KR20030045985A - Facsimile having memory card interface and method for storing received fax data - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A facsimile having a memory card interface and an interfacing method of the facsimile are provided to reuse facsimile data without extending capacity of a system memory. CONSTITUTION: A facsimile includes a receiver for receiving facsimile data through a telephone line, a memory(260) for storing the received facsimile data in a file, and a memory card interface(285) for interfacing data with a memory card(400). The facsimile further includes an input unit(210) through which a user inputs a command with respect to file transfer to transfer the file stored in the memory to the memory card, and a controller(290) for controlling the memory card interface to record the file stored in the memory in the memory when the file transfer command is inputted through the input unit.

Description

Facsimile having memory card interface and method for storing received fax data}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as a 'fax'), and more particularly, to a facsimile having a memory card interface for interfacing received fax data with a memory card and an interface method thereof.

A fax is a device that transmits and receives scanned data (text or image) through a telephone line. That is, during transmission, when the original document is input, it converts into graphic image data prescribed through scanning, and transmits the electrical signal through the telephone line as an electrical signal. This device converts image data and prints on fax paper.

1 is a block diagram of a multifunction apparatus 100 including a general color fax function. The MFP 100 includes an OPE (Operation Panel: 10) including a plurality of input keys 11 and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display: 12) for displaying an operation so as to interface with a user, and a document input and print paper remaining amount. A sensor unit 20 for detecting a back, a scanner unit 30 for scanning an input document to generate image data, and modulating the digital image data into an electrical analog signal, and demodulating the electrical analog signal into digital image data. A modem (MODEM) 40, a network control unit (NCU) connected between the modem 40 and the telephone line to form a call loop of the telephone line, and a memory (60) for storing image data. And a print unit 70 for printing image data stored in the memory 60, and a PC 200 to control the print unit 70 or the scanner unit 30 from a personal computer (PC) 200. PC interface 80 to interface data, and preset A controller 90 for controlling the respective blocks according to a program.

In the multifunction apparatus 100 as described above, the color fax function is performed as follows. First, when color image data according to the color fax protocol (ITU-T.30) is received through the modem 40, the controller 80 stores the received image data in the system memory 60. Then, the header of the color image data is analyzed. At this time, since the color image data is encoded in the JPEG format, information on the encoding of the JPEG image is obtained. The controller 90 performs decoding on the JPEG image. At this time, the decoding result is output as a value of the L, a, b domain (domain). The image data processed in the L, a, and B areas is converted into the R, G, and B areas. At this time, the output R, G, and B are output in units of pixel-by-pixel (RGB interleave) in which one pixel is composed of RGB. The pixel-by-pixel output image is converted into line-by-line (RGB non-interleave) like R-line, G-line, and B-line. This is to match the input format of CMY (Cyan Magenta Yellow blacK) or CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow blacK) required for printing, and this process is not required if the input format is required by pixel by pixel. In this way, the RGB image which is changed in units of lines is converted into CMY or CMYK. Then, the image data converted to CMY (K) is printed on the printing paper. When the printing is completed, the controller 90 deletes the image data stored in the system memory 60.

In the above, the conventional color fax function converts the received color fax image to printable paper, and operates to delete the fax data from the memory 60 after completion of printing in order to overcome the capacity limitation of the system memory 60. can do.

However, to delete the fax data as in the conventional color fax as described above, although it is possible to reuse through the reuse and processing or modification of the received image data, there was a problem that it is used only once and is very inefficient. In addition, in consideration of the above, when the data received from the color fax is not deleted, a large amount of system memory is required because the data of the color image is very large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile having a memory card interface and an interface method thereof in order to enable the reuse of fax data without expanding the capacity of the system memory in order to solve the above problems.

1 is a block diagram of a multifunction device including a conventional color fax;

2 is a block diagram of a multifunction apparatus including a color fax having a memory card interface according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating the color fax operation of the multifunction apparatus having the memory card interface according to the present invention shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the color fax operation of the multifunction apparatus having the memory card interface according to the present invention shown in FIG.

5 is a flow chart illustrating another operation of a color fax having a memory card interface according to the present invention.

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

10, 210: OPE11, 211: key input unit

12, 212: LCD20, 220: sensor unit

30, 230: scanner unit 40, 240: modem

50, 250: NCU60, 260: memory

70, 270: printing section 80, 280: PC interface

90, 290: control unit 100, 300: fax

200, 500: PC285: Memory card interface

400: memory card 500-1: memory card application

The fax having the memory card interface of the present invention for achieving the above object, the receiving unit for receiving fax data via a telephone line; A memory for storing the fax data received through the receiving unit as a file; A memory card interface installed to perform a data interface with the memory card; An input unit which receives a command related to file movement from a user so that the file stored in the memory can be moved to the memory card; And a controller configured to control the memory card interface to write the file stored in the memory to a combined memory card when a file movement command for the file is input through the input unit.

Here, the control unit controls the file to be deleted from the memory when the file is completed writing to the memory card.

The facsimile further includes a display for displaying a file stored in the memory, and the controller controls the file to be displayed on the display according to a file moving mode change command input through the input unit, and displays the file displayed on the display. When the file move command is inputted, the file is controlled to be transmitted to the memory card.

When the file is written to the memory card, the controller searches for another file stored in the memory and displays the file on the display.

On the other hand, the control unit displays the files stored in the memory in the form of a list on the display, and controls the file to be transferred to the memory card when the file movement command for the selected file is input.

The control unit also controls to display a file having a color fax image on the display. In this case, the color fax image data includes separate recognition information indicating that the color fax image data.

On the other hand, the control unit controls to delete the file stored in the memory from the memory when a certain period elapses from the time of receipt. In the controller, different deletion periods are set according to types of files stored in the memory.

The facsimile further includes an external device interface capable of interfacing data with an external device, and when the controller transmits data for requesting information on the file recorded on the memory card through the external device interface, The memory card interface is controlled to transmit the information of the file recorded on the memory card to the external device. The facsimile machine may further include a transmitter configured to transmit fax data to the telephone line. The controller may further include data for requesting transmission to a specified telephone number for a file recorded on the memory card through the external device interface. When delivered, the memory card interface is controlled so that the file recorded on the memory card can be transmitted to the designated telephone number through the transmitter.

In addition, the control unit, when the file is stored in the memory card to be converted into an image file of the JPEG format to be stored.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a memory card interface method of a facsimile comprising: receiving fax data; Storing the received fax data as a file in a memory; And when a file move command for the file is input, storing the file stored in the memory in a combined memory card through an installed memory card interface.

The method may further include deleting the selected file from the memory when the file is completed writing to the memory card.

The facsimile memory card interface method may further include displaying the file on a display when a display command of the file stored in the memory is input, wherein the file move command for the file displayed on the display is input. If so, transfer the file to the memory card.

In this case, when the file has been recorded in the memory card, another file stored in the memory may be displayed, the files stored in the memory are displayed on the display in a list form, and the file movement command for the selected file is displayed. When the file is input through the input unit, the file is transmitted to the memory card.

On the other hand, a file displayed on the display is displayed for a file having a color fax image. In this case, the color fax image data includes separate recognition information indicating that the color fax image data.

In addition, the file stored in the memory is deleted from the memory when a certain period has elapsed from the reception point. At this time, different deletion periods are set according to types of files stored in the memory.

The facsimile memory card interface method may further include transmitting information of the file recorded on the memory card to the external device when information on the file recorded on the memory card is requested from an external device. And when data for requesting transmission of a file recorded on the memory card to a designated telephone number is transmitted from the external device, transmitting the file recorded on the memory card to a designated telephone number through the transmitter. do.

Also, when the file is stored in the memory card, the file can be converted into an image file in JPEG format and stored.

Another facsimile memory card interface method for achieving the above object comprises the steps of: receiving fax data; Storing the received fax data as a file in a memory; Determining whether the file movement mode is set; If the file movement mode is set by the user, determining whether the memory card is coupled to the installed memory card interface; And if the memory card is coupled to the memory card interface, storing the files stored in the memory in the combined memory card.

The facsimile according to the present invention as described above can be reused by allowing the fax data to be recorded on the memory card, it is possible to save the printing paper due to unnecessary reception. In addition, the information recorded in the memory card can be confirmed by other portable devices and external devices.

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

2 is a block diagram of a multifunction apparatus 300 including a color fax machine having a memory card interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The all-in-one device 300 includes an OPE (Operation Panel: 210) including a plurality of input keys 11 and an LCD 212 for displaying an operation so as to interface with a user, and a document input and print paper remaining amount. The sensor unit 220, a scanner unit 230 for scanning the input document to generate image data, and a modem 240 for modulating the digital image data into an electrical analog signal and demodulating the electrical analog signal into digital image data. ), A NCU (Network Control Unit) 250 connected between the modem 240 and the telephone line to form a call loop of the telephone line, a memory 260 for storing image data, and a memory 260. A data interface between the PC 500 and the print unit 270 for printing the image data stored in the PC 500 so that the PC 500 can control the print unit 270, the scanner unit 230, and the memory card interface 285. PC interface (280) to say, memo The card includes a control unit 290 for controlling the respective blocks according to the 400 and the data interface number memory card interface 285 and the preset program that is installed to perform. The memory card interface 285 installed in the multifunction apparatus having a facsimile function may include at least one of various auxiliary storage devices such as a compact flash (CF), a memory stick, a smart media card (SMC), and a multi media card (MMC). A device that can interface with either device.

When the file move command for the file stored in the memory 260 is input through the key input unit 211 of the OPE 210, the control unit 290 switches to the file moving mode to the memory card 400 to which the files are combined. The memory card interface 285 is controlled to be written. In addition, when the file stored in the memory 260 is completely recorded on the memory card 400, the controller 290 controls the file stored in the memory 260 to be deleted from the memory 260. In this case, the controller 290 displays the file stored in the memory 260 on the LCD 212 provided in the OPE 210 according to the file movement mode switching command, and through the key input unit 211 provided in the OPE 210. When a file moving command for a file displayed on the LCD 212 is input, the file is controlled to be transmitted to the memory card 400. On the other hand, if a file movement command for a file stored in the memory 260 is set through the key input unit 211 of the OPE 210, the control unit 290 is subsequently coupled to the received fax data memory card 400 The memory card interface 285 may be controlled to be automatically stored in the memory card.

In addition, the controller 290 may search for another file stored in the memory 260 and display it on the LCD 212 of the OPE 210 when the file has been recorded on the memory card 400. The files stored at 260 may be displayed on the LCD 212 in a list form. In this case, a separate key for scrolling the screen may be provided in the OPE 210, and the list may be scrolled through a selection key. When a file move command for the selected file is input, the file in the memory can be transferred to the memory card.

In addition, the control unit 290 controls to display only the file having a color fax image on the LCD 212 of the OPE 210. To this end, the color fax image data includes a management bit indicating that the color fax image data is in the header in the protocol for facsimile communication. The receiving side recognizes the color fax image data through the management bit of the header information. Do it. Alternatively, a specific management signal may be inserted into a section including data information to communicate with each other. In addition, a method of indicating that the color fax image data may be more various methods.

Meanwhile, the controller 290 controls the file stored in the memory 260 to be deleted from the memory 260 when a predetermined time elapses from the reception point. In this case, the controller 290 allows different deletion periods to be set according to types of files stored in the memory 260 (for example, color fax image data and black image data).

In addition, when the controller 290 requests information about a file recorded in the memory card 400 using the memory card application 500-1 from the PC 500 through the PC interface 280, the memory card 400 The memory card interface 285 is controlled so that the information of the file recorded in " In addition, the controller 290 transmits data for requesting transmission to a designated telephone number for a file recorded on the memory card 400 through the PC interface 280, and the file recorded on the memory card 400 is transferred to a modem ( The memory card interface 285 is controlled to be transmitted to the designated telephone number through the 240 and the NCU 250.

3 is a flowchart illustrating the color fax operation of the multifunction apparatus 300 having the memory card interface shown in FIG. First, when fax data is received through a telephone line (S310), the modem 240 demodulates an analog signal into a digital signal and transmits the analog signal to the controller 290. Then, the controller 290 stores the demodulated fax data in the system memory 260. The control unit 290 performs image conversion on the fax data stored in the system memory 290 and transfers the image to the printing unit 270 to print on the printing paper (S320). Subsequently, when a file movement mode switch command is selected to allow a file to be stored in the memory card 400 through the key input unit 211 provided in the OPE 210 (S330), the LCD provided in the OPE 210 may be selected. In operation 2340, the file stored in the system memory 260 is displayed on the screen. At this time, only the color fax image data is displayed on the LCD 212. Here, when the file movement mode switching command is not input from the user for a predetermined period of time, the controller 290 automatically deletes the file according to the preset period S332 for each file type (S332) (S334). When a file movement command for a file displayed on the LCD 212 is transmitted from the user through the key input unit 211 (S350), the file displayed on the LCD 212 may be stored in the combined memory card 400. The card interface 285 is controlled (S360). When the recording is completed on the memory card 400, that is, when data transfer is completed, the file stored in the memory card 400 is deleted from the system memory 260 (S370). Thereafter, the controller 290 searches whether another file is stored in the system memory 260 (S380), and if the file exists, displays it on the LCD and performs a corresponding operation according to a user's input command. If the file no longer exists, the controller terminates the file moving mode of the system.

The operation of the facsimile having the memory card interface 280 as described above allows the received fax data to be manually stored in the memory card 400. Here, the printing operation may be selectively operated by a user's command input. That is, the received fax data may be stored in the system memory 260 without performing printing, and a corresponding operation may be performed according to a file moving command or a printing execution command input by a user before a predetermined period of time.

4 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of the color fax function of the multifunction apparatus 300 having the memory card interface 285 according to the present invention shown in FIG. Here, the multifunction peripheral 300 has an input key for setting a file moving mode in the key input unit 211. When the fax data is received in the multifunction apparatus 300 (S410), the controller 290 stores the received fax data in the system memory 260 (S420). In operation S430, it is determined whether the file moving mode is set by the user. At this time, if the file moving mode is not set by the user, after printing is performed (S432), the file for printing in the system memory 260 is deleted (S460). On the other hand, if the file moving mode is set, it is determined whether the memory card 400 is coupled (S440). In this case, when the memory card 440 is coupled, the memory card interface is controlled (285) so that the stored files of the system memory 260 can be stored in the combined memory card 400 (S450). In operation S460, the file in the system memory 260 is deleted. If the memory card 400 is not combined, after the printing is performed (S430), the printed file of the system memory is deleted (S460).

The operation of the facsimile having a memory card interface according to another embodiment may automatically receive the received fax data into the memory card 400 when the user selects a file moving mode in advance through the OPE 210 or the PC 500. To be stored.

Meanwhile, in the process of FIG. 4, the file information recorded on the memory card 400 is displayed on the LCD 212 through the key input unit 211, and a print command is selectively issued through the key input unit 211. Printing operation can be performed.

In addition, the operations shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 above can build programming coupled to each other.

On the other hand, when the information on the stored file of the memory card 400 is requested from the PC 500 through the PC interface 280 as shown in the flow chart of Figure 5 (S510), the control unit 290 is coupled to the memory card 400 It is determined whether the state (S520). In this case, when the memory card 400 is determined to be in an uncoupled state, the uncombined state information of the memory card is transmitted to the PC 500 through the PC interface 280. When the memory card 400 is in a coupled state, the file information recorded in the memory card 400 is read through the memory card interface 285 (S530) and transmitted to the PC 500 through the PC interface 280. (S540). Thereafter, the controller 290 is assigned a phone number from the PC 500, so that the selected file transmission is requested (S550), so that the selected file from the memory card 400 can be transmitted to the designated phone number (S560).

On the other hand, in the present invention, when the file is stored in the memory card to be stored as an image file of the JPEG format made in the Lab (domain). In addition, the image of the Lab area may be converted into an image having a JPEG format of the YCrCb area and stored so that the image can be confirmed by the digital camera. In addition, you can convert and save image files in various formats.

The facsimile having the memory card interface according to the present invention can be reused as the fax data can be recorded on the memory card, and the printing paper according to unnecessary reception can be saved.

In addition, it is possible to prevent a fax reception error that may occur due to the absence of print paper, and the information recorded on the memory card can be confirmed using a portable device or an image reproducing device so that important information is not missed.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the general knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Anyone with a variety of variations will be possible.

Claims (30)

A receiving unit for receiving fax data through a telephone line; A memory for storing the fax data received through the receiving unit as a file; A memory card interface installed to perform a data interface with the memory card; An input unit which receives a command related to file movement from a user so that the file stored in the memory can be moved to the memory card; And And a control unit which controls the memory card interface so that the file stored in the memory can be recorded in a combined memory card when a file moving command for the file is input through the input unit. The method of claim 1, And the controller controls the selected file to be deleted from the memory when the file is written to the memory card. The method of claim 1, A display for displaying a file stored in the memory; The controller controls the file to be displayed on the display according to a file move mode change command input through the input unit, and when the file move command for the file displayed on the display is input, the file is transferred to the memory card. A facsimile, characterized in that it is controlled to be transmitted. The method of claim 3, wherein The control unit, if the file is written to the memory card, the facsimile characterized in that to search for another file stored in the memory and to display on the display. The method of claim 2, The control unit, the facsimile characterized in that for displaying the files stored in the list in the form of a display. The method of claim 2, And the control unit displays a file having a color fax image on the display. The method of claim 6, And the color fax image data includes separate recognition information indicating that the color fax image data is color fax image data. The method of claim 1, And the control unit deletes a file stored in the memory from the memory when a predetermined period elapses from the reception point. The method of claim 8, The control unit, characterized in that different erasing period is set according to the type of the file stored in the memory. The method of claim 1, It further includes an external device interface for interfacing data with the external device, The controller controls the memory card interface to transmit information of the file recorded on the memory card to the external device when data for requesting information on the file recorded on the memory card is transmitted through the external device interface. A fax characterized by controlling. The method of claim 10, Further comprising a transmitting unit for transmitting the fax data to the telephone line, The controller transmits the file recorded on the memory card to the designated phone number through the transmitter, when data for requesting transmission to the designated telephone number is transmitted to the file recorded on the memory card through the external device interface. And control the memory card interface so that the memory card interface can be controlled. The method of claim 1, The control unit, characterized in that for storing in the memory card to convert the image file of the JPEG format converted. Receiving fax data; Storing the received fax data as a file in a memory; And And storing the file stored in the memory in a combined memory card through an installed memory card interface when a file move command is input to the file. The method of claim 13, And deleting the file from the memory when the file is written to the memory card. The method of claim 13, If a display command of the file stored in the memory is input, displaying the file on a display; And transferring the file to the memory card when the file moving command is input to the file displayed on the display. The method of claim 15, And when the file is written to the memory card, another file stored in the memory is displayed. The method of claim 15, And displaying the files stored in the memory in the form of a list on the display. The method of claim 15, Displaying a file having a color fax image on the display. The method of claim 18, And the color fax image data includes separate recognition information indicating that the color fax image data is color fax image data. The method of claim 13, And deleting a file stored in the memory from the memory when a predetermined time elapses from the reception point. The method of claim 20, And a different erasing period is set according to the type of the file stored in the memory. The method of claim 13, If information on the file recorded on the memory card is requested from an external device, transmitting the information of the file recorded on the memory card to the external device; the memory card interface of the facsimile further comprising: Way. The method of claim 22, And transmitting the file recorded on the memory card to the designated phone number through the transmitting unit when data for requesting transmission of the file recorded on the memory card to the designated phone number is transmitted from the external device. The memory card interface method of the facsimile. The method of claim 13, And converting the file into an image file in JPEG format when the file is stored in the memory card. Receiving fax data; Storing the received fax data as a file in a memory; Determining whether the file movement mode is set; If the file movement mode is set by the user, determining whether the memory card is coupled to the installed memory card interface; And If the memory card is coupled to the memory card interface, storing the files stored in the memory to the memory card combined; comprising a memory card interface method of a facsimile. The method of claim 25, And deleting the file from the memory when the file is written to the memory card. The method of claim 25, And if the file movement mode is not set by the user, printing the received fax data. The method of claim 27, And after the printing of the fax data, deleting the printed file of the memory. The method of claim 25, And if the information on the file recorded on the memory card is requested to be displayed on the display, displaying the file information on the display. The method of claim 29, And printing a file recorded on the memory card when a print command is input while the file information is displayed on the display.