JPH11127280A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable multi-address communicating in contents corresponding to a destination without complicating configuration by transmitting text picture data in opposite party number order together with picture data of a cover corresponding to the destination. SOLUTION: The covers A1-A3 and the text B1 are bound and set as an original in the original table of a scanner part. After a multi-address communication function is selected, destination telephone numbers are temporarily stored in RAM by the order or coincidence with the piling order of the covers together with the number '3' of the covers A1-A3 which are inputted in accordance with a message to be displayed. When a start button is depressed, picture data is read from the original by the scanner part so as to stores it in a picture memory. When the reading of the original is ended, the telephone number of the untransmitted destination is called and a line is connected. After that, picture data of an applying page is read from the picture memory and also text picture data is read so as to set them and transmit them in accordance with transmission procedure. The same processing is repeatedly executed till the untransmitted destination in RAM does not exist.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a broadcast transmission function, and more particularly, to a method of reading a cover different for each destination to be broadcasted by one reading operation and transmitting the same for each destination. About what you can do.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a facsimile apparatus which is connected to a communication line and transmits (transmits) or receives (transmits) image data read from a document by performing facsimile communication with a destination. This facsimile apparatus is becoming popular with the increase in the amount of information in recent years, and is required to have improved convenience.

In a facsimile apparatus of this type, when the same document (text) is transmitted to a plurality of destinations, it is inefficient to perform an original reading operation each time, so that it is stored in an image memory. Some have a broadcast transmission function of sequentially transmitting the same document to telephone numbers (destination numbers) of different destinations.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional facsimile apparatus, when the broadcast transmission function is used, all destinations are displayed on the cover as shown in FIG. Since it is transmitted together with the text, the broadcast transmission function cannot be used when it is necessary to make the contents of the cover different for each destination, and there is a problem that the usability is low.

To solve this inconvenience, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 52917 proposes a facsimile apparatus in which text data for each destination created by a word processor or the like is attached to a text to be broadcast, so that a broadcast transmission function can be used as a cover different for each destination. Have been. However, in the facsimile apparatus described in this publication, a word processor must be separately connected in order to create destination text data, and there is a problem that the apparatus configuration is complicated and the cost increases.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-83515 discloses that
The cover image data with the outline of the text is broadcasted to all destinations, but the image data of the text itself can be obtained by polling transmission only to the necessary parties to prevent waste of paper. A facsimile machine capable of performing the above has been proposed. However, in this facsimile apparatus, the same cover is transmitted to a plurality of destinations, and polling transmission is used even if the text can be transmitted separately, so that it takes a long time to transmit. There is also.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the usability by enabling the contents according to the destination to be transmitted by broadcast transmission without complicating the configuration.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is a broadcast which is connected to a communication line and capable of facsimile transmission of a text together with a cover displaying destinations at a plurality of destination numbers. A facsimile apparatus having a transmission function, an image memory for storing image data obtained by reading a body together with a cover for each destination by a reading unit, a setting unit for setting a destination number for each destination to be broadcast, and at least a cover And a transmission control unit for sequentially transmitting the image data of the body together with the image data of the cover according to the destination to the destination number in the setting means by identifying that the image data is the image data of the destination. is there.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, after the cover and body image data for each destination are read and accumulated, the cover is identified by, for example, the number of read pages or the read image (mark, etc.). The image data follows the setting order of the destination number together with the image data of the text,
The image data is transmitted as image data with a cover corresponding to the destination attached to the text. Therefore, a cover different for each destination can be transmitted by broadcast transmission together with the text.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the setting means is configured to be able to set and input at least one of a cover and a body, and the transmission control section It is determined whether the read image data is a cover based on the number of covers or texts in the setting means, and sequentially transmits the image data of the cover to the destination number in the setting means one by one. It is characterized by the following.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, whether or not the image data is a cover image is identified by the number of the set cover or body, and when the number of the cover is set, the image data is left as it is. If the number of texts is set and input, subtract the number of texts from the total
It is identified by the number of sheets from the first page. Therefore,
The cover and the body can be distinguished only by inputting the number of sheets without adding a mark or using special paper.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the setting means is configured to be capable of setting and inputting a destination for each text having different contents, and Is characterized in that the image data of the cover is sequentially transmitted to the destination number in the setting means, and the image data of the body corresponding to the destination of the destination number is identified and transmitted similarly to the cover. is there.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a destination of a different text is set and input, and the image data of the identified cover is sequentially transmitted to the destination number. The image data of the text for each destination identified by the number of sheets, the mark, the paper type, etc. is transmitted together with the image data of the cover to the destination number. Therefore, it is possible to transmit not only the cover but also a different text for each destination by broadcast transmission.

[0014] The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3.
In addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of the above, the reading operation is temporarily stopped at the timing when the contents are switched during the reading of the cover and the text, a confirmation message is displayed on the display unit, and the confirmation is input. A reading control section for controlling the reading section so as to continue the reading operation later is provided.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the reading operation is temporarily stopped between the cover and the text and between the texts having different contents, and the reading operation is resumed after the input after confirming that there is no error. Is done. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a mistake such as setting a part of the text as a cover due to a mistake in the setting input or the reading operation from being detected beforehand and transmitted as it is.

[0016] The invention according to claim 5 provides the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In addition to the configuration of the invention described in any one of the above, display control means for displaying and outputting at least a part of image data of one or both of a cover and a text stored in the image memory to a display unit is provided, and the setting means is provided. , The cover or the text for the destination can be set by input from the operation unit.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, at least one copy of the image data of the cover and the body of each destination can be displayed and output after being read and accumulated, and the cover for the set destination and the cover and body of the set can be displayed. Can be set by input from the operation unit. Therefore, before starting the broadcast transmission, the contents can be confirmed and the cover and the text can be set for each display, and if there is an error, it can be corrected without performing the reading operation again.

Here, the destination number means a telephone number when connected to a public line, or information for specifying a destination in the case of facsimile transmission via another communication line.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 are views showing a first embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.
2 corresponds to the invention described in 2. First, the configuration will be described.

In FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 10 uses a RAM (not shown), which stores various information such as driving conditions and management data of each part of the machine and temporarily stores data necessary for operation, as a work area. A CPU 11 that controls various parts of the apparatus in accordance with a program and executes various processes of the present invention; a ROM 12 in which the CPU 11 records a control program and data such as default values so that the CPU 11 can use the driving conditions, an apparatus state, or input information. An operation display unit 13 provided with LCDs and LEDs for displaying various information such as numeric keys and function keys for inputting settings and instructions by a user, etc., and is connected to an analog public line to perform predetermined operations when making and receiving calls. A network control unit 14 that executes line control and connects or disconnects the line A communication control unit 15 for transmitting / receiving (facsimile communication) image data and various kinds of procedure signals modulated and demodulated by the CPU, and photoelectrically converts reflected light from an image of a transmission original including a cover and text set on an original table to convert the image data. A scanner section (reading section) 16 for reading, a plotter section 17 for recording and outputting an image on a sheet of paper based on the read / received image data, and an image information memory 18 for temporarily storing the read / received image data. And an encoding / decoding unit 19 for compressing and encoding the image data to be transmitted, and for expanding and decoding the received image data, are connected to the bus 20.

The facsimile apparatus 10 is provided with a broadcast transmission function for sequentially transmitting image data read by one reading operation to a plurality of destinations by means of a function key of the operation display unit 13. In transmitting the information, a CPU is used to input the telephone numbers of a plurality of destinations using a numeric keypad or abbreviated / one-touch keys, and sequentially transmit image data in a form in which a cover corresponding to each destination is attached to the body.
11 controls each part of the device. Although not described in the present embodiment, it goes without saying that a conventional broadcast transmission function of sequentially transmitting image data of completely the same document (cover and body) to a plurality of destinations may be set to be selectable. Absent.

When the broadcast transmission function is selected, the CPU 11 prompts the user to input a cover to be set on the original table of the scanner unit 16 and the number of covers in the text, together with the destination telephone number (destination number). Message display 13
And the input telephone number of the destination and the number of covers are temporarily stored in the RAM. The image data of the cover and the text read by the scanner unit 16 are stored in the image memory 18. After being stored in the RAM, the cover image data for each destination is identified based on the number of sheets in the RAM, attached to the text image data, and sequentially transmitted to the destination telephone number in the RAM. That is, the RAM constitutes a setting unit, and the CPU 11 constitutes a transmission control unit. In addition,
Identification of whether or not the image data is cover image data may be calculated by inputting and setting the number of texts and subtracting the number from the read number. Alternatively, the number of sheets for both the cover and the body may be input and set, and the number of sheets may be compared with the number of sheets to be read to check the success or failure of the reading operation.

Next, the operation of the broadcast transmission will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. First, the covers A1 to A3 and the text B1 are bundled and set as a document on the document table of the scanner unit 16 (step P1). After the broadcast transmission function is selected on the operation display unit 13, input is performed according to the displayed message. The telephone numbers of the destinations are temporarily stored in the RAM in the order corresponding to the stacking order of the covers together with the number "3" of the covers A1 to A3 (steps P2 and P3). Next, when the start button is pressed (step P
4) The image data is read from the original by the scanner unit 16 and stored in the image memory 18 (step P5).

When the reading of the original is completed, it is determined whether the cumulative number of transmissions has reached the number of cover sheets “3” by comparing the RA.
It is checked whether or not an untransmitted destination remains in M (step P6). If it remains, the number of transmissions is incremented and the telephone of the untransmitted destination with the matching set order (loading order) is checked. After calling the number and connecting to the line,
The image data of the cover of the corresponding page (stacking order) is read out from within the image data, and the image data of the body after the cover (exceeding the number of pages of the cover) is read, and the cover and the body are transmitted to the set according to the facsimile transmission procedure ( Step P7). Thereafter, the process returns to step P6, where the same processing is continued when there is an untransmitted destination in the RAM, and when there is no destination, the broadcast transmission processing is ended.

Therefore, the covers A1 to A3 bundled and set on the original table are transmitted for each destination together with the text B1 one page at a time. For this reason, a different cover A1 for each destination
Even if A3 is bundled and set in the scanner unit 16 together with the text B1, it can be sequentially transmitted for each destination by the broadcast transmission function. In the present embodiment, the number of transmissions is compared with the number of cover pages to check whether or not an untransmitted destination remains.
The same processing may be performed with the number of destinations in the list as the number of covers, or the presence / absence of an untransmitted destination may be checked and the setting order of the destinations may be processed as the stacking order of the covers A1 to A3.

As described above, in the present embodiment, after the image data is read from the cover and the body which are set together, the image data of the cover for each destination is identified based on the input number, and the image data of the body and the image data of the body are identified. Is transmitted sequentially, so just by inputting the number of covers, the cover corresponding to the destination can be transmitted by broadcast transmission for each destination in the form attached to the body, and in order to identify the cover There is no need to use marks or special paper. Therefore,
Usability can be improved by an inexpensive configuration without impairing operability (usability).

FIG. 4 is a view showing a second embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to the invention described in claim 4. In addition, since the present embodiment is configured substantially in the same manner as the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations using FIGS. 1 and 3 and the description will be focused on the characteristic portions. In FIG. 1, when the broadcast function is selected, the CPU 11 switches the read target from the cover A1 to A3 to the text B1 when reading the cover A1 to A3 and the text B1 set on the document table of the scanner unit 16. To temporarily stop the reading operation, and
A3 and the message B1 are surely identified, and a message for confirming that the reading operation is being performed, for example, “Reading of three cover sheets OK?” Is displayed on the LCD of the operation display unit 13 and restarted. The reading operation is restarted after a confirmation input for pressing the button is made. That is, the CPU 11 also constitutes a reading control unit.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 11 operates the cover A1 to A3 and the text B
1 original set (step P1), input / storage of the number of covers A1 to A3 "3" and destination telephone number (steps P2 and P3), pressing of start button (step P4)
Is performed, the reading of image data from the cover A1 of the document is started, and the reading of three pages is completed (step P11), it is determined whether the reading of the covers A1 to A3 has been performed normally. Is displayed and output to the user (Step P12), and after confirming that the start button has been pressed again, the reading operation of the image data of the text B1 is restarted (Step P13).

Thereafter, as in the above-described embodiment, after reading of the document is completed, it is checked whether or not there is an untransmitted destination (step P6), the image data of the cover for the destination is sequentially read, and the image of the main body is read. The data is transmitted to the untransmitted destination together with the data (step P7). Therefore, even if there is a mistake in inputting the number of cover sheets or double feed occurs during the document feeding operation,
The transmission of the text B1 as the cover or the transmission of the cover A3 as the text can be detected and prevented beforehand.

As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the operation and effect of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to confirm whether or not the reading operation is performed without error, the broadcast transmission is started with the error, and the cover There is no possibility that the text B1 cannot be attached and broadcasted for each of A1 to A3. Therefore, the reliability of the broadcast transmission can be improved, and the usability is not impaired.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. This embodiment corresponds to the third and fifth aspects of the present invention. In addition, since the present embodiment is configured substantially in the same manner as the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus 10 is provided with a large-screen LCD as an LCD of the operation display unit 13. When the broadcast transmission function is selected, the CPU 11 sends a message prompting the input of the destination telephone number on the large-screen LCD. The telephone number of the destination, which is displayed and output on the LCD, is temporarily stored in the RAM.
The image data of the cover and the text read by 16 are stored in an image memory 18 and then displayed and output as a preview image G on the large-screen LCD, as shown in FIG. The number is entered in the input field R and identified. And this CPU
A set 11 sets the cover and body image data for each destination according to the number of pages input in the input field R, and sequentially transmits the data to the destination telephone number in the RAM. That is, the CPU 11
Also constitute a display control unit.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, even if the texts B1 and B2 having different contents are set on the manuscript table together with the covers A1 to A3, the cover and the cover for each destination are determined by the number of pages read while looking at the large-screen LCD. The text can be specified, and the cover pages A1 to A3 and the texts B1 and B2 can be identified and broadcasted for each destination based on the number of pages.

As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the functions and effects of the above-described embodiment, the cover A1 to be transmitted for each destination is provided.
In addition to A3, texts B1 and B2 with different contents can be set for each destination simply by setting and inputting the number of pages while checking the preview image G. Broadcasting can be performed by arbitrarily combining the cover and text. Can be. Further, a reading error can be checked by the preview image G.

As another aspect of this embodiment, although not shown, the number of cover pages and the number of each body destination are input and set in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the preview is displayed on the large-screen LCD. The number of pages may be set and displayed in the input field R of the image G so that the number of pages can be corrected (changed). In this case, the broadcast can be transmitted only by inputting the number of pages without inputting the number of pages. If there is a mistake in the combination of the cover and the text, enter the correct number of pages in the input field R and change the number. Good. In addition, the texts B1 and B
No. 2 may be identified by the number of pages, for example, by adding each input number to the number of covers A1 to A3. At this time,
A message for confirmation may be displayed and output between the texts B1 and B2 as described in the second embodiment. Further, when there are a plurality of texts for each cover, a preview image of the first page of the text is displayed on the large-screen LCD based on the number of input texts, and the destination can be set in the input field. It may be.

[0035]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether the image data read and stored is a cover or a text.
Since the image data of the cover for each destination is sequentially transmitted together with the image data of the text, the cover corresponding to the destination can be transmitted by broadcasting in a form attached to the text, and the text is read together with the cover for each destination. With this configuration, broadcast transmission can be performed according to the destination without complicating the operation and without taking time for communication. Therefore, usability can be improved with an inexpensive configuration that does not impair operability.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image data of the front cover is identified by the number of the front cover or body text set and input. It can be transmitted by broadcast transmission with a cover corresponding to the destination attached to the text. Therefore,
The usability does not decrease. According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of texts are identified based on the number of the texts and the like, and the image data of the texts set for the destinations are sequentially transmitted together with the cover for each destination. The contents of the corresponding cover and text can be transmitted by broadcast transmission, for example, by attaching a cover for each destination to the text of each group. Therefore, broadcast transmission can be used without being bound by the stereotype that the texts must be the same, and the usability can be improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the reading operation is temporarily stopped between the front cover and the main body and between the main bodies having different contents, for example, at a timing corresponding to the number of input sheets to determine whether there is an error. Can be checked, it is possible to check whether the reading operation is performed without mistake,
Broadcast transmission can be prevented from starting with a mistake. Therefore, the reliability of the broadcast transmission can be improved, and the improved usability is not impaired.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display and output at least a part of the cover and the body of each destination and set the cover for the destination and the combination of the cover and the body. In addition, the destination of the text can be reliably set, and if there is an error before starting the broadcast transmission, it can be corrected without any trouble, and the broadcast transmission is not started erroneously. Therefore, the reliability of the broadcast transmission can be improved, and the improved usability is not impaired.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a schematic overall configuration thereof.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the broadcast transmission.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a read original and a transmission original for explaining the broadcast transmission.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a second embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and is a flowchart for explaining the broadcast transmission.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a third embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and is an output screen for explaining an operation at the time of broadcast transmission.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a read original and a transmission original for explaining the broadcast transmission.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a cover for explaining a problem of broadcast transmission in the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Facsimile machine 11 CPU (transmission control unit, reading control unit, display control unit) 12 ROM 13 Operation display unit (operation unit, display unit) 14 Network control unit 15 Communication control unit 16 Scanner unit (reading unit) 17 Plotter unit 18 Image information memory 19 Encoder / decoder 20 Bus

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having a broadcast transmission function capable of facsimile transmission of a text together with a cover displaying a destination at a plurality of destination numbers connected to a communication line, wherein the text is read together with a cover for each destination. , An image memory for storing image data read by the user, setting means for setting a destination number for each destination to be broadcasted, and at least the cover image data corresponding to the destination by identifying the image data as the cover page A facsimile apparatus comprising: a transmission control unit for sequentially transmitting image data of the text to a destination number in a setting unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit is configured to be capable of setting and inputting at least one of the number of the cover and the body, and the transmission control unit is configured to transmit the image data read based on the number of the cover or the body in the setting unit. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the image is a cover, and the image data of the cover is sequentially transmitted one by one to a destination number in the setting means. 3. The setting means is configured to be capable of setting and inputting a destination for each text having different contents, and the transmission control unit sequentially transmits image data of a cover to a destination number in the setting means and 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data of the text corresponding to the destination of the destination number is identified and transmitted in the same manner as the cover. 4. The reading operation is temporarily stopped at the timing when the contents are switched during the reading of the cover and the text, a confirmation message is displayed on the display unit, and the reading operation is continued after the confirmation is input. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reading control unit for controlling the reading unit. 5. A display control means for displaying and outputting at least a part of image data of one or both of a cover and a text stored in the image memory on a display unit, wherein the setting means sets a cover or a text for a destination. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus can be set by an input from an operation unit.