JPH11215291A - Facsimile system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a facsimile system where even a facsimile equipment side retrieves and references a transmission destination name and a facsimile number registered in a computer side. SOLUTION: A facsimile equipment side detects entry of a retrieved character in the step 122 and detects a closed retrieval button in the step 124. Then the facsimile equipment side issues a retrieval command to a PC 2 in the step 126, the PC side detects the retrieval command in the step 222, retrieves, extracts a transmission destination name having the retrieved character in the step 224, and outputs the extracted result to the facsimile equipment in the step 226. The facsimile equipment enters the extracted result in the step 128 and displays the extracted result in the step 130.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile system having a facsimile apparatus and a computer for managing a destination name and a facsimile number for transmitting image information of a document read by the facsimile apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus, a destination name and a facsimile number of a destination to which image data of a read original is transmitted are stored in advance in association with a registration number. When input, the destination name and facsimile number corresponding to the registration number are read and displayed on the liquid crystal display. Then, when the user confirms the display and presses the send button, reading of the document is started, and the image data of the read document is transmitted to the displayed destination. However, in the above-described conventional facsimile apparatus, a numeric keypad or abbreviated dial button pressed when a facsimile number is input is also used as a character input key. Moreover,
By assigning a plurality of characters to one key, it is possible to input characters with a small number of keys, each key itself is small, and furthermore, a liquid crystal display unit for displaying the input characters is provided. The area is also small. Therefore,
Since characters cannot be input by the same operation as when using a keyboard provided in a computer or word processor, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to register a destination name. So, in order to solve such a problem,
There has been proposed an apparatus in which a computer is connected to a facsimile apparatus, destination information such as a destination name and a facsimile number is input by the computer, and the destination information is transferred to the facsimile apparatus and stored.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned proposal, when an original is transmitted by a facsimile apparatus, if the user attempts to refer to the transmission destination information, he or she leaves the place where the facsimile apparatus is installed, and sets a computer. Must be moved to the place where the is installed, and the computer must be displayed on the display. That is, there is a problem that the facsimile machine cannot refer to the transmission destination information.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to realize a facsimile system in which a facsimile apparatus can refer to destination information stored in a computer.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least a destination name and a facsimile number corresponding to the destination name are provided between a facsimile apparatus for reading image information of a document and the facsimile apparatus. A computer for inputting and outputting destination identification information indicating the destination identification information, wherein the computer has storage means for storing the destination identification information, and the destination identification information stored in the computer-side storage means. Computer-side reference means for referring to information, wherein the facsimile apparatus is instructed from the facsimile apparatus side, and stored in the computer-side storage means via the computer-side reference means. A facsimile system comprising an instruction unit capable of referring to destination identification information. Beam.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile system according to the first aspect, the computer has a computer-side output unit that outputs the destination identification information stored in the computer-side storage unit. A facsimile apparatus, wherein the facsimile apparatus has a facsimile apparatus-side input means for inputting the destination identification information output by the computer-side output means into the apparatus, and the facsimile apparatus-side input means. A facsimile device-side storage means for storing destination identification information is employed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile system according to the first or second aspect, the facsimile apparatus stores the destination identification information in the facsimile apparatus storage means. Registration means, and a facsimile apparatus-side output means for outputting the destination identification information registered in the facsimile apparatus-side storage means by the facsimile apparatus-side registration means, wherein the computer has the facsimile apparatus side A computer-side input unit for inputting the destination identification information output from the facsimile apparatus-side storage unit by an output unit; and the computer-side storage unit stores the destination information input by the computer-side input unit. The technical means of storing identification information is adopted. To.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the facsimile apparatus includes information on a destination name included in the destination identification information. And a search command means for commanding a search for transmission destination identification information corresponding to the input information, and the computer-side reference means, based on a command from the search command means, The computer-side storage means is searched to extract the corresponding destination identification information, and the computer-side output means outputs the result extracted by the computer-side reference means to the facsimile apparatus, The facsimile apparatus further outputs the data by the computer-side output means, and Adopt the technical means of the facsimile apparatus side display means for displaying the extraction result inputted by the side input means are provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the computer displays on the facsimile apparatus a result of the extraction displayed on the facsimile apparatus side display means. The technical means that a computer-side display means capable of displaying a large number of extraction results is provided is employed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, the facsimile apparatus stores the transmission data stored in the facsimile apparatus side storage means. Selecting means for selecting at least one destination identification information among the destination identification information and the destination identification information stored in the computer-side storage means, which is referred to by the computer-side reference means; Transmitting means for transmitting the image information to a destination indicated by the destination identification information selected by the selecting means via a communication path via the Internet or a public communication switching network not via the Internet. Adopt the technical means that

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile system according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the facsimile apparatus-side storage means and the computer-side storage means may include a destination of the e-mail. Can be stored as the destination identification information, and if the destination identification information selected by the selection unit is a mail address, the transmitting unit displays image information to be transmitted. A technical means is employed in which the data is transmitted to the destination specified by the mail address via the communication path via the Internet.

[0012]

The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7 has the above-mentioned technical means. Therefore, when an instruction for referring to the destination identification information is given to the computer by the instruction means, the computer is referred to by the computer. The means refers to the destination identification information stored in the computer-side storage means, and the referenced destination identification information can be referenced by the facsimile apparatus. Therefore, if the destination identification information that cannot be completely stored in the facsimile apparatus is stored in the computer storage means, the destination identification information in the computer storage means can be freely referenced by the instruction means on the facsimile apparatus side. Therefore, the amount of transmission destination identification information that can be substantially stored can be significantly increased.

[0013] In particular, in the invention according to claim 2, the facsimile apparatus side storage means stores the destination identification information output by the computer side output means and input by the facsimile apparatus side input means. Therefore,
For example, if the desired destination identification information is stored in the computer-side storage means, if the information can be referred to and captured and stored in the facsimile apparatus,
Image information can be easily transmitted to a desired destination based on the stored information.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the facsimile apparatus side output means stores the destination identification information registered by the facsimile apparatus side registration means for registering the destination identification information in the facsimile apparatus side storage means. The output destination identification information is input by computer-side input means provided in the computer, and the input destination identification information is stored by the computer-side storage means. In other words, since the destination identification information registered on the facsimile apparatus side can be automatically registered on the computer side, the same destination identification information can be managed by both the facsimile apparatus and the computer. Even if the destination identification information that has been used less frequently is deleted from the facsimile apparatus side storage means, it can be retained in the computer side storage means, so that the facsimile apparatus side storage means can be effectively utilized, and In combination with the method of claim 2, it is also possible to easily return the information once deleted to the facsimile apparatus side storage means.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the search command means provided in the facsimile apparatus inputs information on the destination name included in the destination identification information, and stores the information in the input information. Command the search for the corresponding destination identification information, the computer-side reference means,
Based on the command, the computer-side storage means is searched to extract the corresponding destination identification information, and the computer-side output means outputs the extracted result to a facsimile apparatus, and the output extracted result Is displayed by the facsimile apparatus side display means provided in the facsimile apparatus. In other words, the facsimile machine can issue a search command for the destination identification information to the computer, and the search result is displayed on the facsimile machine, and the content can be confirmed. It is possible to save the trouble of displaying the information on the display of the computer and then inputting the destination identification information again on the facsimile apparatus.

Further, in the invention according to claim 5, the computer-side display means provided in the computer can display more extraction results than the extraction results displayed by the facsimile apparatus-side display means. In other words, the facsimile apparatus-side display means has a generally small area, such as a liquid crystal display, so that the displayed contents are difficult to see, but has a larger area than the liquid crystal display, such as a CRT display. If the computer-side display means is used, more extraction results can be displayed than on the liquid crystal display unit. Therefore, if the extraction result by the computer-side reference means is an amount of information that cannot be displayed on the display means provided in the facsimile machine, if the output destination of the information is configured to be switched to the computer-side display means, For example, when displaying a list of destination names with the same initials, displaying the list on the computer side display means can display more lists than displaying the list on the facsimile apparatus side display means. Therefore, it is possible to quickly find the target transmission destination name.

Further, in the invention according to claim 6, the selection means provided in the facsimile apparatus is referred to by the transmission destination identification information stored in the facsimile apparatus side storage means and the computer side reference means. Selecting at least one destination identification information among the destination identification information stored in the computer-side storage means, and a transmission means provided in the facsimile apparatus,
The image information to be transmitted is transmitted to a destination indicated by the selected destination identification information via a communication path via the Internet or a public communication switching network not via the Internet. That is, the destination identification information can be selected from the storage means of either the facsimile apparatus or the computer by the selection means provided in the facsimile apparatus, and the destination indicated by the selected destination identification information is transmitted via the Internet. do it,
Or, they can be sent without going through. For example, even when the desired destination identification information is stored in the computer-side storage means, it can be referred to by an instruction from the facsimile apparatus, and if selected by the selection means,
Necessary destination identification information can be automatically fetched into the facsimile apparatus side, and the image information can be transmitted to a desired destination based on the information. At this time, the user can perform all operations only on the facsimile machine side.

In particular, in the invention according to claim 7, the facsimile apparatus side storage means and the computer side storage means are capable of storing a mail address for specifying a destination of an electronic mail as destination identification information, When the destination identification information selected by the selection unit is a mail address, the transmitting unit transmits the image information to be transmitted to the destination specified by the mail address via a communication path via the Internet. I do. That is,
If the selected destination identification information is a mail address, a communication path via the Internet can be automatically selected and image information can be transmitted. Therefore, the trouble of switching the communication path depending on the type of the selected destination identification information can be saved. Also, in general, an e-mail address is composed of a plurality of characters and symbols, which are registered using an input key that is not suitable for character input provided in a conventional facsimile device, and a small liquid crystal display unit,
According to the present invention, the input operation can be performed on a large display unit using a normal keyboard provided on the computer side. Dramatically improved, the input destination identification information can be referred from the facsimile machine side,
Further, since necessary information can be acquired by operation from the facsimile apparatus side, it is very effective for an apparatus having a function of transmitting image information via the Internet.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the facsimile system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of a communication line to which a facsimile system is connected will be described with reference to FIG. The facsimile system 1 includes a facsimile machine 3 and a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC) 2 connected to the facsimile machine 3 by a connection cable 4. The facsimile machine 3 is connected to a telephone exchange 6 by a telephone line 5, and the telephone exchange 6 is connected to a POPS (Post Office Pr
otocol Server) 11 and SMTP (S
simple Mail TransferProtoc
ol Server 7 is connected to the Internet A. The Internet A is connected to the SMTP 8, and the SMTP 8 is connected to the destination facsimile machine 10 via the POPS 12 and the telephone exchange 9. In addition, the telephone exchange 6 and the telephone exchange 9
It is connected by the public switched telephone network B. The destination facsimile machine 10 has a function of transmitting and receiving data via the Internet A or the public switched telephone network B.

Next, the configuration of the PC 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The PC 2 includes a computer main body 21 having a built-in CPU, a keyboard 22,
A mouse 23 and a CRT monitor 24 are provided,
The facsimile machine 3 is connected to the computer main body 21 by a connection cable 4. The keyboard 22
Used for inputting destination identification information such as a destination name, facsimile number, and mail address. Further, the computer main body 21 is provided with an FD drive 26 for driving a 3.5-inch floppy disk (hereinafter abbreviated as FD) and a CD-ROM drive 27 for driving a CD-ROM. The FD drive 26 or the CD-ROM drive 27 is used for installing an application program for managing transmission destination identification information. Incidentally, the CRT 24 corresponds to the computer-side display means.

Next, the electrical configuration of the PC 2 will be described with reference to FIG. An application program for managing a telephone directory in which destination identification information such as a destination name, a facsimile number and a mail address of image information transmitted from the facsimile device 3 is registered, and an operating system inside the computer main body 21. CPU2 that executes a system etc.
5 are provided. The CPU 25 includes a ROM 21
a, a RAM 21b, a hard disk drive (hereinafter abbreviated as HDD) 28, and an interface (IF) 29 for receiving various commands transmitted from the facsimile machine 3 via the connection cable 4. . The HDD 28 stores an operating system 28a, various application programs 28b, a telephone directory 28c, and the like.

Here, the configuration of the telephone directory 28c will be described with reference to FIG. The telephone directory 28c is N
o. It is configured such that 100 sets of telephone directory data from 1 to 100 can be registered, and a destination name, a destination facsimile number, and a destination mail address are registered and associated with each telephone directory data. I have. By the way, the HDD 28 corresponds to the computer-side storage means.

Next, the configuration of the facsimile machine 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, as the facsimile machine 3, a multi-function type facsimile machine having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, an image scanner function, a printer function, and a copy function will be described as a representative.

The facsimile machine 1 is provided with a box-shaped housing 3j, and an operation panel 3a is provided at a front upper portion of the housing 3j. On the operation panel 3a, ten keys 3b of "0" to "9" for inputting a facsimile number of a transmission destination, etc., a start button 3c for instructing start of reading of an original, and instructing to stop transmission of image information. Stop button 3d, a speed dial button 3e for transmitting image information using a reduced facsimile number,
A search button 3f for executing a search of the telephone directory 28c stored in the DD 28, and a registration button 3 for deciding to register destination information input using the numeric keypad 3b.
g etc. are provided. The numeric keypad 3b can also input characters and symbols, and is also used for inputting a destination name and an e-mail address of an e-mail.

At the rear of the operation panel 3a, the destination name, facsimile number, mail address, facsimile device 3
A liquid crystal display (LCD) 3h for displaying the operation state of the camera is provided, and a document setting section 3i for setting a transmission document or a copy document is provided at the rear of the liquid crystal display portion 3h. The document set in the document setting section 3i is conveyed into the housing 3j by a paper feed mechanism (not shown) provided in the housing 3j, and the image information of the conveyed document is read by an image scanner (see FIG. 5 at 38). The read document is discharged in a stackable manner onto the tray 3m via a document discharge port 3k provided below the operation panel 3a.

At the rear of the original setting section 3i, there is provided a recording paper setting section 3n for setting recording paper for recording received image information and print data. A recording paper cassette (not shown) capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording papers is detachably attached to the recording paper setting section 3n. The recording paper stored in the recording paper cassette is conveyed into the housing 3j by the paper feeding mechanism, and the conveyed recording paper is recorded by a printer (indicated by reference numeral 49 in FIG. 5). The recorded recording paper is discharged from a recording paper discharge unit 3p provided below the tray 3m.

A video signal input terminal 3q is provided at the lower right of the front surface of the housing 3j. A video signal output from a video camera or the like connected to the video signal input terminal 3q is supplied to the facsimile apparatus 3 And printed by the printer. Although not shown, a communication terminal for connecting the telephone line 5 and a terminal for connecting a connection cable 4 for connecting to the PC 2 are provided on the rear surface of the housing 3j.
A receiver is provided for making a call with the destination. By the way, the search button 3f corresponds to the instruction means according to the first aspect, and the liquid crystal display section 3h corresponds to the facsimile apparatus side display means according to the fourth aspect.

Next, the electrical configuration of the facsimile machine 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The facsimile device 3 includes a facsimile unit F
U and a printer unit PU are provided, and both units are interconnected by an interface 42.

The facsimile unit FU controls the operation of the image scanner 38, controls the transmission and reception of image information,
A CPU 30 is provided to execute input / output control of various commands and destination information between the PCs 2. CPU
30 is connected to a facsimile control circuit 41,
The facsimile control circuit 41 includes a ROM 31 and a RAM 3
2 and the EEPROM 33 are connected. ROM3
1 stores a control program 31a for the CPU 30 to execute the various controls described above, and the RAM 32 temporarily stores image information of a document read by the image scanner 38, and the like. Also, in the EEPROM 33,
A telephone directory having the same configuration as the telephone directory 28c (FIG. 6) stored in the HDD 28 of the PC 2 is rewritably stored. Further, since the speed dial button 3e corresponds to the registration numbers 1 to 12, the other registration numbers are
b. Enter the registration number directly in b.
It can be called from 3.

The facsimile control circuit 41 has P
A PC interface 39 to which C2 is connected;
U34, a modem 35, and a document sensor 40 for detecting that a document is set are connected. Further, the facsimile control circuit 41 includes an encoder 36 that encodes the image information scanned by the image scanner 38 to convert the image information into compressed data, and decodes the encoded data of the received image information. The decoder 37 is connected.

The printer unit PU includes a printer 49.
Is provided, and a CPU 44 that executes a program for controlling the printer 49 is connected to the printer control circuit 43. The printer control circuit 43 includes a ROM 45 storing a program executed by the CPU 44 and the like.
RAM 46 having a work memory used when executing U44 and a print memory for storing print data
And the PC interface 47 to which the PC 2 is connected
A character generator (CG) 48 in which vector fonts such as characters for printing are stored, and a printer 49
And are connected. In the present embodiment, the PC interface 39 is a parallel interface conforming to the Centronics standard, and the facsimile device 3
Transmits and receives data to and from the PC 2 via the cable 4 connected to the PC interface 39. By the way, the EEPROM 33 corresponds to the facsimile apparatus side storage means.

Next, from the request by the facsimile device 3 for referring to the telephone directory 28c stored in the HDD 28 of the PC 2 to the content of the processing of the CPU 30 and the CPU 25 executed from the request of the facsimile device 3 to the transmission of the e-mail, FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG. First, C
The main processing executed by the PU 30 and the CPU 25 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. CPU 3 provided in facsimile machine 3
0 is a registration process for registering transmission destination information in the telephone directory of the EEPROM 33 (step 100), and a search request process for requesting the PC 2 to search for transmission destination identification information (step 1).
20) and a transmission process of attaching the image information of the document scanned by the image scanner 38 to an e-mail and transmitting the same via the Internet, or transmitting the image information to a destination facsimile apparatus via a public telephone line (step 140).
And execute

The CPU 25 provided in the PC 2
Synchronous registration processing (step 200) for registering a telephone directory having the same contents as the telephone directory stored in the facsimile apparatus 3 in synchronization with the power-on of the facsimile apparatus 3 and the registration of the destination identification information; Facsimile 3 CPU
A search process (step 220) for searching the destination identification information in response to the search request process from the server 30 is executed.

Next, the contents of the registration processing executed by the CPU 30 in step 100 and the synchronous registration processing executed by the CPU 25 in step 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the CPU 30
When detecting that the power of the facsimile apparatus 3 is turned on (step 102: Yes), the telephone directory data stored in the EEPROM 33 is read (step 104), and the read telephone directory data is transmitted to the PC 2 via the PC interface 39. Output (step 106). Meanwhile, PC
The second CPU 25 inputs the output telephone directory data (step 202), and stores the telephone directory data in its own HDD 28.
c (step 204). At this time, HDD2
If the telephone directory 28c of No. 8 is old data, it is updated to new data. Next, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the facsimile machine 3 is in a mode for registering destination identification information (step 108). If the mode is in that mode (step 108: Yes), the user's numeric keypad 3 is entered.
The destination identification information input by the operation b is input (step 110).

Then, the CPU 30 turns on the registration button 3g for determining the registration of the input destination information.
Is detected (step 112), the destination identification information input in step 110 is registered in the EEPROM 33 (step 114). Subsequently, CPU 30 outputs the same destination identification information as the registered destination identification information to PC 2 (step 116), and CPU 25 inputs the output destination identification information (step 206). Subsequently, the CPU 25 sets the input destination identification information to H
Register in the telephone directory 28c of the DD 28 (step 208),
The updated contents of the telephone directory are displayed on the CRT 24 (step 210). As described above, by using the facsimile system 1 of the present embodiment, a telephone directory having the same contents as the telephone directory stored in the facsimile apparatus 3 can be automatically stored in the PC 2, and any one of the facsimile apparatus 3 and the PC 2 can be stored. Is convenient because the same contents of the phonebook can be viewed even if the user operates.

Next, the CPU 30 executes step 120 in FIG.
Request processing executed in step 2 and the CPU 25 executes step 2
The contents of the search processing executed in step 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, CP
U30 detects that the search character, that is, the first letter of the destination name or a character indicating a part of the destination name, is input using the numeric keypad 3b (Step 122: Yes),
When the ON of the search button 3f is detected (step 124:
Yes), a search request command indicating a search request for the destination identification information having the input search character is output to the PC 2 (step 126). When the CPU 25 detects the input of the search request command (step 22).
2: Yes), the destination identification information having the search character indicated in the search request command is searched and extracted from the telephone directory 28c of its own HDD 28 (step 224), and the extraction result is output to the facsimile machine 3. (Step 226).

Subsequently, the CPU 30 inputs the extracted result (step 128) and displays it on the liquid crystal display 3h (step 130). Subsequently, when there are a plurality of extraction results, one destination identification information is selected using the numeric keypad 3b (step 132), and when the ON of the registration button 3g is detected (step 134: Yes), the selected item is selected. The destination identification information is registered in the telephone directory of the EEPROM 33 (step 136). As described above, by using the facsimile system 1 of the present embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 3 can search the telephone directory stored in the PC 2. Therefore, every time a search is performed, the trouble of moving from the place where the facsimile machine 3 is installed to the place where the PC 2 is installed can be saved.

Next, the CPU 30 proceeds to step 140 in FIG.
FIG. 10 showing the contents of the transmission processing executed in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, the person who operates the facsimile machine 3 has the registration No. 1
It is assumed that the image information is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to the transmission destination registered in (FIG. 6). The CPU 30 uses the speed dial button 3e to register the registration number. When the selection of one transmission destination is detected (step 142: Yes), it is determined whether or not the selected transmission destination has a mail address (step 144). Here, as shown in FIG. Since the e-mail address is registered in the transmission destination of No. 1, the process proceeds to step 146 (step 144: Ye
s) The software for transmitting the e-mail is started (step 146).

When the CPU 30 detects that the transmission button 3c is ON (step 148: Yes), and detects that a document is set based on the output signal of the document sensor 40 (step 150), it sends an e-mail. It is created (step 152), and the image scanner 38 starts scanning the original (step 154). And CP
When U30 detects that the scanning of the document has been completed (Step 156: Yes), it dials the SMTP7 (Step 158), and connects (Step 160)
An e-mail attached with the image data of the scanned document is transmitted (step 162).

This e-mail is delivered from SMTP 7 to POPS 12 via Internet A and SMTP 8. Then, by accessing the POPS 12 from the facsimile machine 10 of the transmission destination, the POPS 12
Can be received by the facsimile machine 10. If the CPU 30 determines in step 144 that the selected destination does not have a mail address (step 144: No),
The ON of the transmission button 3c is detected (Step 164: Ye)
s) If it is detected that a document is set based on the output signal of the document sensor 40 (step 166), the image scanner 38 starts scanning the document (step 168). When the CPU 30 detects that the scanning of the document has been completed (Step 170: Yes), the CPU 30 dials the telephone exchange 6 (Step 172) and, when connected (Step 174), transmits the image data of the scanned document (Step 174). Step 176). As described above, according to the facsimile system of the present embodiment, when the mail address is registered at the selected destination, the communication path via the Internet A is automatically selected, and the image information is attached to the e-mail. Can be sent. Therefore, the trouble of switching the communication path depending on the presence or absence of the selected destination mail address can be saved. If the selected destination has a facsimile number in addition to the mail address, the communication path can be manually switched to the public communication switching network B that does not pass through the Internet A.

In the above-described embodiment, the telephone directory data stored in the computer is extracted by retrieval by the processing shown in FIG. 9, and is temporarily registered in the facsimile apparatus. Is configured to transmit the image information by designating the telephone directory data registered in the telephone directory. However, the telephone directory data extracted from the computer is not stored in the EEPROM 33 but is stored in a temporary storage area. Then, the image information may be transmitted to the destination indicated by the telephone directory data. In this case, there is a destination that is not stored in the facsimile machine, and if the user performs a search operation based on the character string of the destination, the phonebook in the computer is searched and the corresponding phonebook data is automatically stored. In the facsimile apparatus, the data is stored in a temporary storage area and displayed on a display unit, for example, so that the user can confirm the displayed contents, and if it is correct, simply press the send button to obtain the desired destination. The image information can be transmitted to. That is, the user can transmit the image information to the destination registered in the telephone directory of the computer only by operating the facsimile machine. Further, when the telephone directory on the computer side is searched, if an amount of telephone directory data that cannot be displayed on the display unit of the facsimile apparatus is extracted, all the telephone directory data is temporarily displayed on the display unit on the computer side. May be displayed, the user is allowed to select desired telephone directory data from among them, and the telephone directory data is taken into the facsimile apparatus based on the selection.

Incidentally, step 224 executed by the CPU 25 functions as the computer-side reference means, and step 126 executed by the CPU 30 functions as the instruction means. The step 226 executed by the CPU 25 functions as the computer-side output unit, and the step 128 executed by the CPU 30 functions as the facsimile-side input unit. Further, step 114 executed by the CPU 30 functions as the facsimile apparatus-side registration means according to claim 3, step 116 functions as the facsimile apparatus-side output means, and step 206 executed by the CPU 25 functions as the computer-side input means. Function. Step 1 executed by the CPU 30
30 functions as the facsimile apparatus-side display means. Further, step 210 executed by the CPU 25 functions as the computer-side display means. In addition, step 142 executed by the CPU 30 functions as the selecting means, and step 162 functions as the transmitting means.

[0043]

As described above, claims 1 to 7 are as described above.
According to the invention described in (1), when an instruction for referring to the destination identification information is given to the computer by the instruction means, the computer refers to the destination identification information stored in the computer-side storage means by the computer-side reference means. The referred destination identification information can be referred to by the facsimile machine. Therefore, if the transmission identification information that cannot be stored in the facsimile apparatus is stored in the computer storage means, the destination identification information in the computer storage means can be freely referred to by the instruction means in the facsimile apparatus. Therefore, the amount of transmission destination identification information that can be substantially stored can be greatly increased.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the destination identification information stored in the computer-side storage means can be taken into the facsimile apparatus-side storage means. Is stored in the computer-side storage means, refer to the information,
If the information can be captured and stored in the facsimile machine, the image information can be easily transmitted to a desired destination based on the stored information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the destination identification information registered on the facsimile apparatus side can be automatically registered on the computer side, the same destination identification information can be registered on the facsimile apparatus. Can be managed by both the computer and the computer. For example, even if the destination identification information that has been used less frequently is deleted from the facsimile apparatus side storage means, it can be retained in the computer side storage means. Therefore, the facsimile device-side storage means can be used effectively, and by combining with the method of claim 2, it is possible to easily return the information once deleted to the facsimile device-side storage means.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention,
The facsimile machine can issue a search command for the destination identification information to the computer, and the search result is displayed on the facsimile machine so that the contents can be confirmed. , And then save the trouble of inputting the destination identification information on the facsimile machine side.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the computer-side display means can display more extraction results than the facsimile apparatus-side display means. If the amount of information cannot be displayed on the display means provided in
If the output destination of the information is configured to be switched to the computer-side display means, for example, when a list of destination names with the same initials is displayed, the list displayed on the computer-side display means is preferably used. However, since a larger number of lists can be displayed than when displayed by the facsimile apparatus-side display means, it is possible to quickly find the target transmission destination name.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6,
The destination identification information can be selected from either the facsimile apparatus or the storage means of the computer by the selection means provided in the facsimile apparatus, and via the Internet to the destination indicated by the selected destination identification information, Or, they can be sent without going through. For example, even when the desired destination identification information is stored in the computer-side storage means, it can be referred to by an instruction from the facsimile apparatus, and if selected by the selection means, the necessary destination identification information can be obtained. The image information can be automatically taken into the facsimile apparatus and the image information can be transmitted to a desired destination based on the data. At this time, the user can perform all operations only on the facsimile machine side.

In particular, according to the present invention, when the selected destination identification information is a mail address,
Automatically selects a communication path through the Internet,
Since image information can be transmitted, the trouble of switching communication paths depending on the type of the selected destination identification information can be saved. In general, an e-mail address is composed of a plurality of characters and symbols, which are registered in a conventional facsimile machine using an input key that is not suitable for character input and a small liquid crystal display unit. However, according to the present invention, the input operation can be performed with a large display unit using a normal keyboard provided on the computer side, so that the operation efficiency is greatly reduced. And the input destination identification information can be referred from the facsimile machine side.
Necessary information can be fetched by operation from the facsimile machine side, which is very effective for a device having a function of transmitting image information via the Internet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication line to which a facsimile system according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an appearance of a PC according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an appearance of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an electrical configuration of the PC shown in FIG. 2 by blocks.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing, in blocks, an electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a telephone directory 28c.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by CPU 30 and CPU 25;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of a registration process executed by CPU 30 in step 100 and a synchronous registration process executed by CPU 25 in step 200.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of a search request process executed by CPU 30 in step 120 and a search process executed by CPU 25 in step 220.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of a transmission process executed by a CPU 30 in step 140;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 facsimile system 2 PC 3 facsimile device 3f search button (instruction means) 3g registration button (facsimile device side registration means) 3h liquid crystal display unit (facsimile device side display means) 24 CRT (computer side display means) 28 HDD (computer side storage) Means) 25 CPU 30 CPU 33 EEPROM (Facsimile machine side storage means) A Internet

Claims (7)

[Claims] A facsimile apparatus for reading image information of a document; and a computer for inputting and outputting at least a destination name and destination identification information indicating a facsimile number corresponding to the destination name between the facsimile apparatus and the facsimile apparatus. The computer includes: a computer-side storage unit that stores the destination identification information; and a computer-side reference unit that refers to the destination identification information stored in the computer-side storage unit. The facsimile apparatus further includes an instruction unit that can refer to the transmission destination identification information stored in the computer-side storage unit via the computer-side reference unit by giving an instruction from the facsimile apparatus side. A facsimile system characterized in that: 2. The computer according to claim 1, further comprising: a computer-side output unit configured to output the destination identification information stored in the computer-side storage unit. Facsimile device-side input means for inputting the output destination identification information into the apparatus, and facsimile device-side storage means for storing the destination identification information input by the facsimile device input means. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The facsimile apparatus further comprising: a facsimile apparatus side registration means for registering the transmission destination identification information in the facsimile apparatus side storage means; and a facsimile apparatus side registration means for registering the transmission destination identification information in the facsimile apparatus side storage means. A facsimile device-side output unit that outputs the destination identification information, wherein the computer inputs the destination identification information output from the facsimile device-side storage unit by the facsimile device-side output unit. The computer-side input unit is provided, and the computer-side storage unit stores the destination identification information input by the computer-side input unit. The described facsimile system. 4. The facsimile apparatus further comprises: search instruction means for inputting information on a destination name included in the destination identification information and for instructing a search for destination identification information corresponding to the input information. The computer-side reference means is for searching the computer-side storage means and extracting corresponding destination identification information based on an instruction from the search instruction means, and the computer-side output means. Is for outputting the result extracted by the computer-side reference means to the facsimile apparatus, and further output to the facsimile apparatus by the computer-side output means and input by the facsimile apparatus-side input means. That the facsimile apparatus side display means for displaying the selected extraction result is provided. The facsimile system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. The computer according to claim 1, wherein said computer is provided with computer-side display means capable of displaying more extraction results than the extraction results displayed by said facsimile apparatus-side display means. Item 5. A facsimile system according to any one of Items 4. 6. The facsimile apparatus, wherein the destination identification information stored in the facsimile apparatus-side storage means and the computer-side storage means referred to by the computer-side reference means are stored in the facsimile apparatus. Selecting means for selecting at least one destination identification information among the destination identification information; and a communication path via the Internet to a destination indicated by the destination identification information selected by the selecting means for transmitting image information. The facsimile system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising: transmission means for transmitting the data via any one of a public switched telephone network not passing through the Internet. 7. The facsimile device-side storage means and the computer-side storage means can store a mail address for specifying a transmission destination of an electronic mail as the transmission destination identification information. If the destination identification information selected by the means is an e-mail address, the image information to be transmitted is transmitted to the destination specified by the e-mail address via the communication path via the Internet. The facsimile system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: