JPH06133094A - Picture input/output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain easy access at the time of reprinting and transferring infor mation to another terminal equipment by preventing a memory from capacity shortage. CONSTITUTION:Information of a document, etc., which is read by a scanner 4 for copying or transmission is stored in an external memory 21 by putting a file number. The file number stored in the external memory 21 at the time of storing the piece of information is stored in an IC card 22. At the time of reutilizing stored information, information is read by retrieving the external memory 21 through the use of file information stored in the IC card 22.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input / output device such as a digital copying device or a facsimile device, and more particularly to reprinting information of a copied original and transferring the copied original or transmitted image data to another terminal device. It is about the facilitation of.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital copying apparatus copies information of an original on a recording sheet and, like a facsimile apparatus, connects it to a work network to transfer the information of the read original to another terminal apparatus. can do. In order to effectively demonstrate the function of copying information on this recording paper and the function of transferring information to another terminal device, all the information read at the time of copying is stored in an IC card or floppy disk, and the original information is stored. A copying apparatus that reprints a document by using information stored in an IC card or the like without reading the document again or transfers the information to another terminal device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-312775 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. -147958, JP-A-1-272261, JP-A-2-239771 and the like.

As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-186057, when information such as a document is transmitted to a plurality of terminal devices, a management report is output to clarify the appropriateness of the transmission result. .

[0004]

However, if all the information read at the time of copying is stored in the IC card or floppy disk as described above, there is a problem that the memory capacity becomes insufficient.

Further, when using the information, there is a disadvantage that it takes a long access time if the information such as an IC card storing all the information read at the time of copying is searched and read.

Further, if the management report confirms and manages the propriety of transmission when information such as a manuscript is transmitted to a plurality of terminal devices, the management report is output on recording paper each time. The management report is simply discarded when the contents are confirmed, and the recording paper is wasted. Furthermore, the management report recorded on the recording paper may be lost before confirmation, and in some cases the transmission result cannot be confirmed.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above disadvantages, and it is possible to prevent shortage of the memory capacity and to easily access the information when reprinting or transferring information to another terminal device and transfer result. Another object is to obtain an image input / output device that can be easily checked.

[0008]

A first image input / output device according to the present invention is for reading and copying a document, and has a scanner, a plotter, an external storage means and a file information storage means, and the scanner is a copy machine. The document is read by the scanner, the plotter records the information of the document read by the scanner on the recording paper, and the external storage unit adds the file number to the information of the document read by the scanner and stores it in the external storage device. Is characterized in that the file number stored in the external storage device is stored as file information in a removable storage medium.

It is preferable that the file information storage means stores a part of the document information stored in the external storage device together with the file number stored in the external storage device as file information in a removable storage medium.

Further, the image input / output device has a file information reading means and a searching means, the file information reading means reads the file information stored in a removable storage medium, and the searching means is the file information reading means. It is characterized in that the information of the document stored in the external storage device is searched by the read file information and is sent to the reading plotter and recorded on the recording paper.

The file information storage means converts the file number stored in the external storage device into a bar code and sends it to the plotter as file information, or with the bar code converted the file number, the external storage device. A part of the document information stored in may be read out as file information and sent to the plotter for recording on recording paper.

In this case, the file information reading means reads the file information recorded on the recording paper, the searching means searches the document information stored in the external storage device based on the read file information, and sends it to the reading plotter.

Further, it has a communication control means connected to the data communication network, the file information reading means reads the file information by the number received by the communication control means, and the searching means reads the file read by the file information reading means. The information of the document stored in the external storage device is retrieved and read out based on the information, and sent out to another terminal device of the data communication network through the communication control means.

Further, another image input / output apparatus according to the present invention is for reading and transmitting a transmission document, and has a scanner, an external storage means and a file information storage means, and the scanner reads the document to be transmitted and externally transmits it. The storage means attaches a file number to the image data of the transmission document read by the scanner and stores it as transmission information in the external storage device, and the file information storage means stores the file number of the transmission information stored in the external storage device as a file. The information is stored in a removable storage medium as information.

Each time the transmission document is transmitted, the transmission confirmation means confirms whether or not the transmission result is appropriate and stores it in the transmission information of the external storage device. When the transmission confirmation means confirms the transmission failure, the image data is read out by the instruction of the retransmission and is transmitted again.

Further, it has a communication control means connected to the data communication network, the file information is read by the file information reading means by the number received by the communication control means, and the internal storage device or the external storage is read by the read file information. The image data stored in the device is searched and read, and the read file information or image data is sent to the terminal device of the data communication network through the communication control means.

In addition, a plurality of file information or image data
Connect the data and send it to the terminal device of the data communication network,
It is preferable to display a part of the document or image data sent to the terminal device of the data communication network on the display unit.

[0018]

According to the present invention, information such as a document read by a scanner for copying or transmission is given a file number by the external storage means and stored in the external storage device for storage. When this information is saved, the file information creation means stores the file number stored in the external storage device as file information in the removable storage medium by the file information storage means. When reusing the stored information, the external storage device is searched by using the file information stored in the removable storage medium and the information is read.

By storing a part of the document information stored in the external storage device as the file information together with the file number stored in the external storage device in the removable storage medium,
Make it easy to check file information.

Further, by converting the file number stored in the external storage device into a bar code, the work of reading the information can be simplified.

Further, by using the above-mentioned function with the data communication network, the information such as the document is directly printed without printing.
The stored information is used by another terminal device or the like by transferring the stored information to the terminal device or the like connected to the communication network.

When a document or the like is transmitted to another terminal device connected to the data communication network or a facsimile connected to the public line, the suitability of the transmission is confirmed, and the document is retransmitted due to poor transmission. Reads out information such as a stored document and sends it out. When sending information such as this document, clarify the information to be sent by displaying a part of the document.

[0023]

1 is a block diagram showing a digital copying apparatus which is an image input / output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the digital copying apparatus 1 includes a main control section 2 for managing the entire apparatus, an operation section 3, a scanner 4 for reading a document to be copied, and a plotter 5 for recording information of the read document on a recording sheet. A memory 6 in which various control programs are stored and which temporarily stores information of the read document,
A compression / decompression unit 7 that encodes and decodes the read information.
And external storage unit 8, search unit 9, file information storage unit 1
0, file information reading unit 11 and LAN communication control unit 12
Have.

The external storage unit 8 is an external storage device including a large-capacity hard disk such as a readable / writable optical file attached to the digital copying apparatus 1 by attaching a file number to the information of the document read by the scanner 4. 21 or w
Stored in the file server of the station network. The file information storage unit 10 stores the file number stored in the external storage device 21 or the file server as file information in the IC card 22 which is a removable storage medium. The file information reading unit 11 has an IC card reader 13 and a bar code reader 14, and reads the file information recorded by the file information bar code stored in the IC card 22. . The search unit 9 is an IC of the file information reading unit 11.
The file information read by the card reader 13 or the like is used to search for and read the information of the document stored in the external storage device 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the LAN communication control section 12 includes another terminal device connected to the digital copying apparatus 1 and the work station network, such as a file server 31, a word processor 32, and a part. Sonar computer 33, facsimile devices 34, 35, 71, filing device 3
Control communication with 6th grade.

Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 3, the operation of storing the document read by the scanner 4 and copied by the plotter 5 in the external storage device 21 by the digital copying apparatus 1 having the above-described structure will be described. explain.

First, when the operation unit 3 is instructed to store the document to be copied and the scanner 4 starts reading the document to be copied, the main control unit 2 operates the external storage unit 8 (step S1). Every time the document is read, the external storage unit 8 confirms whether the read document is the first page (step S
2) If the read document is the first page, the file in the external storage device 21 is opened and a file number is assigned (step S3). Then, the main control unit 2 temporarily stores the information of the read document together with the file number in the memory 6, and records it on the recording paper by the plotter (step S4). When the external storage unit 8 confirms that all the information of the first page has been stored in the memory 6, the information stored in the memory 6 and copied by the plotter 5 is read and stored in a predetermined file of the external storage device 21 (step S5). The temporary storage in the memory 6 and the storage in the external storage device 21 are repeated each time the document is read, and when all the information of the read and copied document is stored in a predetermined file in the external storage device 21 (step S
6) The main control unit 2 stops the operation of the external storage unit 8 and operates the file information storage unit 10. The file information storage unit 10 reads the file number stored in the memory 6 and stores it in the IC card 22 as file information of the document information stored in the external storage device 21 together with the document name (step S7).

Since the information of the document thus copied is stored in the file of the external storage device 21 having a large storage capacity, a lot of information can be stored. Further, since the file number of the file storing the information of each document is stored in the IC card 22 as the file information, the amount of information stored in the IC card 22 can be reduced and the IC card 22 The storage capacity can be effectively utilized.

Next, the operation for reprinting the information of the document copied and stored in the external storage device 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the IC card 22 storing the file information is attached to the IC card reader 13 of the file information reading section 11 (step S11), and the file stored in the IC card 22 is stored. The information is read and the file number is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 4 (step S12). The operator confirms the displayed file number and inputs the file number of the required document by the operation key of the operation unit 4. When the file number is input, the retrieval unit 9 retrieves the file in the external storage device 21 by the designated file number, reads the information of the document corresponding to the file number, and temporarily stores it in the memory 6 (step S13). The main control unit 2 uses the information of the document stored in the memory 6 for the plotter 6
Send to and record on recording paper.

Since the information of the document in the external storage device 21 is read out and copied by the file information stored in the IC card 22 as described above, the information of the text is reprinted even if there is no manuscript or the recording paper previously copied. Can be repeated.

In the above embodiment, the case where the document name and the file number of the external storage device 21 are stored as file information in the IC card 22 has been described, but one page of the information of the document stored in the external storage device 2 is described. Part of the eyes may also be stored in the IC card 22 as file information. By storing a part of the first page of the document information as file information in the IC card 22 in this way, a part of the document required for reprinting can be displayed as the file information. The document to be reprinted can be confirmed accurately.

In the above embodiment, the case where the file information is confirmed in the IC card 22 has been described, but the file number of the document stored in the external storage device 2 is stored in the file information storage unit 10 as a bar code. Converted document name and plotter 5
Or a part 53 of the first page of the document information is printed out to the document management card 51 together with the file number 52 converted into a bar code as shown in FIG. Is also good.

When reprinting a document, the document name or part of the document recorded in the document management card 51 is confirmed, and the bar code of the corresponding document management card 51 is bar coded. By having the reader 14 read it, the required document can be immediately reprinted.

In the above embodiment, the case where the document information stored in the external storage device 2 is directly reprinted by the digital copying device 1 has been explained, but as shown in FIG. 2, it is connected to the workstation station network. The document information stored in the external storage device 2 can be transferred to another terminal device in response to the request from the other terminal device.

In this case, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6, another terminal device such as a personal computer 33 is used.
When there is a request to transfer document information from the LAN communication control unit 12 (step S21) and the file information such as the file number and the document name is received, the received file number is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 22. (Step S2
2). The search unit 9 searches for a file in the external storage device 21 by the received file number, reads the information of the document corresponding to the file number, and temporarily stores it in the memory 6 (step S23). The main control unit 2 displays the information of the document stored in the memory 6 on the display unit of the operation unit 3 and requests the transfer via the LAN communication control unit 12 to the personal computer.
The data is sequentially transferred to the computer 33 (step S24). When all the requested document information has been transferred, the transfer process ends (step S25).

When a document is transferred to the personal computer 33, a part or all of the content of the document to be transferred is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 3 to clarify which document has been transferred. Can be

When a transfer request is made from the personal computer 33 by designating a plurality of file numbers,
The document information corresponding to each file number is read from the external storage device 21 and temporarily stored in the memory 6, and the plurality of document information is transferred together. By thus integrally transferring a plurality of document information, the personal computer 3
The three operators can get the documents they need quickly.

Although the above embodiment has been described with respect to the digital copying apparatus 1 as the image input / output apparatus, it can be applied to a facsimile apparatus in exactly the same manner.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus which is another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the facsimile apparatus 71 has a communication control section 72, a network control section 73, and a transmission confirmation section 74 for transmitting / receiving image data to / from another facsimile apparatus via a public line. The rest of the configuration is exactly the same as that of the digital copying apparatus 1. The transmission confirmation unit 74 confirms whether the image data of the document to be transmitted read by the scanner 4 has been normally transmitted.

The operation of the facsimile copying apparatus 71 having the above-described structure when the scanner 4 reads the document or the document is transmitted to the memory will be described.

When the document to be transmitted is read by the scanner 4 and stored in the memory 6 or the external storage device 21, the IC card 22 is set in the facsimile device 71 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Step S31). After the original of the document to be transmitted next is set in the scanner 4 (step S32), memory transmission is selected by the operation unit 3 and the transmission time is designated (step S33). Then, enter the telephone number of the destination facsimile machine (step S3).
4). If there are a plurality of destinations when inputting this telephone number, all the telephone numbers of the plurality of destinations are input (steps S35, S34). The main control unit 2 stores the input telephone number in the memory 6.

After inputting all the telephone numbers of the destinations, the start button of the operation unit 3 is pushed down (step S3).
6). When the start button is pressed down, the main control section 2 causes the scanner 4 to read the document and stores the image data of the read document in the memory 6 (step S37). When all the originals set on the scanner 4 have been read and stored,
A transmission job file that specifies the telephone number of each transmission destination and the transmission image data is created, stored in the external storage device 21 together with the image data to be transmitted, and a file number is assigned (step S38). After that, the file information storage unit 10 reads the file number of the transmission job file stored in the external storage device 21 and stores it in the IC card 22 (step S39). After confirming that the file number of the transmission job file is stored in this IC card 22, the IC card 22
The image 22 is taken out from the facsimile device 71 by taking out the code 22.
End the data accumulation processing. Since the image data to be transmitted is stored in the external storage device 21 having such a large storage capacity, a large number of documents to be transmitted to the memory can be stored.

When a predetermined time elapses after the documents to be transmitted to the memory are accumulated (step S41), the accumulated image data is stored.
Data to each designated destination (step S4)
2). Then, each time the data is transmitted to each destination, the transmission confirmation unit 74
Then, the suitability of the transmission result is confirmed (step S43). The external storage unit 8 determines whether or not the transmission result is appropriate for each transmission by the external storage device 2.
Stored in the first transmission job file (step S4)
4). This transmission process is repeated, and when the image data is transmitted to all the designated destinations, the memory transmission process is terminated (step S45).

Next, the operation for confirming the result of memory transmission as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the IC card 22 storing the file information is mounted on the IC card reader 13 of the file information reading unit 11 (step S51), and the inquiry button of the operation unit 3 is pressed to send. The inquiry signal of the selected document is input (step S52). When the inquiry signal of the transmitted document is input, the main control unit 2 reads the file number of the transmission job file stored in the IC card 22 with the IC card reader 13 and displays it on the display unit of the operation unit 4. Display (step S5)
3). The operator confirms the displayed file number and selects and inputs the required file number by the operation key of the operation unit 4 (step S54). When the file number is input after the inquiry signal is input, the search unit 9 searches the file in the external storage device 21 by the specified file number and reads the transmission job file in which the transmission result corresponding to the file number is written. , Is temporarily stored in the memory 6, and the transmission result for each destination is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 3 (step S55). By confirming the displayed transmission result, the operator can know whether or not the transmission to each destination has been performed without failure.

As a result of the confirmation of the transmission result, if there is a transmission destination of transmission failure (step S56), the operator determines whether or not there is an input error in the transmission destination telephone number based on the displayed transmission destination telephone number. Is confirmed (step S57), and if there is a mistake in inputting the telephone number of the transmission destination, the corrected telephone number is input and the telephone number stored in the transmission job file of the external storage device 21 is corrected (step S5).
8). Then, the resend button of the operation unit 3 is operated to instruct the destination of the corrected telephone number to resend (step S5).
9). When resending is instructed, the image data is sent to the destination of the corrected telephone number (step S60). After confirming the transmission results to all the transmission destinations and retransmitting the image data to the transmission destinations that have failed in transmission (step S61), the IC
The card 22 is taken out from the facsimile device 71, and the inquiry and re-sending process is completed (step S62).

In the above embodiment, the case where the image data is transmitted to the other facsimile apparatus connected to the public line via the communication control unit 72 has been described, but the image data is transmitted via the LAN communication control unit 12. When the image data is transmitted to a terminal device such as another facsimile device 34 connected to the station network, the image data can be similarly transmitted.

For example, in the case of transmitting some image data among a plurality of image data stored in the external storage device 21 to another terminal device connected to the workstation station network, As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 10, the IC card 22 storing the file information is mounted on the IC card reader 13 of the file information reading section 11 (step S7).
1), LAN communication is selected by the operation unit 3 and another terminal device, for example, the facsimile device 34 is designated (step S7).
2). When the LAN communication is selected and the facsimile device 34 to be transmitted is selected, the main control unit 2 operates the IC card reader 13 to set the file number of the transmission job file stored in the IC card 22. It is read and displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 4 (step S73). While confirming the displayed file number, the operator designates one or more required file numbers by operating the operation key of the operation unit 4 (steps S74, S75). When the file number is designated, the search unit 9 searches for a file in the external storage device 21, reads the image data corresponding to the file number,
It is temporarily stored in the memory 6 (step S76). When a plurality of file numbers are designated when temporarily storing the image data in the memory 6, the plurality of read image data are stored in the memory 6 as a unit. After that, the image data stored in the memory 6 is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 6 and transmitted to the facsimile device 34 via the LAN communication control unit 12 (step S77). At the time of this transmission, if the transmission fails, the transmission information is temporarily stored in the memory 6 and is transmitted again from the first image data (step S7).
8, S79, S77). Then, when all the image data are normally transmitted, the transmission processing is ended (step S78).

When the original read by the scanner 4 is also transmitted at the same time as this transmission, the image data of the read original is temporarily stored in the memory 6 together with other image data to be transmitted, and It is transmitted together with the image data of.

In the above embodiment, the facsimile machine 71 is used.
From the above, the case of transmitting from the terminal station to another terminal device connected to the work station network has been described, but a transmission request is made by designating one or more file numbers of the image data to be transmitted from the other terminal device. If there is, it can be sent in the same way.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, information such as a document read by a scanner for copying or transmitting is attached to a file number in an external storage means and stored in an external storage device for storage. , Can store a lot of information.

Further, when the information such as a document is stored, the file number stored in the external storage device is stored in the removable storage medium so that the stored information can be managed easily and accurately. You can

When the stored information is reused, the information can be easily selected by searching the external storage device by using the file information stored in the removable storage medium and reading the information. .

Further, by storing a part of the document information stored in the external storage device as the file information together with the file number stored in the external storage device in the removable storage medium, the confirmation of the file information can be facilitated. .

Further, by converting the file number stored in the external storage device into a bar code, the information read operation can be simplified.

By using the above-mentioned function with the data communication network, information such as a document is directly transferred to a terminal device or the like connected to the data communication network without being printed and saved. The information can be easily used by another terminal device or the like. When sending information such as the document, the information to be sent can be clarified by displaying a part of the document.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a workstation station network.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a storage operation of copied document information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reprint operation.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a document management card.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a document information transfer operation.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a memory transmission operation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a memory transmission inquiry and a retransmission processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of LAN communication.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copying apparatus 2 Main control section 3 Operation section 4 Scanner 6 Memory 8 External storage section 9 Search section 10 File information storage section 11 File information reading section 12 LAN communication control section 13 IC card reader 14 Barcoer Dryer 21 External storage device 22 IC card 71 Facsimile device 74 Transmission confirmation unit

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A scanner, a plotter, an external storage means, and a file information storage means, wherein the scanner reads a document to be copied, the plotter records the information of the document read by the scanner on a recording paper, and the external storage means A file number is added to the information of the document read by the scanner and stored in an external storage device, and the file information storage means stores the file number stored in the external storage device as file information in a removable storage medium. Image input / output device. 2. The image input / output according to claim 1, wherein the file information storage means stores a part of the document information stored in the external storage device together with the file number stored in the external storage device as file information in a removable storage medium. apparatus. 3. A file information reading means and a searching means, wherein the file information reading means reads the file information stored in a removable storage medium, and the searching means stores the read file information in an external storage device. 3. The image input / output device according to claim 1, wherein the information of the document is retrieved and read. 4. A scanner, a plotter, an external storage means, and a file information storage means, wherein the scanner reads a document to be copied, the plotter records information of the document read by the scanner on a recording paper, and the external storage means A file number is added to the information of the document read by the scanner and stored in an external storage device, and the file information storage means converts the file number stored in the external storage device into a bar code and sends it to the plotter as file information. Image input / output device characterized by. 5. The image input / output device according to claim 4, wherein the file information storage means reads out a part of the document information stored in the external storage device together with the bar code as file information. 6. A file information reading unit and a searching unit are provided, the file information reading unit reads the file information recorded on the recording paper, and the searching unit reads the file information stored in the external storage device according to the read file information. The image input / output device according to claim 4, wherein information is searched for and read. 7. A file having communication control means connected to a data communication network, wherein the file information reading means reads the file information by the number received by the communication control means and the searching means reads the file information by the file information reading means. Search and read the information of the document stored in the external storage device by the information,
7. The image input / output device according to claim 3, which sends out to a terminal device of a data communication network via a communication control means. 8. A scanner, an external storage means, and a file information storage means, wherein the scanner reads a document to be transmitted, and the external storage means adds a file number to the image data of the transmission document read by the scanner and transmits the image data. An image input / output device, wherein the image information is stored in an external storage device as information, and the file information storage means stores the file number of the transmission information stored in the external storage device as file information in a removable storage medium. 9. The image input / output device according to claim 8, further comprising a transmission confirmation unit that determines whether the transmitted transmission result is appropriate, and stores the transmission result confirmed by the transmission confirmation unit in transmission information of an external storage device. 10. A file information reading unit and a searching unit, wherein the file information reading unit reads file information stored in a removable storage medium, and the searching unit stores the read file information in an external storage device. The image input / output device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the transmitted information is retrieved and read. 11. When the transmission failure is confirmed, the image data is read out by a resending instruction and is retransmitted.
Alternatively, the image input / output device according to the item 10. 12. A communication control means connected to a data communication network, wherein the file information reading means reads the file information according to the number received by the communication control means, and the internal storage device or the external storage according to the read file information. 12. The image input / output according to claim 10, wherein the image data stored in the device is retrieved and read out, and the read out file information or image data is sent out to the terminal device of the data communication network through the communication control means. apparatus. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of file information or image data are linked and sent to a terminal device of a data communication network.
The image input / output device described. 14. A part of a document or image data sent to a terminal device of a data communication network is displayed on a display unit.
12. The image input / output device according to 12 or 13.