JPH11252302A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide for facsimile equipment by which a user is able to complete necessary operations for facsimile transmission by Internet, without waiting for the completion of the start of an external information processor. SOLUTION: Facsimile equipment makes an inquiry to a personal computer(PC). When a response is not given, image information read by the equipment is stored (S21-S29) in a RAM. Then, the inquiry is made to the PC again to have its response confirmed (S31 and S33). When there is a response (S33: YES), information is outputted to the PC for facsimile transmission by the Internet (S35). When the response is not given (S33: NO), facsimile transmission using a public line is attempted (S39 and S43).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for transmitting image information using the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of facsimile apparatus, there has been known an apparatus which performs facsimile transmission via an external information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a workstation.

In this apparatus, when the facsimile transmission is to be executed in a case where the external information processing apparatus is not activated, the facsimile transmission is performed.
It was necessary to start the external information processing device. Also, when both were not started, both devices had to be started separately.

[0004]

However, an external information processing apparatus such as a personal computer does not start immediately, but requires a certain time to complete the start, that is, a start time longer than the start of the facsimile apparatus. In many cases, the user has to wait for the completion of the activation of the external information processing apparatus even though the required operation on the facsimile apparatus is already executable, and the user may be frustrated when busy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a facsimile apparatus which allows a user to complete a necessary operation for facsimile transmission without waiting for completion of activation of an external information processing apparatus. With the goal.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention transmits data via a data input means, a data storage means for storing data, and the data via the Internet. A facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting image information via an external information processing apparatus having a data transmitting means, a reading means for reading an image to obtain image information, and a storage for storing the image information read by the reading means Means for exchanging information with the external information processing apparatus; and transmitting the image information stored in the storage means via the external information processing apparatus via the Internet. Means for confirming the activation state of the external information device, and if the confirmation means confirms that the external information device is not in the activation state, Until start of is confirmed, in which a control means for waiting for transmission of image information to the external information processing apparatus.

According to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect, when the activation of the external information processing apparatus cannot be confirmed (for example, during the activation), the image information is transmitted to the external information processing apparatus until the activation is confirmed. Wait to send. Therefore, the operation of the facsimile apparatus for facsimile transmission via the Internet can be completed without the facsimile apparatus user waiting for the completion of the activation of the external information processing apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus comprising: an external information processing apparatus having data input means, data storage means for storing data, and data transmission means for transmitting the data via the Internet. Through,
In a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting image information, reading means for reading an image to obtain image information, storage means for storing the image information read by the reading means, and information exchange between the external information processing apparatus Exchange means for performing, when transmitting the image information stored in the storage means via the Internet via the external information processing apparatus, a confirmation means for confirming the activation state of the external information processing apparatus, and the confirmation means When it is confirmed that the external information device is not in the activated state, the external information processing device is provided with control means for issuing a signal for prompting activation of the external information processing device.

According to the facsimile apparatus of the second aspect, when the activation of the external information processing apparatus cannot be confirmed, the activation is automatically prompted, and after the activation, the facsimile transmission via the Internet is executed and completed. Therefore,
It is not necessary to confirm the start of the external information processing apparatus or manually start the external information processing apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus comprising: an external information processing apparatus having data input means, data storage means for storing data, and data transmission means for transmitting the data via the Internet. Via a facsimile machine capable of transmitting image information,
Reading means for reading an image to obtain image information, storage means for storing the image information read by the reading means, transmission means for transmitting the image information stored in the storage means via a public line, An exchange unit for exchanging information with an external information processing apparatus, and, when transmitting image information stored in the storage unit via the Internet via the external information processing apparatus, changing an activation state of the external information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a confirmation unit for confirming, and a control unit for transmitting image information via a public line by the transmission unit when the external information device is not activated by the confirmation unit.

According to the facsimile apparatus of the third aspect, if the activation of the external information processing apparatus is unsuccessful, such as when the external information processing apparatus has failed, the facsimile transmission via the Internet is abandoned, and the same information is transmitted via the public line. Facsimile transmission to the destination can be automatically performed.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as "PC") and a communication network connected to the facsimile apparatus.

As shown, the facsimile machine 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a scanner 11, a printer 12, and an information compression / decompression unit 1 that compresses information to be transmitted and decompresses received information.
3. Modem and line control unit 15, which is a main body that enables and controls processing for transmitting and receiving information via an analog public line, mail transmitting and receiving unit 16, which is a main body for controlling processing for transmitting and receiving electronic mail, A panel control unit such as a communication control unit 17 for systematically controlling communication-related units such as a modem and line control unit 15, a speaker 18 for emitting voice and error sounds, numeric keys and character keys, and a start key for starting various operations. 19, a PC interface section 20, a ROM 21 for storing various programs and font data, and a RAM 22 having an area for temporarily storing transmission / reception information and a communication management area for posting communication results,
An EEPROM 23 for registering a destination mail address and a public line subscription number, and a CPU 30 are connected to each other, and the CPU 30 controls and controls the entire units 11 to 23.

The facsimile machine 10 is a PC
The interface section 20 is connected to the PC 40 by a cable 50 as a communication line. PC40
Is connected to a destination PC 90 or a destination facsimile 100 capable of receiving Internet via a source provider 60, the Internet 70, and a destination provider 80. In this manner, when the facsimile apparatus 10 performs a predetermined operation such as reading an image with the scanner 11, inputting a destination mail address, and pressing the start key, as long as the PC 40 is running, the PC 40 automatically operates.
The necessary information is passed to 40. The PC 40 checks at a predetermined time interval whether or not the necessary information has been transmitted. If the necessary information has been transmitted from the facsimile machine 10, the PC 40 executes an interrupt control process as necessary and automatically Perform Internet facsimile transmission.

In the facsimile apparatus 10, the modem and line control unit 15 controls the transmission destination facsimile 100
And a public line 110, so that normal facsimile transmission using the public line 110 can be executed.

In the facsimile apparatus 10, a public line subscription number (hereinafter, referred to as a telephone number) and a mail address can be input by using numeric keys and character keys in the panel operation unit 19. Further, the telephone number and the mail address of the destination can be registered in the EEPROM 23 in advance.
Alternatively, both can be specified by a selection key in the panel operation unit 19. When a telephone number and an e-mail address are registered in the EEPROM 23 for one transmission destination, if either one of them is input or specified with a ten-key or the like and the selection key is selected, the other is automatically made by the CPU 30. Recognition is possible.

The process of facsimile transmitting image information to a destination by the facsimile apparatus 10 is described in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In this processing, the facsimile machine 10
Until one or both of the telephone number of the transmission destination facsimile 100 to be transmitted and the mail address of the transmission destination PC 90 are input by the ten keys or the like in the panel operation unit 19 or specified by the selection key. Wait (S1: N
O. S means “step”. If this is input or specified (S1: YES), the process waits until the start key in the panel operation unit 19 is pressed next (S3: NO).

If the start key is pressed (S3:
YES), it is determined whether or not the image information should be transmitted via the Internet 70 (S5). That is, if the mail address of the transmission destination is input or specified in S1, or if both the mail address of the transmission destination and the telephone number are input or specified, it is determined to transmit first via the Internet 70 ( S5: YES) On the other hand, if only the telephone number of the transmission destination is input or specified in S1,
It is determined that transmission is to be performed via the public line 110 (S5: N
O).

If it is determined that transmission is to be performed via the public line 110 (S5: NO), the process jumps to the processing of S43 and thereafter (that is, transmission processing via the public line 110) described later.

If it is determined that transmission is to be performed via the Internet 70 (S5: YES), the CPU 30 issues a signal to the PC 40 via the cable 50 to inquire about its activation (S7). It is determined whether or not a response is received from the PC 40 (S9: YES).
The line is read (S11), and the read image information is compressed by the information compression / decompression unit 13 (S13).
Output from the interface unit 20 to the PC 40 (S
15). At the head of the image information, necessary information such as the mail address of the transmission destination PC 90 is added as an electronic mail by the mail transmitting / receiving unit 16 and output to the PC 40.

Then, it is determined whether the output of one page of the image has been completed (S17). If the output of one page of the image has not been completed (S17: NO), the above-mentioned steps S11 to S17 are performed.
Is repeated. If the output of one page of the image is completed (S17: YES), it is determined whether or not there is an image of the next page (S19), and if there is an image of the next page (S19: YE).
S), the processes of S11 to S19 are repeated. If there is no next page image (S19: NO), the facsimile machine 1
The process on the 0 side ends.

As described above, the PC 40 checks at a predetermined time interval whether necessary information has been transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 10, and if the required information has been transmitted, the PC 40 automatically performs facsimile transmission via the Internet. Since the PC 40 is controlled to execute the process, the PC 40 automatically executes the process of facsimile transmission via the Internet based on the image information and the like sent to the PC 40 by the process up to S19.

On the other hand, if the response from the PC 40 cannot be confirmed in S9, that is, if the activation switch of the PC 40 has been pressed but the activation has not yet been completed, the CPU 30 transmits it to the scanner 11. One line of the image to be read is read (S21; see FIG. 3), and the read image information is compressed by the information compression / decompression unit 13 (S2).
3) Then, the compressed information is stored in the RAM 22 for the purpose of waiting for transmission until the compressed information can be transmitted to the PC 40 (S25). In this case, also at the top of the image information,
Necessary information such as the mail address of the destination PC 90 is added as an electronic mail by the mail transmitting / receiving unit 16.

Then, it is determined whether or not the output of one page of the image has been completed (S27). If the output of one page of the image has not been completed (S27: NO), the process of S21 to S27 is performed. Repeat the process. When the output of one page of the image is completed (S27: YES), it is determined whether or not there is an image of the next page (S29), and when there is an image of the next page (S29: N).
O), the processes of S21 to S29 are repeated.

If there is no next page image (S29: N
O) Then, a signal is sent again to the PC 40 asking for its activation (S31), and it is determined whether or not there is a response from the PC 40 (S33), and a response from the PC 40 is made as if the activation of the PC 40 had already been completed. (S33: Y
ES), the image information with the mail address and the like added at the top is taken out from the RAM 22 and output to the PC 40 (S
35), the processing on the facsimile machine 10 side is terminated.

Also in this case, the PC 40 automatically executes a process of facsimile transmission via the Internet based on the transmitted image information and the like.

If there is no response from the PC 40 in S33 (S33: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed (S37). The standby is continued (S37: NO). If there is no response from the PC 40 even after the predetermined time has elapsed (S3
7: YES), the PC 40 is determined to be out of order, the facsimile transmission via the Internet is abandoned, and it is determined whether facsimile transmission via the public line 110 is possible (S39). That is, if both the mail address and the telephone number are input or specified in S1, or if both the mail address and the telephone number are already
If the CPU 30 can automatically recognize the telephone number from the mail address entered or specified in S1, it is determined that transmission through the public line 110 can be automatically attempted. (S39: YES).

If transmission by the public line 90 is not possible (S39: NO), that is, only the mail address of the transmission destination is input or specified in S1, and a telephone number is registered in advance in correspondence with the mail address. If the CPU 30 cannot determine the telephone number from the mail address as a result (S39: NO), an error sound is transmitted to inform that "Internet transmission is unsuccessful, while public line transmission is not possible". Sound on the speaker (S4
1), end this processing.

If it is determined in S39 that facsimile transmission over public line 110 is possible (S39: YES),
Attempt facsimile transmission via public line 110 (S
43). Then, it is determined whether or not the facsimile transmission via the public line 90 is successful (S45), and if the transmission is successful (S45: YES), the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S45 that the public line transmission is unsuccessful (S45: NO), an error sound is emitted (S47), and the process is terminated. When the process reaches the above step S45 after the step S7 and subsequent steps shown in FIG. 2, an error sound having a different timbre is transmitted to inform that “Internet transmission and public line transmission are unsuccessful”. On the other hand, from the step of S5 to S43 shown in FIG.
If the process jumps to step S45, and the process reaches step S45, an error sound indicating that "public line transmission is unsuccessful" is sounded.

According to such an embodiment, the PC 40
Without waiting for the completion of the activation of the facsimile machine 10,
The user can complete the operation required for Internet facsimile transmission. Therefore, before the activation of the PC 40 is completed, it is possible to finish the necessary operation and leave the place. Furthermore, even if the PC 40 is out of order, in that case, if the telephone number of the transmission destination is registered, there is an advantage that normal facsimile transmission is automatically executed using the public line 90.

In the above embodiment, the facsimile machine 1
If the user of PC 0 confirms that the PC 40 has not been activated and confirms that it has not been activated, the user himself
However, for example, the facsimile machine 10 and the PC 40 are far apart from each other, and the user cannot easily confirm whether the PC 40 has been activated, or the PC 40 It may be troublesome to start. In order to cope with such a case, the facsimile is performed after a response is not received from the PC 40 in S9 shown in FIG. 2 (S9: NO) and before the processing in S21 shown in FIG. What is necessary is just to add the process which emits the signal which starts the PC40 from the apparatus 10.

When the facsimile apparatus 10 is activated, while the PC 40 is not activated, it is not necessary to transmit facsimile immediately. To address this,
The predetermined time in S37 shown in FIG. 3 is made longer (for example,
(5 hours), and if there is no response in S33, the interval between inquiries to the PC 40 in S31 may be long. In this case, if the necessary operation is performed on the facsimile machine 10, for example, after three hours, the PC
When 40 is activated for a purpose other than Internet transmission, Internet transmission is also performed.

[0035]

As described above in detail, the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the activation of the external information processing device cannot be confirmed, the external facsimile device continues to operate until the activation is confirmed. Wait for image information to be sent. Therefore, in order to execute and complete the facsimile transmission operation via the Internet, the user of the facsimile apparatus does not have to wait for the completion of the activation of the external information processing apparatus. Therefore, even when the external information processing apparatus is being started, the user can complete the necessary operation for facsimile transmission via the Internet, and can leave the place, for example.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the activation of the external information processing apparatus cannot be confirmed, the activation is automatically prompted, and the facsimile transmission via the Internet is executed and completed. Therefore, it is not necessary to confirm the start of the external information processing apparatus or to manually start the external information processing apparatus. This is particularly convenient, for example, when the processing apparatus is far from the facsimile apparatus.

According to the facsimile apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, even if the facsimile transmission via the Internet via the processing apparatus is impossible due to the occurrence of a failure in the external information processing apparatus or the like, the public line is used. Automatically perform facsimile transmission via. Therefore, the reliability of the communication is extremely high.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a communication network connected thereto.

FIG. 2 is a part of a flowchart showing a process of transmitting image information to a destination facsimile by the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a part of a flowchart showing a process of transmitting image information to a destination facsimile by the facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Facsimile apparatus 11 Scanner 12 Printer 13 Information compression / expansion part 15 Modem and line control part 17 Communication control part 21 ROM 22 RAM 30 CPU 40 Personal computer 70 Internet 90 Destination personal computer 100 Destination facsimile 110 Public line

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting image information via an external information processing apparatus including a data input unit, a data storage unit for storing data, and a data transmission unit for transmitting the data via the Internet. A reading unit that reads an image to obtain image information; a storage unit that stores the image information read by the reading unit; an exchange unit that exchanges information with the external information processing apparatus; When transmitting the image information stored in the storage unit via the Internet via a processing device, a confirmation unit that confirms the activation state of the external information processing device, and the external information device is not in the activation state by the confirmation unit. Is determined, the transmission of the image information to the external information processing apparatus is waited until the activation of the external information processing apparatus is confirmed by the confirmation unit. Facsimile apparatus characterized by comprising a means. 2. A facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting image information via an external information processing apparatus including a data input unit, a data storage unit for storing data, and a data transmission unit for transmitting the data via the Internet. A reading unit that reads an image to obtain image information; a storage unit that stores the image information read by the reading unit; an exchange unit that exchanges information with the external information processing apparatus; When transmitting the image information stored in the storage unit via the Internet via a processing device, a confirmation unit that confirms the activation state of the external information processing device, and the external information device is not in the activation state by the confirmation unit. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a control unit for issuing a signal for prompting the external information processing apparatus to activate the external information processing apparatus when it is confirmed. 3. A facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting image information via an external information processing apparatus including a data input unit, a data storage unit for storing data, and a data transmission unit for transmitting the data via the Internet. A reading unit that reads an image to obtain image information; a storage unit that stores the image information read by the reading unit; and a transmission unit that transmits the image information stored in the storage unit via a public line. An exchange unit for exchanging information with the external information processing device; and starting the external information processing device when transmitting image information stored in the storage unit via the Internet via the external information processing device. A confirmation unit for confirming the state, and if the confirmation unit confirms that the external information device is not in the activated state, the transmission unit transmits an image via a public line. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a control unit for transmitting image information.