JPH07321980A - Composite copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily inform a large number of persons of the contents of a document to be distributed without copying the document. CONSTITUTION:In the case of the document, etc., is distributed from a composite copying device 1 connected to plural terminal equipments 3a to 3n by a LAN 2, a distribution destination selecting part 13 selects a designated distribution destination out of a connected destination storage part 11, and stores it temporarily in a distribution destination storage part 12 together with an original name. Original data having been read out is stored in a data storage part 10. A distribution destination informing part 14 reads the designated distribution destination of the original out of the distribution destination storage part 12, and sends it to a LAN control part 6, and informs the designated distribution destination of the presence of the original to be distributed. When the distribution request of the original arrived from the terminal equipment, the stored data of the original is transmitted to that terminal equipment.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a compound copying machine having a LAN function and a facsimile function and connected to a plurality of terminal devices by a LAN, and more particularly to facilitating document distribution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In offices and the like, documents containing various information such as reports and minutes are usually distributed or circulated to a plurality of people. In such a case, many of the same documents are copied, and the copied documents are distributed or circulated.

[0003]

When distributing a document as described above, a large number of copies of the same document are made, but the distributed document does not necessarily have to be stored by an individual, and the contents of the distributed document are not necessarily kept. It is often discarded after confirming.
For this reason, a large amount of paper is discarded and the recording paper is wastefully consumed.

Further, in order to distribute the document, the person in charge must go to the place of many people and distribute it each time.
It takes a lot of time for distribution work, and time is wasted.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above disadvantages, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compound copying apparatus which can easily notify many people of the contents of a distributed document without copying it. It is a thing.

[0006]

A compound copying apparatus according to the present invention has a LAN function and a facsimile function, and in a compound copying apparatus connected to a plurality of terminal devices by a LAN, an operation display section and a connection destination storage section are provided. It has a distribution destination storage unit, a distribution destination selection unit, a data storage unit, a distribution destination notification unit, and a distribution manuscript output unit, and the operation display unit is an operation designating unit for designating normal copying or distribution of read manuscripts. And a distribution destination designation means for designating a distribution manuscript name and a terminal device for distributing the manuscript, the connection destination storage unit stores the identification number of each terminal device connected by the LAN, and the distribution destination storage unit distributes it. The original name and the identification number of the terminal device to which the original is to be distributed are temporarily stored, and when the distribution of the original is specified on the operation display unit, the distribution destination selection unit selects the specified distribution destination terminal device from the connection destination storage unit. And the distribution destination with the name of the distribution manuscript Stored in the part, de - data storage section when the distribution of the document is designated, the document of de read - temporarily storing the data, the distribution destination notifying unit distribution of the original is specified,
When the manuscript is read, the distribution destination of the manuscript is read from the distribution destination storage unit and sent to the LAN control unit, and the LAN control unit notifies the sent destination terminal device that the distribution manuscript name and the distribution manuscript exist, The distribution manuscript output unit is characterized in that, when a manuscript distribution request is made from each terminal device, the manuscript data is read from the data storage unit and sent to the LAN control unit 5.

The distribution destination selecting unit may specify the distribution destination terminal device from the data of the fixed format format distribution destination list of the read document.

When a document distribution request is issued from each terminal device and a document distribution request is issued from each terminal device, the document data stored in the data storage unit in the distributed document output unit is processed. The data is read out and transmitted to the terminal device that made the distribution request.

Further, when there is a request from the terminal device that copying of a document is unnecessary, the terminal device is deleted from the distribution destination storage section.

Further, when the designated distribution destination is not stored in the connection destination storage unit, the distribution destination selection unit sends the distribution destination to the facsimile control unit, and the facsimile control unit sends the document to the designated distribution destination. It is desirable to send data.

[0011]

According to the present invention, each terminal device connected to the LAN is stored in advance in the connection destination storage section of the compound copying machine connected to the plurality of terminal devices via the LAN. When the manuscript is distributed to each terminal device, the manuscript distribution is selected and designated by the operation designating means provided in the operation display unit of the compound copying apparatus, and the operation function of the compound copying apparatus is switched to the manuscript distributing process. After that, the manuscript name to be distributed and the terminal device to which the manuscript is distributed are designated and input by the distribution destination designating means of the operation display unit. The distribution destination selection unit sequentially selects the specified distribution destination terminal devices from the connection destination storage unit and temporarily stores them in the distribution destination storage unit together with the distribution original name. On the other hand, the original data read during the original distribution process is temporarily stored in the data storage unit. When the reading of the original is completed, the distribution destination notification unit reads the distribution destination of the specified original from the distribution destination storage unit and sends it to the LAN control unit, and the LAN control unit assigns the original name to the terminal device designated as the distribution destination. We will notify you that there are manuscripts to be distributed.

Further, the distribution destination selecting unit can automatically specify the distribution destination of the original document by specifying the distribution destination terminal device from the data of the fixed format format distribution destination list of the read original document. it can.

On the other hand, when a document distribution request is received from a terminal device which has been notified that there is a document distributed, the data of the document stored in the data storage unit is transmitted to the terminal device, Only the data required by each terminal device is transmitted.

Further, when there is a request from the terminal device that copying of a document is unnecessary, the terminal device is deleted from the distribution destination storage section, and the number of copies on recording paper is reduced.

Furthermore, when the designated distribution destination is not a terminal device connected to the LAN, the distribution destination selection unit distributes the original to the distribution destination by facsimile communication.

[0016]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
It has an N function and a facsimile function, and is connected to a plurality of terminal devices 3a to 3n such as a work station and a personal computer in an office by a LAN2.
This compound copying apparatus 1 manages the entire apparatus, selects various operation functions and processes selected operations, and a terminal device 3a to 3a connected to the LAN 2.
3n, a LAN control unit 5, a facsimile communication control unit 6 connected to a communication line, a reading unit 7 for reading a document to be copied or a document to be distributed, and a printing unit for printing the read document on a recording sheet. 8, an operation display unit 9, a data storage unit 10 for temporarily storing the data of the read document, a connection destination storage unit 11, a distribution destination storage unit 12, a distribution destination selection unit 1
3. It has a distribution destination notification unit 14 and a distribution manuscript output unit 15.

The operation display unit 9 has a display unit for displaying various operation keys, various control information, and the like, and an operation designation for designating normal copying or distribution of read originals as shown in the configuration diagram of FIG. A key 91, a distribution destination designating means 92 such as a keyboard or a touch panel for designating the name of the distributed document and a terminal device for distributing the document, and a distributed document output key 93 for instructing the printout of the distributed document. And so on. The connection destination storage unit 11 stores in advance the identification numbers of the terminal devices 3a to 3n connected by the LAN 2. Distribution destination storage unit 12
As shown in the explanatory view of FIG. 3, it has a storage table 121 for storing the document name and the distribution destination, and temporarily stores the name of the original document to be distributed and the identification number of the terminal device which distributes the original document. In the distribution destination selection unit 13, the distribution of the manuscript is designated by the operation designation key 91 of the operation display unit 9, the manuscript distribution operation function is selected by the system control unit 4, and the manuscript name and the distribution destination are designated by the distribution destination designating unit 92. At this time, the designated terminal device is selected from the terminal devices 3a to 3n stored in the connection destination storage unit 11 and stored in the distribution destination storage unit 12 together with the name of the original document for distributing the selected terminal device. When the manuscript is designated to be distributed and the manuscript to be distributed is read, the distribution destination notifying unit 14 reads the manuscript name and the distribution destination from the distribution destination storage unit 12 and LA
It is sent to the N control unit 5. The distribution manuscript output unit 15 is used for each terminal device 3.
When a document distribution request is issued from a to 3n, the data of the document is read from the data storage unit 10 and sent to the LAN control unit 5.

The operation of distributing a document or the like in the composite copying apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the manuscript distribution operation is selected by operating the operation designation key 91 of the operation display unit 9, the system control unit 4 selects the manuscript distribution operation function and processes the distribution destination selection unit 12 and the distribution destination notification unit 14. Is instructed (step S1). In this state, when the document name to be distributed and the distribution destination are designated by the distribution destination designating means 92 of the operation display unit 9 (step S2), the distribution destination selecting unit 1
Reference numeral 3 stores the specified distribution original name in the storage table 121 of the distribution destination storage unit 12, and the identification number of the terminal device specified from among the terminal devices 3a to 3n stored in the connection destination storage unit 11. Are sequentially selected and sent to the distribution destination storage unit 12, and are stored together with the distribution manuscript name (step S3). After the manuscript name to be distributed and the distribution destination are specified on the operation display unit 9, the start
When the key is operated, the reading unit 7 starts reading the set original document and sequentially stores the data of the read original document in the data storage unit 10 (step S4). The original data stored in the data storage unit 10 is saved as it is without being printed out from the printing unit 8 when the original distribution operation function is selected. When the reading of the manuscript is completed (step S5), the distribution destination notifying unit 14 searches the storage table 121 of the distribution destination storage unit 12 for the designated manuscript name, and sequentially identifies the identification number of the distribution destination terminal device of the manuscript. It is read and sent to the LAN control unit 5 together with the original name. The LAN control unit 5 sends the fact that there is a distributed manuscript and the manuscript name to each terminal device having the sent identification number (step S6). In this way, when a document or the like is distributed, it is possible to promptly notify the name of the manuscript to be distributed and the fact that there is a manuscript to be distributed to the terminal device which needs to be distributed.

When there is an output request for the document notified from the terminal device notified of the distribution document and the document name (step S7), the LAN control unit 5 determines the document name requested for the output and the terminal device. The identification number is sent to the distributed document output section 15. The distributed document output unit 15 collates the sent document name with the identification number of the terminal device stored in the distribution destination storage unit 12, and after confirming that the requested terminal device is the distribution destination of the document, the distribution document output unit 15 The original data stored in the data storage unit 10 is read out and sent to the LAN control unit 5. The LAN control unit 5 sends the data of the sent document to the terminal device that requested the output (step S8). Therefore, each terminal device 3
a to 3n can directly check the contents of the required distribution manuscript on the screen for each terminal device. Therefore, it is possible to print out only the document or the like that needs to be stored in each of the terminal devices 3a to 3n.

Further, when the composite copying apparatus 1 prints out, upon receiving a notification to that effect from a terminal device that does not need to print and store on a recording sheet, the distribution destination selecting unit 1
3 deletes the identification number of the terminal device stored in the distribution destination storage unit 12. Then, when it is requested by another terminal device to print on a recording sheet for printing and storing, or when the distributed document output key 93 of the operation display unit 9 is operated, the data storage unit 10 The printing unit 9 prints out the required number of original document data stored in.
In this way, because the number of sheets that need to be saved is printed out, it is possible to eliminate wasteful printing.
It is possible to prevent wasteful use of recording paper and reduce the number of discarded documents.

When the manuscript copy is selected by operating the operation designating key 91 of the operation display section 9, the normal copying operation is started (step S9).

In the above embodiment, the case where the name of the original document to be distributed and each distribution destination are input by the distribution destination designating means 92 of the operation display unit 9 has been described, but it is fixed at the leading end of the distribution original document read by the reading unit 7. It is also possible to automatically specify the distribution manuscript name and each distribution destination from the data in the format distribution destination list to the distribution destination selection unit 13.

In the above embodiment, the case where the content of the manuscript is transmitted after notifying that there is a manuscript to be distributed to each of the terminal devices 3a to 3n connected to the LAN 2 has been described. When each distribution destination is designated and the distribution destination selection unit 13 searches for the distribution destination, a part of the distribution destination is LA.
When it is confirmed that it is not connected to N2, the distribution destination is sent to the facsimile communication control unit 6 and the original data is transmitted by facsimile communication. LAN like this
Manuscripts such as documents can be distributed to the other party who is not connected to 2.

[0025]

As described above, the present invention provides a LAN.
When distributing a manuscript to multiple terminal devices connected to the, the notification that the manuscript name and the manuscript are distributed to the terminal device for which distribution is specified, allows the manuscript to be distributed even if the person in charge does not contact each distribution destination. It is possible to promptly notify that there is.

Further, when a document distribution request is issued from a terminal device which has been notified that there is a document to be distributed, the data of the document is transmitted to the terminal device, so that each terminal device can perform the required distribution. It is possible to directly check the contents of the manuscript to be displayed on the screen, and it is possible to greatly reduce the distribution time of the document and the like and obtain only the necessary data.

Further, since the required number of sheets are printed out when the documents are printed for storage, it is possible to prevent wasteful use of recording sheets and reduce discarded documents.

Further, the name of the original to be distributed and the distribution destination of the original can be automatically specified by specifying the destination terminal device from the data of the fixed format format distribution destination of the read original. Therefore, manuscripts such as documents can be easily distributed.

Further, when the designated distribution destination is not the terminal device connected to the LAN, the manuscript is distributed to the distribution destination by facsimile communication so that the manuscript is also in charge of the location other than the terminal device connected to the LAN. Documents can be distributed without the person having to go.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a part of an operation display unit of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a distribution destination storage unit of the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Composite copying apparatus 2 LAN 3a-3n terminal device 4 System control unit 5 LAN control unit 6 Facsimile communication control unit 9 Operation display unit 10 Data storage unit 11 Connection destination storage unit 12 Distribution destination storage unit 13 Distribution destination selection unit 14 Distribution destination notification unit 15 Distribution manuscript output unit 91 Operation designation key 92 Distribution destination designation means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A LAN function and a facsimile function are provided,
In a compound copying apparatus connected to a plurality of terminal devices via a LAN, an operation display unit, a connection destination storage unit, a distribution destination storage unit, a distribution destination selection unit, a data storage unit, a distribution destination notification unit, and a distribution manuscript output unit. The operation display unit has an operation designating means for designating a normal copy or distribution of a read manuscript, and a distribution destination designating means for designating a distribution manuscript name and a terminal device for distributing the manuscript. The storage unit stores the identification number of each terminal device connected by the LAN, the distribution destination storage unit temporarily stores the name of the distribution original document and the identification number of the terminal device to distribute the original document, and the distribution destination selection unit is the operation display unit. When manuscript distribution is specified, the specified destination terminal device is selected from the connection destination storage unit and stored in the distribution destination storage unit together with the name of the distribution manuscript, and the data accumulation unit is designated to distribute the manuscript. The data of the scanned original, When the distribution of the original is designated in the distribution destination notification unit and the original is read, the distribution destination of the original is read from the distribution destination storage unit and sent to the LAN control unit, and the LAN control unit sends the distribution destination terminal device. The distribution manuscript name and the distribution manuscript are notified to the distribution manuscript output unit, and when the distribution manuscript output unit requests the manuscript distribution from each terminal device, the manuscript data is read from the data accumulation unit and LAN control is performed. A composite copying apparatus characterized by sending to a section 5. 2. The composite copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution destination selecting unit specifies the distribution destination terminal device from the data of the fixed format format distribution destination list of the read document. 3. When a manuscript distribution request is issued from each terminal device, the distribution manuscript output unit reads out the manuscript data accumulated in the data accumulating unit and transmits it to the terminal device which requests the distribution. The composite copying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The composite copying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the terminal device requests the copying of the original document, the terminal device is deleted from the distribution destination storage section. 5. The distribution destination selection unit sends the distribution destination to the facsimile control unit when the specified distribution destination is not stored in the connection destination storage unit, and the facsimile control unit sends the original to the specified distribution destination. 3. The compound copying machine according to claim 1, which transmits data.