JPH10285361A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make facsimile reception complete, even when facsimile reception image information is not printed out due to a fault, such as shortage of recording paper or a defective plotter. SOLUTION: A facsimile equipment 1 is connected to a PC 3, having a facsimile reception function via a PC.I/F section 16 in a data communication enabled way, and when print of image information received by a network controller 14 is disabled due to causes such as the shortage of recording paper of a plotter 11 or a faulty plotter 11, a system control section 17 starts a facsimile reception function of the PC 3 to allow the network controller 14 to receive facsimile image information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a communication device such as a facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a communication device for expanding the data storage area of a memory when the data storage area of the memory becomes insufficient during data communication (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-251870).

[0003]

However, in the above-described communication apparatus, when facsimile reception is performed, if printing of image information to be received by facsimile becomes impossible due to running out of recording paper or an abnormal plotter, the facsimile reception is performed. Cannot be completed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been made to enable facsimile reception to be completed even when facsimile-received image information cannot be printed due to a lack of recording paper or a plotter abnormality. The purpose is to do.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a facsimile transmitting / receiving means for performing facsimile transmission / reception via a line, a printing means for printing image information received by the facsimile, and a facsimile receiving means. A communication device having a terminal device connection means for data communication with a terminal device such as a personal computer having a function. When printing is not possible, a facsimile receiving function of the terminal device is activated, and the facsimile transmission / reception means is provided with activation means for receiving image information received by facsimile.

Further, it is preferable to provide a memory receiving means for receiving the image information received by facsimile by the facsimile transmitting / receiving means when the facsimile receiving function is not activated.

Further, facsimile transmission / reception means for performing facsimile transmission / reception via a line, printing means for printing image information received by the facsimile, and data communication communicably connected to a terminal device such as a personal computer having a facsimile reception function. A facsimile transmission / reception unit that is not capable of printing out image information to be received by the facsimile transmission / reception unit due to a recording paper shortage or an abnormality in the print output unit. A memory receiving means for receiving image data received by facsimile in a memory, and when the memory receiving by the means is impossible,
It is preferable to provide an activation unit that activates a facsimile reception function of the terminal device and receives image information received by facsimile by the facsimile transmission / reception unit.

Further, facsimile transmission / reception means for performing facsimile transmission / reception via a line, printing means for printing image information received by the facsimile, and data communication with a terminal device such as a personal computer having a facsimile reception function. In a communication device provided with a terminal device connecting means for connecting, when it is impossible to print image information to be received by the facsimile transmission / reception means by the facsimile transmission / reception means due to a cause of running out of recording paper or an abnormality in the printing means, Activating a receiving function to receive image information received by facsimile transmission by the facsimile transmission / reception means, and printing image information to be received by the facsimile transmission / reception means by the facsimile transmission / reception means due to a recording paper shortage or an abnormality in the printing means. Unfortunate When performance of, may be provided with setting means for setting a memory receiving means for memory receives facsimile received image information by the facsimile transmitting and receiving means, whether to perform one of the activation means and the memory receiving means.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal device connected to enable data communication when it is impossible to print image information to be received by facsimile when facsimile reception is performed due to running out of recording paper, abnormal plotter, or the like. Activate the facsimile reception function and receive it instead. Therefore, even if a cause such as running out of recording paper or a plotter error occurs during facsimile reception, the facsimile reception can be completed by performing facsimile reception by the terminal device.

[0010] Further, a communication device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that:
When the facsimile reception function is not activated, the image information received by facsimile is received in the memory. Therefore, even when the terminal device and the software of the facsimile receiving function have not been started and the facsimile reception cannot be performed by the terminal device, the facsimile reception can be completed by the memory reception.

Further, the communication apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, when receiving facsimile, when it is impossible to print the image information to be received by facsimile due to out of recording paper, abnormal plotter, etc. When a memory is received and the memory cannot be received due to a shortage of the memory, a facsimile receiving function of the terminal device connected to enable data communication is activated and received instead. Therefore, even if the memory cannot be received due to lack of memory capacity when a cause such as running out of recording paper or a plotter error occurs at the time of facsimile reception, the facsimile reception can be completed by performing facsimile reception by the terminal device.

Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile reception, when it is impossible to print the facsimile-received image information due to a recording paper shortage, a plotter abnormality, or the like, the facsimile-received image information , Or the alternate reception by activating the facsimile reception function of the terminal device connected to enable data communication. Therefore, any of the reception by the terminal device and the memory reception can be arbitrarily switched according to the user's request, so that the operability can be improved.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is an embodiment of the communication apparatus according to the present invention. This facsimile machine 1 has a CP
A communication device implemented by a microcomputer including a U, a ROM, a RAM, and the like;
Is connected to a personal computer (PC) 3 via a PC so that data communication is possible.

The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a scanner 10 for optically reading an original image and inputting the image information.
And a plotter 11 such as a laser printer or an ink jet printer for printing image information received by facsimile, image information input from the scanner 10, and image information transmitted from the PC 3 on recording paper.

Further, the image information to be transmitted by facsimile is subjected to an encoding process by a known encoding method such as the MH system to compress the data, and the image information received by facsimile is decoded to reproduce the original image information. Encoding / decoding unit 1
2, a modem 13 that modulates and demodulates image information and transmits the same, and transmits various procedure signals for transmission control.
A network controller 14 connects the telephone line 5 to a line 4 such as an ISDN or the like, and performs a predetermined line control for facsimile communication and outgoing / incoming calls during a telephone call.

Furthermore, the PC 3 is connected to an operation display unit 15 including a display unit such as an LCD for displaying various operation states and messages of the facsimile apparatus, an operation unit such as a keyboard for the user to perform various operation inputs, and the like. A PC interface (I / F) unit 16 for transmitting and receiving data. The PC / I / F unit 16 includes an RS232
A general interface such as C may be used. Also,
The data transmission method with the PC 3 is V. It is preferable to use a general method specified in H.24 or the like.

A system controller 17 which is a microcomputer for controlling the entire facsimile apparatus and executes control processing according to the present invention, a reception memory 18 for storing image information received by facsimile at the time of memory reception, A system bus 19, which is a signal line for exchanging various control signals and various data between the units, is provided.

On the other hand, the PC 3 comprises a CPU, a ROM, and an R
A terminal device realized by a microcomputer including an AM and the like. The terminal device includes a display device such as a CRT and an LCD, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and peripheral devices such as a storage device such as a hard disk device. PC / FAX transmission function for facsimile transmission via PC and P for facsimile reception via facsimile machine
It has a C / FAX reception function and executes various data processing.

That is, the network controller 14 functions as a facsimile transmission / reception means for performing facsimile transmission / reception via a line. The plotter 11 functions as a printing unit that prints image information received by facsimile by the facsimile transmitting / receiving unit. PC / I / F unit 1
The terminal 6 functions as a terminal device connecting means for connecting data communication with a terminal device such as a personal computer having a facsimile receiving function.

The system control unit 17 activates the facsimile reception function of the terminal device when it is impossible to print the image information to be received by the facsimile transmission / reception unit due to the recording paper running out of the printing unit, an abnormality, or the like. The facsimile transmission / reception unit functions as an activation unit for receiving image information received by facsimile.

The system control unit 17 and the reception memory 18
However, when the facsimile receiving function is not activated, the function of the memory receiving means for receiving the image information facsimile-received by the facsimile transmitting / receiving means in the memory.

The system controller 17 and the receiving memory 18
However, when it is not possible to print out the image information received by the facsimile transmission / reception means by the facsimile transmission / reception means due to a cause of running out of recording paper, an abnormality or the like in the print output means, the memory reception which receives the image information received by the facsimile transmission / reception means in the memory. Acts as a means.

The system control unit 17 activates the facsimile reception function of the terminal device when the memory reception by the memory reception means is impossible, and performs the function of the activation means for receiving the image information received by the facsimile transmission / reception means. .

The system control unit 17 activates the facsimile reception function of the terminal device when it is impossible to print the image information to be received by the facsimile transmission / reception unit due to the recording paper running out of the printing unit, an abnormality, or the like. The facsimile transmission / reception unit functions as an activation unit for receiving image information received by facsimile.

The system control unit 17 and the reception memory 18
However, when it is not possible to print the image information received by the facsimile transmission / reception means by the facsimile transmission / reception means due to the recording paper running out of the printing means, an abnormality or the like, the function of the memory reception means for receiving the image information received by the facsimile transmission / reception means in the memory Fulfill. The system control unit 17
The operation display unit 15 functions as a setting unit that sets which of the activation unit and the memory reception unit is to be executed.

Next, the processing of the facsimile machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing of the facsimile machine 1. This facsimile machine 1
When the network controller 14 detects ringing from the line 4 in the facsimile reception standby state, the system bus 19
That the ringing has arrived via the
7 is notified (S1).

The system control unit 17 determines whether or not facsimile reception image output is impossible according to the notification of the incoming call (S2). If the reception image can be normally printed out, the stand-alone FAX reception processing is performed. To execute a normal machine reception process (print output by the facsimile machine) (S3).

On the other hand, the system control section 17 determines whether or not facsimile reception image output is impossible (S2), and prints out the facsimile reception image when an abnormality such as out of recording paper, failure of the plotter 11 or paper jam occurs. If it is not possible, the receiving function set by the user is activated.

The receiving function includes the PC / FAX of the PC 3
PC / FA that activates the reception function and causes PC3 to receive
There are X reception and memory reception stored in the reception memory 18 of the facsimile apparatus 1. When the user selects which one to execute when the facsimile reception image cannot be printed out by using the operation display unit 15, The selection information is set in a memory in the system control unit 17.

The system control unit 17 determines whether the reception function is set to memory reception (S4). When the memory reception is set, the system control unit 17 checks the reception memory 18 via the system bus 19. It is determined whether or not the memory capacity of the reception memory 18 is full (S5).
9 and notifies the PC 3 via the PC / I / F unit 16 that there is ringing of facsimile reception (S6).

For the notification, a notification method recommended in TR29 may be used. For example, the AT command "RI
The ringing is notified to the PC 3 by transmitting "NG". Since this notification is a known technique, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

After that, the system control section 17
It is determined whether or not there is a response to the ringing notification from the PC 3 via the / F unit 16 (S7). When there is no response from the PC 3, every time the network controller 14 detects the ringing from the line 4, the system P via bus 19
The ringing notification to the PC 3 via the C / I / F unit 16 is repeated.

When the PC / I / F unit 16 detects a response from the PC 3 and notifies the system control unit 17 of the response, the system control unit 17 analyzes the response from the PC 3 and receives the PC / FAX reception signal from the PC 3. If the response is to start facsimile reception by the function, the PC / FAX reception process is started (S8).

In the PC / FAX reception, for example, the PC / FAX reception procedure of Recommendation TR29 may be used. The PC / FAX reception procedure is as follows: when the PC / I / F unit 16 receives a command from the PC 3, the system bus 19
To the system control unit 17 via the. The system control unit 17 analyzes the command and sends a response to the command to the PC / I / I via the system bus 19.
The notification is sent to the PC 3 via the F unit 16. In this way,
Realizes PC / FAX reception.

On the other hand, the system controller 17 judges whether the memory is full or not (S5). If the receiving memory 18 is not full, the system controller 17 starts memory reception and stores the image information received by facsimile in the receiving memory 18. (S9).

The system control unit 17 determines whether the reception function is set to memory reception (S4). If the memory reception is not set, that is, if the reception function is set to PC
When the reception is set, the PC 3 is notified via the system bus 19 and the PC / I / F section 16 that ringing has come (S10).

Even if ringing of a predetermined number of times is notified, there is no response from PC3.
When the C / I / F unit 16 does not detect a response from the PC 3, the system control unit 17 checks whether the reception memory 18 is full (S13). It starts (S14).

Further, the system control unit 17 checks whether the reception memory 18 is full (S13). If the reception memory 18 is full, the system control unit 17 sends the PC via the PC / I / F unit 16 to the PC.
3 is continuously notified of ringing (S10), and PC2
It is determined whether or not there is a response (S11). And P
When the response from the PC 3 is detected by the C / I / F section 16, the PC / FAX reception is started (S12).

Thus, the facsimile machine 1
Is a PC / FAX of the PC 3 connected to enable data communication when it is impossible to print out a received image due to running out of recording paper or an abnormality of the plotter 11 at the time of facsimile reception.
Since the receiving function is activated and all the image information is received by facsimile on the PC 3 side, the facsimile reception does not have to be stopped halfway.

Further, when the PC / FAX receiving function of the PC 3 is not activated because the PC 3 has not been started or the software for executing the PC / FAX receiving function has not been started, the entire image information is received in the memory. It is not necessary to stop facsimile reception on the way.

Further, when the received image is received because it is impossible to print out the received image due to running out of the recording paper or an abnormality of the plotter 11, etc., when the memory is full and the memory cannot be received, the PC 3 connected to enable data communication.
Since the PC / FAX reception function is activated and the PC 3 side receives all image information by facsimile, the facsimile reception does not have to be interrupted halfway.

Further, when it is impossible to print out the received image due to lack of recording paper or abnormalities of the plotter 11 at the time of facsimile reception, it is previously selected whether to activate the PC / FAX reception function of the PC 3 or to receive data in the memory. The receiving function can be executed according to the user's request, and the operability for the user can be improved.

[0043]

As described above, according to the communication apparatus of the present invention, facsimile reception can be completed even when image information received by facsimile cannot be printed due to a lack of recording paper or an abnormal plotter. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of the facsimile machine 1 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Facsimile apparatus 2: Communication cable 3: Personal computer (PC) 4: Line 5: Telephone 10: Scanner 11: Plotter 12: Encoding / decoding unit 13: Modem 14: Network control unit 15: Operation display unit 16: PC -Interface (I / F) unit 17: System control unit 18: Reception memory 19: System bus

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile transmission / reception means for performing facsimile transmission / reception via a line, a printing means for printing image information received by the facsimile, and a terminal capable of performing data communication with a terminal device such as a personal computer having a facsimile reception function. A facsimile of the terminal device when it is not possible to print the image information to be received by the facsimile transmission / reception device due to a cause of the recording paper running out or an abnormality in the printing device. A communication apparatus, comprising: an activation unit that activates a reception function and receives image information received by facsimile by the facsimile transmission / reception unit. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a memory receiving means for receiving image information received by the facsimile transmitting / receiving means in a memory when the facsimile receiving function is not activated. . 3. A facsimile transmission / reception means for performing facsimile transmission / reception via a line, a printing means for printing image information received by the facsimile, and a terminal device such as a personal computer having a facsimile reception function for data communication. A facsimile transmission / reception means when it is impossible to print out image information to be facsimile-received by the facsimile transmission / reception means due to a lack of recording paper, an abnormality or the like in the print output means. A memory receiving means for receiving image information received by facsimile in the memory, and when the memory reception by the means is impossible, a facsimile receiving function of the terminal device is activated to receive the image information received by the facsimile transmitting / receiving means by facsimile. And the activation means Communication apparatus characterized by digit. 4. A facsimile transmission / reception means for performing facsimile transmission / reception via a line, a printing means for printing image information received by the facsimile, and a terminal device such as a personal computer having a facsimile reception function for data communication. A facsimile of the terminal device when it is not possible to print the image information to be received by the facsimile transmission / reception device due to a cause of the recording paper running out or an abnormality in the printing device. Activating means for activating a reception function to receive image information received by facsimile by the facsimile transmission / reception means; and printing image information received by the facsimile transmission / reception means by the facsimile transmission / reception means due to a cause of running out of recording paper, an abnormality or the like in the printing means. When impossible Wherein the memory receiving means for the image information memory reception has been facsimile received by the facsimile receiving means, said activation means and the communication device, characterized in that a setting means for setting whether to perform one of the memory receiving means.