JPH09321933A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To omit a trouble of print when print-out of image data is required in the case that image data generated by a personal computer is sent to a telephone line via a facsimile equipment or the image data received by the facsimile equipment are sent to the personal computer and, further more, to easily manage the image data of an original sent by the facsimile equipment with the personal computer. SOLUTION: A control section 3 transfers data received by a MODEM 9 to a personal computer PC and input image data to a printer control section 14. Otherwise, the image data read by a close contact image sensor(CIS) 1 are transferred to the personal computer PC and inputted to the printer control section 14. In the case of sending the image data generated by the personal computer PC, the control section 3 transfers the image data simultaneously to a printer control section 14, in which the data are recorded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine used by connecting to a computer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus which allows a recording unit to record an original when transmitting or receiving the original in cooperation with a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is known that a facsimile machine is connected to a personal computer via an interface such as RS232C, and both are operated in conjunction. For example, the image data created by a personal computer is once transferred to the memory in the facsimile device. The facsimile machine dials the destination specified by the personal computer and transmits the image data in the memory to the destination as in the case of normal facsimile transmission.

Further, the facsimile machine stores the data received from the telephone line in the memory. Then, based on a command from the personal computer, the facsimile machine transfers the image data in the memory to the personal computer. The personal computer displays the transferred data as a file such as a bitmap, displays it on a display, and saves it on an appropriate medium such as a floppy disk.

Alternatively, it is also known to use a facsimile machine simply as a scanner or printer for a personal computer. Usually, the facsimile device includes a scanner for reading a document and a printer for printing the received image data, and thus these can be used as a simple scanner or printer for a personal computer.

[0005]

When image data created by a personal computer is sent by facsimile using the above-mentioned conventional facsimile apparatus, it may be necessary to print the image data for circulation. In that case, apart from the transmission of the image data, it is necessary to print the image data using a printer separately connected to the personal computer. Alternatively, it is inconvenient because it is necessary to separately operate the facsimile apparatus to print the image data before or after the transmission.

Further, there is a similar problem when the image data received from the telephone line is transferred to the personal computer. That is, when it is necessary to print for circulation or the like, it is necessary to print separately by the printer of the personal computer or print out by the facsimile machine after the facsimile reception / transfer is completed, which is inconvenient.

On the other hand, when transmitting a manuscript read by a facsimile machine through a telephone line, it is sometimes desired to manage the contents of the manuscript with a personal computer. In this case, the original is read by an image scanner separately connected to the personal computer. Alternatively, after the facsimile transmission, the original document is read using the scanner of the facsimile apparatus and transferred to the personal computer. In either case, it was inconvenient because of the labor of the operator.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to easily obtain a printout of an image when a facsimile apparatus and a computer work together to perform facsimile transmission / reception. Another object of the present invention is to allow a computer to easily manage a document sent by a facsimile machine.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 is a facsimile apparatus connected to a computer, and transfer means for transferring image data received from a line to the computer, and a receiving means. It is characterized by comprising recording means for recording the image data on a recording medium and control means for causing the transfer means to transfer the image data to the computer while recording by the recording means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the image data created / edited by the computer is transmitted through the facsimile device, the image data is recorded on the recording medium such as paper by the recording means. In this way, the recorded image data can be circulated and the like, and the trouble of separately printing with a printer connected to a computer can be saved.

The computer is a broad concept including not only personal computers and workstations but also microprocessors incorporated in various devices. The recording medium may be paper, film, or any other medium that can visually record image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus connected to a computer, which comprises reading means for reading an original, transfer means for transferring the image data output by the reading means to the computer, and output by the reading means. It is characterized in that it is provided with a transmission means for transmitting the image data to be transmitted on the line, and a control means for causing the transfer by the transfer means and the transmission by the transmission means to be performed in parallel.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the image data read by the facsimile machine and transmitted is transferred to the computer. Therefore, the computer can manage the transmitted image data as a file without separately reading the image with a scanner.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus connected to a computer, including memory means for accumulating image data transferred from the computer, and transmitting means for transmitting the image data transferred from the computer to a line. Recording means for recording the image data accumulated in the memory means on a recording medium, and control means for causing the transmitting means to perform the recording by the recording means in parallel. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the image data transferred from the computer is transmitted, the image data is recorded on the recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of printing the image data on the printer of the computer later, and to record the recorded image. It can be used for circulation.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration of the facsimile apparatus. A contact image sensor (CIS) 1 reads an image on a document. Analog processing circuit 2
Outputs digital image data after performing analog image processing such as shading correction and γ correction on the analog image signal from CIS1.

A control unit 3 includes a scanning control circuit 3a, an encoding / decoding circuit (hereinafter, codec (CODEC: COder and COder and COD).
3b, bus interface (BUS)
I / F) 3c and CPU 3d. Scan control circuit 3a, codec 3c, bus interface 3c
Are connected to the internal address bus 3e and the internal data bus 3f, respectively. The CPU 3d is connected to the buses 3e and 3f via the bus interface 3c.

The scan control circuit 3a controls the CIS 1 and the analog processing circuit 2 to transfer digital image data to the bus 3.
Output to f. In the case of transmission, the codec 3b converts the digital image data on the bus 3f into MH (Modefied Huf
fman) code, MR (Modefied READ) code, etc., and output on the bus 3f. In the case of reception, codec 3b
Decodes the compressed image data on the bus 3f into the original image data. The CPU 3d controls the entire operation of the facsimile device F.

A PC interface 4 is connected to the control unit 3 via a bus b1. The PC interface 4 is provided in the facsimile F by a personal computer P.
It is used to connect C, for example, the interface of RS232C is used. Of course, SCSI (Smal
Other interfaces such as Computer Serial Interface) can be applied.

The personal computer PC is installed with an application program (hereinafter referred to as PC-FAX application) for operating the facsimile apparatus in cooperation with the personal computer PC.

An operation panel 5, a transmission motor driver 6, and an exhaust sensor 8 are connected to the control unit 3 via a bus b2. The operation panel 5 is provided with a key matrix and a liquid crystal display (neither of which is shown). The operator inputs various commands / settings, for example, ON / OFF of a print mode, which will be described later, to the facsimile machine and the facsimile machine. The state of is displayed to the operator on the liquid crystal display.

The transmission motor driver 6 drives the stepping motor 7 for conveying the document in the sub-scanning direction.
Further, the ink sensor 8 detects the presence / absence of ink in the printer unit described later.

An address bus b3 and a data bus b4 are further connected to the control unit 3. Further, a modem (MODEM) 9, a read only memory (ROM) 11, a random access memory (RAM) 12, and an interface 13 are connected to the buses b3 and b4.

The modem 9 uses the ITU-T recommendation T.264. A function for transmitting or receiving a communication procedure signal based on 30 (ITU-T
Recommendation V. 21), a function of modulating and demodulating encoded image data (ITU-T Recommendations V.17, V.27te
r, V. 29, etc.), DTMF (Dial To
ne Multi-Frequency) It has a tone generation function.

The modem 9 is connected to the telephone line L via a network control circuit (hereinafter referred to as NCU) 10. NCU1
0 connects the modem 9 to the telephone line L or disconnects the modem 9 from the telephone line L based on a command from the control unit 3. In addition, the NCU 10 detects a calling signal coming from the telephone line L and notifies the control unit 3 of it.

The ROM 11 stores the operation program of the CPU 3d and fixed data (font, etc.). The RAM 12 serves as a work area of the CPU 3d and stores data set by the operator (for example, speed dial data).

A printer controller 14 is connected to the interface 13 via a bus b5. Printer control unit 1
Reference numeral 4 controls a motor 15 for driving the carriage and a motor 16 for conveying the recording paper. The carriage driving motor reciprocally drives the carriage on which the inkjet head 17 is mounted in the main scanning direction. Further, the recording paper conveyance motor 16 conveys the recording paper in the sub-scanning direction.

The printer control section 14 supplies image data to the ink jet head 17 and ejects ink according to the image data. This inkjet head 17 is
The nozzles are formed side by side in the sub-scanning direction (that is, a serial type inkjet head).

The printer controller 14 includes an image buffer 1
8 are connected. The image buffer 18 has an area for storing image data. Since the head is a serial type, it cannot be printed unless the image data of a predetermined number of lines are prepared.
8 is required.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the image data received by the facsimile device is transferred to a computer PC.
The operation of transferring to the. Facsimile CPU
3d monitors the ringing signal on the line L via the NCU 10 (ST11). When the CPU 3d detects the arrival of the calling signal, it branches to ST12. CPU3d is NC
A command is given to U10 to connect the telephone line L and the modem 9 (ST12).

Next, the CPU 3d determines whether or not the PC-FAX application is running on the personal computer PC (ST13). This judgment is YE
CPU in the case of S (simply written as "Y" in the figure)
3d branches to ST14. If the determination in ST13 is NO (only shown as "N" in the figure), the CPU 3d
Branches to ST17 and performs only a normal facsimile receiving operation, that is, an operation of printing the received image data.

At ST14, the CPU 3d determines whether or not the print mode is set. This judgment is Y
In the case of ES, the CPU 3d branches to ST15 and NO.
If so, the process branches to ST16. In ST15, the image data demodulated by the modem 9 is transferred to the personal computer PC via the bus b1 and the PC interface 4. Personal computer PC is PC-FAX
Depending on the application, the transferred image data can be displayed on the display or saved on a floppy disk or hard disk.

At the same time, the image data demodulated by the modem 9 is further decoded by the codec 3b and transferred to the printer controller 14 through the interface 13. The printer controller drives the motors 15 and 16 and the inkjet head 17 to print the image data on the recording paper.

In ST16, only the operation of transferring the data demodulated by the modem 9 to the personal computer PC is performed. When the operation of ST15, ST16 or ST17 is completed, the CPU 3d gives a command to the NCU 10 to open the line L. Although omitted in FIG. 2, ST1
It is also possible to receive image data of a plurality of pages in 5, ST16 and ST17.

Next, the operation of transferring the original data read and transmitted by the facsimile apparatus to the personal computer PC will be described with reference to FIG. The user sets a document on a document reading unit (not shown) of the facsimile machine. Then, the user operates the ten keys or speed dial keys on the operation panel 5 to specify the other party, and presses the start key (not shown). CPU3d
When it detects that the start key is pressed via the bus b2, it branches to ST22 (ST21).

In ST22, the CPU 3d determines whether or not the PC-FAX application is running on the personal computer PC. If this determination is YES, the CPU 3d branches to ST23, and if NO, ST27.
Branch to In ST23, the CPU 3d determines whether or not the mode is such that the image data is transferred to the personal computer.

If the determination in ST23 is YES, CPU3
d branches to ST24. If the determination in ST23 is NO, the CPU 3d branches to ST27. That is, PC
-When the two conditions of the FAX application being started up and the mode of transferring to the personal computer being satisfied, the CPU 3d.
Branches to ST24.

In ST24, the CPU 3d gives a command to the NCU 10 to connect the modem 9 to the telephone line L. Further, the CPU 3d controls the modem 9 to generate a DTMF tone and dial the telephone number of the other party designated earlier. In the case of dial pulse, CPU3
The d controls the NCU 10 to disconnect and dial the telephone line L.

Next, the CPU 3d encodes the image data of the original read by the CIS 1 with the codec 3b and transfers it to the modem 9. The modem 9 modulates the transferred image data and sends it to the telephone line L. On the other hand, the CPU 3d
PC for image data via bus b1 and PC I / F4
(ST25). The PC uses the PC-FAX application to display the received image data on a display or store the image data on a hard disk or a floppy disk.

When the fax transmission of all the originals and the transfer of the image data to the PC are completed, the CPU 3d causes the NCU 1
A command is issued to 0 to disconnect the telephone line L and the modem 9 (ST26). On the other hand, in ST27, as in ST24,
The CPU 3d gives a command to the NCU 10 to connect the modem 9 to the telephone line L and dial it. And ST28
Then, the CPU 3d causes only fax transmission. When all the originals have been transmitted, the CPU 3d branches to ST26 and opens the line L. In this embodiment, the facsimile machine side triggers reading and transmission of the original document.
You may make it trigger from.

Next, when the image data created by the personal computer PC is transmitted through the facsimile machine, the operation of printing the image data by the facsimile machine will be described with reference to FIG. First,
The CPU 3d determines whether or not a transmission command is received from the personal computer PC (ST31). If this determination is YES, the CPU 3d branches to ST32.

The CPU 3d determines whether the print mode is set (ST32). This judgment is YE
In the case of S, the CPU 3d branches to ST33, and in the case of NO, branches to ST41. In ST33, the CPU 3d
Gives an instruction to the NCU 10 to connect the telephone line L and the modem 9 and dials the telephone number included in the transmission instruction of the personal computer PC.

The CPU 3d is a personal computer P
The image data transferred from C is stored in the RAM 12 (ST34). Further, the CPU 3d transfers the image data to the modem 9 and sends the image data to the telephone line L, and also the RAM
The image data stored in 12 is read out and transferred to the printer controller 14 (ST35). Printer control unit 14
Drives an inkjet head 17 and motors 15 and 16 to record an image on recording paper.

In ST37, the CPU 3d determines whether or not the transmission of all image data has been completed. This judgment is Y
In the case of ES, the CPU 3d branches to ST38, and in the case of NO, branches to ST34.

In ST38, the CPU 3d issues a command to the NCU 10 to disconnect the telephone line L and the modem 9. ST
In 39, the CPU 3d further controls the printer control unit 14 to continue the printing operation. Normally, the print processing of the image data takes longer than the transmission processing of the image data, so the print processing is continued even after the transmission is completed.
Note that, therefore, the image data from the personal computer PC is temporarily stored in the RAM 12.

At ST40, the CPU 3d determines whether the image data in the RAM 12 has been printed.
If the determination in ST40 is YES, the CPU 3d ends the process, and if NO, branches to ST39.

On the other hand, when the process branches from ST32 to ST41, the CPU 3d gives a command to the NCU 10 to connect the telephone line L and the modem 9 and is included in the transmission command of the personal computer PC, as in ST33. Dial the phone number that will be used. And CPU
3d transfers the image data to the modem 9. Modem 9
Modulates image data and sends it to the telephone line (ST4
2).

In ST43, the CPU 3d determines whether or not the image data transmission is completed. If this determination is YES, the process branches to ST44, and if NO, the process branches to ST42. In ST44, the CPU 3d issues a command to the NCU 10 to disconnect the telephone line L from the modem 9.

In ST45, the CPU 3d determines whether or not printing has been completed due to the capacity of the RAM 12 being exceeded. If this determination is YES, the CPU
3d requests image data that could not be printed on the personal computer PC. And CPU3d is S
In step T40, the image data transferred from the personal computer PC is printed. If the determination in ST45 is no, the process ends.

[0050]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, when the image data created / edited by the computer is transmitted through the facsimile device, the image data is recorded on the recording medium such as paper by the recording means. Thus, the obtained record can be circulated and the like, and the trouble of separately recording with a printer or the like connected to a computer can be saved.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the image data of the original transmitted by the facsimile device can be transferred to a computer and managed as a file on the computer side.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, when the image data transferred from the computer is transmitted, the image data is recorded by the recording means, so that it is troublesome to print it later by a printer or the like connected to the computer. The saved image data can be used for circulation or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a receiving operation of the facsimile device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission operation of the facsimile device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another transmission operation of the facsimile device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Contact image sensor (CIS), 3: Control unit, 3d: CPU, 4: PC interface (I / F), 9: Modem, 12: RAM, 14: Printer control unit, PC: Personal computer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus connected to a computer, the transfer means transferring the image data received from a line to the computer, the recording means recording the received image data on a recording medium, and the recording means. And a control means for causing the transfer means to transfer the image data to the computer while performing the recording. 2. A facsimile apparatus connected to a computer, comprising: reading means for reading a document, transfer means for transferring image data output by the reading means to a computer, and image data output by the reading means. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a transmission unit for transmitting on a line; and a control unit for causing the transfer by the transfer unit and the transmission by the transmission unit to be performed in parallel. 3. A facsimile device connected to a computer, comprising: memory means for accumulating image data transferred from the computer, transmitting means for transmitting the image data transferred from the computer to a line, and the memory means. A facsimile apparatus comprising: recording means for recording the accumulated image data on a recording medium; and control means for causing the transmitting means and the recording means to perform recording in parallel.