JPH118719A - Image communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image communication equipment capable of writing a dial input result by a bar code as it is by a relatively simple method. SOLUTION: This equipment is provided with a scanner 1 for reading images, an operation part 8 provided with a dial means for inputting a transmission destination telephone number, a modem 5 and an NCU 6 for transmitting image signals read by the scanner 1 to the transmission destination of the telephone number inputted by the dial means and receiving transmitted image signals and a plotter 2 for outputting the received image signals. In this case, a means for selecting a function for printing a bar code sign is provided, and when a bar code sign printing function is selected, the plotter 2 prints and outputs the telephone number inputted from the dial means as the bar code sign.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to an image communication apparatus capable of writing a telephone number as a bar code.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an image communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus capable of automatically making a call by reading a bar-coded telephone number with a bar code scanner in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-124761 has been proposed. But,
Although these communication devices can read a barcode prepared in advance, there is no function of creating a barcode, so there is a disadvantage that the barcode must be created by another device. To create a barcode, for example, a personal computer, barcode creation software, and a printer for printing barcodes were required, and the user had to spend a lot of money and effort.

[0003]

As described above, in a conventional image communication apparatus capable of automatically calling a telephone number using a bar code, the bar code cannot be generated even though the bar code can be used. There is a problem,
To create a bar code, another device had to be provided.

The present invention solves this problem, and allows a dial input result to be written out as a bar code by a relatively simple method, and furthermore, a telephone number registered in a telephone number dialed in the past or an abbreviated number. It is an object to realize an image communication device capable of easily outputting a number as a barcode.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading means for reading an image of a document, a dial operating means for inputting a destination telephone number, and the image reading means. An image signal transmitting means for transmitting an image signal read by the means to a destination of the telephone number input by the dial means, an image signal receiving means for receiving the transmitted image signal, and an image signal receiving means for receiving the image signal. In an image communication apparatus including an image output unit that outputs an image signal and a short number registration unit that registers a telephone number corresponding to a short number, a bar code function selection unit that selects a function of printing a bar code code is provided. When the bar code printing function is selected by the bar code function selecting means, the telephone number dialed from the dial operating means is displayed in the image Characterized in that the force means outputs a bar code symbols.

[0006] The invention described in claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1.
In the image communication device according to the above, when a barcode code printing function is selected by the barcode function selecting means, and a dialed number is selected by the dial operating means and dialed, the shortening corresponding to the shortened number is performed. The image output means outputs the telephone number registered in the number registration means as a barcode code.

[0007] The invention according to claim 3 provides the invention according to claim 1.
3. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data storage unit for storing a telephone number connected in the past, selecting a barcode code printing function by the barcode function selection unit, and storing the telephone number stored in the data storage unit. When a number is selected by the dial operating means and dial input is performed, the image output means outputs the selected telephone number as a bar code code.

[0008] The invention described in claim 4 is the first invention.
4. The image communication device according to claim 3, wherein the bar code function selecting unit is configured to execute a process when a dial is input from the dial operating unit in a state where a document is not prepared in the image reading unit. It is characterized in that the barcode code printing function is automatically selected.

The invention described in claim 5 is the first invention.
5. The image communication device according to claim 4, wherein the barcode function selecting unit is configured to prepare a document in the image reading unit, and when there is a dial input from the dial operating unit, It is characterized by comprising a function selection means for confirming transmission or bar code function selection.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a communication device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image communication apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a scanner as image reading means, 2 is a plotter as image output means, 3 is a buffer memory,
4 is a code compression / decompression unit, 5 is a modem, 6 is an NCU (network controller), 7 is a document sensor, 8 is an operation unit, 9 is a CPU,
0 is a RAM, 11 is a ROM, and 12 is a data bus.

The operation of the image communication device will be briefly described with reference to FIG. Image information read from the scanner 1 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 3. afterwards,
The image information once stored in the buffer memory 3 is read out according to the mode of the code compression / decompression unit 4 to remove the redundancy, and the image information compressed via the data bus 12 is stored in the RAM 10. The image information is modulated by the modem 5 using the RAM 10 as a transmission buffer.
The transmitted and modulated image signal is sent out to the line through the NCU 6.

On the other hand, the image information received from the line
The signal is demodulated by the modem 5 through U6 and stored in the RAM 10 via the data bus 12. At this time, the RAM 10 is used as a receiving buffer, and the received image information is subsequently sent to the code compression / restoration unit 4 via the data bus 12 and the code compression / restoration unit 4 restores the redundancy. The image information whose redundancy has been restored is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 3, then read out, and reproduced by the plotter 2 as image recording.

The communication control information other than the image information included in the information to be transmitted and received is decoded by the modem 5 and transmitted to the CPU 9.
Are sent to the RAM, where execution processing such as transmission control and error control is performed, and necessary information is stored in the RAM 10. Also, call information for network control is processed by the NCU 6.

The CPU 9 performs overall system control, management of the flow of image information, communication control, comprehensive control of network control, and the like. The ROM 9 has a CPU 9
And a constant required for the processing are stored.

The operation unit 8 inputs and outputs a man machine necessary for operating the apparatus. In the embodiment of the present invention,
The operation unit 8 is provided with a switch for selecting a barcode printing function. Further, a barcode printing function program is stored in the ROM 11. This barcode printing function will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the bar code printing function of the present invention. When the bar code printing function is selected on the operation unit 8 and the operation is started (step 100), first, a method of inputting a telephone number to be printed out in a bar code is selected (step 1).
01). When the method of inputting a telephone number is selected from the ten keys of the operation unit 8, the telephone number is input from the ten keys (step 102).

When selecting from the telephone numbers dialed in the past, the communication apparatus displays the stored telephone numbers of the past telephone calls on the display unit of the operation unit 8 (step 10).
3). This display method can be displayed in ascending order from the most recent dialing date to the past, or in the order of most frequently used, etc., and the user can select the display method. Choose an easy way to find your phone number. The user selects a telephone number to be output from the displayed telephone numbers (step 10).
4).

When selecting from the telephone numbers registered in the speed dial, the communication device displays the registered telephone numbers on the display unit of the operation unit 8 (step 105). The user selects a telephone number to be output from the displayed telephone numbers (step 106). When the telephone number is selected in this manner, the image communication apparatus prints a barcode of the selected telephone number on the plotter 2 (step 10).
7).

In the case of the flowchart of FIG. 2, the bar code printing function is first selected by the operation unit 8, but the original is set on the scanner 1 or the image information of the original is stored in the buffer memory 3. It is also possible to set so that the barcode printing function is automatically selected depending on whether or not the barcode is printed. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart in this case.

In FIG. 3, when the operation is started (step 2)
00) First, a method of inputting a telephone number to be printed out as a bar code is selected (step 20).
1). Steps 201 to 206 are the same as steps 101 to 106 in FIG. 2 and thus will not be described here. When the telephone number is selected by any of the methods, the image communication device determines whether or not a document is set on the scanner 1 by the document sensor 7 (step 207).

If the original is not set, the input telephone number is printed on the plotter 2 as a bar code of the selected telephone number (step 208). Step 207
If the original has been set, the user confirms with the display unit of the operation unit 8 whether to output the barcode of the input number or to transmit the set original (step 209).

When the bar code print output is selected,
Output the bar code of the input telephone number (Step 2)
10). If manuscript transmission is selected, connect to the line,
The user dials the input telephone number and transmits the original (step 211).

In the above description, either the transmission using the input telephone number or the printing of a bar code is selected. However, while performing the transmission dial, the dial telephone number is simultaneously selected. Can be printed on the barcode.

[0024]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a bar code function selecting means for selecting a function of printing a bar code code is provided. When is selected,
The image output means prints out the telephone number dialed from the dial operation means as a bar code code. Accordingly, the barcode can be generated using the image output means of the image communication device, so that there is no need to prepare a special barcode generation device, and the input can be performed in the same manner as in the normal method of inputting a telephone number. In addition, it is possible to easily generate a bar code of a destination telephone number. Then, once the bar code is formed, it is not necessary to dial the telephone number thereafter, and the number input error can be avoided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a dialed number is selected by the dial operating means and dialed in, the telephone number registered in the abbreviated number registering means corresponding to the abbreviated number is output to the image output means. Output as a barcode code. This makes it possible to easily generate a bar code of the other party's telephone number using abbreviated dialing.

According to the invention of claim 3 of the present invention, there is provided a data storage means for storing a telephone number dialed in the past, and when the stored telephone number is selected and dialed, the image output means is provided. The selected phone number is now output as a barcode code. This makes it possible to easily generate a barcode of the other party's telephone number using the telephone number dialed in the past.

In the invention according to claim 4 of the present invention, the bar code function selecting means automatically sets the bar code function when a dial is inputted from the dial operating means in a state where the original is not prepared in the image reading means. Code printing function is selected. This makes the operation even easier.

According to the invention of claim 5 of the present invention, when the bar code function selecting means receives a dial input from the dial operating means in a state where the original is prepared in the image reading means, the transmission is performed. A function selection means for confirming selection of a barcode function is provided. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a user's mistake such as sending a document when the user actually wants to write a barcode, or writing a barcode when the original should be sent.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the barcode printing function of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of another embodiment of the barcode printing function of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 scanner as image reading means 2 plotter as image output means 3 buffer memory 4 code compression / decompression unit 5 modem 6 NCU (network control unit) 7 original sensor 8 operation unit 9 CPU 10 RAM 11 ROM 12 data bus

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image reading means for reading an image of a document;
Dial operating means for inputting a destination telephone number, image signal transmitting means for transmitting an image signal read by the image reading means to a destination of the telephone number input by the dial means, and receiving the transmitted image signal An image communication apparatus comprising: an image signal receiving unit that outputs an image signal received by the image signal receiving unit; and an abbreviated number registering unit that registers a telephone number corresponding to the abbreviated number. A bar code function selecting means for selecting a function for printing a code code is provided. When the bar code code printing function is selected by the bar code function selecting means, the telephone number dialed from the dial operating means is transmitted to the image output means. Output as a barcode code. 2. When a bar code code printing function is selected by the bar code function selecting means, and an abbreviated number is selected by the dial operating means and dial input is performed, the abbreviated number registering means corresponds to the abbreviated number. 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output means outputs the telephone number registered in the image communication device as a barcode code. 3. A data storage means for storing a telephone number connected in the past, wherein a barcode code printing function is selected by the barcode function selection means, and the telephone number stored in the data storage means is stored in the data storage means. 2. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a dial is selected and input is made by a dial operating means, the image output means outputs the selected telephone number as a barcode code. 4. The barcode function selecting means automatically selects a barcode code printing function when a dial is inputted from the dial operating means in a state where no original is prepared in the image reading means. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication device performs the operation. 5. The bar code function selecting means confirms transmission or bar code function selection when a dial input is made from the dial operating means in a state where a document is prepared in the image reading means. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function selection unit.