JPH08223347A - Telephone and facsimile composite equipment and home use game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make telephone facsimile composite equipment small by storing received image information on a rewritable storage medium contained in an external storage means. CONSTITUTION: An external storage section 3 having a storage section storing and extracting a rewritable storage medium is provided and a storage medium is stored in advance in the external storage section 3. When image information is received via a communication line by a modem section 5, when the modem section 3 receives the image information via a communication line, a system control section 1 stores received image information on a storage medium stored in the external storage section 3. Through the constitution above, a read section of a transmission original and a recording section of the received image information are excluded from the equipment configuration to make the facsimile communication function exclusive for reception only. Thus, the facsimile equipment is made small and the cost is reduced. Furthermore, since the facsimile reception is conducted by having only to prepare several rewritable storage media, purchase and replacement or the like of recording paper are not required.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone / facsimile multifunction device and a home-use game machine, and more particularly to a telephone / facsimile multifunction device for performing telephone communication and facsimile reception via a communication line and a game in which game software is stored in advance. A game software loading section capable of loading and unloading a software storage medium, and, when the game software loading medium is loaded in the game software loading section, game software stored in the game software loading medium based on operation information of an operator. And a transmitting means for transmitting the read audio information and image information of the game software to the television receiver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, telephones are already widely used in ordinary households. On the other hand, in recent years, facsimile machines have become smaller in size and lower in price by simplifying specifications as compared with facsimile machines for business use, and have started to spread to general households. In addition, a facsimile machine is provided in various forms such as a telephone-facsimile multifunction device integrated with a telephone, a multifunction device with a copying machine, and a personal computer having a facsimile function.

Further, in recent years, home-use game machines have become popular and have become popular in each home. One of the reasons for the widespread use of home-use game consoles is the adoption of a TV receiver for the display monitor. Since the television receiver is already widely used in general households like the telephone, it is not necessary to purchase a new one to play the game. For this reason,
The price of game machines has been reduced, and it has become popular among households.

[0004]

However, the conventional facsimile apparatus is not in widespread use in general households at present. In the conventional home-use facsimile machine, the size of the machine is large in proportion to the size of the paper used, and the size of the machine is large, and the installation space is also large. Therefore, there is a problem of refraining from purchasing a facsimile machine. Here, the size of the facsimile device is substantially determined by the size of the paper handled by the facsimile device, and the reading unit that reads the transmission document and the recording unit that outputs the recording paper directly cause the device size to increase. .

Further, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, generally, the image information received from the facsimile apparatus of the other party through the communication line is output to the recording paper, but the recording paper is a consumable item and the recording paper is used up. In this case, there has been a problem that it takes time and labor to purchase new recording paper and replace recording paper. In addition, a problem such as a paper jam may occur, which causes a problem for the user.

Further, a personal computer having a facsimile function has a problem that it is difficult to purchase it easily because the computer itself is expensive, the installation space is large, and the method of use is complicated. Therefore, the present invention is, in a telephone / facsimile multifunction apparatus for performing telephone communication and facsimile reception via a communication line, a reading unit that converts a transmission document equipped in a conventional facsimile apparatus into image information and reads the image, and received image information. The recording unit that outputs the data to the recording paper is removed from the device configuration, and a storage unit capable of storing and removing a rewritable storage medium is provided, and image information received from a partner facsimile machine via a communication line is stored in this storage unit. By storing in a stored rewritable storage medium and making the facsimile communication function dedicated to reception, further downsizing and cost reduction of the device are realized, and it is only necessary to prepare several rewritable storage media. It is an object of the present invention to provide a telephone facsimile apparatus that does not require the trouble of purchasing or exchanging recording paper one by one.

Also, the present invention has a storage unit for storing the storage medium taken out from the telephone facsimile apparatus, converts image information stored in the storage medium stored in the storage unit into image information, and a television receiver. It is an object of the present invention to provide a home-use game machine in which the image information of the image information stored in the storage medium can be easily confirmed at low cost by displaying the above.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In order to solve the above problems, in a telephone / facsimile multifunction device for performing telephone communication and facsimile reception via a communication line, a receiving means for receiving image information transmitted from a partner facsimile machine via the communication line, and the receiving means. The received image information is stored in a rewritable storage medium, and an external storage unit having a storage unit capable of storing and taking out the storage medium is provided.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the external storage means adds the identification information for identifying the image information for each reception to the image information received by the receiving means, and the image information. The page number is added to each page and stored in the storage medium. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 3 has identification information display means for displaying identification information for identifying the image information for each reception of the image information stored in the storage medium, and the external storage means. When the content of the image information stored in the storage medium is confirmed by the operator and the image information in the storage medium is no longer needed, the corresponding information stored in the storage medium is input based on the input information of the image information to be erased. Determination means for determining the presence or absence of identification information for identifying image information for each reception, and erasing means for erasing the image information corresponding to the identification information when the determination means determines that there is corresponding identification information. , Are included.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a detecting means for detecting the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the storage medium via the external storage means, and the detecting means for detecting the total storage capacity of the storage medium. Storage capacity display means for displaying the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the detected storage medium when the storage capacity and the free capacity are detected.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a game software loading section capable of loading and unloading a game software storage medium in which game software is stored in advance, and a game in the game software loading section When a software storage medium is attached, a transmission means for reading out the game software stored in the game software storage medium based on the operation information of the operator and transmitting the audio information and the image information of the read game software to the television receiver. 2. A telephone game facsimile machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit capable of storing and removing a storage medium for storing image information by an external storage unit; and the storage medium in the storage unit. When the image information is stored, a desired one is selected from the image information stored in the storage medium based on the input information of the image information to be selected. Read selecting means for selecting information, the image information selected by said selection means from said storage medium,
Image information converting means for converting the read image information into image information compatible with the image information of the game software compatible with the home-use game machine, and the image information converted by the image information converting means to the home-use game machine. Transmitting means for transmitting to the connected television receiver.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in the telephone facsimile complex apparatus according to claim 2, the selecting means is a desired one stored in the storage medium together with image information by an external storage means. Determination means for determining presence or absence of identification information for identifying image information for each reception of image information based on input information of image information to be selected, and identification if the determination means determines that there is corresponding identification information It is characterized in that image information corresponding to the information is selected.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in order to solve the above problems, when the operator confirms the content of the image information stored in the storage medium and the image information is no longer needed,
Determination means for determining the presence or absence of identification information for identifying the image information for each reception of the corresponding image information stored in the storage medium based on the input information of the image information to be erased; and the corresponding identification information by the determination means If it is determined that the image information corresponding to the identification information is present, the image information corresponding to the identification information is erased.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 8 is such that a game software storage unit in which game software is stored in advance can be loaded and unloaded, and a game is loaded in the game software loading unit. When a software storage medium is attached, a transmission means for reading out the game software stored in the game software storage medium based on the operation information of the operator and transmitting the audio information and the image information of the read game software to the television receiver. In the telephone / facsimile multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device is capable of storing and taking out a storage medium for storing image information by an external storage means, and the game software mounting part is mounted. A game machine connecting section compatible with a connecting member of a game software storage medium, and the storage medium in the storage section. When the game machine connection section is installed and is attached to the game software attachment section, desired image information is selected from the image information stored in the storage medium based on the input information of the image information to be selected. And image information for reading the image information selected by the selecting means from the storage medium and converting the read image information into image information compatible with the image information of the game software compatible with the home-use game machine. It is characterized by having an adapter having a conversion means and a transmission means for transmitting the image information converted by the image information conversion means to a television receiver to which a home-use game machine is connected.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an external storage means having a storage portion capable of storing and taking out a rewritable storage medium is provided, and the storage medium is stored in advance in the external storage means, and the receiving means. When the image information transmitted from the other facsimile machine is received via the communication line,
The received image information is stored in the storage medium by the external storage means.

For this reason, the reading section for converting a document into image information and reading it and the recording section for outputting the image information on a recording sheet, which are equipped in a conventional facsimile apparatus, are excluded from the apparatus configuration, and the facsimile communication function is exclusively used for reception. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the device. For this reason, it can be installed in the same space as a telephone. Further, since facsimile reception can be performed by preparing only a few storage media, recording paper is not required, recording paper is not replenished one by one, and problems such as paper jams are eliminated. Therefore, the troublesomeness of the user can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the external storage means adds identification information for identifying the image information for each reception to the image information received by the receiving means. A page number is added to each page of information and the information is stored in the storage medium. Therefore, since it is possible to manage the image information corresponding to this identification information based on this identification information, the input information representing the identification information can be input without checking the contents of the image information stored in the storage medium one by one. Based on this, it is possible to easily and surely manage the image information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the second aspect, there is provided identification information display means for displaying identification information for identifying the image information for each reception of the image information stored in the storage medium. When the operator confirms the content of the image information stored in the storage medium and the image information in the storage medium becomes unnecessary, the external storage means is stored in the storage medium based on the input information of the image information to be erased. Whether or not there is identification information that identifies the corresponding image information for each reception is determined by the determination means, and when it is determined that there is the corresponding identification information, the image information corresponding to this identification information is deleted by the erasing means. To configure.

Therefore, the image information corresponding to the identification information can be erased based on the input information representing the identification information displayed on the display means, so that the contents of the image information stored in the storage medium are individually changed. Even without confirmation, unnecessary image information can be easily and surely erased based on the input information representing the identification information. According to the invention of claim 4,
In addition to the operation of claim 1, the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the storage medium are detected by the detection means via the external storage means, and when the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the storage medium are detected, it is detected. The storage capacity display means is configured to display the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the storage medium.

Therefore, even with storage media having different storage capacities, the total storage capacity of each storage medium can be easily and surely confirmed. Further, since the free space of the storage medium can be easily and surely confirmed, when the free space of the storage medium is small, unnecessary image information is erased or a new unused storage medium is replaced. As a result, the received image information can be reliably stored in the storage medium.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the telephone / facsimile multifunctional apparatus according to the first aspect, a storage section is provided which can store and take out a storage medium for storing image information by an external storage means, and the storage section is provided with the storage section. When the storage medium is stored, the desired image information is selected by the selecting means from the image information stored in the storage medium based on the input information of the image information to be selected, and the selected image information is stored in the above-mentioned image information. The image information is read from the storage medium, the read image information is converted into image information compatible with the image information of the game software compatible with the home game machine by the image information converting means, and the converted image information is converted into the home game machine. The transmitting means transmits the signal to the television receiver connected to.

Therefore, the storage medium taken out from the telephone / facsimile multifunction device is stored in the storage portion of the game machine,
Since the image information of the image information stored in the storage medium can be displayed on the television receiver connected to the home-use game machine, it is not a high-priced device such as a personal computer having a facsimile communication function, but a low-priced device. It is possible to check the contents of the image information stored in the storage medium with a costly device configuration.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the operation of the fifth aspect, in the telephone facsimile complex apparatus according to the second aspect, the selection means is stored in the storage medium together with image information by the external storage means. Whether or not there is identification information for identifying the image information each time the image information is received is determined by the determination means based on the input information of the image information to be selected, and when it is determined that the corresponding identification information is present, the identification information is supported. It is configured to select the image information to be displayed.

Therefore, since the image information corresponding to this identification information can be selected based on the identification information, the input representing the identification information can be performed without checking the contents of the image information stored in the storage medium one by one. Image information can be easily and surely selected based on the information. According to the invention of claim 7, in addition to the operation of claim 5, when the operator confirms the content of the image information stored in the storage medium and the image information becomes unnecessary, the input information of the image information to be erased. The determination means determines the presence or absence of the identification information for identifying the image information for each reception of the corresponding image information stored in this storage medium based on the above, and when it is determined that the corresponding identification information is present, the identification information is The corresponding image information is erased by the erasing means.

Therefore, since the image information corresponding to this identification information can be erased based on the identification information, the input representing the identification information can be input without checking the contents of the image information stored in the storage medium one by one. The unnecessary image information can be easily and surely erased based on the information. Claim 8
In the invention described above, the adapter is mounted on the telephone facsimile composite apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is capable of storing and removing a storage medium for storing image information by an external storage unit, and the game software mounting unit. A game machine connecting portion compatible with a connecting member of a game software storage medium, the storage medium is stored in the storage portion, and the game machine connecting portion is attached to a home-use game machine; The desired image information is selected by the selecting means from the image information stored in the storage medium based on the input information of the image information to be read, the selected image information is read from the storage medium, and the read image information is read. The image information converting means converts the image information into image information compatible with the image information of the game software compatible with the home game machine, and the converted image information is connected to the home game machine. And configured to transmit the transmission unit to the television receiver.

Therefore, the storage medium is not directly stored in the home-use game machine, but the storage medium is stored in the adapter and the adapter is attached to the game machine, so that the image information stored in the storage medium is received by the television receiver. Since it can be confirmed by the device, the adapter can be provided with a main function for reproducing the image information on the television receiver. For this reason, the adapter can be treated as an optional part, and the price of the main body of the home-use game machine can be maintained at the same level as the conventional price. Therefore, the device can be configured according to the needs of the user, for example, after purchasing a home-use game machine and then purchasing an adapter as needed.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a telephone facsimile apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the telephone facsimile apparatus includes a system control unit 1, an operation display unit 2, an external storage unit 3, a decoding unit 4, a modem unit 5, a network control unit 6, a telephone 7 and a bus 8. There is.

The system control unit 1 has a memory, and controls the entire apparatus in accordance with a control program and control data necessary for the operation of the system, which is stored in the memory in advance. The operation display unit 2 inputs an operation by an operator, and displays operation information and device status information to notify the operator. The external storage unit 3 has a storage unit capable of storing and removing a flexible disk (not shown),
When the flexible disk is stored in the storage section, the image information received from the facsimile apparatus of the other party through the communication line and decoded by the decoding section 4 and the identification information added to the image information are stored. The identification information includes a reception date, a reception time, the number of received sheets, and a used storage capacity. In addition, the external storage unit 3 detects whether or not the flexible disk is stored in the storage unit, and when the flexible disk is not stored, sends the information indicating that the flexible disk is not stored to the bus 8. The information that the flexible disk sent to the bus 8 by the external storage unit 3 is not stored is detected by the system control unit 1, and the system control unit 1
The modem unit 5 prohibits the operation of receiving image information from the facsimile machine of the other party through the communication line.

Further, during facsimile reception, the system control unit 1 detects from the external storage unit 3 whether there is free space in the flexible disk, and if there is no free space, the modem unit 5 opens the communication line. The operation of receiving image information from the facsimile machine of the other party is stopped. The decoding unit 4 uses the MH system or MR in the facsimile machine of the other party.
The image signal encoded according to the encoding method such as the MMR method or the MMR method and transmitted through the communication line is converted into image information and decoded.

The modem section 5 modulates a transmission signal and demodulates a reception signal and exchanges a facsimile control signal with a destination facsimile machine to execute a facsimile communication procedure. The network control unit 6 switches between the telephone 7 side and the modem unit 5 side to control connection and disconnection of the communication line.

The bus 8 connects these units. Next, FIG. 2 is a front view of the telephone facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the telephone / facsimile apparatus 11 includes a handset 12, a connection cord 13, a dial key 14, a display unit 15, a recording unit 16, an answering machine key 17, a message key 18, a hold key 19, a fax reception key 20, a disk. Error lamp 21, capacity key 22,
It is composed of an erase key 23, a flexible disk storage port 24, and a flexible disk take-out claw 25.

The handset 12 is connected to the main body of the telephone facsimile machine by a connection cord 13. The dial key 14 is used for dialing the other party's telephone or the other party's facsimile machine and for setting operating conditions. The display unit 15 is composed of a liquid crystal panel and displays operation information and device status information to notify the operator. The recording section 16 accommodates a recording tape for an answering machine, and has an operation key therein for reproducing and erasing recorded voice information.

The answering machine key 17 is composed of an illuminated switch and is used when setting an answering machine.
Normally, it is turned off, and when pressed by the operator, it is turned on to notify that the answering machine has been set. When pressed again by the operator, the setting of the answering machine is canceled and the light is turned off. Further, when the answering machine is set, when the voice information is received from the other party's telephone through the communication line and the received voice information is stored in the recording unit 6, it blinks to receive the received voice information. The operator is informed that is stored in the recording unit 6.

The message key 18 is used to register voice information to be transmitted to the other party's telephone via the communication line when setting the answering machine. The hold key 19 is used to temporarily hold a call with the other party's telephone that is currently in a call when a call is received from at least one of the other party's telephone and the other party's facsimile apparatus via the communication line.

The FAX reception key 20 is composed of an illuminated switch and is normally turned off. It receives image information from the facsimile apparatus of the other party through the communication line and stores the received image information in the external storage section 3. When it is stored in the flexible disk, it is turned on, the operator is informed that the received image information is stored in the flexible disk, and it is turned off when the operator presses it. Also, it blinks during facsimile reception to notify the operator that facsimile reception is in progress. Further, even when an incoming call is received from the facsimile machine of the other party through the communication line during a call, it blinks to notify the operator of the incoming call.

The disk error lamp 21 lights up when the flexible disk is not stored in the storage section of the external storage section 3, and notifies the operator that the facsimile reception cannot be performed because the flexible disk is not stored. To do. Further, it lights up when the system controller 1 detects that there is no free space in the flexible disk stored in the external storage unit 3 during facsimile reception, and facsimile reception is performed because the flexible disk has run out of free space. Notify the operator that the operation cannot be performed.

The capacity key 22 is used to display the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the flexible disk stored in the external storage section 3 on the display section 15. Erase key 23
Is used to erase the corresponding image information from the flexible disk when the image information stored in the flexible disk stored in the external storage unit 3 becomes unnecessary. The flexible disk storage opening 24 is an entrance for storing a flexible disk. Flexinble disk storage claw 25, by pushing the claw inside the device,
The flexible stored is taken out from the flexible disk storage opening 24.

Next, FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an operation of receiving a facsimile machine from a partner facsimile machine through a communication line by interruption processing during a call. Here, when the flexible disk is not stored in the external storage unit 3, the disk error lamp 21 is turned on to notify the operator that the flexible disk is not stored and the system control unit 1 performs the facsimile reception. Since it is prohibited, the flexible disk is assumed to be stored in the external storage unit 3 in advance.

As shown in FIG. 3, first, an incoming signal is received by the network control unit 6 from at least one of the facsimile machine and the telephone of the other party via the communication line (step S1), and the signal received by the network control unit 6 is received. Is a facsimile signal, that is, it is not a telephone signal (step S2). If the signal received by the network control unit 6 is a facsimile signal in step S2, the FAX reception key 20 starts blinking to notify the operator that there is an interrupt request for facsimile reception (step S2).
3).

Next, it is detected whether or not the hold key 19 is pressed by the operator (step S4). here,
If the pressing of the hold key 19 is not detected, the process returns to step 3. On the other hand, when the pressing of the hold key 19 is detected, the line is switched to the modem section 5 side to perform facsimile reception (step S5). Next, when the facsimile reception is completed, the blinking of the facsimile reception key 20 is completed, the operator is notified that the facsimile reception is completed (step S6), and then the line is switched to the telephone 7 side to restart the call. (Step S7).

On the other hand, if the received signal is a telephone signal in step S2, a ringing signal is sent to the speaker of the handset 12 to notify the operator that there is a telephone interrupt request (step S8). Next, it is detected whether or not the hold key 19 is pressed by the operator (step S9). If the operator does not press the hold key 19, the process returns to step S8. On the other hand, when the operator presses the hold key 19, the network control unit 6 switches the line to the side of the partner telephone that newly received the call. (Step S10).

Next, when the operator presses the hold key 19 again (step 11), the network control section 6 switches the line to the side of the telephone that was making the first call and restarts the call (step 11). S13). If the interruption is facsimile communication and the facsimile reception is performed by the hold button 19, the line cannot be switched until the facsimile reception is completed, but if the interruption is telephone communication, the operator Each time the hold key 19 is pressed, the call can be switched between the interrupting telephone and the telephone that was talking first.

Next, FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the facsimile receiving operation. Hereinafter, the facsimile receiving operation in step S5 of FIG. 3 will be described in more detail. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, first, the system control unit 1 makes the external storage unit 3
Thus, the free space of the flexible disk is detected, and the detected free space is displayed on the display unit 15 for a predetermined time (step S21). Next, it is determined whether or not the free space of the flexible disk is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (step S22).

If the free space of the flexible disk is equal to or larger than the predetermined value in step S22, facsimile reception is performed and the image information received by the external storage unit 3 is stored (step S23). At the same time, the system control unit 1 detects whether or not the flexible disk has a free space by the external storage unit 3 (step S24). If it is detected in step S24 that there is free space on the flexible disk, facsimile reception is continued.
Next, when the facsimile reception is completed (step S25), the system control unit 1 detects the free space of the flexible disk by the external storage unit 3 and displays the detected free space on the display unit 15 for a predetermined time. (Step S2
6).

On the other hand, if the free space of the flexible disk is less than the predetermined value in step S22 and if it is detected that there is no free space of the flexible disk in step S24, the facsimile reception is stopped and received. The process of storing the image information in the flexible disk by the external storage unit 3 is stopped (step S27). next,
The disk error lamp 21 is turned on to display on the display unit 15 that the free space of the flexible disk is insufficient (step S28).

Next, FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of displaying on the display unit 15 the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the flexible disk stored in the external storage unit 3. Figure 5
First, as shown in FIG.
It is detected whether or not is pressed (step S41), and if the pressing of the volume key 22 is detected, the system control unit 1
Detects the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the flexible disk by the external storage unit 3 (step S42). Next, the total storage capacity of the detected flexible disk is displayed on the display unit 15 for a predetermined time (step S43), and then the detected free space of the flexible disk is displayed on the display unit 15 for a predetermined time (step S44).

Next, FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of erasing the image information stored in the flexible disk. The operation of erasing the corresponding image information when the operator confirms the content of the image information stored in the flexible disk and becomes unnecessary will be described below. As shown in FIG. 6, first, it is detected whether or not the delete key 23 is pressed by the operator (step S51), and when the press of the delete key 23 is detected, the latest image information stored in the flexible disk is detected. The identification information corresponding to is displayed on the display unit 15. Here, the identification information is a reception date and a reception time, as shown in FIG. 7 (step S52).
Next, the operation of the dial key 22 by the operator is detected, and the identification information corresponding to the image information to be erased is displayed (step S53).

Here, each time the * key of the dial key 14 is pressed, among the identification information corresponding to the image information stored in the flexible disk, the identification information of the latest reception date / reception time is sequentially older. Identification information of the reception date / reception time is displayed on the display unit 15. On the other hand, # on the dial key 14
Each time the key is pressed, conversely to the * key, identification information whose reception date / reception time is new from the currently displayed identification information is sequentially displayed.

Next, when the identification information corresponding to the desired image information is displayed, the operator operates the dial keys 22.
It is detected whether or not the 0 key is pressed, and when the 0 key is pressed, the image information of the corresponding identification information is erased (step S54). Next, if there is other image information to be erased (step S55, YES), step S
Return to 53. On the other hand, if there is no other image information to be erased (step S55, NO), it is detected whether or not the erase key 22 is pressed by the operator. If the press of the erase key 22 is detected, the image information is detected. The erasing process ends (step S56).

As described above, in the present embodiment (claim 1),
External storage unit 3 having a storage unit that can store and take out a rewritable flexible disk (storage medium)
(External storage means) is provided, a flexible disk (storage medium) is stored in advance in the external storage unit 3 (external storage unit), and the system control unit 1 is operated by the modem unit 5 (reception unit) via a communication line. When the image information transmitted from the facsimile machine of the other party is received, the received image information is stored in the flexible disk (storage medium) by the external storage unit 3 (external storage means).

For this reason, the reading section which converts the transmission original document into image information and which is read and the recording section which outputs the received image information to the recording paper are excluded from the apparatus configuration, and the facsimile communication function is provided. Can be dedicated to reception, so that downsizing and cost reduction of the device can be realized. For this reason, it can be installed in the same space as a telephone. Further, since facsimile reception can be performed by preparing only a few storage media, recording paper is not required, recording paper is not replenished one by one, and problems such as paper jams are eliminated. Therefore, the troublesomeness of the user can be reduced.

Thus, in this embodiment (claim 2),
The system control section 1 (external storage means) adds identification information for identifying image information for each reception to the image information received by the modem section 5 (reception means), and adds a page number for each page of the image information. The external storage unit 3 (external storage means) stores the data on a flexible disk (storage medium).

Therefore, the image information corresponding to this identification information can be managed based on this identification information.
It is possible to easily and surely manage the image information based on the input information representing the identification information without checking the contents of the image information stored in the storage medium one by one. As described above, in the present embodiment (claim 3), the display unit 15 (identification information display means) for displaying the identification information for identifying the image information for each reception of the image information stored in the flexible disk is provided, and the flexible disk is provided. When the operator confirms the content of the image information stored in the (storage medium) and the image information on the flexible disk (storage medium) is no longer needed, the system control unit 1 (external storage means) is set to store the image information to be erased. Based on the input information, the system control unit 1 (determining means) determines whether or not there is identification information for identifying the corresponding image information for each reception stored in the flexible disk (storage medium), and determines that there is the corresponding identification information. If so, the image information corresponding to this identification information is erased by the external storage means 3 (erasing means).

Therefore, the image information corresponding to this identification information can be erased based on the input information representing the identification information displayed on the display unit 15 (display means), so that the image stored in the storage medium can be erased. The unnecessary image information can be easily and surely erased based on the input information representing the identification information without checking the contents of the information one by one. As described above, in this embodiment (claim 4), the system controller 1 (detector) detects the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the flexible disk (storage medium) via the external storage 3 (external storage). However, when the total storage capacity and the free capacity of this flexible disk (storage medium) are detected, the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the detected storage medium are displayed on the display unit 15.
(Memory capacity display means) is configured to display.

Therefore, even with storage media having different storage capacities, the total storage capacity of each storage medium can be easily and surely confirmed. Further, since the free space of the storage medium can be easily and surely confirmed, when the free space of the storage medium is small, unnecessary image information is erased or a new unused storage medium is replaced. As a result, the received image information can be reliably stored in the storage medium.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention.
3 is a connection diagram of the game machine of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the game machine 30 includes a game machine body 31, a game machine operation unit 32, and an adapter 33. Game console body 3
The game console can be executed by connecting the game console operating unit 32 and the television receiver 35 to the game console 1, and mounting the game software applicable to the present device in the game software mounting unit (not shown) of the game console main body 31.

On the other hand, in order to display on the television receiver 35 the image information stored in the flexible disk 34 by the external storage unit 3 in the telephone facsimile apparatus of the first embodiment,
The adapter 33 is mounted on the game software mounting portion (not shown) of the game machine main body 31, and the flexible disk 34 is stored in the storage portion (not shown) of the adapter 33. The image information stored in the flexible disk 34 is read by the adapter 33 based on the operation information from the game machine operation unit 32, and is converted by the adapter 33 into image information compatible with the image information of the game software. Further, the image information converted by the adapter 33 is displayed on the television receiver 35 via the game machine main body 31 based on the operation information from the game machine operation section 32.

Next, FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram of the adapter 33 of the game machine 30 of the second embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the adapter 33 includes a system controller 4
1, a reading / erasing unit 42, a conversion unit 43, an inversion processing unit 44,
The scaling unit 45 and the game machine input / output unit 46 are included. The system control unit 41 has a memory, and controls the entire apparatus according to control programs and control data necessary for the system stored in advance in the memory. The reading / erasing unit 42 includes a flexible disk 34 (not shown).
When the image information and the identification information corresponding to the image information are read from the flexible disk 34 and the operator confirms the content of the image information and the image information is no longer needed, the corresponding image is stored. The identification information corresponding to the information and the image information is erased from the flexible disk 34. The conversion unit 43 converts the image information read by the reading / erasing unit 42 into image information compatible with the image information of the game software.

The inversion processing section 44 vertically inverts the image information displayed on the display screen of the television receiver on the screen,
A process of rotating 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise is performed. The scaling unit 45 performs a process of enlarging and reducing the image information displayed on the display screen of the television receiver on the screen. The game machine input / output unit 46 has a game machine connection unit compatible with a connection member of game software applicable to this device, and inputs operation information from the game machine operation unit 32 via the game machine body 31. At the same time, the image information converted by the conversion unit 43 and subjected to each processing by the inversion processing unit 44 and the scaling processing unit 45 is output to the game machine main body 31. Bus 47
Connects these parts.

Next, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of the game operating section 32 of the game machine 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
As shown in FIG.
It comprises a start key 52, a select key 53, and an execution key 54. The arrow keys 51 are used to select various functions by pressing the respective arrows. The start key 52 is pressed when the system is started. The select key 53 is used when selecting various functions. The execute key 54 is pressed to execute the function selected by the arrow key 51 and the select key 53.

Next, FIGS. 11 and 12 show the display screens of this system displayed on the television receiver 35, and the image information corresponding to the desired image information stored on the flexible disk 34 is displayed on the television receiver 35. The display method will be described. FIG. 11 shows the initial screen 6 displayed on the television receiver 35.
It is a figure which shows 0. Here, the initial screen 60 is a screen that is first displayed on the display screen of the television receiver 35 when the start key 53 of the game machine operation unit 32 is pressed.

As shown in FIG. 11, the initial screen 60 is composed of an image information selection section 61, a received number / storage capacity display section 62, and a command selection section 63. Image information selection unit 61
Indicates the identification information indicating the reception date, the reception time, the number of received sheets, and the used storage capacity, which are added corresponding to the image information for each reception, in line units, and the image with the latest reception date and reception time is displayed. The identification information corresponding to the information is sequentially displayed from the top. In the initial screen, the cursor 64 is initially located at the top line of the latest identification information, but by moving the cursor 64 up and down with the arrow keys 51 and ↓ of the game operation unit 33, desired image information can be obtained. The identification information corresponding to is selected.

The number-of-received / storage-capacity display section 62 displays the number of pieces of image information stored in the flexible disk 34, and also displays the total storage capacity, used capacity, and free capacity of the flexible disk 34. The command selection unit 63 is composed of three commands of display, erase, and end. The display command is selected when displaying the image information corresponding to the identification information selected by the image information selection unit 61 on the next screen. The erase command is selected when the image information corresponding to the identification information selected by the image information selection unit 61 is to be erased from the flexible disk 34. The end command is selected when ending the processing in this game machine. In the initial state, the display command is selected and the character portion is highlighted. However, another command is selected by the arrow keys 51 → and ←.

The method of selecting desired image information and displaying it as the next screen is as follows. First, the cursor 63 is moved up and down by the arrow keys 51 ↑ and ↓ to select the identification information corresponding to the image information. This is done by pressing the execution key 54 after selecting a display command with the arrow keys 51, and. In addition, when the operator confirms the content of the image information and deletes the corresponding image information when it is no longer necessary, the cursor 63 is moved up and down by the arrow keys ↑ and ↓. This is done by selecting the identification information corresponding to the corresponding image information, then selecting the erase command with the arrow keys 51 → and ←, and then pressing the execute key 54.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an image information display screen 70 displayed on the display screen of the television receiver 35. The image information display screen 70 is displayed when the identification information for the desired image information is selected and the display command is executed on the initial screen 60. As shown in FIG. 12, the image information display screen 70 includes an image display unit 71 and a command selection unit 72. The image display unit 71 displays image information. The command selection unit 72 is composed of commands for next page, previous page, end, upside down, counterclockwise rotation, clockwise rotation, enlargement, and reduction. In the initial state of moving from the initial screen 60 to the image display screen 70, the next page command is selected and the character portion is highlighted. However, when the select key 53 of the game machine operation unit 33 is pressed, it is highlighted. Moves from left to right to the next line to select another command, and then the execution key 54 is pressed to execute each command.

The next page command is selected when the next page is displayed when the image information has a plurality of pages. The previous page command, contrary to the next page command, is selected when displaying the previous page. The end command is selected when returning to the initial screen 60 when the contents of the screen are confirmed by the operator. The upside-down flip command flips the image displayed on the image display unit 71 up and down, and the counterclockwise rotation command flips the image displayed on the image display unit 71 counterclockwise.
When the image is rotated by 0 degrees and displayed, the clockwise rotation command is selected when the image displayed on the image display unit 71 is rotated by 90 degrees clockwise and is displayed.

The enlargement command is used to enlarge and display the currently displayed image, and is enlarged in several steps based on the number of times the execution key 54 is pressed. The reduction command causes the image enlarged by the enlargement command to be reduced and displayed in the original stage based on the number of times the execution key 54 is pressed. Further, during the enlarged display, the position of the image can be scrolled up, down, left and right by the arrow keys 51.

First, from the initial screen 60 to the image display screen 70
In the initial state of moving to, the upper left of the screen is set as the origin corresponding to the scanning start point, the sub-operation direction is associated with the up-down direction, and the scanning direction is associated with the left-right direction, and the image of the first page is displayed. That is, an image for one page is displayed on the left half of the image display unit 71. Next, the image display direction is corrected by using the upside down command, the counterclockwise rotation command, or the clockwise rotation command, the enlargement command is used to enlarge the image to a size that is easy to see, and the image information is confirmed by scrolling the screen with the arrow keys 51. To do.

Next, if there is a next page, the next page command is executed and the image information is similarly confirmed. Next, when the operator confirms the confirmation of the content of the image information of all pages, the end command is executed, and the screen returns to the initial screen 60.
Next, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of displaying image information corresponding to desired image information stored in the flexible disk 34 on the television receiver 35.

As shown in FIG. 13, first, it is detected whether or not the start key 52 of the game operation section 32 is pressed (step S61), and when the press of the start key 52 is detected, the television receiver The initial screen 60 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display screen (step S62). Next, the identification information corresponding to the desired image information is selected with the arrow keys 51 of the game machine operation unit 32 (step S63), and when the press of the execution key 54 is detected (step S6).
4), the image information corresponding to the selected identification information is read from the flexible disk 34 by the reading / erasing unit 42 of the adapter 33, and the read image information is image information compatible with the image information of the game software by the conversion unit 43. 12, and the converted image information is output from the game machine input / output unit 46 to the game machine body, and the image information display screen 70 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display screen of the television receiver 35 via the game machine body 31. It is displayed (step S65).

Next, the content of this image information is confirmed by the operator, and the select key 53 of the game operating section 33 is selected.
When the end command is executed by the and execution keys 54 (step S67), the initial screen 60 is displayed again (step S67). Here, when displaying the image information corresponding to other image information, it returns to step S63 (step S68, YES). On the other hand, when the image information corresponding to other image information is not displayed (step S68,
No), the end command of the initial screen 60 is executed to end the processing (step S69). Thus, in the present embodiment (claim 5), the external storage unit 3 ( A flexible disk 34 (storage medium) for storing image information that can be stored and taken out by an external storage means)
When a storage unit for the erasing unit 42 is provided and the flexible disk 34 (storage medium) is stored in this storage unit, the flexible disk 3 is selected based on the input information of the image information to be selected.
Desired image information is selected by the system control unit 41 (selection means) from the image information stored in 4 (storage medium), and the system control unit 41 causes the selected image information to be read / erased by the reading / erasing unit 42. Flexible disk 34 (storage medium)
Read out, and the read image information is converted into image information compatible with the image information of the game software corresponding to the game machine 30 (home game machine) by the conversion unit 43 (image information conversion means), and this image information is converted. Image information for game console 30
The game machine input / output unit 46 (game machine transmitting means) transmits to the television receiver 35 connected to the (home game machine).

Therefore, the flexible disk 34 (storage medium) taken out from the telephone / facsimile composite apparatus of the first embodiment is stored in the storage unit of the reading / erasing unit 42 of the game machine 30 and stored in the flexible disk 34 (storage medium). Since the image information of the generated image information can be displayed on the television receiver 35 connected to the game machine 30 (home game machine), it is not an expensive device such as a personal computer having a facsimile communication function, for example. The contents of the image information stored in the storage medium can be confirmed with a low-cost device configuration.

As described above, in the present embodiment (claim 6),
In the telephone / facsimile multifunction apparatus of the first embodiment, the system control unit 41 (selection unit) is changed by the external storage unit 3 (external storage unit) to the flexible disk 34 together with image information.
Whether or not there is identification information for identifying the image information for each reception of the desired image information stored in the (storage medium) is determined by the system control unit 41 (determination means) based on the input information of the image information to be selected. When it is determined that there is the identification information to be displayed, the image information corresponding to the identification information is selected.

Therefore, since the image information corresponding to this identification information can be selected based on the identification information, the input representing the identification information can be performed without checking the contents of the image information stored in the storage medium one by one. Image information can be easily and surely selected based on the information. As described above, in the present embodiment (claim 7), the operator confirms the content of the image information stored in the flexible disk 34 (storage medium), and when this image information becomes unnecessary, the image information to be erased Based on the input information, the system control unit 41 (determining means) determines whether or not there is identification information for identifying the image information for each reception of the corresponding image information stored in this storage medium, and determines that there is the corresponding identification information. In the case of being performed, the image information corresponding to this identification information is erased by the reading / erasing unit 42 (erasing means).

Therefore, since the image information corresponding to this identification information can be erased based on the identification information, the input representing the identification information can be performed without checking the contents of the image information stored in the storage medium one by one. The unnecessary image information can be easily and surely erased based on the information. As described above, in the present embodiment (claim 8), the adapter 33 is used as the flexible disk 34 (storage medium) for storing the image information by the external storage unit 3 (external storage means) in the telephone facsimile composite apparatus of the first embodiment. A storage part of a reading / erasing part 42 capable of storing and taking out a game machine, and a game machine connecting part of a game machine input / output part 46 compatible with a connecting member of a game software storage medium mounted on the game software mounting part, , The flexible disk 34 (storage medium) is stored in the storage section, and the game machine connection section is mounted on the game machine main body 31, the flexible disk 34 (storage medium) is selected based on the input information of the image information to be selected. Desired image information is selected by the system control unit 41 (selection means) from the image information stored in (4), and the selected image information is stored in the reading / erasing unit 42. Read from the flexible disk 34 (storage medium), and the read image information is converted into image information compatible with the image information of the game software compatible with the game machine 30 (home game machine) 43 (image information conversion means). And the converted image information is transmitted to the television receiver 35 to which the game machine 30 (home game machine) is connected by the game input / output unit 46 (transmission means).

Therefore, the flexible disk 34 (storage medium) is not directly stored in the game machine body 31, but the flexible disk 34 (storage medium) is stored in the adapter 33 and the adapter 33 is stored in the game machine body 3.
Since the image information stored in the storage medium can be confirmed on the television receiver 35 by mounting it on the main unit 1, the adapter 3 is provided with a main function for reproducing the image information on the television receiver.
3 can be provided. Therefore, since the adapter 33 can be handled as an optional component, the price of the main body of the home-use game machine can be maintained at the same level as the conventional price. Therefore, the device can be configured according to the needs of the user, for example, by purchasing the game machine main body 31 and then purchasing the adapter 33 as necessary.

Although the rewritable storage medium is composed of the flexible disk in the first and second embodiments,
It goes without saying that the storage medium may be composed of, for example, an IC card or a RAM cassette.

[0078]

According to the present invention, in the telephone / facsimile composite apparatus for performing telephone communication and facsimile reception via a communication line, a reading section for converting a transmission original document equipped in a conventional facsimile apparatus into image information and reading the image information. Also, the recording unit that outputs the received image information to the recording paper is removed from the apparatus configuration, and the image information received from the partner facsimile machine via the communication line has a storing unit that can store and remove the rewritable storage medium. Is stored in the rewritable storage medium stored in this storage section, and the facsimile communication function is exclusively used for reception, thereby further reducing the size and cost of the device and reducing the number of rewritable storage media. It is possible to provide a telephone facsimile apparatus which does not require the trouble of purchasing or exchanging recording sheets one by one by only preparing individual sheets.

Further, the present invention has a storage unit for storing the storage medium taken out from the telephone facsimile apparatus, converts the image information stored in the storage medium stored in the storage unit into image information, and a television receiver. It is possible to provide a home-use game machine in which the image information of the image information stored in the storage medium can be easily confirmed at a low cost by displaying the image on the home game machine.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a telephone facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the telephone facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of receiving from a facsimile machine of the other party by interruption processing during a call.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a facsimile reception operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of displaying a total storage capacity and a free capacity of a flexible disk.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of erasing unnecessary image information stored on a flexible disk.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a reception date and a reception time which are identification information displayed on a display unit 15.

FIG. 8 is a connection diagram of the game machine 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram of an adapter 33 of the game machine 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a game operation unit 33 of a game machine 30 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a diagram showing an initial screen 60 displayed on the display screen of the television receiver 35. FIG.

12 is a diagram showing an image information display screen 70 displayed on the display screen of the television receiver 35. FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of displaying image information corresponding to desired image information on the television receiver 35.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 System Control Section 2 Operation Display Section 3 External Storage Section 4 Decoding Section 5 Modem Section 6 Network Control Section 7 Telephone 8 Bus 11 Telephone Facsimile Machine 12 Handset 13 Connection Code 14 Dial Keys 15 Display 16 Recording Unit 17 Answering Machine 18 Message Key 19 Hold Key 20 FAX Reception Key 21 Disk Error Lamp 22 Erase Key 23 Capacity Key 24 Flexible Disk Storage Port 25 Flexible Disk Ejection Claw 30 Game Machine 31 Game Machine Main Body 32 Game Machine Operation Section 33 Adapter 34 Flexible Disk 35 TV Receiver 41 System control unit 42 Reading / erasing unit 43 Conversion unit 44 Inversion processing unit 45 Magnification processing unit 46 Game console input / output unit 47 Bus 51 Arrow key 52 Start key 53 Select key 54 Execution key 60 First time Screen 61 strokes information selection unit 62 receives count-storage capacity display unit 63 commands the selection unit 64 a cursor 70 the image information display screen 71 an image display unit 72 command selection section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. In a telephone / facsimile multifunction device for performing telephone communication and facsimile reception via a communication line, a receiving means for receiving image information transmitted from a partner facsimile machine via the communication line, and a receiving means for receiving the image information. Image information is stored in a rewritable storage medium,
A telephone / facsimile composite device, comprising: an external storage unit having a storage unit capable of storing and taking out the storage medium. 2. The external storage means adds identification information for identifying image information for each reception to the image information received by the receiving means, and also adds a page number to each page of the image information to store the image information. The telephone / facsimile multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the multifunction device is stored in a medium. 3. The image information stored in the storage medium is provided with identification information display means for displaying identification information for identifying the image information each time the image information stored in the storage medium is received. When the operator confirms the contents of the image information and the image information in the storage medium is no longer needed, the identification for identifying the corresponding image information for each reception stored in the storage medium based on the input information of the image information to be erased. 7. A method, comprising: a determining unit that determines the presence or absence of information, and an erasing unit that erases image information corresponding to the identification information when the determination unit determines that the corresponding identification information exists. 2. The telephone / facsimile multifunction device described in 2. 4. A detection means for detecting the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the storage medium via the external storage means, and a detection means when the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the storage medium are detected by the detection means. 2. The telephone / facsimile composite apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage capacity display means for displaying the total storage capacity and the free capacity of the storage medium. 5. A game software loading section capable of loading and unloading a game software storage medium in which game software is stored in advance, and operation information of an operator when the game software loading medium is loaded in the game software loading section. 2. A home-use game machine, comprising: a transmission means for reading out game software stored in the game software storage medium based on the above, and transmitting audio information and image information of the read game software to a television receiver. In the telephone / facsimile multifunction device, a storage section capable of storing and taking out a storage medium for storing image information by an external storage means,
When the storage medium is stored in the storage unit, a selection unit for selecting desired image information from the image information stored in the storage medium based on input information of the image information to be selected, and the selection unit. Image information conversion means for reading out the image information selected in step 3 from the storage medium, and converting the read image information into image information compatible with the image information of the game software compatible with the home-use game machine; Transmitting means for transmitting the image information converted by the means to the television receiver connected to the home-use game machine. 6. The telephone facsimile composite apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the selection means is identification information for identifying image information for each reception of desired image information stored in the storage medium together with the image information by the external storage means. Determination means for determining the presence or absence of the image information based on the input information of the image information to be selected, and when the determination means determines that the corresponding identification information is present, the image information corresponding to the identification information is selected. The home-use game machine according to claim 5. 7. When the content of the image information stored in the storage medium is confirmed by an operator and the image information is no longer needed, it is stored in the storage medium based on the input information of the image information to be erased. Determination means for determining the presence or absence of the identification information for identifying the image information for each reception of the image information, and when the determination means determines that the corresponding identification information exists, the image information corresponding to the identification information is deleted. 6. A consumer game machine according to claim 5, further comprising: erasing means. 8. A game software loading section capable of loading and unloading a game software storage medium in which game software is stored in advance, and operation information of an operator when the game software loading medium is loaded in the game software loading section. 2. A home-use game machine, comprising: a transmission means for reading out game software stored in the game software storage medium based on the above, and transmitting audio information and image information of the read game software to a television receiver. In the telephone / facsimile multifunction device, a storage section capable of storing and taking out a storage medium for storing image information by an external storage means,
A game machine connecting section compatible with a connecting member of a game software storage medium to be mounted on the game software mounting section, the storage medium is stored in the storage section, and the game machine connecting section is the game software mounting section. Selecting means for selecting desired image information from the image information stored in the storage medium based on the input information of the image information to be selected,
Image information conversion means for reading the image information selected by the selection means from the storage medium, and converting the read image information into image information compatible with the image information of the game software compatible with the home-use game machine; A home game machine comprising: an adapter having a transmitting means for transmitting the image information converted by the image information converting means to a television receiver connected to the home game machine.