KR20000047209A - Repeating apparatus for facsimile data - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A repeating apparatus for facsimile data is provided to store paper information data inside in order to enable hard copy output of the stored information data by using a normal paper printer. CONSTITUTION: A repeating apparatus for facsimile data includes a line controller(106), a modem(108), a control panel(100), a data memory(104), a decoder(112), a controller(102), and a print interface(114). The line controller(106) sets up a path from the facsimile to the printer. The modem(108) converts the paper data into display signals. The control panel(100) sets output mode. The data memory(104) stores paper data. The decoder(112) decodes the stored paper data. The controller(102) controls output format of the paper data. The print interface(114) is operated by the controller.

Description

Relay of facsimile data

The present invention relates to a relay for facsimile data, and more particularly, it is installed between an exchanger and a facsimile so as to temporarily store data received by the facsimile side so that a hard copy can be output to a plain paper by a printer. On the other hand, it relates to a relay of facsimile data for relaying the data from the facsimile to be transmitted to the exchange side.

Currently, facsimile is widely used as a means for exchanging document information with a fax of a counterpart subscriber through a telephone line accommodated in an exchange. In such a facsimile, a transmission unit for transmitting an original image includes a scanner consisting of a CCD (Charge coupled device) sensor that scans an image of the original, and the original image signal scanned by the scanner has one bit per pixel. A data converter comprising an analog / digital converter for converting to digital data, an MH / MR encoder for compressing the image data of the digitally converted original by, for example, the MH / MR (Modified Huffman-Modified Read) method recommended by CCITT, and its compression. Analog modulation of the processed original image data is provided with a modem for transmission to the exchange side via a telephone line. The receiving unit of the facsimile machine is an MH / MR decoder for reconstructing the digital original image data by the MH / MR method when the analog original image signal from the other party's facsimile transmitted through the exchanger is applied by digital conversion. A thermal print head is provided for hard copying the restored original image data onto a thermal transfer recording sheet.

In addition, the facsimile includes control means for the overall control of the transmission and reception of the original image, and a call processing unit for calling the other party's facsimile by the corresponding facsimile or detecting a call signal to the facsimile. In addition, a display panel including, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display Device) for displaying an operation mode of a corresponding facsimile is also provided.

Therefore, in the case of sending document information by such a facsimile of such a configuration, if the call document of the other party's facsimile is input from the operation panel after the original document to be transmitted is set while the facsimile is waiting to receive or transmit the document information. The control means transmits a call signal corresponding to the call number to the exchange side to establish a communication path with the other party's facsimile, and generates a transmission button (Start) on the operation panel as a sound signal indicating the setting of the communication path is generated. When operated, the CCD scanner reads the original image in predetermined line units and converts it into an electrical signal. When the electrical signal is converted into digital pixel data by a data converter and applied to the MH / MR encoder, data compression processing is performed on the MH / MR encoder, and the pixel data stream of the compressed original image is converted into an analog signal by the modem. It is converted into a packet, and then sent to the exchange side, where it is transmitted to the other party's facsimile and outputs a hard copy.

On the other hand, in the case of receiving original document information from the corresponding facsimile, when a call is made from the other party's facsimile in the standby mode of receiving or transmitting the original document information, the control means transmits a response signal indicating the reception possible state to the exchange side. When the start of transmission of the original document information is manipulated by the other party's facsimile receiving the response signal, the image data signal compressed and analog-converted from the other party's facsimile is converted back into digital data by the corresponding facsimile's modem and MH / MR Applied to the decoder. The MH / MR decoder demodulates the original image data of the counterpart side digitally converted by the MH / MR method and applies it to the printhead to obtain the original document image.

By the way, the printhead employed in the facsimile machine for hard copying the original document received from the other party has a thermal transfer printhead mainly used for recording document information on the thermal recording paper. The thermal recording paper in which document information is thermally recorded by the printhead has a disadvantage in that it is difficult to store for a long time.

That is, the thermal recording paper on which the document information is recorded is caused to undergo a thermal reaction when subjected to peripheral heat or exposed to light, making it difficult to identify the recorded document information. Therefore, when document information is recorded on the thermal recording paper, it is common to copy the document information to general paper by a copier for long-term storage of the recorded document information. Accordingly, the document information is received by a facsimile applying the thermal recording paper. In this case, the disadvantage is that a double storage operation is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described prior art, and internally stores document information data interposed between an exchanger and a thermal recording facsimile to be transmitted to the facsimile so as to enable hard copy output by a printer of a plain paper. The purpose is to provide a relay device for facsimile data for relaying the original data from the facsimile to the exchange side.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the line control unit for routing the original data from the other side facsimile connected to the public telephone network (PSTN) via the telephone line to the corresponding facsimile and the printer side; A modem for digitally converting the original data input through the line control unit, an operation panel for setting an output mode of the original data, a data memory for storing the original data, and decoding original data stored in the data memory There is provided a relay apparatus for facsimile data, comprising decoding means for processing, control means for controlling the output form of the decoded original data, and a print interface for outputting the decoded original data to a printer under the control of the control means. .

Preferably, as the printer, a printer capable of hard copy output of plain paper is employed.

In addition, the output form of the original data by the control means includes a hard copy output by a general paper printer, an output to be stored in the data memory for subsequent output, an output by a plurality of copy functions, and a corresponding output. Thermal recording output by the facsimile is included.

According to the present invention, the operation panel includes a print mode selection button for instructing the output mode by the printer, a storage mode selection button for instructing future output by storing in the data memory, and setting of the number of copies. It includes a copy number selection button for, and an LCD display for displaying a guide message for the output of the original data.

According to the facsimile data relay apparatus according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the document data sent from the other party under the control of the control means according to the mode set by the operation panel is stored in the data memory for printing by a general paper printer or Multiple copy output is possible, and if the corresponding facsimile is abnormal, the original data on the other side can be temporarily stored in the data memory by selection on the operation panel so that it can be output through the printer.

1 is a view for explaining an application example of the relay of the facsimile data according to the present invention;

2 is a block diagram of a relay apparatus for facsimile data according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a view showing an exemplary configuration of the operation panel shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the relay apparatus for facsimile data according to the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

10: repeater, 20: exchanger,

30: phone line, 40: fax,

50: phone, 60: printer,

100: operation panel, 102: CPU,

104: program memory, 106: line control unit,

108: modem, 110: data memory,

112: MH / MR processing unit, 114: printer interface,

122: printer mode selection button, 124: storage mode selection button,

126: Copy quantity selection button.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view for explaining a state in which a relay device for facsimile data according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the same figure, a repeater of facsimile data according to the present invention, denoted by reference numeral 10, includes a facsimile (FAX) 40 which is line-connected via a telephone line 30 to an exchange (PSTN) 20 and the exchange 20. It is interposed in between. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 50 denotes a general telephone TEL which can be connected in parallel with the facsimile 40.

1, a printer 60 for hard copying document document information transmitted to the facsimile 40 onto the plain paper is preferably added to the relay device 10 for facsimile data according to the present invention. Is connected to.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the relay apparatus 10 for facsimile data according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes an operation panel for setting the overall function of the relay apparatus 10, 102 denotes a CPU for controlling the execution of the function set by the operation panel 100, and 104. Denotes a program memory in which a program for relaying facsimile data to be executed by the CPU 102 is registered.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 106 denotes a line control unit for switching a path for a call by the telephone 50 or an exchange of document information by the facsimile 40 via the telephone line 30. A modem for digitally converting an analog facsimile data signal received via the line controller 106, 110 denotes a data memory in which facsimile data from the modem 108 is temporarily stored, and 112 denotes a data memory ( 110 shows an MH / MR (MMR) processor for coding / decoding the facsimile data stored in CCITT based on the T.4 / T.6 protocol recommended by CCITT, and 114 denotes the facsimile data via the RS-232C line. A printer interface for interfacing to a printer that executes printing on plain paper is shown.

3 is a view for explaining the configuration of the operation panel 100 by way of example, the power supply lamp 120 for displaying the operating state of the corresponding relay device 10 at a predetermined position on the operation panel 100; Is installed, and the printer mode selection button 122 for switching the data received from the other party's facsimile to the plain paper printer 60 for hard copy output, and the other party's facsimile when the data is not received by the facsimile 50. Storage mode selection button 124 for storing the data received from the data memory 110 to be output through the printer 60, the number of copies to obtain a plurality of hard copy output in the up / down method A copy number selection button 126 is also provided on the operation panel 100.

In addition, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display unit 128 for displaying the operation mode of the corresponding relay device 10 is also provided at the central position of the operation panel 100.

Next, the relay apparatus for facsimile data according to the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step 200, the CPU 102 maintains the corresponding relay device 10 in the standby mode, and the facsimile 40 corresponding to the relay device 10 is set to the original transmission mode during the standby mode. When the original image data signal from the facsimile 40 is output on the telephone line 30 via the communication path set by the line controller 106, the original image data signal on the telephone line 30 is output. It is delivered to the other party's facsimile 40 via the switchboard PSTN 20 and output to a hard copy on the recording sheet (step 204). When the transmission mode of such original data signal is completed (YES in step 206), the CPU 102 returns to the initial stage and keeps the corresponding relay device 10 in the standby mode.

On the other hand, if the original transmission mode is not set in step 202, it is determined whether the original reception mode of step 208 is set. If the original reception mode is not set, the determination is made to the standby mode of the initial stage. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 208 that the original receiving mode is set, the CPU 102 of the relay device 10 waits for mode setting by the operation panel 10 in step 210.

In this state, when the printer output mode using plain paper is set by the operation of the printer mode selection button 122 of the operation panel 10 (YES in step 212), the CPU 102 returns to step (214). The reception mode of the facsimile data (for example, 'FAX RX') is displayed on the LCD display 128 of the operation panel 100, and the corresponding relay device 10 is activated to display the original data received from the other side facsimile. You will be printing a plain paper. That is, in step 214, the original image data from the other party's facsimile 40 received through the line controller 106 is converted into digital data in the modem 108 and stored in the data memory 110, and the stored image data is stored in the data memory 110. Original image data is decoded in the form of original document information by the MH / MR processing unit 112 under the control of the CPU 102 and then transferred to the printer interface 114 side, and the fax is transmitted to the printer interface 114. Received data is transmitted to the printer 60 to be recorded and output on plain paper. Therefore, in this case, since the original image information is recorded on the general paper, it can be stored for a long time.

Subsequently, the CPU 102 returns to the standby mode of the initial stage when the output of the facsimile reception data performed in step 214 by the printer is completed (YES in step 216).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 212 that the printer output mode is not set for the corresponding relay device 10, the CPU 102 proceeds to step 218 to store the operation panel 100. It is determined whether the data storage mode by the mode selection button 124 is set. As a result of the determination, for example, when the corresponding facsimile 40 cannot receive the original data transmitted from the other side facsimile due to a malfunction, etc., the data storage mode by the operation of the storage mode selection button 24 is changed. If it is determined that it is set (YES in step 218), the CPU 102 proceeds to step 220 to execute the control to perform the data storage process. That is, in step 220, when the data storage mode is set by the operation of the storage mode selection button 124 of the operation panel 100, the CPU 102 is displayed on the LCD display 128 on the operation panel 100. A message (eg, 'STORE') for guiding the data storage mode is displayed, and the original data from the other party's facsimile digitalized in the modem 108 through the line control unit 106 is displayed. Stored in memory 110.

Here, the original data stored in the data memory 110 is decoded by the MH / MR processing unit 112 under the control of the CPU 102 when the printer output mode described in step 212 is set, for example. By being applied to the printer (60) side through the recording can be output to the general paper.

When the data storage mode by the storage mode selection button 124 of the operation panel 100 is not set, the CPU 102 proceeds to step 222 and the operation panel ( In step 102, it is determined whether the copy mode is set. If the copy mode is set as a result of the determination, the process proceeds to step 224, where the copy mode selection button 126 of the operation panel 100 is set to the up / down method. The original data stored in the data memory 104 causes the printer interface 114 to be displayed on the LCD display 128 while a message for guiding the number of copies and the copy mode (for example, 'COPY' / '3') is displayed. It is applied to the printer 60 through the set number of copies to be output.

If it is determined that the copy mode is not set, the CPU 102 determines the thermal recording paper output by the corresponding facsimile to determine the document data transmitted from the other side facsimile in step 226. The transfer is made to the facsimile side via 106 to allow the thermal recording to be performed.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and the gist of the invention.

As described above, according to the facsimile data relay apparatus according to the present invention, the document data transmitted from the other side facsimile is transferred to the printer side to enable recording on plain paper, thus facsimile using conventional thermal recording paper. This eliminates the trouble of having to copy the original received again, and saves paper. Further, the original print data received from the other party's facsimile is stored in the data memory, and subsequent print output is possible, and a copy can be made, so that the original data can be received even when the facsimile malfunctions.

Claims (4)

A line control unit 106 for routing original data from the other party's facsimile connected to the public telephone network (PSTN) 20 via the telephone line 30 to the corresponding facsimile and the printer side; Modem 108 for digitally converting the original data input through the line control unit 106, An operation panel 100 for setting an output mode of the original data; A data memory 104 for storing the original data, Decoding means 112 for decoding the original data stored in the data memory 104; Control means 102 for controlling the output form of the decoded original data; And a print interface (114) for outputting the decoded original data to a printer (50) under the control of the control means (102). The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printer (50) is a printer capable of hard copy output of plain paper. The method of claim 1, wherein the output form of the original data by the control means 102 is a hard copy output by a plain paper printer and an output to be stored in the data memory 104 for subsequent output. A relay apparatus for facsimile data, characterized in that it includes an output by a copy function of a sheet and a thermal recording output by a corresponding facsimile. The method of claim 1, wherein the operation panel (100) stores a print mode selection button (122) for indicating an output mode by the printer (50), and stores the data in the data memory (104) to instruct a subsequent output. A storage mode selection button 124 for copying, a copy number selection button 126 for setting the number of copies, and an LCD display unit 128 for displaying a guide message for outputting the original data. Relay of data.