JPH06303368A - Facsimile with printer function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To share the control panel of a facsimile for the various kinds of operation control by converting information related to the operation control such as display control or key input control due to a printer controller to the operation control information of the facsimile. CONSTITUTION:When not a printer output but facsimile transmission is instructed while facsimile communication stands by, correspondent transmission processing is performed, and an initial state is recovered. When facsimile communication is instructed, it is confirmed whether a plotter 3 is just used or not. When the plotter is just used, facsimile information is stored in a storage part 10 and received. When the plotter is not used, the facsimile information is printed out by the plotter 3 and the initial state is recovered. When the operation information is inputted from a repetetion processing part 7, the display state of a control panel 6 is switched from the initial state to a picture for printer mode, and the information is printed out. When there is no instruction for prescribed time after the information is completely printed out, the initial state is recovered.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile in which information can be printed out from a computer, and more particularly to a facsimile with a printer function suitable for improving operability when outputting to a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique has been developed in which one printer is shared by a plurality of computers to save energy, save space, and reduce costs. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-165317 describes a technique in which two communication means are provided corresponding to the printer interface and information from two devices is output by one printer. According to this technique, the facsimile can be used as a printer by providing the printer controller.

However, in a facsimile equipped with such a printer controller, operation control such as display control and key input control by the printer controller is
Different from the operation control of the facsimile, and also in the facsimile, the operation control is different for each model. Therefore, the operation panel for key input control and display control cannot be shared by the facsimile and the printer controller. If the operation panel is shared, it is designed in a closed environment such as an intelligent copying machine, and cannot be used for an inexpensive and expandable system.

[0004]

In the prior art, the operation control such as display control and key input control by the printer controller is different from the operation control of the facsimile in the prior art, and the operation panel of the facsimile is This is that they cannot be shared by printer controllers with different operation controls. An object of the present invention is to solve these problems of the prior art and to provide a facsimile machine with a printer function that enables versatile use of a facsimile machine at low cost.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile machine with a printer function according to the present invention comprises (1)
In a facsimile with a printer function, which transmits and receives image information, prints an output from a computer connected through the printer controller, and the key input information and display on the operation panel of the facsimile. A relay processing unit for converting operation information including information and operation information including key input information of the printer controller and display information is provided.
It is characterized in that the input / output control of the operation of the printer controller is performed via the operation panel of the facsimile. (2) In the facsimile with a printer function described in (1) above, the relay processing unit stores a conversion table in which the conversion procedure between the operation information of the facsimile and the operation information of the printer controller is registered in advance in association with each other. An operation information conversion unit for converting operation information based on a table conversion procedure is provided. Also, (3)
In the facsimile with a printer function described in (1) or (2) above, the facsimile is
It is characterized by comprising a storage unit for storing facsimile information received during operation of the relay processing unit. Also, (4)
In the facsimile with a printer function described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the relay processing unit controls the connection with the computer to an online state when the display information for instructing the print start is output from the printer controller. It is characterized by comprising an online control unit. (5) In the facsimile with a printer function described in any one of (1) to (4) above, the facsimile includes an operation panel corresponding to operation information from the printer controller sent via the relay processing unit. If the displayed contents are the same over a predetermined time, the mode initialization unit for returning the operation state of the operation panel to the standby state of the facsimile communication is provided. (6) In the facsimile with a printer function according to any one of (1) to (5), the relay processing unit monitors a standby state of facsimile communication of the facsimile, and during the standby state of the facsimile communication, It is characterized by including a conversion permission unit that receives operation information from the printer controller. (7) In the facsimile with a printer function according to any one of (1) to (6) above, the facsimile is a first paper feed for accommodating a first paper used for printing output of information from a printer controller. Cassette and
A second paper feed cassette that stores the second paper used for printing out the received facsimile information, and one of the first paper feed cassette and the second paper feed cassette that corresponds to the sender of the information to be printed out. And a paper feed control unit for feeding paper from either one.

[0006]

In the present invention, the operation information of the printer controller, for example, LCD (Liquid Crystal).
l Display, character code on the liquid crystal display) and LED (Light Emitting)
Since the control information of the diode (light emitting diode) and the operation information handled by the operation panel of the facsimile are converted, even if the operation panel of the facsimile is shared with the operation panel of the printer controller, the printer controller and the facsimile side are It is possible to perform the same control as the conventional one without being aware of the other party. By thus sharing the operation panel, it is possible to reduce the cost. Further, when a facsimile arrives while operating in the printer mode, the facsimile information can be received by the storage unit, and the adverse effect on the facsimile function due to the printer mode can be avoided. If the operation screen in the printer mode is displayed for an abnormally long time, the contents of the display information on the LCD or the like from the printer controller are analyzed,
Automatically returns printer mode to facsimile mode.
As a result, it is possible to avoid adverse effects on the facsimile function due to the carelessly set printer mode.

The display on the LCD or the like is usually given priority to the facsimile, but when the facsimile is in the ready state (standby), the LCD display can be made from the printer controller, and the printer error and the output data from the host are not displayed. When the image data is sent and there is image data, L
CD display is possible. Also, in the mode to start the printer, it is always online, so
The user does not need to confirm whether the printer mode of the facsimile is online. Further, in the facsimile mode and the printer mode, it is possible to select a paper cassette in which different papers, for example, papers of different colors are set, and the user can determine whether the printed information is received in the facsimile mode. Alternatively,
It is possible to easily distinguish whether the output is in the printer mode.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a configuration relating to the present invention of a facsimile machine with a printer function of the present invention. The facsimile 1 according to the present embodiment includes a facsimile communication control unit 2 that controls facsimile communication.
And a plotter 3 that prints out the facsimile information received via the facsimile communication control unit 2, a printer controller 5 that prints out information from the computer 4 via the plotter 3, and input / output of information with the operator. And an intermediary processing section 7 that controls the connection between the operation panel 6 and the printer controller 5 according to the present invention.

The relay processing section 7 is provided for the operation panel 6.
A conversion table 8 in which the conversion procedure between the operation information of the facsimile communication control unit 2 and the operation information of the printer controller 5 is registered in advance in association with each other, and the operation information conversion is performed based on the conversion procedure of the conversion table 8. The operation information including the key input information to the printer controller 5 and the display information is converted according to the operation information of the operation panel 6. This allows the facsimile 1
It is possible to perform input / output control of the operation of the printer controller 5 via the operation panel 6 of FIG. Further, the facsimile 1 includes a storage unit 10, and when the facsimile information is received via the facsimile communication control unit 2 during the printing output of the information from the printer controller 5, the facsimile information is stored in the storage unit 10. Remember. For example,
During printing of information from the computer 4, a flag indicating that the plotter is in use is turned on, and when the facsimile communication control unit 2 is in the receiving state, the storage unit 10 is used by judging the flag. Receive. By doing so, the facsimile information can be received while the information is being printed from the computer 4.

Further, the relay processing section 7 includes a mode initialization section 1
1, the mode initialization unit 11 invalidates the display information when the same display information from the printer controller 5 is continuously output for more than a predetermined time, and the facsimile 1 To the standby state for the facsimile communication by the facsimile communication control unit 2. further,
The relay processing unit 7 includes a conversion permission unit 12, and the conversion permission unit 12 monitors that the facsimile communication control unit 2 of the facsimile 1 is in a standby state, and only when the facsimile communication is in a standby state, the printer controller Operation information from 5 to the operation panel 6 is accepted. As a result, with respect to the display on the operation panel 6, the operation display on the facsimile communication control unit 2 is usually given priority. And facsimile 1
While displaying the standby state of facsimile communication, for example, when an error has occurred in the plotter 3 or when the output data from the computer 4 remains in the printer controller 5. Display, etc.
When display information other than “printable” is sent to the relay processing unit 7, this display information is displayed on the operation panel 6.
Is displayed and the user is prompted to operate the operation.

In the printer mode in which the information from the computer 4 is printed out, the screen of the operation panel displays, for example, "Print Know" based on the display information sent from the printer controller 5. In this display state,
In addition, when the connection with the computer 4 is in the online state, it is possible to print, that is, print out information from the computer 4. In the conventional technology, since an LED or the like indicating the online state is provided on the printer controller 5, the user can determine whether or not printing is possible by looking at the LED. However, in this example,
Since the display screen of the operation panel of the facsimile 1 is used for the purpose of cost reduction, the LED indicating the online state is not provided. Therefore, in this example, an online control unit 13 is provided in the relay processing unit 7, and the online control unit 13 brings the connection with the computer into an online state when the display information for instructing the print start is output from the printer controller 5. Control.

The operation according to the present invention of the facsimile machine with a printer function of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a specific example of the operation of the facsimile with a printer function in FIG. 1 according to the present invention. As an initial state, when the facsimile transmission is instructed (step 202) while waiting for the facsimile communication (step 201) and the facsimile transmission is instructed (steps 203 and 204), corresponding transmission processing is performed (step 205), and step 201. Return to the initial state. If facsimile reception is instructed (step 20)
3), it is confirmed whether or not the plotter 3 of FIG. 1 is in use (step 206). If it is in use, the facsimile information is stored in the storage unit 10 of FIG. 1 and received (step 2
07), if the facsimile information is not in use,
The plotter 3 prints out (step 208) and returns to the initial state of step 201.

If the printer output is instructed in step 202, that is, if the operation information is input from the relay processing unit 7 in FIG. 1, the display state of the operation panel in FIG. 1 is changed from the initial state to the printer state. The screen is switched to the mode screen (step 209). If the printer output mode setting in the offline state with the computer is not completed by the predetermined time (T) (steps 210, 21)
1) The online control unit 13 in FIG. 1 returns the connection with the computer to the initial online state (step 212). When the setting of the printer output mode is completed in step 210, the connection with the computer is returned to the online state, and the print output instruction is input (step 213), the print output is performed (step 214). If the time after the print output is completed (step 215) or the time when the print output is not instructed in step 213 continues until a predetermined time (T) (step 216), the printer mode screen is facsimiled. Switch to the display state of waiting for communication (step 21
7) and returns to the initial state of step 201.

In this way, the operation panel is set to the normal display screen in the standby state of the facsimile communication, and the printer mode left improperly is automatically returned to the standby state of the facsimile communication. It is possible to avoid problems with facsimile communication due to the addition of functions. Further, also in connection with the computer, the online control unit 13 in FIG. 1 automatically returns the offline state due to the setting mode of the improperly left printer to the online state together with the initialization of the setting mode display. Hereinafter, the operation according to the present invention in steps 210 to 212 by the online control unit 13 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the processing operation according to the present invention of the online control unit in FIG. This example shows the operation procedure of the screen on the operation panel 6 of FIG. 1 in the printer setting mode. In the printer mode, the screen 31 of the operation panel is based on the display information sent from the printer controller 5 of FIG.
Display "Print Kanou". In this display state, and when online, print (computer 4 in FIG.
Printout of information from) is possible. In this example, when the right cursor 30d is pressed in the screen 31 in the offline state, the screen is moved to the screen 32 in the offline state, and when the right cursor 30d is pressed in the online state, the screen is brought into the offline state. Therefore, when the right cursor 30d is pressed on the screen 31 in the online state, the screen 31 remains as it is and the offline state is set. When the right cursor 30d is pressed again on the screen 31 in this offline state, the setting mode screen 32 is displayed. This screen 32
In this state, for example, if the down cursor 30c is pressed, the screen 33
When the right cursor 30d is pressed again, the screen 34 is displayed. In this way, the operation screen is switched by selecting and pressing each cursor.

Here, the user sets the printer setting mode (setting of the paper size at the time of printing) on the screen 34.
When doing, in order to prioritize the setting,
The setting mode is retained until the time-out occurs. However, after a timeout, for example 4 to 5 minutes, the setting mode is exited. If the setting mode is exited in this state, the printer controller 5 in FIG. 1 is in the offline state because the state of the screen 34 remains. In the conventional printer controller, an LED indicating such an online state was provided, but in this example, since the display screen of the operation panel of the facsimile machine 1 of FIG. 1 is used for the purpose of cost reduction, Since there is no LED indicating such an on / offline state, the user does not know whether it is in the offline state or the online state.

Therefore, in the case of exiting due to such a timeout, the online controller 13 in FIG. 1 continues to send the key code of the left cursor 30a to the printer controller 5 in FIG.
Characters are compared to see if the display of the operation panel 6 in FIG. And
When the state of the screen 31 is reached, the key code of the right cursor 30d is sent to bring it to the online state. That is, if the key code of the left cursor 30a is sent twice from the state of the screen 34 and then the key code of the right cursor 30d is sent once, the screen 31 in the online state is displayed.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a specific example of the processing operation of the online control unit in FIG. 1 according to the present invention. Is the end key of the printer setting mode pressed to end the setting mode (step 401), or
The printer setting mode status has passed for a predetermined time,
When the time-out occurs (step 402), it is determined whether or not the character displayed on the screen represents the screen 31 of FIG. 3 (step 403). Until the display screen returns to the screen 31 of FIG. 3, the cursor key return operation is performed (step 404), and when the display screen returns to the screen 31 of FIG. Is sent (step 405). Thus, at the time of timeout or when the printer setting end key is pressed, the screen is automatically returned to the print start mode and brought into the online state. This eliminates the need for the user to confirm the online status and perform the switching operation during printing.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the configuration relating to the present invention of the facsimile machine with printer function of the present invention. The facsimile 51 of this embodiment is configured such that the paper used in the plotter 3 of the facsimile 1 of the first embodiment in FIG. 1 is fed from two paper feed cassettes. Reference numeral 52 is used for printing out information sent from the computer 4 via the printer controller 5, for example, the first paper 5 on a white background.
The second paper cassette 54 accommodates the second paper 55, which is used for printing out the facsimile information received by the facsimile communication control unit 2, for example.
Then, the paper feed control unit 56 corresponds to the source of the print information input to the plotter 3, and the paper feed roller 5 of either the first paper feed cassette 52 or the second paper feed cassette 54.
7 and 58 are driven to selectively feed paper. In this way, in the facsimile mode and the printer mode, it is possible to print out on papers of different color backgrounds, and the user outputs the information printed out in the facsimile mode or in the printer mode. It can be easily distinguished.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, in the facsimiles with the printer function of the first and second embodiments, the relay processing section causes the display information (display information of the operation panel controlled by the printer controller). Character code, etc.) corresponding to the operation panel of the facsimile. As a result, even when the same printer controller is used in another facsimile, it can be easily dealt with by rewriting the contents of the table of the relay processing unit. Further, during the output in the printer mode, since the reception of the facsimile can be received by the storage unit, the printer function does not interfere with the basic facsimile function.

On the screen for starting the printer, the online state is always set. This allows the user to perform a print operation without checking the online status. In addition, when the image data from the computer remains unprinted due to a failure or the like, a message to that effect is displayed, so that the user can easily know the occurrence of the failure and take action. In addition, the information received by the facsimile and the information from the computer can be printed on different sheets and output, and the user can easily determine whether the printed information is computer information or facsimile information. it can. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, after the print output is completed in step 215 of FIG. 2, the user inputs an instruction so that the time (T) in step 216 is not waited,
The display may be switched in step 217.

[0022]

According to the present invention, the information related to the operation control such as the display control and the key input control by the printer controller is converted into the operation control information of the facsimile, so that the operation panel of the facsimile is controlled by different operation. Since it can be shared by the printer controller, the versatile use of the facsimile can be performed at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a configuration relating to the present invention of a facsimile machine with a printer function of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the operation of the facsimile with a printer function in FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a processing operation of the online control unit in FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the processing operation of the online control unit in FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the configuration relating to the present invention of the facsimile machine with printer function of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile 2 Facsimile communication control unit 3 Plotter 4 Computer 5 Printer controller 6 Operation panel 7 Relay processing unit 8 Conversion table 9 Operation information conversion unit 10 Storage unit 11 Mode initialization unit 12 Conversion permission unit 13 Online control unit 31 to 34 screen 30a Left cursor 30b Up cursor 30d Right cursor 30c Down cursor 51 Facsimile 52 First sheet feeding cassette 53 First sheet 54 Second sheet feeding cassette 55 Second sheet 56 Paper feeding control section 57, 58 Paper feeding roller

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile machine having a printer function, which transmits and receives image information, prints an output from a computer connected through the printer controller, and an operation panel provided in the facsimile machine. A relay processing means for converting the operation information including the key input information and the display information and the operation information including the key input information and the display information of the printer controller is provided, and the relay controller of the printer controller is provided through the operation panel of the facsimile. Facsimile with printer function, which controls input and output of operations. 2. A facsimile with a printer function according to claim 1, wherein the relay processing means stores a conversion table in which conversion procedures of the operation information of the facsimile and the operation information of the printer controller are registered in advance in association with each other. A facsimile with a printer function, comprising: an operation information conversion means for converting the operation information based on a conversion procedure of the conversion table. 3. The facsimile machine with printer function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the facsimile machine comprises a storage means for storing facsimile information received during the operation of the relay processing means. Facsimile printer with a printer function. 4. The facsimile with a printer function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the relay processing means communicates with the computer at the time of outputting display information instructing to start printing from the printer controller. A facsimile machine with a printer function, comprising an online control means for controlling the connection to an online state. 5. The facsimile with a printer function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the facsimile corresponds to operation information from the printer controller sent through the relay processing means. A facsimile machine with a printer function, comprising mode initialization means for returning the operation state of the operation panel to a standby state for facsimile communication if the display contents of the operation panel are the same over a predetermined time. 6. The facsimile with a printer function according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the relay processing means monitors a standby state of the facsimile communication of the facsimile, and when the facsimile communication is in the standby state. A facsimile having a printer function, comprising a conversion permission unit that receives operation information from the printer controller. 7. A facsimile with a printer function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the facsimile includes a first paper feed containing a first paper used for printing out information from the printer controller. Paper cassette and second used for printing out received facsimile information
Corresponding to the second paper feed cassette for storing the paper and the source of the information to be printed out, and the paper is fed from either the first paper feed cassette or the second paper feed cassette. A facsimile machine with a printer function, characterized in that it comprises a paper feed control means.