JPH10112767A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operating convenience by setting the erase mode or the storage mode depending on a desire of the user so as to allow the user to extract data for twice or over thereby omitting trouble of erase. SOLUTION: The selection of a storage area being an object of data transmission is accepted. Then whether or not a password received from other communication equipment 18 is normal is checked, and when normal, a voice message stored in a designated storage area is reproduced and sent to the other communication equipment 18. When the transmission of the voice data is finished, facsimile image data stored in the same storage area are sent to the other communication equipment 18. When the transmission of the image is normally finished, the storage content of a RAM 8 is referenced and which of the storage mode or the erase mode is selected as to the storage area selected at present is checked. Only when the erase mode is set, the image data whose transmission is finished are erase.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication apparatus for storing voice and image data and transmitting the data to an external device via a communication path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a certain type of facsimile apparatus, which is one of communication apparatuses, stores image data in a memory, and stores the stored image data in response to a request from a communication destination. It had the function of transmitting to the communication destination. According to the facsimile apparatus having such a function, for example, there is an advantage that image data stored in a facsimile apparatus at home can be taken out by using a facsimile apparatus at a destination.

[0003]

By the way, in a facsimile apparatus having the above functions, when image data stored in a memory is transmitted to a communication destination, the image data is automatically deleted from the memory. Was configured as follows. However, in the case of such a facsimile apparatus, once a user who is away from the office retrieves image data, the image data is erased from the memory. For example, when another user wants to retrieve image data. But
There has been a problem that image data cannot be taken out more than once.

Here, in order to simply solve such a problem, it is sufficient that the image data stored in the memory is not erased from the memory even after the image data is transmitted to the communication destination. However, in the case of such a facsimile apparatus, although it is possible to retrieve the image data more than once, since the image data always remains in the memory, for a user who needs only to retrieve the image data once. However, it is necessary to take time and effort to delete the image data remaining in the memory, and when new image data is stored, image data that has already been extracted and image data that has not been extracted have to be deleted. There is a problem that the usability is deteriorated in various points, such as being mixed and the management thereof is troublesome.

Although the problems have been described above by taking a facsimile apparatus as an example, such problems are not limited to facsimile apparatuses that handle image data. More specifically, for example, a problem occurs in a telephone having a function of storing voice data in a memory and transmitting the stored voice data to a communication destination in response to a request from the communication destination. In other words, regardless of the form of data such as voice or image, this is a common problem in communication devices having a function of transmitting data stored in a memory to a communication destination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus which allows only a user who needs data to be able to retrieve data twice or more. .

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is a data storage means capable of storing voice and / or image data, and the data storage means. A communication device having data transmission means capable of transmitting data stored in the means to an external device via a communication path, after transmitting predetermined data by the data transmission means, and transmitting the data from the data storage means Data erasing control means for performing control for erasing, data holding control means for performing control of transmitting predetermined data by the data transmitting means and holding the data in the data storage means, and the data erasing means Mode setting that can selectively set either an erasing mode in which erasing control is performed by the CPU or a holding mode in which holding control is performed by the data holding controller. Characterized by comprising a stage.

In the above arrangement, the mode setting means indicates whether the mode selected by the user is the holding mode or the erasing mode. A switch that can be switched to any one of them, a memory switch that can store and hold two or more states, and the like can be adopted as the mode setting means here. In addition, if the mode selected by the user can be indicated by switching between two or more modes, all of those means are included in the mode setting means.

The data erasure control means and the data retention control means selectively function in accordance with the mode selected by the mode setting means. The control device operates as a data erasure control unit or a data holding control unit by operating based on a predetermined control program.

The communication path may be wired or wireless as long as voice and / or image data can be transmitted, and may be a public line or a dedicated line. . More specifically, a public telephone line can be used as an existing communication path that can be used relatively easily. In addition, a dedicated line or the like which constructs a LAN in a company premises can be used as the communication path here.

According to the communication apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, either the erasing mode or the holding mode can be arbitrarily selected by the mode setting means according to the user's request. If is set,
While the data erasure control means erases the transmitted data from the data storage means, when the holding mode is set, the data retention control means holds the transmitted data in the data storage means. Therefore, if the holding mode is set by the mode setting means, the user at the communication destination can take out the data twice or more, for example. On the other hand, if the erasing mode is set, the data can be simply taken out, and no data remains in the data storage means.

By the way, the communication device as described above is
It is not always used personally, but may be used, for example, by a large number of people at home or in a company. In such a case, if a plurality of data storage means are provided, one data storage means can be assigned to each individual and used, so that data can be stored and retrieved for each individual, thereby protecting privacy. Also significant above. However, when using a communication device with a large number of people, it is more convenient to set the mode set by the mode setting means as described above to the erase mode and to set the mode to the hold mode. It is difficult to set one of the two modes.

[0013] On the other hand, the communication device according to claim 2 is
A plurality of the data storage units are provided, and the mode setting unit is configured to be able to individually set either the holding mode or the erasing mode for each of the plurality of data storage units. When the device is used, the mode set by the mode setting means as described above can be arbitrarily set by an individual, and the mode setting function can be used very effectively.

Further, in the communication apparatus as described above, if both voice and image data can be stored, it is necessary to listen to the voice again if the voice is missed or the like. It is considered that it is often more convenient to be able to listen again. On the other hand, with regard to images, it is thought that there are few cases where re-output is required immediately if only recording and outputting on recording paper at the communication destination. In many cases, it is easier to make a copy by using such information. That is, the problem of whether or not data is deleted after being taken out may differ depending on whether the stored data is audio or video.

[0015] On the other hand, the communication device according to claim 3 is:
Since the data erasure control means is configured to perform control for erasing only image data from the data storage means out of audio and image data stored in the data storage means, Regardless of whether the set mode is the erase mode or the hold mode, audio data is not always erased. Therefore, it has both the convenience of being able to automatically delete image data after transmission and the convenience of being able to listen to audio data many times.

The communication device described above is not particularly limited as long as it can store only one of voice and image data, or both voice and image data. As such, if a facsimile function is provided as a function of transmitting the image data to the external device, via a telephone line serving as a communication path,
The facsimile image read by the image scanner or the like can be stored in the memory, and the facsimile image can be transmitted to another facsimile device or the like.

In addition to the configuration described in claim 4, it is also possible to adopt the configuration of the present communication device in a telephone that handles only voice data, for example, while storing a message as a message in a memory, The message message can be transmitted to another telephone or the like.

[0018]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The communication device described below is
This is merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and the constituent means of the present invention is not limited to the specific device or the like illustrated.

The communication apparatus shown in this embodiment is a facsimile apparatus which can transmit an image by a facsimile communication system using a telephone line as a communication path and can transmit voice as a telephone. As shown in FIG. 1, a handset 21 is attached to the side of the main body 1a of the facsimile machine 1, and an operation panel 22 is provided at the front of the upper surface. A document table 23 is formed in the center of the upper surface of the main body 1a, and the document is placed here when transmitting or copying the document. Further, a discharge port 24 is provided at the lower front part of the main body 1a.
The recording paper on which the image received or the copied image is recorded is discharged from the discharge port 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 22 includes a left arrow key 30, a set key 31, and a right arrow key 3.
2, dial key group 33, recording key 34, function key 3
5, a number of keys including a key mail key 36, a function explanation key 37, a one-touch key group 38, a stop key 39, a start key 40, etc., and a liquid crystal display 41 for displaying various operation states, error messages and the like. I have.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the facsimile apparatus 1 has a network control unit (hereinafter referred to as NCU) 2, a CPU 3, a modem 4, a buffer 5, a ROM 6, a RAM 8, an image memory 9, an audio memory 1, and the like.
0, audio LSI 11, encoding unit 12, scanner 13, decoding unit 14, printer 15, operation panel 22, amplifier 2
5, a document sensor 28 and a recording paper sensor 29, which are connected via a signal bus line 20.

CPU 3 as the core of facsimile machine 1
Is for controlling various parts of the device connected by the signal bus line 20 in accordance with various signals transmitted and received via the line control NCU 2 to execute facsimile operation or telephone operation, that is, data communication.

The modem 4 modulates / demodulates and transmits image information and transmits / receives various procedural signals for transmission control. This temporarily stores data including the image information. The ROM 6 is a memory storing a control program. The RAM 8 is a memory for temporarily storing various data during execution of the operation.
The image memory 9 is configured by a dynamic RAM (DRAM) or the like, and is a memory that stores an image to be transmitted or a received image as a bit image. The voice memory 10 is a memory composed of a DRAM or the like and stores a response message (OGM) to be sent to the calling side, an incoming message (ICM) sent from the calling side, and the like.

The audio LSI 11 converts an analog audio signal received by the NCU 2 into a digital audio signal, and converts a digital audio signal generated inside the facsimile apparatus 1 into an analog audio signal, thereby converting the NCU 2 into an analog audio signal.
Is output to The encoding unit 12 encodes image information to be transmitted, and the scanner 13 reads an image from a document placed on a document table 23 (see FIG. 1). The decoding unit 14 reads and decodes the received image data stored and written in the buffer 5 or the image memory 9 for recording, and the printer 15 records the received image data on paper. .

The amplifier 25 outputs a ringing tone and a reproduced incoming message via the speaker 26. The document sensor 28 detects the presence or absence of a document set on the document table 23, and is a contact-type switch that switches on / off as the document on the document table 23 contacts.
Alternatively, it is constituted by an optical sensor or the like whose optical path is blocked by the original on the original table 23. The recording paper sensor 29 detects the presence or absence of a roll paper (not shown) built in the facsimile machine 1 as the recording paper. Of the contact type switch or optical sensor.

The facsimile machine 1 is connected to the telephone line 16 via the NCU 2. This phone line 1
6 is connected to an exchange 17 which is connected to another communication device 18 (facsimile machine, telephone, etc.). The facsimile machine 1 receives a call signal from the other communication device 18 via the exchange 17 in response to a dial operation of the other communication device 18.

Next, the mode setting process in the facsimile machine 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the facsimile apparatus 1, the state of the various key groups described in FIG. 2 is constantly monitored by the CPU 3, and among these keys, the user first presses the key mail key 36, and then presses the function key 35. When the button is pressed, the mode setting process shown in FIG. 4 is started.

When the CPU 3 starts the mode setting process, it first receives a selection of a storage area for which a mode is to be set (S110). Here, the user presses any one of the one-touch key groups 38. In the facsimile apparatus 1, five sets of storage areas are set in advance as one set of an image storage area set in the image memory 9 and a sound storage area set in the sound memory 10, and these five sets are set. Are associated with the five keys of the one-touch key group 38, and the storage area corresponding to the one-touch key pressed here is selected by the user.

Subsequently, selection of the holding mode or the erasing mode is accepted (S120). At this time, on the liquid crystal display 41, one of “Data Hodge: Through” and “Data Hodge: Sinai” is displayed as a character string indicating the current setting state. Here, the user can press either the left arrow key 30 or the right arrow key 32. When these keys are pressed, the two character strings are alternately switched and displayed on the liquid crystal display 41. The user can also press the set key 31. When the set key 31 is pressed, the liquid crystal display 41 displays "data storage: through" on the liquid crystal display 41 at that time, and displays the holding mode, "data storage: not available". If so, the user's selection is confirmed in the erase mode. Finally, the finalized mode setting is R
This is stored in the AM 8 and the process is terminated.

According to the mode setting process described above, the holding mode or the erasing mode is individually set for each of the five storage areas, and the setting of the storage mode of the RAM 8 is determined. You can know by reference.

Incidentally, the actual facsimile machine 1 is configured to branch to various processes according to the key pressed by the user after completing the process of S110. Only when the “7” key is pressed, the process proceeds to S120. However, S120
The flow of the processing when the processing does not shift to (1) is omitted because it is not particularly related to the main part of the present invention.

Next, the data storage process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this data storage process, the user first presses the key mail key 36, and then presses any key of the one-touch key group 38,
The operation starts when the recording key 34 is further pressed.

When the CPU 3 starts the data accumulation processing, first, the document sensor 28 checks whether a document is set on the document table 23 (S210). Here, when a document is set (S210: YE
(S), "Start @ Start" is displayed on the liquid crystal display (S220), and the process waits until the start key is pressed (S230). When the user presses the start key (S230: YES), the original set on the original platen 23 is sucked into the apparatus by a paper transport mechanism (not shown), and an image of one line is read by the scanner 13 (S240). ). Then, scanning with the scanner 13,
By binarizing the signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion with a predetermined threshold value, black and white pixels are converted into bit image data corresponding to 1 and 0 bits, respectively. It is stored in the storage area (S25
0). Note that the predetermined storage area here is a storage area designated by one of the one-touch key groups 38 when starting this processing.
The image storage area set in the image memory 9 among the designated storage areas.

Until the document is completed (S26
0: NO), repeating the processes of S240 and S250
The document is read sequentially for each line. By the way, whether or not the document is completed is detected by the document sensor 28.
Considering the relationship with the arrangement position of the document, when the document is not detected by the document sensor 28, when the document is conveyed by a predetermined amount, it is determined that the document is finished. Finally, if the document is ended in S260 (S260: Y
ES), after ending this data accumulation processing, return to the processing routine shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the original is not set in the process of S210, "JUWAKI OTORIDASA" is displayed on the liquid crystal display (S270), and the process stands by until the receiver 21 is lifted (S280). When the user picks up the receiver 21 (S280: YE
S), voice is input via the receiver 21 (S290),
The voice is converted into voice data encoded by a predetermined waveform coding method, and the voice data is stored in a predetermined storage area (S300). Here, the predetermined storage area is a storage area designated by one of the one-touch key groups 38 at the time of starting this processing, and more specifically, the audio memory 10 in the designated storage area. Is a voice storage area set in the area.

Until the recording is completed (S31)
0: NO), the processes of S290 and S300 are repeated, and the sound is recorded while being converted into a digital signal. Incidentally, whether or not the recording has been completed is determined based on any of a case where the silent state continues for 8 seconds, a case where the recording time reaches 30 seconds, and a case where the recordable memory becomes full. Finally, if the recording ends in S310 (S3
10: YES), the data accumulation processing is completed, and the process returns to the processing routine shown in FIG.

By the data storage process described above, voices and / or images are stored in each of the five storage areas. Next, the data transmission process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This data transmission processing is performed according to a dial operation of another communication device 18.
A call signal is received from the other communication device 18 via the exchange 17, and in response to this, a link between the facsimile device 1 and the other communication device 18 is established.
Tone signal (DTM) transmitted in response to the dial operation of
This is started when the F signal comes in.

When the CPU 3 starts the data transmission processing, first, it receives a selection of a storage area to which data is to be transmitted (S410). The storage area selected here is specified by a number, and the number specifying this storage area is set by the user operating the other communication device 18 by the dial operation of the other communication device 18. Specify using a signal. Actually, the tone signal that triggered the start of this process also serves as a tone signal for specifying a storage area.

Subsequently, input of a password is accepted (S420). This password is a four-digit number that can be set individually for each of the five storage areas, and a value set in advance by the user is stored in the RAM 8. Here, the user similarly inputs a password using a tone signal by dialing the other communication device 18.

Subsequently, it is checked whether or not the password received from another communication device 18 is normal (S43).
0). Specifically, the password received from another communication device 18 is compared with the password stored in the RAM 8, and if they match, it is determined that the password is normal. When a normal password is input (S430: YES), the voice message stored in the designated storage area is reproduced and transmitted to another communication device 18 (S440). Then, until all the stored audio data is transmitted (S
450: NO), the process of S440 is repeated. In the facsimile apparatus 1, both the audio data and the image data can be stored in each storage area in a plurality of items in any order. However, in the processing of S440 to S450, regardless of the order in which the data was stored. However, only the audio data is transmitted in the order of accumulation, and the image data is not transmitted.

When all the stored voice data is transmitted (S450: YES), the facsimile image data stored in the same storage area is transmitted to another communication device 18 (S460). Here, this S
The process 460 is a process in which one page of the document is set as one transmission unit. The process of transmitting a facsimile image of one page of a document is, more precisely, a process of transmitting an image of one line over a plurality of lines, but this process is performed according to a well-known protocol of a facsimile communication system. The detailed description is omitted here.

Subsequently, when the transmission of the facsimile image for one page is completed normally, referring to the storage contents of the RAM 8, which of the holding mode and the erasing mode is set for the currently selected storage area. Is checked (S470). Then, only when the erasing mode is set (S470: YES), the transmitted image data is erased (S480). Incidentally, the image data is managed by bit image data indicating the substance of the image and a management table for storing the address of a storage area in which the bit image data is stored. Delete registration. Although the bit image data itself remains in the memory, its storage area is determined to be a storage area that can be used to store new image data, so that it is overwritten and deleted when new image data is stored. Become.

Then, until all the stored image data is transmitted (S490: NO), S460 to S480 are executed.
Is repeated, and all image data is transmitted (S
490: YES), end this processing. The above S4
If it is determined in the process 30 that the password is not normal (S430), a message to that effect is transmitted to the other communication device 18 (S500), and the process ends.
Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 6, in this type of communication processing, a normal communication state may not be maintained due to a malfunction of a communication line or a partner device (another communication device 18). . Such a state is constantly monitored by a response signal or the like coming from the other communication device 18 in accordance with a predetermined protocol. If a normal communication state cannot be maintained, this processing is performed at that time. The processing is terminated, and the processing shifts to processing such as line disconnection. At this time, the audio and image data remaining in the storage area are retained as they are, except for the data that has already been deleted.

By the data transmission process described above, the audio and image data stored in the predetermined storage area is transmitted to another communication device 18. If the erasing mode is set, the image data is erased after transmission, and the audio data remains irrespective of the mode setting.

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus 1, either the erasing mode or the holding mode can be set according to the user's request. For example, if the holding mode is set, the user is at the communication destination. The user can retrieve the data twice or more. Conversely, if the erasing mode is set, the data is simply retrieved and no data remains in the data storage means, eliminating the trouble of erasing the data. The better it is, the easier it is to use.

In particular, since the holding mode / erasing mode can be individually set for each of the five storage areas, a convenient mode can be freely selected for each storage area, and the mode setting function is extremely effectively used. Can be used. Further, regardless of whether the erase mode or the hold mode is set, the audio data is not always erased, so that even when the erase mode is set, the image data is automatically erased after being transmitted. And the convenience of being able to listen to audio data over and over again.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various constitutional means of the present invention can be considered in addition to the above embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which data is transmitted to another external communication device 18 has been described. However, voice or image data stored in the facsimile device 1 is transmitted to the speaker 26 or the printer 15. Even if the facsimile machine 1 is configured to be able to output by itself, the usability is further improved.

In the above embodiment, the data is not erased at all in the case of the holding mode.
For example, in a setting process separately performed in advance, the number of holding times can be set to any value (for example, any of 1 to 99) or a specific value (for example, 10 times), and the setting there is stored in a memory and stored. Each time the data is output, the number of outputs may be counted up, and the data may be deleted when the counted number of outputs reaches the number of holdings set in the setting process. With such a configuration, if the number of times data is to be extracted can be predicted in advance, the data can be extracted only as many times as necessary. The memory can be put into a state in which the memory can be used effectively without using it.

Further, in the above embodiment, the audio data is not erased regardless of the mode setting.
By setting the number of times of holding in the same manner as described above, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the sound is erased after re-listening several times. When the erasing mode is set, the audio data may be automatically erased. With this configuration, the data is erased after outputting the voice message to a specific person, so the possibility that the voice message is heard by a third party is reduced, and confidentiality is more important than the replay function It is particularly suitable for viewing.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, five storage areas are set and individual passwords are given to each of them, so that, for example, five persons can exclusively use the functions of the apparatus. However, the use form of the storage area is not limited to this. Specifically, for personal use, for example, one storage area is sufficient, and conversely, one storage area can be used by a larger number of people, or
In order for a person to use a plurality of storage areas, a larger number of storage areas may be set. Input of individual passwords and passwords is an effective method for maintaining confidentiality, but if many people can freely extract data, a specific storage area or all With respect to the storage area, the input of the password and the recite number may be omitted, which is advantageous in that the operability is improved.

In the above embodiment, the facsimile apparatus has been described as an example. However, the present invention is applicable to any communication apparatus capable of performing communication by the facsimile communication method, such as a personal computer having a facsimile function. be able to. Further, if the configuration is such that only audio data is handled, the configuration of the present invention can be adopted in a telephone or the like. Further, the configuration of the present invention can be adopted not only in the facsimile communication system but also in a communication device that performs communication according to another communication procedure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a facsimile apparatus exemplified as an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation panel of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a mode setting process in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a data accumulation process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a data transmission process according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile machine, 1a ... Main body, 2 ...
NCU, 3 ... CPU, 4 ... Modem, 5 ... Buffer, 6 ... ROM, 8 ... RAM, 9 ... Image memory, 10 ... Sound memory, 11 ... Voice LS
I, 12: encoding unit, 13: scanner, 14.
..Decoding unit, 15 printer, 16 telephone line, 17 exchange, 18 communication device, 20
· Signal bus line, 21 ···············································································································
..Amplifier, 26 ... Speaker, 28 ... Document sensor, 29 ... Recording paper sensor, 30 ... Left arrow key,
31 ... Set key, 32 ... Right arrow key, 33
..Dial keys, 34 ... recording keys, 35 ...
Function keys, 36: key mail key, 37: function explanation key, 38: one touch key group, 39: stop key, 40: start key, 41: liquid crystal display.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication system comprising: a data storage unit capable of storing voice and / or image data; and a data transmission unit capable of transmitting data stored in the data storage unit to an external device via a communication path. In the device, after transmitting predetermined data by the data transmitting unit,
Data erasure control means for performing control for erasing the data from the data storage means, and after transmitting predetermined data by the data transmission means,
A data holding control unit for controlling the data to be kept held in the data storage unit; an erasing mode for performing erasing control by the data erasing unit;
Or a mode setting means capable of selectively setting any one of a holding mode in which holding control is performed by the data holding control means. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the data storage units, wherein the mode setting unit individually selects one of the holding mode and the erasing mode for each of the plurality of data storage units. A communication device characterized in that the communication device is configured to be able to set. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the data erasure control unit stores only the image data among the audio and image data stored in the data storage unit. A communication device for performing control for deleting from a communication device. 4. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a facsimile function as a function of transmitting the image data to the external device.