JPH0918623A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To attain facsimile transmission processing easily for filed data in a composite image forming device by providing a facsimile transmission data of retrieved image data obtained by filing retrieval processing. CONSTITUTION: A reader section 1 converts an original into image data and a printer section 2 converts the image data onto recording paper as a visual image. The image data are given to an external device 3 via the reader section 1. A file section 5 of an external device 3 via a core section 10 converts original information into an electric signal and stores the signal to an external storage device 6 of a file. A file is retrieved from an optical disk drive of the storage device 6 and retrieved image data are sent from a telephone line via a facsimile section 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite image forming apparatus which combines a copy processing function, a facsimile processing function, a file processing function and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent technical progress, a composite image forming apparatus in which a copying machine, a facsimile, a file and the like are combined has appeared as a device for realizing space saving in offices and downsizing of OA equipment.

[0003]

As a function of such a composite image forming apparatus, document image filing processing and fax transmission / reception processing are possible. Regarding image data stored in a storage device by filing processing, When performing a fax transmission process, in a conventional composite image forming apparatus, the image data stored in the storage device must be searched, printed out, and then faxed again. There is a problem in that the operation of fax-transmitting the image data that has been processed is complicated, and it takes time to print out once.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a composite image forming apparatus capable of easily faxing filed data.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a fax transmission means for the retrieval image data obtained by the filing retrieval processing, and a fax transmission means for the retrieval image data and the original image placed on the original feeding device. In addition, the fax transmission order of the search image data and the document image placed on the document feeding device can be appropriately set and transmitted by setting the operation unit.

[0006]

1 is a block diagram showing the construction of an image forming system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a reader unit 1 is an image input device for converting a document into image data, and a printer unit 2 is provided.
Is an image output device that has a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes and that outputs image data as a visible image on the recording paper in response to a print command.

The external device 3 is electrically connected to the reader unit 1 and has various functions. That is, 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, and information from the computer. A formatter unit 8 for forming an image, an image memory unit 9 for accumulating information from the reader unit 1 or temporarily accumulating information sent from a computer, and a core unit 10 for controlling the above-mentioned functions. And so on.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the construction of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2.

First, in the reader unit 1, the originals accumulated on the original feeding device 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the original table glass surface 102. And, the manuscript is the glass surface 1
When it is transported to the predetermined position 02, the lamp 1 of the scanner section
03 is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 is moved to illuminate the document. The reflected light of the original is reflected by the mirrors 105 and 10.
It is input to a CCD image sensor unit 109 (hereinafter, referred to as CCD) via 6, 107 and a lens 108.

Next, the image signal input to the printer unit 2 is converted into an optical signal modulated by the exposure control unit 201, and irradiates the photosensitive member 202. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper is conveyed from the transfer stacking unit 204 or 205 in synchronization with the leading edge of the developed image,
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
When the sorting function is 0, the sheets are discharged to each bin, and when the sorting function is not working, the sheets are discharged to the highest bin of the sorter.

When outputting images to be sequentially read 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 sheet conveyance direction is reversed. Then, the sheet is conveyed to the re-transferred transfer sheet stacking section 210 via the conveyance direction switching member 209. Then, when the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as in the above process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-transferred transfer paper stacking section 210, so that the same output paper is eventually used. Two document images can be output on the front and back sides.

Next, the external device 3 is connected to the reader 1 by a cable, and the core section in the external device 3 controls signals and controls each function.

In the external device 3, a fax section 4 for sending and receiving a fax, a file section 5 for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the signals on a magneto-optical disk, and code information from a computer as image information. A formatter unit 8 for developing, a computer interface unit 7 for interfacing with a computer, an image memory unit 9 for accumulating information from the reader unit 1 and temporarily accumulating information sent from the computer.
And a core unit 10 and the like for controlling the above functions are provided.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the operation panel provided in the reader unit 1.

The display unit 601 is an LCD for displaying the operating state of the apparatus and messages. In addition, this display unit 601
The surface of is a touch panel, and functions as various selection keys by touching the surface.

The ten-key pad 602 is composed of numeric keys 0 to 9 and * and # keys, and is used to input various numeric data. Further, the start key 603 is used to start various operations.

Next, FIGS. 4 to 9 are flow charts showing the operation in this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to these flowcharts.

First, in FIG. 4, after the power is turned on, initialization is performed (S401). Here, the operation mode selection key is displayed on the display unit 601 of the operation panel, and the mode is selected by touching the panel above the selection key.

Then, it is judged whether or not the selected mode is the copy mode (S402), and if it is the copy mode, jump to step A.

When the copy mode is not selected, it is judged whether it is the fax transmission mode (S40).
3) In the fax transmission mode, jump to step B.

Further, when the fax transmission mode is not selected, it is judged whether it is the file mode (S40).
4) In file mode, jump to step C.

When the file mode is not selected, it is determined whether or not the input mode is from the computer interface (S405). If the input mode is from the computer interface, the process jumps to step D.

Further, when the input mode from the computer interface is not detected, it is judged whether it is the fax reception mode (S406), and when it is the fax reception mode, the process jumps to step E.

When the fax reception mode is not detected, the process returns to the judgment of the copy mode (S402), and the selection mode judgment operation from S402 to S406 is repeated.

Note that this operation can be executed by an input from the operation panel of FIG. 3 and an external computer.

Next, FIG. 5 shows the operation when the copy mode is selected.

First, the initialization of the copy operation is performed (S501), and the keys 301 input from the operation panel,
302 is read, copy conditions are set (S502),
Wait for the input of the start key 603 (S503).

When the start key 603 is pressed, the document is read by the reader unit 1 (S504), and the printer unit 2 prints (S505). After the printing is completed, the process returns to the initial setting (S401).

FIG. 6 shows the operation when the fax transmission mode is selected.

First, the fax transmission initialization setting is performed (S601), and the keys 301 input from the operation panel
Read 302 and set fax transmission conditions (S60
2) Wait for input of the start key 603 (S603).

When the start key 603 is pressed, the document is read by the reader unit 1 (S604) and the image data is sent to the fax unit 4. The fax unit 4 performs fax transmission according to the set format and the determined protocol (S605). After this transmission is completed, the initial setting (S
Return to step 401).

FIG. 7 shows the operation when the file mode is selected.

First, initialization of file operation is set (S701), mode selection of file storage or search is displayed on the operation panel, and key input is waited (S702). When the memory key is selected, the memory condition is set (S703), and the document is read from the reader unit 1 (S703).
704), data is sent to the file section 5 and stored in the external storage device 6 of the file (S705).

If the file search key is selected in S702, search condition setting is performed (S706),
The file is searched from the external storage device 6 (S70).
7), the search result is output to the display unit 601.

After that, when printout is selected (S708), the retrieved file data is printed out by the printer unit 2 (S709). Further, when the fax transmission of the searched file is selected (S70
8), filing fax processing is performed (S710 to S)
713). The details of this process will be described later. Then, after the storage or search is completed, the process returns to the initial setting (S401).

FIG. 8 shows the operation when command data is input to the computer interface from the outside.

First, the command is accepted by the computer interface (S801), the data is sent to the formatter unit 8 via the core unit 10, and the data is interpreted and converted into meaningful information such as characters (S802). Next, in order to output this information, it is confirmed whether the printer unit 2 is operating (S803), and if the printer unit 2 is not operating, printout is performed (S803).

When the printer unit 2 is operating,
Information such as the above characters is stored in the image memory unit 9 (S8
05), print out when the printer unit 2 is not in operation (S803, S804). After the printing is completed, the process returns to the initial setting (S401).

FIG. 9 shows the operation when a fax is received.

First, fax reception is performed by the fax unit 4 (S901), and it is determined whether the printer unit 2 is operating (S902). If not, data is sent to the printer unit 2 and printed out. (S903).

If the printer unit 2 is operating in S902, it is stored in the hard disk of the fax unit 4 (S904), and is printed out when the printer unit 2 is not operating (S902, S903). After the printing is completed, the process returns to the initial setting (S401).

As described above, the processing of each mode that can be executed by this apparatus is selected by the selection key 301 on the operation panel, received by the fax unit 4, or the computer interface unit 7 from the outside. Execute by detecting a command.

Note that some of these operations can be operated in combination at the same time, and some can be operated independently at the same time, and are controlled by the core unit 10 based on the setting of the priority order and the like.

Next, the filing and fax processing in this embodiment will be described.

Here, the filing / fax process is a process for faxing the image data retrieved from the storage device by the filing function, and this operation is performed according to the flowchart of FIG.

First, as described above, in the operation unit,
When you select the file mode, the file operation initialization settings are made, and you also select the storage or search mode and set the conditions.When you perform filing fax processing, select the search mode and search the fax of the search image data. In order to perform the transmission process, conditions such as the input of the telephone number of the transmission destination are set, and the input of the start key of the operation unit is awaited (S702).

Here, when the start key is pressed, the search mode is selected, the search image data condition setting and the search image data fax transmission setting are performed in the search condition setting (S706), and the external storage device is set. A file is searched from the optical disc drive of 6 (S707), the result of the search image data is not printed out, the setting of the filing fax transmission processing is confirmed (S710), and the search image data is faxed (S713). ). After this, the initial settings are restored.

As described above, the search data from the file can be transmitted as it is without being printed out.

In the above embodiment, the case where only the search data is transmitted by fax has been described, but it is also possible to add a new original image to the search data and perform the filing fax process. Hereinafter, this operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the document image is placed on the document feeder, the file mode is selected on the operation unit, the search mode is selected from the storage or search modes, and the filing fax processing of the search image data is set in the condition setting. Then press the start key.

Then, in FIG. 10, the initialization of the file operation is performed, and the search mode is selected in the storage or search mode selection (S702).
The search condition is set (S706), and the file is searched from the external storage device 6 (S707).

Then, the output request selection selects the filing fax transmission process (S708), confirms the filing fax process condition setting (S710), and the document is placed on the document feeder, so that there is an additional document. The determination is made (S711), and the fax transmission processing of the document image data and the image data of the storage device is performed (S713). Upon completion of this fax transmission, the operation of the filing fax processing of the document image and the image data of the storage device is ended, and the process returns to the initial setting.

Next, the operation of setting the order of the original images to be added and performing the filing fax processing will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described using the flowchart of No. 1.

First, the document image is placed on the document feeding device, the file mode is selected as the setting of the operation unit, the search mode is selected from the storage or search modes, and the filing fax processing of the search image data is performed in the condition setting. And set the conditions for filing fax processing to include originals to be added.For the order of additional originals, for example, select to execute the fax transmission processing of the filing search image data first, and then press the start key. Push.

Then, in FIG. 11, the initialization of the file operation is set, and the search mode is selected in the storage or search mode selection (S702).
The search condition is set (S706), and the file is searched from the external storage device 6 (S707).

The output request selection selects the filing fax transmission processing (S709), confirms the filing fax processing condition setting (S710), and judges that there is an additional original because the original is placed on the original feeding device. (S71
1) In order to set the condition of the order of additional documents in the filing fax transmission process, first, the order of the fax transmission process of the document image data of the document feeding device is set first (S712).

Then, a fax transmission process is performed (S71).
3). Upon completion of this fax transmission, the operation of the filing fax processing of the document image and the image data of the storage device is completed, and the initial settings are restored.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since it has a fax transmission means of the search image data obtained by the filing search processing, the image data can be fax-transmitted without printing out the search image data of the filing function, which has the effect of shortening the processing time. .

Further, by having the fax transmission means for the retrieved image data and the original image placed in the original feeding device,
A necessary additional manuscript can be transmitted together with the search data, and a convenient device can be provided.

Further, since there is a means for setting the fax transmission order of the search image data and the document image placed on the document feeder by setting the operation unit, the fax transmission order of the additional document and the search data can be set. Therefore, it is not necessary to rearrange the documents after the print output of the search image data, the work can be simplified, and the processing time can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation in the above embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation in still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reader part, 2 ... Printer part, 3 ... External device, 4 ... Fax part, 5 ... File part, 6 ... External storage device, 7 ... Computer interface part, 8 ... Formatter part, 9 ... Image memory part, 10 … Core part.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image reading means for reading an original image and converting it into image data, an image communication means for transmitting and receiving image data via a communication line, and an image formation on a recording medium based on the input image data. An image forming means, an image input / output means for transmitting and receiving data from an external computer, and an image storing means for storing image data generated based on the input data or externally input image data,
Image transfer means for transferring the image data output from any of the above means to any of the above means, searching the image data stored in the image storage means, and transmitting the image data by the image communication means. An image forming apparatus having a function to perform. 2. The image data to be transmitted by the image communication means according to claim 1, wherein both the image data read by the image reading means and the image data stored in the image storage means are used. Image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for setting a transmission order of the image data by the image reading means and the image data accumulated in the image accumulating means.