by reading the mark sheet can be executed at any time for 24 hours. For example, when this is used in the ordering / ordering business for goods, there is no need to worry about the slips being lost, and there is no need to install a special line, so that a reliable ordering / ordering system for goods can be easily constructed.

According to the facsimile system of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the center facsimile machine collects the accumulated result in each local facsimile machine which can transfer the accumulated result as described above, through the telephone line.
Management is easier than transmission (for example, ordering of goods) from each local facsimile machine at random time.

It should be noted that if various setting contents including the item name of the mark sheet format discriminated by the format discriminating means in each local facsimile can be changed by common means, the operator can change the setting contents for each local facsimile. Since there is no need to change it, it is possible to prevent troubles due to input mistakes. In particular, since it is almost impossible to input the characters one by one to change the item name, the above-mentioned configuration improves usability and saves a lot of time.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

A local facsimile apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "local FAX") 1 has the same function as a conventional facsimile apparatus, and also reads a mark sheet by a scanner which is a document reading section, recognizes the presence or absence of the mark, and integrates the mark sheet. Functions and the facsimile machine of the center (hereinafter referred to as "Center F
2) (referred to as "AX").

The center FAX 2 has, in addition to the same function as the local FAX 1, an I / F board for transmitting / receiving various data including mark integration data to / from the personal computer (PC) 3. Figure 2 shows a local fax
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of 1, a scanner 4, a plotter 5, an encoding / decoding unit 6, a mark memory 7, a mark recognition unit 8, a modem 9, a network control unit 10, an operation display unit 11, and a system control unit. It consists of 13.

The scanner 4 reads image information of a document to be conveyed by a line sensor such as a CCD,
The mark sheet is also read here. The plotter 5 records the read image information on recording paper or records and outputs various reports. The encoding / decoding unit 6 compresses image information or mark data accumulated by a known encoding method or decodes the received image information or mark data to reproduce the original image information or mark data. To do.

The mark memory 7 is a memory for storing the accumulated mark data or the received mark data. The mark recognition unit 8 detects and recognizes the presence or absence of a mark on the read mark sheet. The modem 9 modulates and demodulates image information or mark data and transmits it, and also transmits various procedure signals for transmission control.

The network control unit 10 is connected to a telephone line and performs predetermined line control when making or receiving a call. The operation display unit 11 is composed of a display device for displaying various information including the operating state of the facsimile device and various operation keys for the operator to perform various operations. System control unit 13
Is a microprocessor for controlling each of the above parts, a ROM,
It is a microcomputer including a RAM and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the center FAX 2, and the parts corresponding to those in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals. The center FAX 2 has the same function as the local FAX 1 shown in FIG. 2 and an RS for transferring the mark data to the connected personal computer (PC) 3.
An external I / F unit 12 such as 232C or SCSI is provided.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram showing an example of a mark sheet used in this facsimile system. A
Is a start mark, which is a mark which is first detected when the local FAX 1 of FIG. 1 starts reading the marsheet by the scanner 4 of FIG. 2. If this start mark is not at the specified position, error processing is performed. .

B is an initial tilt limit judgment mark. When skew occurs when the mark sheet is set on the original table or is conveyed to the reading position, the mark sheet is tilted and read. Then, the certainty of the presence / absence of the mark is lowered, so that the local FAX 1 uses the initial tilt limit determination mark B
The inclination of the mark sheet is detected by, and error processing is performed if it is outside the allowable range.

C is a guide mark, which includes an item mark D and a serial number. When the local FAX 1 detects the guide mark C on the line where the mark E and the like exist, the item mark D and the serial N are detected from the line.
o. The presence or absence of the mark E is detected. Further, if the skew increases due to some factor during the conveyance of the mark sheet, the item mark D may not be detected. Therefore, the left and right guide marks C are always read while being conveyed to detect the inclination of the mark sheet. However, if the inclination becomes unacceptable, error processing is performed.

Serial No. The mark E is stored for each mark sheet, and is used for double reading detection of the same mark sheet and mark sheet management. F is the format number. The mark is provided to enable the reading of mark sheets of several types of formats, and the No. decided for each different format. Is marked.

G is a deletion mark, which is for subtracting the integration result of the items marked on the mark sheet, and is marked when the mark integration is canceled. Item mark D is
One item is assigned to each item, and the item that the user wants to order is marked and the local FAX
Read by 1. H is an end mark, which indicates the end of the mark sheet, and when the local FAX 1 is not at the position as specified, like the start mark A, error processing is performed.

Among the various marks described above, the start mark A, the initial tilt limit judgment mark B, the guide mark C, the format number. The mark F and the end mark H are originally blacked out and printed, and are collectively referred to as control marks. Also, other item marks D, serial N
o. The mark E and the delete mark G are printed in dropout color and are marked by a ballpoint pen or the like when needed by each user, and are collectively referred to as a user mark.

Next, the operation of this embodiment thus constructed will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. First, the operator presses the mark sheet reading mode key on the operation display unit 11 of the local FAX 1 to set the local FAX 1 to the mark sheet reading mode.
Next, the mark sheet to be read is set on the original table. Then, by pressing the start key, the reading operation of the mark sheet is started, and at the same time, the presence or absence of the mark is detected.

Now, a method of detecting the presence / absence of marks written on the mark sheet of FIG. 4 will be described. The size of the item mark D is 1 mm × 4 mm, the reading density is 200 DPI, and the range of 2 mm × 4 mm surrounding the mark is read. For example, when the item mark D surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 4 is read by the scanner 4 (line sensor) and binarized, it is assumed that an output as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. In addition, B indicates a black pixel and blank indicates a white pixel.

Then, it is judged whether or not each of the lines is painted black by the recognition processing shown in (1) and (2) below. (1) When three consecutive black pixels on the current line (recognition line) are detected, and at least three dots or more in the vertical direction are on the same address as the next line (reference line) (enclosed by a broken line) Then, the line is judged to be painted black.

(2) Lines that satisfy the above conditions (K lines) and lines that do not meet (R lines) are counted, and K lines are detected above a threshold value (Ko line), and R lines are detected as a threshold value (Ro line). Line) In the following cases, it is judged that the mark is painted black. The recognition process is performed only on the line where the guide mark C is detected and the detected mark position when ideally read.

6 to 8 are flow charts showing a mark sheet reading process by the system control unit 13 of the local FAX 1. This routine starts when the start key is pressed, first detects the start mark A while conveying the mark sheet, and when the start mark A is detected, checks whether the position is within the allowable range. If it is not within the allowable range, it is judged as an error and an error process for interrupting the reading operation is performed and the process is terminated.

If the mark sheet is within the allowable range, the left and right initial tilt limit judgment marks B are detected while the mark sheet is being conveyed. When both of the initial tilt limit judgment marks B are detected, the positions thereof are within the allowable range. If it is within the allowable range, error processing is performed. If it is within the allowable range, the inclination of the mark sheet is calculated from the difference between the detection lines of the left and right initial inclination limit judgment marks B, and the inclination is within the allowable range. Determine if

If the inclination of the mark sheet is not within the allowable range, error processing is performed. If the inclination of the mark sheet is within the allowable range, the guide mark C is used to monitor the inclination of the mark sheet. When the mark E is detected and the serial number. Ask for. Here, the serial number. The mark E is a binary type No. such as 2 ¹ , 2 ² , ... 2 ^{10 in} order from the right side of the mark sheet as shown in FIG. Has become. Therefore, the mark sheet of FIG. 4 can count up to 1024.

Obtained serial number. Is a serial number (not shown). Stored in memory. For example, the serial number.
Serial No. up to 200 memory capacity If it is possible to store, it is possible to detect the double reading up to the past 200 sheets. When the number of read mark sheets exceeds 200, the serial number of the oldest read mark sheet is set.
Erased and newly read mark sheet serial N
o. To update.

Serial No. Serial number. When storing in memory, the serial number. And the serial No. of the mark sheet that has been read before. And the same serial number. If it is, the error processing is performed, but if it is different, the format number is checked while monitoring the inclination of the mark sheet with the guide mark C. When the mark F is detected, the format number. And the format number.
Then, the maximum number of marks of that format is set in a mark counter (soft counter) not shown.

Here, the format number. Is N that is added every time the number of item marks D, the type of item, etc. differ.
o. Format No. The mark sheet of different form can be read by reading and recognizing the mark F. Format No. The mark F is a binary type No. such as 2 ¹ , 2 ² , 2 ³ , 2 ^{4 in} order from the right of the mark sheet. Has become. Therefore, in the mark sheet as shown in FIG. 4, 16 kinds of mark sheets can be discriminated.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the structure of the mark presence / absence recognition result (mark data). This mark data is not generated for each mark sheet, but for one format number. It is generated for each. Therefore, the same format number. When a plurality of mark sheets of No. 1 are read, the first mark data is used as the mark memory 7 of FIG.
Then, the second mark data is added to the first mark data.

In this way, the same format No. read in a certain period. Mark data are all added (integrated). If you add the mark data you just read to this mark data,
If the mark sheet just read is out of specification or if a skew error or the like occurs during reading, the mark data added up to then must be canceled.

Since such a process becomes extremely complicated, a mark memory area (mark memory working area) for storing the mark data currently read is provided, and all the reading is completed normally, and the data read just now is read. Is added, it is added to the integration result read in the past at that time.

Returning to the flow of FIG. 7, the presence or absence of the deletion mark G is detected while monitoring the inclination of the mark sheet with the guide mark. Here, the deletion mark G indicates whether or not the read mark data is subtracted from the mark data accumulated so far. It may be marked here if subtraction is desired, or may be unmarked if addition is desired.

When the deletion mark G is detected, the erase flags ERASE and FLAG are set, and when the deletion mark G is not detected, the erase flags ERASE and FLAG are set.
Then, while monitoring the inclination of the mark sheet with the guide mark C, the presence or absence of the item mark C is sequentially detected from the item mark address (1, 1) and stored in the mark memory work area of the mark memory 7, Decrement mark counter (-1) each time detection is performed
To do.

After that, it is judged whether or not the count value of the mark counter is "0", and after it becomes "0", the end mark is detected while monitoring the inclination of the mark sheet with the guide mark, and the position is within the allowable range. Check if it is within the allowable range, perform error processing if it is not within the allowable range, finish all reading if within the allowable range, and report the result of the mark data just read as shown in Fig. 9. And a display prompting whether or not the data just read may be added or subtracted.

For example, "CONFIRMATION O
Then, the user confirms the report, and if the result of the mark data is normal, the user presses the Yes key. If not, the No key is pressed. When is pressed, the contents of the mark memory work area of the mark memory 7 are added to or subtracted from the integrated data read in the past.

That is, the erase flag ERASE F
If LAG is not set, the mark data just read is added to the mark data accumulated so far,
When the erase flag ERASE / FLAG is set, the mark data just read is subtracted from the integration result read in the past. If the integrated data read in the past is “0”, it is not subtracted and remains as it is. When the No key is pressed, the mark data just read is erased.

If the local FAX 1 has integrated mark data, the data can be transmitted by the same procedure as the normal facsimile image information transmission. That is, it may be considered that ASCII and binary data having the configuration shown in FIG. 9 are transmitted instead of the image information. Figure 10
Shows the protocol flow when transmitting and receiving the accumulated mark data.

First, the called-in center FAX2 is
(MARK) informs the local FAX 1 on the transmitting side whether or not the integrated mark data reception function is available and whether or not it is ready to receive. Local FA that received it
If the center FAX2, which is the other device, can receive the integrated mark data, the X1 informs that the integrated mark data will be transmitted by NSS (MARK). After that, the transmission / reception is performed in the same procedure as the normal image information transmission / reception, except that the transmitted data is the integrated mark data instead of the image information.

The center FAX 2 has a function of transferring the integrated mark data to the personal computer 3 through the external I / F unit 12 as a function different from that of the local FAX 1. This external I / F unit 12 is an RS232C or SC.
Any I / F such as SI may be used. FIG. 11 shows the exchange of data and response at that time. Center FA
When X2 receives the integrated mark data from the local FAX 1 by the above method, the X2 automatically executes the transfer operation to the personal computer 3.

On the other hand, when the personal computer 3 normally receives the integrated mark data (MD data), it returns a data response (DR response) indicating that the data has been normally received. Data response to center FA
When the X2 is normally received, the transfer of the integrated mark data is completed. If the integrated mark data or the data response cannot be normally received for some reason, the receiving side again sends an RPT command requesting the sending of the same data, as shown in FIG. When the RPT command is received, the data sent before receiving the RPT command is sent again.

As described above, since the local FAX 1 of the ordering station in this embodiment detects the double reading of the same mark sheet based on the recognition result (mark data) of the presence or absence of the mark on the mark sheet, the mark data of the same mark sheet is detected. Is double stored in the mark memory 7,
There will be no duplicate transmission to the center FAX2. Therefore, the memory can be effectively used, and at the same time, it is possible to avoid the trouble that the articles ordered to the center FAX 2 are duplicated.

Further, the format of the mark sheet is discriminated based on the mark data in the read mark sheet, and when a plurality of mark sheets having the same format are read, the mark data for each mark sheet is added up. It is not necessary to perform transmission (ordering operation of articles) every time the mark sheet is read, and for example, it can be collectively performed on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, so that it is possible to save call charges and eliminate the complexity of management. it can.

Furthermore, when the mark sheet for cancellation is read, necessary items are subtracted from the accumulated mark data, so that the order quantity can be changed or canceled easily. Furthermore, since the accumulated mark data is output in the form of a report, it is possible to confirm a reading error by a report, and it is possible to more reliably place an order for an article by reading the mark sheet and prevent a trouble from occurring.

Furthermore, since the accumulated mark data is transferred to the center FAX 2 using the telephone line, the ordering by reading the mark sheet can be executed at any time for 24 hours, and there is no fear of losing the order slip.
Furthermore, since there is no need to install a special line, a reliable and ordering system for goods can be easily constructed.

A center FAX having the control unit shown in FIG.
In the facsimile system (ordering and ordering system for goods) that uses, local FAX1 → center FAX2 →
Only the one-way integrated mark data is transferred like the personal computer 3. Further, in this facsimile system, one set of the center FAX 2 and the personal computer 3 installed in the order receiving station must cope with the order receiving of articles from the local FAX 1 which is considered to be installed in several dozen offices.

Therefore, it is conceivable to manage the ordering of articles from all the local FAX 1 by the instruction of the center FAX 2 or the personal computer 3 (described below). That is, it is easier to manage an order received collectively from an instruction from the center FAX 2 or the personal computer 3 than to receive an order from a local FAX at random times. Furthermore, each local FA
It is more convenient not to perform operations for ordering from X.

Next, a facsimile system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the control unit of the center FAX 2 of FIG. 2 is different, FIG. 1 will be used again. In this embodiment, what is different from the above-described embodiment is that orders from all local FAXes are managed by a command from the center FAX 2 or the personal computer 3, which will be specifically described.

FIG. 13 shows the center FA in this embodiment.
It is a block showing a configuration example of X2, and the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to those in FIG. In the center FAX 2, 14 is an item storage memory for storing the item name of the item mark for each format, and 15 is a mark parameter storage memory for storing parameters necessary for reading the mark sheet and transmitting / receiving the integrated mark data.

In the facsimile system using the center FAX 2 thus constructed, the local FAX is used.
A procedure for sucking up the data from the center FAX 2 when the integrated mark data 1 exists will be described. It can be considered that this is performed in the same procedure as the polling reception function for normal image information. However, it is enough to think that the accumulated mark data will be absorbed instead of the image information.

When the user executes the integrated mark data download operation in the center FAX2, the center FAX2 creates a file for integrated mark data download. The file has a structure as shown in FIG. If the current time exceeds the calling time, the center FA
X2 issues a call to the local FAX 1 having the FAX number set in this file to take up the integrated mark data.

FIG. 15 shows a protocol flow when the integrated mark data is downloaded. First, the local FAX 1 which is the called side informs the center FAX 2 of the other party whether or not the local FAX 1 has the function of transmitting the integrated mark data by NSF (MARK) or is capable of transmitting the integrated mark data.

Upon receipt of this, the center FAX 2 receives the NSC
(MARK) is sent to inform the local FAX 1 that it is a polling request for integrated mark data. next,
The local FAX 1 sends NSS (MARK) to notify the center FAX 2 that the integrated mark data will be sent. After that, transmission / reception is performed in the same procedure as the normal image information polling except that the data to be transmitted is integrated mark data instead of image information.

As described above, the operation of the center FAX 2 is executed and the integrated mark data of the local FAX 1 is taken up. However, the operation of the center FAX 2 is not performed and the personal computer 3 is operated.
Center FAX2 automatically sends a local FAX by a command from
It is also possible to download the integrated mark data of 1. This will be described below.

FIG. 16 shows a transfer sequence when the integrated mark data of the local FAX 1 is downloaded by an instruction from the personal computer 3. First, the personal computer 3 sends a mark data command (MDC), which is a cumulative mark data sucking command of the local FAX 1, to the center FAX 2, and the center FAX 2 sends the mark data command (MDC).
Data response (DR) indicating that the message was received normally
Will be returned.

Here, the communication between the personal computer 3 and the center FAX 2 is temporarily interrupted, and then the center FA 2
X2 is the mark data command (M
Download the accumulated mark data of the local FAX1 designated by DC). After the siphoning is completed, the center FAX 2 transfers the mark data (MD) to the personal computer 3. The personal computer 3 which received it returns a data response (DR), and the siphoning procedure is completed.

17A, 17B and 17B show frame specifications of the mark data command (MDC), the mark data (MD) and the data response (DR), respectively. In addition,
In the actual data transfer between the personal computer 3 and the center FAX 2, a flag is added to the head and tail of each command frame in FIG. 17, and the data is transferred with zero insertion.

In FIG. 17A, LOCAL FAX No. in the information field indicates the FAX number (ASCII code) of the local FAX for which the integrated mark data is to be collected. Also, nbyte-A indicates that it is n bytes of ASCII data.

In FIG. 17 (b), LOCAL FAX No. in the information field is the FAX number (ASCII code) of the local FAX for which the accumulated mark data is collected, and START TIME is the date when the accumulation is started (AD, month,
14-byte ASCII code of day, hour, minute, second), EN
D TIME is the date when the integration is finished (AD, month, day, hour, minute,
14-byte ASCII code).

READ COUNT is START TIME and END TIME
The READ ERROR COUNT is STAR for the number of sheets (binary) read in the format indicated by FORMAT No.
The number of times a read error occurred in the format indicated by FORMAT No. during the integration period indicated by T TIME and END TIME (binary), FORMAT No. indicates the serial number of the accumulated format (binary), and ITEM No. indicates each format. Item address number (binary), and TOTAL DATA indicates the cumulative result (binary) of each item.
Furthermore, nbyte-A indicates that it is n-byte ASCII data, and nbyte-B indicates that it is n-byte binary data.

FIG. 18 shows a data transfer sequence when the item name of the mark sheet of the local FAX 1 is changed from the personal computer 3. First, a local F is sent from the personal computer 3 to the center FAX 2.
An item change (ICH) which is a command for changing the item name of AX1 is sent out, and the center FAX2 returns a data response (DR) indicating that the item change (ICH) is normally received.

Here, the communication between the personal computer 3 and the center FAX 2 is temporarily interrupted, and then the center FA 2
X2 transmits the new item name to the local FAX1 designated by the ICH using facsimile communication. It can be considered that the procedure is almost the same as the above-described transmission of the integrated mark data. However, since the sending and receiving are reversed and the total mark data is changed to the new item name, the information is changed to NSF (MAR).
K), NSS (MARK) must be entered.

When the transmission of the new item name is completed, the local FAX 1 stores it in the item name storage memory 1
Set to 4. On the other hand, the center FAX 2 informs the personal computer 3 that the new item name has been normally transmitted to the local FAX 1. Therefore, the TRRES (Tx Rx RE
Sult) is sent. Upon receiving TRRES, the personal computer 3 returns a data response (DR), and the procedure ends.

19 (a) and 19 (b), ICH and T respectively.
The frame specification of RRES is shown. In Fig. 19 (a), LOCAL FAX No. in the information field is the FAX number (ASCII code) of the local FAX whose item name you want to change, and NEW FORMAT No. is the serial number (ASCII code) of the new item name format.
ITEM NAME is the new item name (ASCII code)
Are shown respectively. In addition, nbyte-A indicates n-byte ASCII data, and nbyte-B indicates n-byte binary data.

In FIG. 19 (b), a RESPONSE CODE in the information field indicates a command for which the result is to be sent, and a command code is set. LOCAL FAX No. indicates a local FAX number (ASCII code) indicating which local FAX communication result is obtained. There are 00H and FFH as EXECUTE CODE, 00H is GOOD (NO ERROR) and FFH is NO GOOD (ERROR O
CCURRED) respectively.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the accumulated mark data in each local FAX 1 is set to the center FAX.
Receives an order via the telephone line (concentrates) and receives an order, which makes it easier to manage than an order is placed at random time from each local facsimile machine. In particular, if the center FAX is used to take up the integrated mark data according to a command from the personal computer 3, the operator of the center FAX 2 does not need to operate, so that only one dedicated operator of the personal computer 3 can carry out the ordering work. It

Further, since the common personal computer 3 can change various setting contents including the item name of the mark sheet format discriminated by each local FAX 1, the operator does not need to change the setting contents for each local FAX. It is possible to prevent troubles due to input mistakes. In particular, since it is almost impossible to input the characters one by one to change the item name, the above-mentioned configuration improves usability and saves a lot of time.

[0079]

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, since the recognition result of the same mark sheet is not stored twice, the memory can be effectively used. Further, it is possible to avoid the trouble that the recognition result of the same mark sheet is redundantly transmitted to another facsimile apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transmission to the other facsimile apparatus does not have to be performed every time the mark sheet is read, so that the communication time does not extend for a long time and the call charge is saved. The complexity of managing can be eliminated. According to the facsimile machine of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the facsimile machine of claim 2,
Since the reading error can be confirmed by the report, the facsimile transmission by reading the mark sheet can be performed more reliably, and the occurrence of trouble can be prevented.

According to the facsimile device of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the facsimile device of claim 2 or 3, the facsimile transmission by reading the mark sheet can be performed at any time for 24 hours. According to the fifth aspect of the facsimile system, management becomes easier than the above-mentioned transmission from each local facsimile apparatus at random time.

According to the sixth aspect of the facsimile system, the operator does not need to change various setting contents including the item name of the mark sheet format discriminated by each local facsimile apparatus for each local facsimile apparatus. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of trouble due to. In particular, since it is not necessary to key in each item to change the item name, the usability is improved and the time is greatly saved.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a local FAX of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a center FAX of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram showing an example of a mark sheet used in the embodiment of FIG.

5A and 5B are explanatory views for explaining a method of recognizing a mark sheet by the local FAX of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a mark sheet reading process by the local FAX of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart similarly showing the continuation thereof.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart similarly showing the continuation thereof.

9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of mark data (mark presence / absence recognition result) stored in the mark memory of FIG. 2. FIG.

10 is an explanatory diagram showing a protocol flow at the time of transmitting and receiving integrated mark data by the local FAX and the center FAX shown in FIG.

11 is an explanatory diagram showing exchange of accumulated mark data and a response between the local FAX and the personal computer when transmitting the accumulated mark data from the local FAX of FIG. 1 to the personal computer (PC).

12 is an explanatory diagram showing exchange of accumulated mark data and a response between the local FAX and the personal computer when the personal computer cannot normally receive the accumulated mark data transmitted from the local FAX of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a center FAX in a facsimile system of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a cumulative mark data siphoning file generated by the center FAX of the facsimile system.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a protocol flow by the center FAX and the local FAX at the time of collecting the accumulated mark data by the center FAX in the facsimile system.

FIG. 16 is a personal computer and a center FAX at the time of collecting accumulated mark data by an instruction from the personal computer in the facsimile system.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the data transfer sequence between a local FAX and.

[FIG. 17] Similarly, a personal computer, a center FAX, and a local F at the time of collecting the accumulated mark data.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the frame specification of each data transmitted / received by AX.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a data transfer sequence between the personal computer, the center FAX, and the local FAX when changing the item name of the mark sheet of the local FAX from the personal computer in the facsimile system.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing frame specifications of each data transmitted / received between the personal computer and the center FAX when the item name is changed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Local FAX 2 Center FA
X 3 Personal computer (PC) 4 Scanner 5 Plotter 6 Encoding / decoding unit 7 Mark memory 8 Mark recognition unit 9 Modem 10 Network control device 11 Operation display unit 12 External I /
F part 13 System control part 14 Item name storage memory 15 Mark parameter storage memory

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having mark sheet reading means for reading a mark sheet and mark presence / absence recognizing means for recognizing the presence / absence of a mark in the mark sheet read by the means, wherein the mark presence / absence recognizing means is used for the facsimile apparatus. A facsimile machine provided with means for detecting double reading of the same mark sheet by the mark sheet reading means. 2. A facsimile apparatus having mark sheet reading means for reading a mark sheet and mark presence / absence recognizing means for recognizing the presence / absence of a mark on the mark sheet read by the means, wherein the mark presence / absence recognizing means is used for the facsimile apparatus. Format determining means for determining the format of the mark sheet read by the mark sheet reading means,
When a plurality of mark sheets of the same format discriminated by the means are read by the mark sheet reading means, a recognition result accumulating means for accumulating the recognition result for each mark sheet by the mark presence / absence recognizing means is provided. And a facsimile machine. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for outputting the result of integration by the recognition result integration means in a report format. 4. The facsimile machine according to claim 2, further comprising means for transferring the result of the recognition result accumulating means to the facsimile machine at the center by using a telephone line. 5. A plurality of facsimile machines according to claim 4 are arranged as local facsimile machines, and
Connected to each of the facsimile machines via a telephone line,
A facsimile system comprising a center facsimile device for collecting the integration result by the integration result integrating means in each of the facsimile devices. 6. The facsimile machine according to claim 5, further comprising a common means for changing various setting contents including an item name of a mark sheet format discriminated by the format discrimination means in each of the local facsimile machines. And a facsimile system.