JPH09252370A - Communication terminal equipment and portable reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the user to listen to data received by a facsimile equipment from a service center in voice. SOLUTION: A system control section 1 stores character data received from a service center via a communication line to a reception data storage section 9. When an operation display section 8 commands reproduction, the character data stored in the reception data storage section 9 are converted into voice data by a data conversion section 11 and a voice output section 12 outputs the voice signal according to the voice data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication terminal device such as a facsimile device, a personal computer capable of communicating with a personal computer, and a portable reproducing device such as a PDA.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, data such as newspaper information is sent from a service center to a user's facsimile machine by facsimile (F
There is a communication system (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-278164) in which data is transmitted by AX) communication and the data is recorded on a recording paper or displayed on a monitor screen by a user's facsimile device.

[0003]

However, in the conventional communication system, only the data such as the newspaper information received by FAX can be recorded and output on the recording paper or displayed on the monitor screen. Therefore, there is a problem that the content of the received data cannot be heard by voice. Further, since it is indispensable to record the data on paper, there is also a problem that unnecessary data is printed out to waste paper resources unnecessarily.

Further, when the data received from the service center is to be printed on a recording sheet and desired to be read outside the office such as a commuter train, it cannot be read at all due to congestion or cannot be read easily due to obstruction. There was also.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is a first object of the present invention to make it possible to listen to data received by facsimile from a service center. A second object is to make it easy to read the data on the go even if the data is not printed on the recording paper.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned first object of the present invention, storage means for storing character data received from a service center via a communication line,
Voice conversion means for converting the character data stored in the storage means into voice data when reproduction is instructed,
Provided is a communication terminal device including a voice output unit that outputs a voice based on voice data converted by the unit.

Further, a storage means for storing the image data and the character data received from the service center via the communication line, and the character data stored in the storage means when the video output is instructed at the time of the reproduction instruction. There is provided a communication terminal device including means for displaying an image based on the above.

Further, a means for storing the character data or image data and the character data stored in the storage means in a removable external memory may be provided.

Further, in order to achieve the second object of the present invention, an external memory storing character data or image data and character data is attached by the communication terminal device as described above and stored in the external memory. There is also provided a portable reproducing apparatus including means for converting the generated character data into voice data, means for outputting a voice based on the voice data converted by the means, and means for displaying an image based on the character data.

According to the communication terminal device of claim 1 of the present invention, the character data received from the service center via the communication line is stored, and when the reproduction is instructed, the character data is converted into voice data. Since the voice is output, the character data can be heard by voice.

According to the second aspect of the communication terminal device of the present invention, the image data and the character data received from the service center via the communication line are stored, and the video output is instructed when the reproduction is instructed. At this time, if the video based on the stored character data is displayed, the video can be output instead of the voice as necessary.

Further, according to the third aspect of the communication terminal device of the present invention, if the stored character data is stored in a removable external memory, the character data can be attached to another device such as a portable reproducing device. Character data can be reproduced and used.

Further, according to the portable reproducing apparatus of claim 4 of the present invention, an external memory storing image data and character data is mounted by the communication terminal device, and the character data is converted into voice data and voiced. Is output, a video based on the character data is displayed, and the image data is displayed, so that the content of the data received from the service center can be easily read and heard on the go.

Therefore, even in a crowded place such as a commuter train, the contents of data such as newspapers, magazines and books can be read and can be heard by voice. Further, according to this portable reproducing apparatus, since it is compact and convenient to carry, it does not get in the way, and it is possible to avoid the troublesome feeling of carrying the paper on which the above data is printed. Furthermore, waste of paper resources can be prevented.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment of a communication terminal apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system using the facsimile apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram of a system configuration including the facsimile apparatus and a PDA which is an embodiment of a portable reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, this facsimile apparatus includes a system control unit 1, a system memory 2, an encoding / decoding unit 3, a scanner unit 4, a plotter unit 5, a modem 6, a network control unit 7, and an operation display unit. 8, a reception data storage unit 9, a character code table 10, a data conversion unit 11, a voice output unit 12, an external storage device interface (I / F) 13, and a bus 14.

The system control unit 1 is a functional unit realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and controls the entire facsimile apparatus and processes such as voice output of character data according to the present invention. . The system memory 2 stores various parameters required when the system control unit 1 executes the control processing program, and various information unique to this facsimile machine, and constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1. It is a memory.

When the image information is transferred by facsimile communication, the encoding / decoding unit 3 compresses the image information by a predetermined encoding process. Also, when data is received by facsimile communication, the image information received in the compressed and encoded state is decoded into the original image information.

The scanner unit 4 is an image reading device that optically reads a document image at a predetermined resolution. Plotter part 5
Is a printing device such as a laser printer or an inkjet printer that prints image information (image data or character data) received by facsimile via a communication line and a document image read by the scanner unit 4 on recording paper and reproduces it.

The modem 6 realizes a G3 facsimile communication function by exchanging a facsimile transmission procedure signal and image information with a destination device via a communication line. The network control unit 7 is connected to a communication line such as a public line to perform automatic switching during facsimile communication and call operation to a partner device.

The operation display unit 8 is composed of an operation unit such as a keyboard having various operation keys and a display panel unit such as a display such as an LCD, which enables an operator to input various operations of the facsimile apparatus. , The display panel section displays the abnormalities during facsimile communication and guidance for various operations to notify the operator,
The character code received by facsimile is also displayed.

The received data storage unit 9 is a memory for storing and storing image information received by facsimile communication. The character code table 10 is a memory that stores information for converting character code data of image information into image data and expanding the image data.

The data conversion section 11 refers to the character code table 10 to convert the character code data of the image information into image data. Also, the character code data is converted into voice data. The voice output unit 12 is a speaker that outputs a voice based on the voice data converted from the character code data by the data conversion unit 11.

The external storage device I / F 13 has a memory card, which is a removable external memory, mounted on the PDA shown in FIG. 3, and the image data or character code data stored in the received data storage section 9 is stored in the memory card. The image information of is stored. The bus 14 is a communication line for exchanging various kinds of data between the above respective units.

Then, based on the reproduction instruction from the operator, the system control section 1 reads the image information stored in the received data storage section 9 and reproduces it. When the print reproduction of the image data is instructed, the system control unit 1 reads the image data of the image information stored in the received data storage unit 9 and sends it to the plotter unit 5, and the plotter unit 5 prints the image data on the recording paper. Print.

When the print reproduction of the character code data is instructed, the system control unit 1 reads the character code data of the image information stored in the received data storage unit 9 and sends it to the data conversion unit 11, and the data conversion unit. Reference numeral 11 refers to the character code table 10 to convert the character code data into image data, expands the image data, and sends the image data to the plotter unit 5. The plotter unit 5 prints the image data on recording paper.

Further, when the voice reproduction of the character code is instructed, the system controller 1 receives the received data storage 9
The character code data of the image information stored in is read and sent to the data conversion unit 11, the data conversion unit 11 converts the character code data into voice data and sends it to the voice output unit 12, and the voice output unit 12 outputs the voice. Audio output based on the data.

Furthermore, when the image reproduction of the character code is instructed, the system control unit 1 reads the character code data of the image information stored in the received data storage unit 9 and sends it to the operation display unit 8, and the operation display unit. A display panel 8 displays information based on the character code data.

When the output to the memory card is instructed, the system control section 1 confirms the insertion of the memory card and the capacity of the memory card, and the character code data stored in the received data storage section 9 is checked. Alternatively, the image information of the image data is read and written in the memory card.

That is, the received data storage section 9 functions as a storage means for storing image information of image data or character data received from the terminal device SC of the service center via the communication line. The plotter unit 5 functions as a unit for printing the image data stored in the received data storage unit 9. The display panel section of the operation display section 8 functions as a means for displaying the image data or character data stored in the received data storage section 9.

The above character code table 10
The data conversion unit 11 functions as a voice conversion unit that converts the character data stored in the received data storage unit 9 into voice data when reproduction is instructed. The voice output unit 12 functions as a voice output unit that outputs a voice based on the converted voice data.

Further, the display panel section of the operation display section 8 displays a video based on the character data or the image data stored in the received data storage section 9 when the video output is instructed at the time of the playback instruction. Fulfill the function of the means to do. Furthermore, the external storage device I / F 13 functions as a means for storing the character data or the image data stored in the received data storage unit 9 in an external memory such as a removable memory card.

Next, a communication system in which the above facsimile apparatus is connected to a terminal device of a service center through a communication line and various data transmission services are received from the service center will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of facsimile devices T1 to Tk and Tm to Tn are connected to a terminal device SC of a service center via a communication line L, and the facsimile devices T1 to Tk and Tm to Tn are respectively It has the functions of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

In the service center, the facsimile apparatus T1 to Tk, the terminal apparatus SC, through the communication line L,
Implement a data transmission service such as document information from Tm to Tn. Each of the facsimile machines T1 to Tk and Tm to Tn performs user registration in order to receive the data transmission service from the service center.

Next, the user registration process will be described. The facsimile machine Tk desiring to receive the data transmission service from the service center makes a call to the terminal device SC of the service center. The terminal device SC of the service center stores various service transmission data in a large capacity memory such as an optical disk device in advance. The data is data such as document information including character code data and image data.

When the network controller detects a call signal from the communication line L, the terminal device SC establishes a line connection with the facsimile device Tk which is the sender of the call signal. When the line is connected, the system control unit of the terminal device SC sends a voice message about the service guide and the user registration method to the facsimile device Tk by the network control unit.

In accordance with the voice message received from the terminal device SC of the service center, the facsimile device Tk requests the user registration to receive the data transmission service, as well as its own telephone number, credit card number, requested service type, and User information such as a time (reception time) at which the user wants to receive the data transmission service is transmitted to the terminal device SC by operating a key on the operation display unit.

The terminal device SC of the service center receives the user registration request and the user information of the data transmission service sent from the facsimile device Tk via the communication line L, and the telephone number and the credit card number of the user information are received. The type of requested service, the reception time, etc. are recognized and stored in the user table on the RAM as the destination terminal information of the data transmission service and registered as a user. When the storage and input of the user information is completed, the system control unit converts the stored user information into voice data for confirmation and sends the voice data to the facsimile apparatus Tk to prompt the user for confirmation.

The facsimile device Tk confirms the voice data of the user information received from the terminal device SC of the service center, and if it is good, sends a signal indicating acceptance by the key operation of the operation display unit to the terminal device SC of the service center. When the terminal device SC of the service center receives the signal indicating the approval from the facsimile device Tk, the user registration ends and the network control unit releases the line.

Next, the terminal device SC of the service center
The user information in the RAM is sequentially checked by the system control unit, and if there is user information in which the reception time (service transmission time at the service center side) specified by the user has arrived, the type of service requested for that user information Is read, and the data for service transmission corresponding to that type is read from the memory.

After that, the telephone number of the destination facsimile machine Tk of the user information is read out, the telephone number is called, and the line with the destination facsimile machine Tk is connected. Then, the data for service transmission read out from the memory. Send by fax. The data is divided into pages and sent. Then, when it is confirmed that the transmission to the destination facsimile machine Tk is completed, the line is released and the system returns to the standby state, and the user is charged based on the credit card number of the user information on the RAM.

The facsimile device Tk stores the data received from the terminal device SC of the service center and reproduces and uses the data. The reproduction includes image data printing, character data voice output, character data video display, and image data and character data printing. Further, the image data and the character data can be attached to the PDA and written in the memory card to be used.

Next, a description will be given of the processing when the memory card in which the image data and the character data are written by the facsimile is used in the PDA. PDA
Reference numeral 20 denotes a compact portable audio and display / playback device in which a memory card 21 is mounted and the data stored in the memory card 21 is played back and output.

The facsimile apparatus Tn can write the data received from the service center into the memory card 21. The facsimile device Tn is a memory card 2 which is used by mounting it on the PDA 20 in the external storage device I / F.
1 is installed, and image information of image data or character data received from the service center is stored in the external storage device I / F.
Write through.

Then, the PDA 20 mounts the memory card 21, and displays a guidance screen on the display unit 22 of the liquid crystal touch panel. The user touches a key on the screen with the input pen 23 or a finger to perform various processes such as data search, reproduction, and processing.

When the PDA 20 is instructed to reproduce the voice,
Character data is read from the memory card 21, converted into voice data, and output to an earphone or a speaker. In addition, when the video reproduction is instructed, the memory card 2
The character data or the image data is read from 1, and a video based on the character data or image data is displayed on the display unit 22.

That is, the PDA 20 is equipped with a memory card 21 in which image data or character data is stored by the facsimile device, and a conversion unit for converting the character data stored in the memory card 21 into voice data and the conversion thereof. The audio output unit is a speaker that outputs a voice based on the generated voice data, and the display unit is a display that displays a video based on the character data or image data.

Next, the process of receiving data from the service center in the facsimile machine will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a process of receiving data from the service center in the facsimile apparatus.

In this process, the receiving operation is started in step (indicated by "S" in the figure) 1, and the process proceeds to step 2 in which data from a designated service station (service center which has previously applied for service by user registration). It is judged whether or not the data is received, and if the data is not received, the process proceeds to step 3 to print out the received data, and this process is ended.

If the data is received from the designated service station in the judgment in step 2, the process proceeds to step 4, the received data is stored in the memory, and the process proceeds to step 5 to judge whether the received data is completed or not, and the process is completed until completed. Continue to store 4 memory.

If the received data is judged as judged in step 5,
The process proceeds to step 6 to end the receiving operation, the process proceeds to step 7 to judge whether the received data is only image data, and if it is only image data, the process proceeds to step 8 to read the received image data from the memory, and to step 3 Then, the image data is printed out and the process is completed.

If the received data is not only image data in the judgment in step 7, the process proceeds to step 9 to judge whether or not the print reproduction is performed. If the print reproduction is performed, the process proceeds to step 85 to receive the image data from the memory. Only the data is read out, the process proceeds to step 3, the image data is printed out, and this process ends.

If the voice reproduction is performed without performing the print reproduction in the judgment of step 9, the process proceeds to step 10 to read only the received character code data from the memory, and the process proceeds to step 11 to convert the received character code data into voice data. Then, the procedure proceeds to step 12 to output the voice, and the procedure proceeds to step 13 to determine whether or not the stored data which is the received data stored in the memory should be erased. If not erased, the procedure returns to step 9 and if erased, step 14 The process proceeds to step (5) to erase the received data in the memory, and this process ends.

Further, this processing will be described. The system control unit 1 detects an incoming call by the network control unit 7 and connects the line to the other party (S1), then determines the calling station by TTI or the like, and applies for service provision by user registration in advance. It is determined whether or not the terminal device SC of the service center (S2), and if the call is not made from the terminal device SC of the service center, the plotter unit 5 prints out the received data normally (S3).

When an incoming call is detected, the system control section 1 sequentially receives the received data when the incoming call is received from the terminal device SC of the service center which has previously applied for service provision by user registration (S2). The data is stored in the data storage unit 9 (S4 to 5), and when the receiving operation is completed (S4)
6) It is determined whether the data stored in the received data storage unit 9 is the received data consisting only of image data or the received data consisting of image data and character code data (S7).

When the system control unit 1 determines that the image data is only the image data, it reads the image data from the received data storage unit 9 (S8), and prints out the image data by the plotter unit 5 (S3). When it is determined that the received data is composed of image data and character code data, it is further determined whether print reproduction is selected by the operation display unit 8 (S9).

When the system controller 1 determines that the print reproduction is selected, only the image data is read from the received data from the received data storage 9 (S8), and the image data is printed out by the plotter 5 (S).
3). If it is determined that the voice reproduction is selected without the print reproduction being selected, only the character code data of the reception data is read from the reception data storage unit 9 (S10).

Then, the data conversion section 11 refers to the character code table 10 to convert the character code data into voice data (S11), and the voice output section 12 outputs a voice based on the voice data (S1).
2) Generate a reproduced voice to the operator.

Further, the system control section 1 judges whether or not the deletion of the received data is selected by the operation display section 8 after the voice output and whether or not the reproduction of the image data is selected (S13), and the image is displayed. When it is determined that the data reproduction is selected, only the image data is read from the reception data stored in the reception data storage unit 9 (S
8) If the plotter unit 5 prints out the image data (S3) and further determines that the deletion is selected, the received data stored in the received data storage unit 9 is deleted (S14), and this process is executed. finish.

In this way, the character code received from the service center can be output as voice,
Operability can be improved. When the received data is composed of image data and character data, the character data may be converted into image data by the data conversion unit 11, and both may be printed out by the plotter unit 5.

Next, another example of processing when the above facsimile apparatus receives data from the service center will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of processing when data is received from the service center in the facsimile apparatus.

In this process, the receiving operation is started in step (indicated by "S" in the figure) 21, and the process proceeds to step 22 in which data from the designated service station (service center which has previously applied for service provision by user registration). It is determined whether or not the data is received, and if the data is not received, the process proceeds to step 23, the received data is printed out, and this process is ended.

If the data is received from the designated service station in the determination in step 22, the process proceeds to step 24, the received data is stored in the memory, the process proceeds to step 25, it is determined whether or not the received data is completed, and the process is continued until completed. Continue to store 24 memories.

If it is judged in step 25 that the received data has ended, the process proceeds to step 26 to end the receiving operation, and the process proceeds to step 27 to judge whether the received data is only image data. The process then proceeds to read the received image data from the memory, proceed to step 23, print out the image data, and terminate this process.

If the received data is not only image data in step 27, the process proceeds to step 29 to determine whether print reproduction is to be performed. If print reproduction is to be performed, the process proceeds to step 30 and total data (image data It is determined whether or not to print-record the received data consisting of the character data and the character data. If it is not the print-record of the total data, the process proceeds to step 28, and only the image data of the received data is read from the memory, and the process proceeds to step 23. Then, the image data is printed out and this process is completed.

If it is judged in step 30 that the total data is a print record, the process proceeds to step 31, the total data is read, the process proceeds to step 32, the character data of the total data is converted into image data, and the process proceeds to step 23 to obtain the image data. Is printed out together with the image data of the total data, and this processing ends.

If the print reproduction is not performed in the determination in step 29, the process proceeds to step 33 to read only the character data of the received data from the memory, the process proceeds to step 34 to determine whether the voice reproduction is selected, When reproduction is selected, the process proceeds to step 35 to convert the character data of the received data into voice data, the process proceeds to step 36 to output the voice, and the process proceeds to step 38.

If it is determined in step 34 that the voice is not reproduced, the process proceeds to step 37 to display the character data,
In step 38, it is judged whether or not the stored data (received data stored in the memory) is erased,
If not selected, the process returns to step 29, and if selected, the process proceeds to step 39 to erase the received data from the memory,
This processing ends.

Further, this processing will be described. The system control unit 1 detects an incoming call by the network control unit 7 and connects the line to the other party (S21), then determines the calling station by TTI or the like, and applies for service provision by user registration in advance. It is judged whether or not it is the terminal device SC of the service center (S22), and if it is judged that it is not an incoming call from the terminal device SC of the service center, the plotter unit 5 prints out the received data normally (S23).

When the system control unit 1 determines that the incoming call is from the terminal device SC of the service center that has previously applied for service provision by user registration (S22), the received data is sequentially stored in the received data storage unit 9. (S2
4 to 25), when the reception operation is completed (S26), it is determined whether the data stored in the reception data storage unit 9 is reception data of only image data or reception data composed of image data and character code data. (S2
7).

When the system control unit 1 determines that the received data is only image data, it reads the image data of the received data from the received data storage unit 9 (S28), and prints out the image data by the plotter unit 5 (S23). . When it is determined that the received data is composed of image data and character code data, it is determined whether print reproduction is selected on the operation display unit 8 (S).
29).

When the system control unit 1 determines that the print reproduction is selected, which of the total data (image data and character code data) print record or the image data only print record is further selected by the operation display unit 8. Is determined (S30).

When the system control unit 1 determines that the print recording of only the image data is selected, only the image data of the received data is read from the received data storage unit 9 (S28), and the image data is printed out by the plotter unit 5. Yes (S23). If it is determined that the recording / printing of the total data has been selected, both the image data and the character data received from the received data storage unit 9 are read (S31). Then, the data conversion unit 11 converts the character code data into image data (S3
2) The plotter unit 5 prints out both image data (S23).

If the print reproduction is not selected, the system control unit 1 reads only the character data of the received data from the received data storage unit 9 and further judges whether or not the voice reproduction is selected by the operation display unit 8. (S34),
When it is determined that the audio reproduction is selected, the data conversion unit 11
Refers to the character code table 10 to convert the character code data into voice data (S35), and causes the voice output unit 12 to output voice based on the voice data (S36).

The system control section 1 judges whether or not the voice reproduction is selected by the operation display section 8 (S34), and if the voice reproduction is not selected, the character data is displayed on the display panel section of the operation display section 8. Yes (S37).

After the voice output or display output of the character data, the system control section 1 judges whether or not the deletion of the stored data is selected by the operation display section 8 (S38), and the deletion should be selected. For example, the process returns to the print reproduction process (S29), and when the deletion is selected, the received data stored in the received data storage unit 9 is deleted (S39),
This processing ends.

In this way, the character code received from the service center can be output as an image (display) in addition to the audio output, and the user can select the output format as necessary, improving the operability. Can be made.

In the processing of FIGS. 4 and 5, the image data may be displayed. In this case, when the display of image data is selected by the operation display unit 8, the system control unit 1 reads the image data from the received data storage unit 9 and displays the image data on the display panel unit of the operation display unit 8. . At this time, the display panel unit has a display screen having a size capable of displaying a reduced image for one page, and if it is displayed page by page, it is convenient. Further, when a small display screen for displaying only various guidance during facsimile communication is displayed, the image data of each page is partially displayed.

Further, if the received data is stored in the received data storage unit 9 and is not erased even after voice output,
After that, it can be reproduced and used many times. If the above-mentioned image data is used as the text of a document such as a magazine, newspaper, or book (including images such as figures and photographs) and the character data is used as its index information, the character data is output as voice and the required document. , And only the image data of the document can be printed out on paper.

Next, the processing for storing the data received from the service center in the above-mentioned facsimile apparatus in the memory card will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a process of storing the data received from the service center in the facsimile machine in the memory card.

In this process, the reception operation is started in step (indicated by "S" in the figure) 41, and the process proceeds to step 42, in which data from the designated service station (service center which has previously applied for service provision by user registration). If it is not received, the process proceeds to step 43 to print out the received data, and the process is terminated.

If the data is received from the designated service station in the determination in step 42, the process proceeds to step 44 to store the received data in the internal memory, and the process proceeds to step 45 to determine whether or not the print output is selected. If print output is selected, the process proceeds to step 43 to print out the received data, and this process ends.

If the print output is not selected in the determination in step 45, the process proceeds to step 46 to determine whether or not an external memory (memory card) is mounted. If not, the process proceeds to step 47 to externally A message prompting the mounting of the memory is displayed and the process returns to step 46.

If the external memory is attached in the determination in step 46, the process proceeds to step 48 to determine whether the free space in the external memory is sufficient to store the received data,
If it is not sufficient, the process proceeds to step 49 to determine whether or not the data stored in the external memory has a read history. If there is no read history, the process proceeds to step 50 to print out the data and to step 51. Then, the external memory is overwritten with the data read from the internal memory, and the process proceeds to step 53.

If it is determined in step 49 that the data stored in the external memory has a read history, step 51
Then, the data read from the internal memory is overwritten in the external memory and the process proceeds to step 53. Step 4
If the free capacity of the external memory is sufficient according to the determination in step 8, the process proceeds to step 52, the data read from the internal memory is written to the external memory, and the process proceeds to step 53.

In step 53, a message indicating that the received data has been written to the external memory is displayed, and the process proceeds to step 54 to erase the received data in the internal memory, and this processing ends.

Further, this processing will be described. The system control unit 1 detects an incoming call by the network control unit 7 and connects the line to the other party (S41), then determines the calling station by TTI or the like, and applies for service provision by user registration in advance. It is determined whether or not the incoming call is from the terminal device SC of the service center (S42), and if the incoming call is not from the terminal device SC of the service center, the plotter unit 5 prints out the received data normally (S43). .

When the system control unit 1 determines that the incoming call is from the terminal device SC of the service center which has previously applied for service provision by user registration (S42), it stores the received data in the received data storage unit 9 ( S4
4) It is determined whether or not the print output is selected by the operation display unit 8 (S45), and when it is determined that the print output is selected, the plotter unit 5 prints the received data stored in the received data storage unit 9. Output (S43).

If the print output is not selected by the operation display unit 8, the system control unit 1 determines whether the memory card 21 of the PDA 20 is attached (S4).
6). For this determination, for example, the external storage device I / F 13 may send a detection signal to the system control unit 1 when the memory card is mounted, and the system control unit 1 may detect the mounting of the memory card by the detection signal. .

When the system control unit 1 determines that the memory card 21 is not attached (S46), it displays a message prompting the user to attach the memory card 21 to the display panel unit of the operation display unit 8 (S47). And
If it is determined that the memory card 21 is installed (S4
6), the memory card 2 via the external storage device I / F 13
The free data in the storage area 1 is checked, and the received data storage unit 9
The capacity of the received data stored in the memory card 21 is checked, the free capacity of the memory card 21 is compared with the capacity of the received data, and it is determined whether the memory card 21 has sufficient free capacity to store the received data. Yes (S48).

If the system controller 1 determines that the memory card 21 has already stored data and there is not enough free space to store the received data in the received data storage 9 (S48), the external storage device It is determined whether or not the data stored in the memory card 21 has a read history via the I / F 13 (S49).

For this determination, when the data of the memory card 21 is read, history information indicating it is stored. Then, the system control unit 1 of the facsimile apparatus may read the history information stored in the memory card 21, and thereby determine whether or not the data stored in the memory card 21 has been read.

If the system controller 1 determines that the data in the memory card 21 has never been read (S4
9), the memory card 2 via the external storage device I / F 13
The data stored in 1 is read out and printed by the plotter unit 5 (S50). After that, the received data in the received data storage unit 9 is read out and overwritten on the memory card 21 via the external storage device I / F 13 (S51). If the data in the memory card 21 has a read history (S49), the received data in the received data storage unit 9 is read out and overwritten in the memory card 21 via the external storage device I / F13. (S51).

When the system controller 1 determines that the memory card 21 has sufficient free space (S48),
The received data in the received data storage unit 9 is read and written in the memory card 21 via the external storage device I / F 13 (S52). Then, the system control unit 1 displays a message indicating that the received data is written in the memory card 21 on the display panel unit of the operation display unit 8 after writing the data to the memory card 21 (including overwriting). (S53), after the display, the received data stored in the received data storage unit 9 is erased (S54), and this process ends.

In the above process, it may be possible to select whether to write the received data to the memory card 21 by inputting an instruction from the operation display unit 8. In that case, the system control unit 1 proceeds to a process of reproducing the received data unless the writing of the received data to the memory card 21 is selected.

When the memory card 21 does not have sufficient free space, the system control unit 1 displays a message on the operation display unit 8 to select whether to write the received data, and the operation display unit 8 displays the message. If the writing is not selected, the reception data is not written.

Furthermore, it may be possible to select whether or not to print the data having no read history under the control of the system controller 1. Furthermore, after writing the received data to the memory card 21, it may be possible to select erasing from the received data storage unit 9.

In this way, the data received from the service center is not only reproduced and used only by the facsimile machine but also written in the memory card which can be carried and moved in the PDA, and the data can be written on the PDA. It can be recycled.

Next, the processing of the PDA will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of the PDA. In this process, in step (indicated by "S" in the figure) 61, it is determined whether or not there is a touch input, and this determination is performed until the touch input is present. If there is a touch input, the process proceeds to step 62 to determine whether or not the memory card is loaded. If not, the process proceeds to step 63 to output a message prompting to load the memory card, and then returns to step 62.

If it is determined in step 62 that the memory card is installed, the process proceeds to step 64 to read the data from the memory card, and the process proceeds to step 65 to extract the index of the first line of each page of the data, Are sorted and displayed and output, and the routine proceeds to step 66, where it is judged whether any index is selected.

If the index is not selected in step 66, the process proceeds to step 67, it is determined whether end is selected, and if end is not selected, step 6
Returning to step 6, when the end is selected, this process ends.

When the index is selected in the judgment of step 66, the process proceeds to step 68, all the data (image data and character data) of the selected index is read out, and the process proceeds to step 69 to display and output all the data. In step 70, it is determined whether there is a voice output request.

If it is determined in step 70 that there is no voice output request, the process proceeds to step 72. If there is a voice output request, the process proceeds to step 71, character data is converted into voice data and the voice is output, and the process proceeds to step 72. In step 72, it is judged whether stop or the next data output is selected,
When either is selected, the process returns to step 65.

Further, the reproduction processing in this PDA will be described, but it is slightly different from the above flow chart. FIG. 8 is a front view of the PDA. The PDA 20 has a display unit 22.
When any part of the above is touched, the main power supply is activated and the main screen is displayed. After that, search key 24 on the main screen
When is touched, the system control unit displays the memory card 21.
Check if is installed.

When the mounting of the memory card 21 cannot be confirmed, a message prompting the mounting of the memory card 21 is displayed on the display unit 22. Further, when the mounting of the memory card 21 is confirmed, indexes corresponding to the first line of the character data of each page are extracted from the data stored in the memory card 21, and the indexes are sorted and displayed on the display unit 22. It is displayed (arrow 29 in the figure).

Here, any index is touched by the user, and the reproduction key 25 and the voice-only key 26 are touched.
When is touched, only the character data of the data corresponding to the specified index is read from the memory card 21, transferred to the internal RAM of the PDA 20, and stored. Thereafter, the character data is sequentially read from the RAM, converted into voice data by the voice conversion unit inside the PDA 20, and output as voice to the earphone 28 or the speaker.

When outputting the voice, stop, fast-forward,
When a rewind key or the like (these keys are displayed during voice output or display output) is touched, the system control unit controls the reading of character data from the RAM according to the instruction, and the voice output is stopped. , Voice fast forward, voice rewind, etc.

On the other hand, the reproduction key 25 and the voice + video key 27
When is touched, the image data and the character data of the data corresponding to the specified index are read from the memory card 21, transferred to the internal RAM of the PDA 20, and stored therein. After that, the character data is sequentially read from the RAM, converted into voice data by the voice conversion unit inside the PDA 20, and the voice data is output to the earphone 28 or the speaker. At the same time, the image data is read from the RAM and displayed and output on the display unit 22.

Further, at that time, when a key for stop, fast-forward, rewind, etc. is touched, the system control unit controls reading of character data and image data from the RAM in accordance with these instructions, and displays and voices. Output stop, display and audio fast forward, display and audio rewind.

Furthermore, both the character code and the image data may be displayed on the display unit 22. At this time, the character code may be converted into image data by the data conversion unit provided inside the PDA 20 and displayed, or may be displayed as it is as the character code in distinction from the image data. Alternatively, only the image data may be displayed.

Further, when only the image data or only the character code data is stored in the memory card 21, it is preferable to display only the image data, display the character code and output the voice.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the memory card 21. When the memory card 21 stores image data 29 of images such as charts and photographs, and character code data 30 of character information that is an explanation of the images, the PDA 20 displays the image data 29 and outputs the character code data 30. Audio output can be done at the same time. Therefore, the user can listen to the explanation of the image by voice while watching the image.

In this way, the user can easily read and listen to the contents of the data received from the service center on the go. Therefore, if you use PDA, you can read newspapers, magazines, even in crowded places such as commuter trains.
You can read the contents of data such as books and listen to it by voice, it is compact and convenient to carry, so it does not get in the way, and it makes you feel like printing the received data on paper and carrying it around. You don't have to. Further, since it is not necessary to print the received data except when it is desired to keep the received data on paper, it is possible to prevent waste of paper resources.

It is also possible to transmit only the image data or only the character code from the service center to the user's facsimile machine. The service center sends character parts such as magazines, newspapers and books as character code data, and image parts such as photographs and figures as image data, and the facsimile machine which receives them sends the character code data and the image. The data can be printed or displayed together, only the image data can be printed or displayed, and only the character code can be output as audio or video, and the user can select various playback modes as necessary. Therefore, the operability can be improved.

[0115]

As described above, according to the communication terminal device of the present invention, the data received by the facsimile from the service center can be heard by voice. Further, according to the portable reproducing device of the present invention, the data received by the communication terminal device can be reproduced and reused through an external memory such as a memory card, and the data can be easily taken on the go without printing on the recording paper. Can read.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment of a communication terminal apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system using the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a system configuration including the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and a PDA which is an embodiment of a portable reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of receiving data from a service center in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing another example of processing when data is received from a service center in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing a process of storing data received from a service center in the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in a memory card.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of the PDA shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the PDA shown in FIG.

9 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in a memory card 21 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: System control unit 2: System memory 3: Encoding / decoding unit 4: Scanner unit 5: Plotter unit 6: Modem 7: Network control unit 8: Operation display unit 9: Received data storage unit 10: Character code table 11: Data conversion unit 12: Audio output unit 13: External storage device interface (I / F) 14: Bus 20: PDA 21: Memory card 22: Display unit 23: Input pen 24: Search key 25: Play key 26: Voice only key 27: Voice + video key 28: Earphone 29: Image data 30: Character code data T1 to Tk, Tm to Tn: Facsimile device L: Communication line SC: Service center terminal device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing character data received from a service center via a communication line, and voice conversion means for converting the character data stored in the storage means into voice data when reproduction is instructed. And a voice output means for outputting a voice based on the voice data converted by the means. 2. Storage means for storing image data and character data received from a service center via a communication line, and character data stored in the storage means when video output is instructed at the time of reproduction instruction. And a means for displaying a video based on the communication terminal device. 3. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing the character data or the image data and the character data stored in the storage means in a removable external memory. Communication terminal equipment. 4. A means for mounting an external memory storing character data or image data and character data by the communication terminal device according to claim 3, and converting the character data stored in the external memory into voice data.
A portable reproducing apparatus comprising: a means for outputting a voice based on the voice data converted by the means; and a means for displaying an image based on the character data.