JPH08139941A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To keep the confidentiality of an image in the communication in the confidential mode. CONSTITUTION: When the transmission mode is a usual mode, a transmission image is transferred to a file section 5. The file section 5 writes an image to a magneto-optical disk. On the other hand, the reception is conducted at the receiver side by the usual mode or the confidential mode by the designation from a transmitter side, and when the reception is finished and the reception mode is the confidential mode, a confidential reception report is outputted. In the case of the confidential mode, the image is stored in a hard disk 11 as it is. Furthermore, in the case of the usual mode, an image signal is outputted to a printer section 2 and an image is outputted on recording paper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device such as a facsimile device for transmitting and receiving information via a public telephone line or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an image communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus has been provided with a large-capacity memory such as a hard disk. However, this type of memory is used for temporary storage of data and the like. The information in the memory is deleted when the transmission is completed or the received document is output. Therefore, if you want to keep the history of sent documents or received documents, copy the original or a copy of the original.
It is practiced to keep a copy of the received document.

Therefore, in addition to the device, for example,
An apparatus has been proposed in which another storage unit such as a memory such as a magneto-optical disk is provided and a document is automatically recorded on the magneto-optical disk at the end of transmission or at the completion of reception.

In such an apparatus, when the capacity of the disk becomes full, the disk is replaced with a new disk and the old disk is stored. When the user wants to see the stored document, the contents of the disc of the document are read by a personal computer equipped with a magneto-optical disc drive. Since the magneto-optical disc is stored in a general-purpose MS-DOS format, it can be freely read and written by a personal computer.

[0005]

However, if all the image information is automatically recorded on the magneto-optical disk as described above, transmission in a mode in which confidentiality is desired, such as so-called confidential mode, Or the received document is also recorded on the disc. Then, when the image information is output by the operation of the operation unit of the apparatus, the confidentiality of the document can be maintained by inputting the password, etc. There is a problem that sex is not guaranteed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device which maintains confidentiality of communication in a confidential mode.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] and

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a means for selecting at least one of a normal communication mode and a confidential communication mode, and a memory for recording information transmitted / received in the selected mode. And a means for storing transmission information in the storage means when the normal communication mode is selected on the transmitting side,
When the confidential communication mode is selected, means for avoiding storing of the transmission information in the storage means, means for transmitting the transmission information to the receiving side, and the transmission information from the transmitting side at the receiving side, When the reception means stores the reception information in the normal communication mode, the reception information stored in the storage means is visually output, and the reception information is received in the confidential communication mode. In this case, the reception side outputs the information received in the confidential communication mode from the storage means when a predetermined password is input.

In the above configuration, the function of recording and storing the communication history while maintaining the confidentiality of the communication in the confidential mode.

[0009]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is an image input device (hereinafter referred to as a reader unit) for converting an original document (not shown) into image data, and 2 is
An image output device (hereinafter, referred to as a printer unit) that has a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes and outputs image data as a visible image on the recording paper according to an input print command.
Is an external device electrically connected to the reader unit 1,
It has various functions described below.

The external device 3 includes a fax unit 4, a file unit 5, an external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5, a computer interface unit 7 for connecting to a computer (PC / WS) 12, and a computer 12.
A formatter unit 8 for converting the information from the image into a visible image, an image memory unit 9 for accumulating the information from the reader unit 1 and temporarily accumulating the information sent from the computer 12, and Core unit 10 for controlling each function of
It consists of.

The details of the configuration of each section will be described below. <Description of Reader Unit> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the reader unit and the printer unit of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. The originals stacked on the original feeding device 101 of the reader unit shown in FIG.
When the original is conveyed to the predetermined position on the glass surface 102, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate the original. Then, the reflected light from the document is reflected by the mirrors 105, 10
6, 107, CCD image through lens 108
It is input to the sensor unit 109 (hereinafter referred to as CCD).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a signal processing configuration in the reader unit 1. In the figure, the reflected light from the document irradiated on the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted here, and R
(Red), G (green), and B (blue) are converted into electric signals of respective colors. The color information from the CCD 109 is amplified by the amplifiers 110R, 110G and 110B at the next stage according to the input signal level of the A / D converter 111.

The output signal from the A / D converter 111 is input to a shading circuit 112, where uneven light distribution of the lamp 103 and uneven sensitivity of the CCD 109 are corrected. The signal from the shading circuit 112 is Y
It is input to the signal generation / color detection circuit 113 and the external I / F switching circuit 119.

The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 calculates the signal from the shading circuit 112 according to the following equation (1) to obtain the Y signal. That is, Y = 0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B (1) The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 further includes R, G, B
It has a color detection circuit (not shown) that separates the signals of 7 colors into 7 colors and outputs signals for each color. The output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to the scaling / repeat circuit 114.

In the present image forming system, the magnification in the sub-scanning direction is changed by the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104 shown in FIG. 2, and the change in the main scanning direction is performed by the magnification / repeat circuit 114. Further, the scaling / repeat circuit 114 can output a plurality of identical images.

The contour / edge enhancement circuit 115 obtains edge enhancement and contour information by enhancing the high frequency component of the signal from the scaling / repeat circuit 114. This contour
The signal from the edge enhancement circuit 115 is input to the marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 and the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117.

Marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116
Reads the portion of the manuscript written with a marker pen of a specified color, generates the contour information of the marker, and causes the next patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 to thicken the contour information. And masking and trimming. Further, patterning is performed by the color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

An output signal from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 is input to a laser driver circuit 118, where various processed signals are converted into signals for driving a laser. The output signal from the laser driver 118 is input to the printer unit 2 where the image formation as a visible image is performed.

The external I / F switching circuit 119 performs an interface (I / F) with the external device 3, and when outputting image information from the reader unit 1 to the external device 3, patterning, thickening, masking, trimming. The image information from the circuit 117 is output to the connector 120. When inputting image information from the external device 3 to the reader unit 1,
The external I / F switching circuit 119 inputs the image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

Each image processing described above is performed in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 122.
Based on the value set by 122, various timing signals necessary for the above image processing are generated. Furthermore, CP
Communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the U122. In addition, the SUB / CPU 123
The operation unit 124 is controlled and the SUB / CPU
Communication with the external device 3 is performed using the communication function built in the 123. <Description of Printer Unit> Next, the configuration and operation of the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

The image signal input to the printer unit 2 is converted into a modulated optical signal by the exposure control unit 201, and the photoconductor 202 is irradiated with the modulated optical signal. With this irradiation light, the photoconductor 20
The latent image formed on 2 is developed by the developing device 203. Then, the transfer paper stacking section 204 or the transfer paper stacking section 20 is synchronized with the leading edge of the developed image.
The transfer paper is conveyed from No. 5, and the developed image is transferred at the transfer unit 206.

The transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207 and then discharged from the paper output unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208 is the sorter 22.
When the sort function is 0, the paper is discharged to each bin, and when the sort function is not operated, the paper is discharged to the highest bin of the sorter.

Therefore, the operation of sequentially outputting the images to be read on both sides of one output sheet will be described.

In the case of outputting an image on both sides of one output sheet, the output sheet fixed by the fixing section 207 is once conveyed to the sheet discharge section 208, and then the conveyance direction of the sheet is reversed and a conveyance direction switching member is provided. It is conveyed to the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210 via 209. Therefore, when the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as the above-described normal recording process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210. Therefore, after all, two document images can be output on the front surface and the back surface of the same output paper. <Description of External Device> The external device 3 is connected to the reader 1 by the cable 14, and the core unit 10 in the external device 3 controls signals and functions. In this external device 3,
As described above, the fax section 4 for transmitting and receiving the fax, the file section 5 for converting various document information into an electric signal and storing it in the external storage device 6 such as a magneto-optical disk, and the code information from the computer 12 are provided. An image for accumulating information from the formatter unit 8 for developing image information, a computer interface unit 7 for interfacing with the computer 12, the reader unit 1 or temporarily accumulating information sent from the computer 12. A memory unit 9 and a core unit 10 that controls each of the above functions are provided. <Description of Core Unit> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the core unit 10 shown in FIG.

The connector 1001 of the core portion 10 shown in FIG.
Is connected to the connector 120 (see FIG. 3) of the reader unit 1 by a cable. This connector 1001 contains four types of signals. A signal 1057 is an 8-bit multi-value video signal, a signal 1055 is a control signal for controlling the video signal, and a signal 1051 is a CPU 122 in the reader 1.
And a signal 1052 for communicating with
This is a signal for communicating with the SUB / CPU 123 in the reader 1.

Of these signals, signal 1051 and signal 1
The communication IC 1002 performs communication protocol processing on 052, and transmits communication information to the CPU 1003 via the CPU bus 1053. Further, the signal 1057 is a bidirectional video signal line, and receives information from the reader unit 1
It is possible to receive with 0 and output the information from the core unit 10 to the reader unit 1.

The signal 1057 is connected to a buffer 1010 as shown, where it is separated from a bidirectional signal into a unidirectional signal 1058 and a signal 1070. Signal 10
Reference numeral 58 denotes an 8-bit multi-valued video signal from the reader unit 1, which is a lookup table (LUT) 1011 in the next stage.
Is input to In this LUT 1011, the image information from the reader unit 1 is converted into a desired value by referring to a look-up table.

Output signal 1059 from LUT 1011
Is input to the binarization circuit 1012 or the selector 1013. The binarization circuit 1012 has a simple binarization function for binarizing a multivalued signal 1059 at a fixed slice level, and a binarization by a slice level in which the slice level fluctuates from the values of pixels around the pixel of interest. It has a function and a binarization function by the error diffusion method. Then, the binarized information is converted into a multilevel signal of FFH (here, H represents hexadecimal) when the value is “0” and 00H and “1”, and the next stage It is input to the selector 1013.

The selector 1013 selects either the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012, and the output signal 1060 from this selector 1013 is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 outputs the output video signals from the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9 to the connectors 1005, 1006, 1007, 100, respectively.
Signal 106 input to the core unit 10 via 8,1009
4 and the output signal 1060 from the selector 1013,
It is selected by an instruction from the CPU 1003.

Output signal 1061 from selector 1014
Is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. The rotation circuit 1015 adds +9 to the input image signal.
It has the function of rotating 0 degrees, -90 degrees, and +180 degrees.
The rotating circuit 1015 converts the information output from the reader unit 1 into a binary signal by the binarizing circuit 1012, and then stores the information as information from the reader unit 1.

The rotation circuit 1015 rotates and reads the stored information according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. The selector 1016 also outputs an output signal 1062 from the rotating circuit 1015 and an input signal 1061 to the rotating circuit 1015.
, And the selected signal is output as the signal 1063. The signal 1063 corresponds to the connector 1005 with the fax unit 4, the connector 1006 with the file unit 5, and the connector 100 with the computer interface unit 7.
7, the formatter unit 8 is a connector 1008, and
It is sent to the image memory unit 9 via the connector 1009, and at the same time, output to the connector 1017.

The signal 1063 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video for transferring image information from the core unit 10 to the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. It's a bus. The signal 1064 is a synchronous 8-bit unidirectional video bus for transferring image information from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9. The video control circuit 1004 uses these signals 1063.
And the signal 1064 on the synchronous bus is controlled by the output signal 1056 from the video control circuit 1004.

A signal 1054 is connected to the connectors 1005 to 1009 in addition to the above signals. This signal 1054 is a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus, and exchanges data commands asynchronously. As described above, when transferring information between the fax unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9 and the core unit 10, the two video buses 1063 and 1064 and the CP are connected.
This is made possible by the U bus 1054.

The signal 1064 from the fax unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8 and image memory unit 9 is sent to the selector 1014.
Is input to the selector 1017. Of these selectors, the selector 1014 inputs the signal 1064 to the rotation circuit 1015 of the next stage according to the instruction of the CPU 1003. In addition, the selector 1017 uses the signal 1063 and the signal 1
064 is selected by the instruction of the CPU 1003.

The output signal 1065 of the selector 1017 is
It is input to the pattern matching 1018 and the selector 1019. The pattern matching 1018 is applied to the input signal 10
65 is compared with a predetermined pattern and pattern matching is performed. When the patterns match, a predetermined multi-valued signal is sent to the signal line 1.
Output to 066. If the pattern matching determines that they do not match, the input signal 1065 is set to the signal 1
Output to 066.

The selector 1019 selects the signal 1065 and the signal 1066 according to the instruction of the CPU 1003, and the output signal 1067 from this selector 1019 is the L of the next stage.
It is input to the UT 1020. The LUT 1020 converts the input signal 1067 according to the characteristics of the printer when outputting the image information to the printer unit 2.

The selector 1021 outputs the output signal 1068 and the signal 1065 from the LUT 1020 to the CPU 100.
Select according to the instructions in 3. The output signal from the selector 1021 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 at the next stage. The enlargement circuit 1022 receives an instruction from the CPU 1003,
It is possible to set the enlargement ratio independently in the X and Y directions.

The enlargement method here is a linear interpolation method of the first order.

Output signal 1070 from expansion circuit 1022
Are input to the buffer 1010 described above. The signal 1070 input to the buffer 1010 is output to the CPU 1
In response to the instruction of 003, it becomes a bidirectional signal 1057 and is sent to the printer unit 2 through the connector 1001 and a predetermined printout is performed. <Signal Flow Between Core Unit and Each Unit> [When Information is Output to Fax Unit 4] CPU 100
3 is a CP of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002.
It communicates with U122 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 causes the scanner unit 104 to scan the document according to this instruction, and thus the image information is input to the connector 1
Output to 20.

The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected to the cable 1
4 and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. Further, the image information input to the connector 1001 is input to the buffer 1010 through the 8-bit multivalued signal line 1057. The buffer circuit 1010 inputs the bidirectional signal 1057 as a one-way signal to the LUT 1011 via the signal line 1058 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.

The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table. For example, it is possible to remove the background of the original. The output signal 1059 from the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 at the next stage. This binarization circuit 1
012 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal 1059 into a binarized signal. Specifically, the binarization circuit 1012 outputs 00H when the binarized signal is “0”, as described above.
In the case of "1", it is converted into FFH and two multilevel signals.

The output signal from the binarization circuit 1012 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016 via the selector 1013 and the selector 1014. The output signal 1062 of this rotation circuit 1015 is also the selector 101.
6 and the selector 1016 selects either the signal 1061 or the signal 1062. The choice of this signal is
The CPU 1003 determines by communicating with the fax unit 4 via the CPU bus 1054. And
The output signal 1063 from the selector 1016 is sent to the fax unit 4 via the connector 1005. [When receiving information from the fax unit 4] The image information from the fax unit 4 is transmitted to the signal line 1064 through the connector 1005. This signal 1064 is
It is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. C
According to an instruction from the PU 1003, when the image at the time of fax reception is rotated and output to the printer unit 2, the selector 1
The signal 1064 input to 014 is rotated by the rotation circuit 1015. The output signal 1062 from the rotation circuit 1015 is input to the pattern matching 1018 via the selector 1016 and the selector 1017.

On the other hand, according to the instruction from the CPU 1003, when the image at the time of receiving the fax is output to the printer 2 as it is, the signal 1064 input to the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching 1018. The pattern matching 1018 has a function of smoothing rattling of an image when received by fax.

The pattern-matched signal is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019. LU
In T1020, the printer unit 2 receives the image received by fax.
The contents of the built-in table can be changed by the CPU 1003 in order to output the desired density. This LU
The output signal 1068 of T1020 is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021.

The enlargement circuit 1022 has two values (00H,
FFH) 8-bit multivalues are enlarged by a linear interpolation method of the first order. The 8-bit multi-valued signal having many values from the expansion circuit 1022 is stored in the buffer 1010.
And is sent to the reader unit 1 via the connector 1001.

The reader unit 1 sends this signal to the connector 12
It is input to the external I / F switching circuit 119 via 0.
The external I / F switching circuit 119 receives the signal from the fax unit 4 input in this way, and outputs the signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 1.
Enter in 13. Then, the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 11
The output signal from 3 is output to the printer unit 2 after the above-described processing, and an image is formed on the output paper. [When Information is Output to File Part 5] CPU 1003
Is the CPU of the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002.
It communicates with 122 and issues a document scan command. In the reader unit 1, the scanner unit 104 scans the document according to this command, and the image information is transmitted to the connector unit 1.
Output to 20. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 have a cable 1
4 and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 included in the core unit 10 of the external device 3.

The image information input to the connector 1001 becomes a unidirectional signal 1058 by the buffer 1010. The signal 1058, which is an 8-bit multilevel signal, is the LU
The desired signal is converted by T1011 and the LUT10
The output signal 1059 of the connector 11 is sent to the connector 10 via the selector 1013, the selector 1014, and the selector 1016.
It is input to 06. That is, the information from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the file unit 5 without changing the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015, as 8-bit multi-value data.

When filing a binarized signal by communicating with the file unit 5 via the CPU bus 1054 of the CPU 1003, the functions of the binarization circuit 1012 and the rotation circuit 1015 are used. Since the binarization process and the rotation process are the same as the above-described fax information process, the description thereof will be omitted here. [When receiving information from the file unit 5] The image information from the file unit 5 is sent as a signal 1064 via the connector 1006 to the selector 1014 or the selector 1
017 is input. When the information is 8-bit multi-valued filing, it is to the selector 1017, and when it is binary filing, the selector 1014 or the selector 101.
7 can be input. Note that the processing in the case of binary filing is the same as the processing in the above-mentioned fax, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

In the case of multi-value filing, the selector 10
The output signal 1065 output via 17 is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019. LUT
In 1020, the CPU is adjusted according to the desired print density.
A look-up table is created according to an instruction from 1003. Then, the output signal 1068 from the LUT 1020
Is input to the expansion circuit 1022 via the selector 1021.

The 8-bit multilevel signal 1070 expanded to a desired expansion ratio by the expansion circuit 1022 is transferred to the buffer 10
10, sent to the reader unit 1 via the connector 1001. This information is output to the printer unit 2 in the same manner as the above-mentioned fax processing, and an image is formed on the output paper.

The computer interface section 7 includes
It interfaces with the computer 12 connected to the external device 3. The computer interface unit 7 has a plurality of interfaces for communicating with SCSI, RS-232C, and Centronics, and information from each of these three types of interfaces is transmitted via a connector 1007 and a data bus 1054. Sent to the CPU 1003. The CPU 1003 performs various controls based on the content of the sent data. Further, the formatter unit 8 has a function of expanding command data such as a document file sent from the computer interface unit 7 into image data.

When the CPU 1003 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1054 is the data related to the formatter unit 8, the CPU 1003 transfers the data to the formatter unit 8 via the connector 1008. To do. Formatter section 8
Develops in the memory from the transferred data as a meaningful image such as characters and figures. [Procedure for Receiving Information from Formatter Unit 8 and Forming Image on Output Paper] Image information from the formatter unit 8 is transmitted via the connector 1008 to the signal line 1064.
Is transmitted as a multi-valued signal having two values (00H, FFH). This signal 1064 is output to the selector 1014,
It is input to the selector 1017. The selectors 1014 and 1017 are controlled by the instruction of the CPU 1003.
Since the subsequent processing is similar to the above-mentioned fax processing, the description thereof will be omitted. [When information is output to the image memory unit 9] CPU
Reference numeral 1003 denotes the reader unit 1 via the communication IC 1002.
The CPU 122 communicates with the CPU 122 to issue a document scan command. In the reader unit 1, the scanner unit 104 scans the document according to this command, and outputs image information to the connector 120. Reader unit 1 and external device 3
Are connected by the cable 14 as described above, and the information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10.

The image information input to the connector 1001 is the 8-bit multilevel signal line 1057, the buffer 10
Sent to LUT 1011 via 10. The output signal 1059 from the LUT 1011 is transferred to the image memory unit 9 via the selectors 1013, 1014, 1016 and the connector 1009 as multi-valued image information.

The image information stored in the image memory unit 9 is transferred to C via the CPU bus 1054 of the connector 1009.
It is sent to the PU 1003. Then, the CPU 1003
The data sent from the image memory unit 9 is transferred to the computer interface unit 7 described above. The computer interface unit 7 transfers the data to the computer 12 using a desired interface among the above three types of interfaces (SCSI, RS-232C, Centronics). [When Information is Received from Image Memory Unit 9] Image information is sent from the computer 12 to the core unit 10 via the computer interface unit 7. When the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 determines that the data sent from the computer interface unit 7 via the CPU bus 1054 is the data related to the image memory unit 9, the CPU 1003 sends the data via the connector 1009 to the image memory unit 9. Transfer to 9.

The image memory unit 9 has a connector 1009.
8 bit multi-level signal 1064 via selector 10
14, and transmitted to the Senector 1017. Selector 101
4 or the output signal from the selector 1017 is the CPU
According to the instruction of 1003, similar to the above fax processing,
The image is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on the output paper. <Description of Fax Unit> FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the fax unit 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fax unit 4 is connected to the core unit 10 via the connector 400 and exchanges various signals. When the binary information from the core unit 10 is stored in any of the memories A405 to D408, the signal 453 from the connector 400 is input to the memory controller 404, and the memory controller 4
Under the control of 04, it is stored in any one of the memory A 405, the memory B 406, the memory C 407, and the memory D 408, or in which two sets of these memories are cascade-connected.

The memory controller 404 is the CPU 41.
According to the instruction from 2, the memory A405, the memory B40
6, memory C407, memory D408 and CPU bus 46
CODEC bus 4 of CODEC 411 having a mode for exchanging data with 2 and an encoding / decoding function
63, a mode for exchanging data with the memory A40
5, memory B406, memory C407, memory D408
Of the contents of the
Under the control of the timing generation circuit 409, a mode for exchanging data with the bus 454 from the scaling circuit 403,
Five functions: a mode in which binary video input data 454 is stored in any of the memories A405 to D408, and a mode in which the memory contents are read from any of the memories A405 to D408 and output to the signal line 452. Have.

The memory A405, the memory B406, the memory C407, and the memory D408 each have a storage capacity of 2 Mbytes and store an image of A4 size at a resolution of 400 dpi. Also, the timing generation circuit 409
Are connected to the connector 400 via a signal line 459, and control signals (HSYNC, H
EN, VSYNC, VEN) to generate signals to accomplish the two functions described below.

That is, one of the functions is to store the image signal from the core unit 10 in any one of the memories A405 to D408 or two memories, and the second function is , Memory A405 to memory D
A function of reading an image signal from any one of 408 and transmitting it to the signal line 452.

The dual port memory 410 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 via a signal line 461, and is connected to the CPU 412 of the fax section 4 via a signal line 462. Each CPU
Exchange commands via the dual port memory 410.

The SCSI controller 413, as shown in FIG. 1, interfaces with the hard disk 11 connected to the fax section 4. The hard disk 11 stores data at the time of fax transmission and fax reception.

The CODEC 411 reads out the image information stored in any of the memories A405 to D408, encodes it according to a desired one of the MH, MR, and MMR systems, and then stores it. It is stored in one of D408 as encoded information. Further, the CODEC 411 is the memory A405 to the memory D4.
08, the encoded information stored in
After the decoding is performed by a desired one of the R and MMR methods, the decoded information, that is, image information is stored in any of the memories A405 to D408.

The MODEM 414 is a CODEC 411,
Alternatively, as described above, the function of performing modulation for transmitting the coded information from the hard disk 11 connected to the SCSI controller 413 to the telephone line, and demodulating the information sent from the telephone line and NCU 415 to obtain a code Converted into digitized information and converted to CODEC411 or SCS
The encoded information is transferred to the hard disk 11 connected to the I controller 413. The NCU 415 is
Information is exchanged according to a predetermined procedure with an exchange that is directly connected to a telephone line and installed in a telephone office or the like. [Description of an example of fax transmission] The binary image signal from the reader unit 1 is input to the fax unit 4 from the connector 400 and reaches the memory controller 404 through the signal line 453. This signal 453 is stored in the memory A 405 by the memory controller 404. The timing to be stored in the memory A 405 is based on the timing signal 459 from the reader unit 1 and the timing generation circuit 40.
9 is generated.

The CPU 412 is the memory controller 40.
4 memory A405 and memory B406, CODEC
It is connected to the bus line 463 of 411. CODEC41
1 reads the image information from the memory A 405 and writes the coded information obtained by performing the coding by the MR method, for example, in the memory B 406.

When the CODEC 411 encodes the A4 size image information, the CPU 412 connects the memory B 406 connected to the memory controller 404 to the CPU bus 462. Then, the CPU 412 sequentially reads the encoded information from the memory B406 and transfers it to the MODEM 414. And MODEM41
4 modulates the encoded information and sends it as fax information over the telephone line via NCU 415. [Description of an example of fax reception] The information sent from the telephone line is first input to the NCU 415, and then the NCU 4
By 15 a connection is made with the fax section 4 in a predetermined procedure.
The information from the NCU 415 is demodulated by the MODEM 414. Here, the CPU 412 sends information from the MODEM 414 to the memory C407 via the CPU bus 462.
To memorize. When the information of one screen is stored in the memory C407, the CPU 412 causes the memory controller 4 to operate.
By controlling 04, the data line 457 of the memory C407 is connected to the signal line 463 of the CODEC 411. The CODEC 411 sequentially reads the encoded information in the memory C407 and decodes it, that is, stores it in the memory D408 as image information.

The CPU 412 is a dual port memory 4
The CPU 1003 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the CPU 10, and the memory D 408 sets the printer unit 2 via the core unit 10 to print out an image. When this setting is completed, the CPU 412 activates the timing generation circuit 409, and the signal line 460 is activated.
Outputs a predetermined timing signal to the memory controller. Then, the memory controller 404 synchronizes with the signal from the timing generation circuit 409 and synchronizes with the memory D40.
The image information is read out from the signal line 8 and is sent to the signal line 45.
By transmitting the data to the connector 2, it is output to the connector 400.

Since the process from the connector 400 to the output to the printer unit 2 is the same as the process in the core unit 10, its explanation is omitted here. <Description of File Section> FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the file section 5.

As shown in FIG. 6, the file unit 5 is connected to the core unit 10 by the connector 500 and exchanges various signals. For example, the multi-valued input signal 511 is input to the compression circuit 503, where it is converted from multi-valued image information into compressed information and then output to the memory controller 510.

The output signal 552 of the compression circuit 503 is one of the memory A 506, the memory B 507, the memory C 508, and the memory D 509 under the control of the memory controller 510, or two of these memories are cascade-connected. Memorized in.

The memory controller 510 is the CPU 51.
6 is a mode for exchanging data between the memory A 506, the memory B 507, the memory C 508, the memory D 509 and the CPU bus 560, and a mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 570 of the CODEC 517 for performing predetermined encoding / decoding. And memory A506,
The contents of the memory B 507, the memory C 508, and the memory D 509 are controlled by the DMA controller 518 in a mode in which data is exchanged with the bus 562 from the scaling circuit 511. Mode for storing in any of the memories D509, and memories A506 to D5
It has five functions of a mode in which the memory content is read out from any one of 09 and output to the signal line 559.

Each of the memory A 506, the memory B 507, the memory C 508, and the memory D 509 has a storage capacity of 2 Mbytes and stores an image of A4 size at a resolution of 400 dpi.

The timing generation circuit 514 is connected to the connector 5
00 and the signal line 553, and the core unit 10
Control signals from (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, V
EN) to generate signals for performing the following two functions.

One of the functions is to store the information from the core unit 10 in any one of the memories A506 to D509, or two of them, and the second function is , Memory A506 to memory D
509 is a function of reading image information from any one of 509 and transmitting it to the signal line 556.

The dual port memory 515 is connected to the CPU 1003 of the core section 10 via the signal line 554 and the CPU of the file section 5 via the signal line 560.
516 is connected. Each CPU exchanges commands via the dual port memory 515.

As shown in FIG. 1, the SCSI controller 519 interfaces with the external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5. This external storage device 6
Is composed of a magneto-optical disk, and stores data such as image information. In addition, CODEC 517 is
After the image information stored in any of the memories A506 to D509 is read and encoded by a desired MH, MR, or MMR method, the memory A506
~ Stored as encoded information in any of the memories D509.

The CODEC 517 also has a memory A50.
6 to the encoded information stored in the memory D509, and after performing decoding by a desired method of the MH, MR, and MMR methods, the decoded information, that is, image information, in any of the memory A509 to the memory D509. Memorize as. [Explanation of an example of accumulating file information in the external storage device 6] An 8-bit multi-valued image signal from the reader unit 1 is input to the file unit 5 from the connector 500, and the signal line 5
It is input to the compression circuit 503 through 51. This signal 5
51 is converted into compression information 552 by the compression circuit 503, and this compression information 552 is stored in the memory controller 510.
Is input to

The memory controller 510 includes the core unit 10
The compressed signal 552 is stored in the memory A 506 according to the timing signal 559 generated by the timing generation circuit 559 by the signal 553 from In addition, the CPU 51
6 is a memory A connected to the memory controller 510
506 and memory B 507 are connected to the bus line 570 of CODEC 517.

The CODEC 517 reads the compressed information from the memory A 506 and writes the coded information obtained by performing the coding by the MR method, for example, in the memory B 507. When the CODEC 517 finishes this encoding process, the CPU 516 connects the memory B 507 of the memory controller 510 to the CPU bus 560. And C
The PU 516 sequentially reads the encoded information from the memory B507 and transfers it to the SCSI controller 519. The SCSI controller 519 stores the encoded information 572 in the external storage device 6. [Explanation of an example of extracting information from the external storage device 6 and outputting it to the printer unit 2] When the CPU 516 receives a command for information retrieval / printing, it is encoded from the external storage device 6 via the SCSI controller 519. It receives the information and transfers the encoded information to memory C508. At this time, the memory controller 510 causes the CPU 5
16 instructions, the CPU bus 560 is changed to the memory C508.
Connected to the bus 566 of.

When the transfer of the encoded information to the memory C508 is completed, the CPU 516 causes the memory controller 510 to
By controlling the memory C508 and the memory D50.
9 to bus 570 of CODEC 517. Then, the CODEC 517 reads the encoded information from the memory C 508, sequentially decodes the encoded information, and then the memory D 5
It transfers to 09.

If a scaling process such as enlargement / reduction is required when outputting to the printer unit 2, the memory D509 is connected to the bus 562 of the scaling circuit 511, and the memory D509 is controlled under the control of the DMA controller 518. Scale the contents of.

The CPU 516 is the dual port memory 5
Communication with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is performed via 15, and settings for sending image information from the memory D509 to the printer unit 2 through the core unit 10 for print output are performed.

When the above setting is completed, the CPU 516
Activates the timing generation circuit 514 and outputs a predetermined timing signal from the signal line 559 to the memory controller 510. The memory controller 510 reads the encoded information from the memory D509 in synchronization with the signal from the timing generation circuit 514 and transmits it to the signal line 556. The signal on this signal line 556 is
It is input to the decompression circuit 504, where the information is decompressed.
Then, the output signal 555 from the expansion circuit 504 is output to the core unit 10 via the connector 500.

Since the process from the connector 500 to the output to the printer unit 2 is the same as the process in the core unit 10, the description thereof is omitted here. <Explanation of computer interface section> FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a computer interface unit 7. FIG.

The connectors A700 and B701 of the computer interface section 7 shown in FIG.
It is a connector for the CSI interface. The connector C702 is a Centronics interface connector, and the connector D703 is RS-232C.
Interface connector and connector E70
Reference numeral 7 is a connector for connecting to the core portion 10.

The SCSI interface has two connectors (connector A700, connector B701),
When connecting a device having a plurality of SCSI interfaces, a connector A700 and a connector B701 are used for cascade connection. When the external device 3 and the computer 12 are connected one to one, the connector A70
0 and the computer 12 are connected by a cable and a terminator is connected to the connector B701, or the connector B701 and the computer 12 are connected by a cable and a terminator is connected to the connector A700.

These connectors A700 or connector B
Information input from the 701 is transmitted via the signal line 751 to the SCSI I / F-A 704 or the SCSI I / F 704.
/ F-B708 is input. SCSI I / F-A,
Alternatively, the SCSI I / F-B708 transmits data to the signal line 7 after performing the procedure according to the SCSI protocol.
It outputs to connector 707E via 54.

The connector E707 is the CPU of the core unit 10.
The CPU 1 of the core unit 10 connected to the bus 1054
003 is a SCSI I / F from the CPU bus 1054.
The information input to the connector (connector A700, connector B701) is received. The CPU of the core unit 10
When the data from 1003 is output to the SCSI connector (connector A700, connector B701), the procedure is reversed.

The Centronics interface is connected to the connector C702 and input to the Centronics I / F 705 via the signal line 752. The Centronics I / F 705 receives data according to the procedure of the determined protocol, and outputs the received data to the connector E707 via the signal line 754. The connector E707 is connected to the CPU bus 1054 of the core unit 10 as described above, and the CPU 100 of the core unit 10 is connected to the connector E707.
3 is the Centronics I / F from the CPU bus 1054.
The information input to the connector (connector C702) is received.

The RS-232C interface is connected to the connector D703 and input to the RS-232C I / F 706 via the signal line 753. The RS-232C I / F 706 receives data according to the procedure of a predetermined protocol, and the received data is received via the signal line 754 to the connector E70.
7 is output. The connector E707 is C of the core portion 10.
Since the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 is connected to the PU bus 1054,
The information input to the 32C I / F connector (connector D703) is received.

The process for outputting the data from the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 to the RS-232C I / F connector (connector D703) is performed in the reverse order of the above.

Next, the operation of the image forming system according to this embodiment will be described. <Operation on Transmission Side> FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure on the transmission side in the image forming system. In step S801 of the figure, when the transmission mode is set in the operation unit of the reader unit 1, the document placed on the reader unit 1 is read and transmission is started. At this time, the transmission mode is set to the normal mode or the confidential mode depending on the designation of the operator.

In the case of the confidential mode, the confidential mode must also be set in advance on the receiving side device. Further, in the case of output, the output cannot be performed unless the password set in advance is input.

In step S802, step S801
When the transmission is completed, the transmission completion report is output.
By this report, the operator can record the completion of transmission to the other party. Continued Step S80
In 3, it is determined whether the completed transmission mode is the confidential mode, and if it is the normal mode, step S8.
04, if in confidential mode, step S804
Without performing the output processing to the file in step S8
Move to 05.

That is, in step S804, the transmitted image is transferred to the file unit 5. The transfer method here is
The same operation is performed as when the fax unit 4 outputs an image to the printer unit 2 described above, but the image signal is transmitted to the core unit 10.
Input to the file unit 5, the core unit 10 sends the image signal to the file unit 5. Then, the file unit 5 performs the same processing as the image signal from the reader unit 1 to write the image on the magneto-optical disk.

At this time, information is exchanged between the fax section 4 and the file section 5 through the dual port memory,
Communication time, telephone number, etc. are written on the magneto-optical disk,
It is used as image management information.

In step S805, step S804
When the information is written in the magneto-optical disk, the image information in the fax unit 4 becomes unnecessary, so the image information is erased from the hard disk 11, and the main transmission operation is finished. <Operation of Receiving Side> FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiving side in the image forming system according to the present embodiment. In step S901 in the figure, the receiving operation is started by an incoming signal from the telephone line. At this time, the receiving operation in the normal mode or the confidential mode is performed according to the designation from the transmitting side. In the following step S902,
When the above reception is completed, a reception result report is output. That is, when the reception mode is the confidential mode, the confidential reception report is output. This allows the user to use this report as a reception history.

In step S903, it is determined whether the confidential mode is set. If the normal mode is received, the process proceeds to step S904.
The image remains stored in the hard disk 11. Note that this image is output only when the password is input from the operation unit.

In step S904, if the reception mode is the normal mode, the image signal is output to the printer unit 2 and the image is output on the recording paper. In the following step S905, when the image signal is output to the file unit 5 after the output on the recording paper is finished and the transmission is finished, the file unit 5
The image is written on the magneto-optical disk. Then, in step S906, the image is erased from the hard disk 11 connected to the fax unit 4, and the operation is finished.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The image information transmitted in the normal mode is automatically stored in the magneto-optical disk, and the image information communicated in the confidential mode is stored in the information format called the communication result report in the magneto-optical disk. It is possible to record and save the communication history of the image while maintaining the confidentiality of.

A modification of the above embodiment will be described below. << Modification 1 >> As Modification 1, an example in which an image is encrypted and recorded will be described. The configuration of the image forming system according to the present modified example is the same as that of the system according to the above-described embodiment, and therefore the illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

Further, in the system according to the present modification, it is desired to input all the images to the magneto-optical disk, but a case where the contents of the personal computer cannot be searched will be described. <Operation on Transmission Side> FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation on the transmission side in the system according to the present modification. In steps S1001 and S1002 of the figure, the transmission in the normal mode or the confidential mode is performed, and the report is output, as in the above embodiment. In a succeeding step S1003, the image is transferred to the file unit 5.

Steps S1004 and S1005
Then, the file unit 5 receives the management information such as the telephone number and the information indicating the confidential mode. And
In the case of the confidential mode, for example, the information is further processed after being encoded into MMR (encryption).

Here, for example, for each byte of the obtained code, the data is rotated right or left by 1 bit, or the MSB and LSB of the data are exchanged. Moreover, the file system 5 may have its own encoding method without using a known encoding method such as MMR.

As described above, by encoding with a means different from the ordinary code and recording it on the magneto-optical disk, it becomes impossible to analyze the information easily in the personal computer or the like, and the confidentiality can be maintained. . It should be noted that, even when outputting from the file unit 5, as in the case of outputting a confidential document of a fax, it is possible to output only when a correct password is input.

Then, in step S1006, the image on the hard disk 11 of the fax unit 4 is erased, and this operation ends. <Operation of Receiving Side> FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiving side in the present modification. Step S1 in FIG.
In 101 and step S1102, reception processing and report output are performed, and steps S1103 and S11 are performed.
In 04, if the mode is the confidential mode, print output is not performed, and output is performed only in the normal mode. The image is left recorded on the hard disk 11, but a password is required to be output in order to output it.

In step S1105, the fax unit 4
Image is output to the file section 5 from step S11.
In step 06 and step S1107, if the mode is the confidential mode, unique encoding (encryption) is performed as in the transmission, and the encoded information is recorded on the magneto-optical disk. << Modification 2 >> As Modification 2, an example of recording the report only in the confidential mode on the magneto-optical disk will be described. It should be noted that the feature of this modification is that all the history of transmission or reception performed can be recorded as image information, and
The point is that the confidentiality in confidential mode was also taken into consideration.

12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the processing on the transmitting side and the receiving side in the system of this modification. The description of the processing steps having the same basic operation as that of the above embodiment will be omitted.

The processing on the transmitting side is different from the above embodiment in the processing in step S1206 in FIG. That is, here, when the transmission completion report created in step S1202 is transferred to the file unit 5, the file unit 5 regards the report as a received image and transfers the report to the magneto-optical disk, similarly to the normal recording of the received image. , Record on a magneto-optical disk.

On the receiving side, step S1 in FIG.
At 307, the report is transferred to the file unit 5 and recorded on the magneto-optical disk.

As a result, in the confidential mode, by recording the report on the magneto-optical disk, the communication history is recorded and the confidentiality of the image itself is maintained.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0113]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The information transmitted in the normal mode is stored in the storage unit as it is, and the information transmitted in the confidential mode is prevented from being stored in the storage unit, whereby the confidentiality of the communication content in the confidential mode can be improved. According to another invention, the confidentiality of communication in the confidential mode can be improved by encrypting the information transmitted in the confidential mode and storing it in the storage unit. Further, according to another invention, by storing or notifying the communication result in the confidential mode, it is possible to record and save the communication history in the communication mode.

[0114]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing configurations of a reader unit and a printer unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration inside a reader unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a core unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fax unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a file unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer interface unit.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart illustrating an operation procedure on the transmission side in the image forming system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart illustrating an operation procedure on the receiving side in the image forming system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation on the transmitting side in the system according to the first modification.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation on the receiving side in the system according to the first modification.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation on the transmitting side in the system according to Modification 2;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation on the receiving side in the system according to Modification 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 image input device (reader unit) 2 image output device (printer unit) 3 external device 4 fax unit 5 file unit 6 external storage device 7 computer interface unit 8 formatter unit 9 image memory unit 12 computer (PC / WS)

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A communication device comprising: a means for selecting at least one of a normal communication mode and a confidential communication mode; and a storage means for recording information transmitted / received in the selected mode. On the transmitting side, when the normal communication mode is selected, means for storing transmission information in the storage means; and, when the confidential communication mode is selected, means for avoiding storage of transmission information in the storage means. , Means for transmitting the transmission information to the receiving side, means for storing the transmission information from the transmitting side in the storage means as reception information at the receiving side, and when receiving in the normal communication mode, And a means for visually outputting the reception information stored in the storage means, and a means for notifying that the reception is performed when the reception is performed in the confidential communication mode. In the receiving side, information received by the confidential communication mode, the communication apparatus characterized by output from said storage means when you enter a predetermined password. 2. The transmitting side further comprises means for encrypting the transmission information when the confidential communication mode is selected, and means for storing the encrypted information in the storage means. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the stored transmission information can be decrypted by performing a predetermined process. 3. The transmitter according to claim 1, further comprising means for visually outputting a communication result in the confidential communication mode when storage of transmission information in the storage means is avoided. Communication device. 4. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the receiving side stores the encrypted information as received information in the storage means. 5. The receiving side further comprises means for creating a history of the reception when the reception is performed in the confidential communication mode, and the history is stored in the storage means. The communication device according to claim 1. 6. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the communication result includes at least communication time, communication management information including identification information of a communication source and a communication destination. 7. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the history includes at least communication management information including communication time, communication source and communication destination identification information. 8. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the information is processed according to a communication function according to a communication protocol defined by the ITU-T recommendation. 9. The receiving side further comprises means for erasing the information received in the confidential communication mode from the storage means when the information is output from the storage means. The communication device according to 1. 10. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is removable from the communication device.