JPH10224525A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain the remote operation of communication information and to improve convenience by storing the communication information and sending the information in accordance with a transmission request from a data processor. SOLUTION: Stand-by information such as a destination, communication time and a transmission mode reserved at its transmission and waiting for its execution in the facsimile equipment 10 is stored and managed in a RAM 18 similarly to experience information such as communication validity/invalidity, communication cost and a communication mode of which facsimile transmission or reception has been completed. When a previously determined control code is received at the time of requesting the reading of picture information for executing data processing or requesting the record/ output of processed data from a CPU 58, the stand-by information or the experience information stored and managed in the RAM 18 is read out similarly to input operation from an operation panel, sent to a PC through a communication I/F 16 or changes/ erases the stand-by information stored in the RAM 18. Namely a CPU 20 in the facsimile equipment 10 constitutes also an information sending means, an information changing means and an information erasing means in addition to a function execution means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus for executing facsimile communication between facsimile terminals via a communication line, and more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus which can be connected to a data processing apparatus and operated remotely.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus connected to a public line and transmitting and receiving image information read from a document by performing facsimile communication with a destination has been known. As the amount of information increases, it has become widespread, and has been used as a printer (plotter) or scanner by connecting to a data processing device such as a personal computer.

In order to use this type of facsimile apparatus as a printer or a scanner, it is possible to remotely set a driving condition from a data processing apparatus and to set driving conditions. The direction of the paper and the like can be set from the data processing device. Also, as this kind of multifunctional facsimile machine,
For example, there is a facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-225073. This facsimile apparatus can receive a document from a data processing apparatus and transmit the document to a preset destination.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional facsimile apparatus, in order to use the apparatus as a printer or a scanner, the condition for driving the printer or the scanner can be set from a data processing apparatus. Although it has been devised, the user operates the operation unit of the facsimile apparatus when referring to or changing the driving conditions relating to facsimile communication, which is an original function of the facsimile apparatus, for example, the destination for which facsimile transmission is reserved and its communication time. And cannot be remotely controlled from the data processing device. For this reason, it has not been possible to centrally manage information on facsimile communication together with the driving conditions of the printer and the scanner by the data processing device.

Since the facsimile apparatus described in the above publication manages a transmitted document and a received document by facsimile communication from the data processing apparatus, the driving condition itself cannot be remotely controlled. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve the convenience by realizing remote control of communication information of facsimile communication by enabling information relating to facsimile communication to be operated from an external data processing device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a facsimile communication means connected to a communication line and performing facsimile communication with a destination via the communication line; A facsimile apparatus comprising: a data processing device connected to the data processing device via a communication medium to perform data communication with the data processing device; Information storage means for storing the communication information of the result information of the executed communication, and information sending means for reading out the communication information from the information storage means and sending it to the data processing apparatus when receiving a request for transmission of the communication information from the data processing apparatus Are provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile communication means which is connected to a communication line and performs facsimile communication with a destination via the communication line, and which is connected to a data processing device via a communication medium. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a data communication unit that performs data communication with the data processing device; and an information storage unit that stores standby information that waits for execution of the facsimile communication; Information change means for changing the facsimile communication time in the information storage means when receiving a change request of
Is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile communication means connected to a communication line for performing facsimile communication with a destination via the communication line, and a facsimile communication means connected to a data processing device via a communication medium. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a data communication unit that performs data communication with the data processing device; and an information storage unit that stores standby information that waits for execution of the facsimile communication; And an information changing means for changing a facsimile communication destination in the information storage means when a change request is received.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile communication means connected to a communication line for performing facsimile communication with a destination via the communication line, and a facsimile communication means connected to a data processing device via a communication medium. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a data communication unit that performs data communication with the data processing device; and an information storage unit that stores standby information that waits for execution of the facsimile communication; And an information erasing means for erasing the corresponding facsimile communication standby information in the information storage means when receiving the cancellation request.

[0010] The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of the above, the image processing apparatus further includes: a document reading unit that reads image information from a transmission document; and an image recording unit that records and outputs the image information on recording paper, and reads image information from the data processing device. The image information read from the document by the document reading means is sent to the data processing device when the request is received, and the image information sent together with the recording request by the image recording means when the image information recording request is received. And a function execution means for recording and outputting the information.

[0011] Here, the standby information means, for example, a memory transmission for storing and transmitting image information in a storage means or a direct transmission for transmitting the image information as it is without storing the image information. In the case of having a reservation transmission function to specify the communication time and its communication destination, it refers to the communication time or communication destination of the reserved transmission that is waiting, and when redialing, the time is treated as the communication time. The information may also be information about a reserved transmission that is on standby, including the communication mode. In addition, the performance information,
For example, it refers to a transmission / reception time when image information is transmitted or received by facsimile communication, a destination thereof, and the like, and may include information on the communication performed, such as whether the communication is correct, a communication cost, and a communication mode.

In the inventions according to the first to fifth aspects,
The communication information of the standby information and the result information in the information storage means is sent to the data processing device, changed, and deleted in response to a request from the data processing device. Therefore, the communication destination and communication time of the reserved facsimile communication and the result of the already performed facsimile communication can be called and confirmed by remote control from the data processing device, and further, the communication of the reserved facsimile communication can be performed. The change or cancellation of the destination or the communication time can be performed by remote control from the data processing device. As a result, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, if the driving conditions of the scanner function by the document reading means and the printer function by the image recording means can be set by remote control from the data processing device, the function provided in the facsimile apparatus is replaced with the data. Centralized management can be performed by remote control from the processing device.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 are views showing a case where an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is connected to an example of a data processing apparatus. First, the configuration will be described.

1 and 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment, and reference numeral 20 denotes a personal computer (P
C), the facsimile machine 10 and the PC 50 are connected by a connection cable C employing a bi-centronics cable or an RS232C cable so that data can be exchanged bidirectionally by bi-centronics or the like. The PC 50 constitutes a data processing device that performs data processing such as processing of images and numerical data.

A facsimile apparatus 10 is connected to a public line network and executes a predetermined line control at the time of outgoing / incoming calls for facsimile communication to connect or disconnect the line to / from the public line with an NCU (network control unit) 11. An operation panel 12 on which dial keys and the like are arranged, a built-in document reading means (scanner) (not shown), and the like are connected, and input information input from the operation panel 12 or a document set on the document setting unit 13 is read. An input I / F (interface) 14 for receiving image information and the like, and a received or read image information and various reports (for example, Output I / F 15 for outputting error communication, communication management report, etc.), and an image between the PC 50 and the PC 50 via the connection cable C. A communication I / F (communication means) 16 for realizing the transmission and reception of such broadcast and control signals, the display LC
A display unit 17 including D, LED, etc., for displaying and outputting the operation state and input information of the apparatus main body, a RAM 18 for storing (accumulating) information such as image information and parameters necessary for driving, and a basic operation as a facsimile apparatus And a ROM for storing a control program and necessary data for executing the present invention.
19 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20 that controls the above components 11 to 19 in accordance with the control program are connected via an internal bus 21 for transmitting information such as control commands and data. Note that the NCU 11 may have a modem function for modulating and demodulating image information to be transmitted and received and various procedure signals, and may constitute facsimile communication means. The CPU 20 may perform the modem function.

The facsimile apparatus 10 includes a document setting section
The image information read from the original set in
Memory transmission in which facsimile transmission is performed and stored in the RAM, or direct transmission in which facsimile transmission is performed without being stored in the RAM 18 can be selected and executed. By setting (reserving) the time (communication time) to be executed together with the dial number in advance, facsimile transmission can be performed at an arbitrary time. The standby information, such as the destination reserved for transmission and waiting for execution, the communication time, and the transmission mode, are stored in the RAM 18 in the same manner as the actual information such as the validity of communication for which facsimile transmission and reception have already been completed, communication cost, and communication mode. The CPU 20 reads out the communication information of the standby information and the result information from the RAM 18 in accordance with an input operation from the operation panel 12 and outputs the same on the display unit 17, or changes or deletes the information. Can also be. That is, the RAM 18 constitutes information storage means. Similarly, the communication time and the destination when the other party performing the facsimile transmission is in use and redialing may be similarly handled as standby information so that display output, change, and deletion are possible.

On the other hand, the PC 50 is connected to a keyboard 51 or the like, and receives an input operation of an input operation.
(Interface) 52, an output I / F 54 connected to a display 53 or the like for outputting data being processed, an image I / F connected to the facsimile machine 10 via the connection cable C, and image information between the facsimile machine 10 A communication I / F 55 for transmitting and receiving control signals and the like; a RAM 56 for storing data to be processed and parameters necessary for control; a facsimile device 10 as well as a basic operation as a data processing device
A ROM 57 that stores a control program for requesting data operation and necessary data, and a CPU 58 that controls the components 52 to 57 in accordance with the control program are connected via an internal bus 59.

The CPU 58 of the PC 50 transmits a control code predetermined according to an input operation from the keyboard 51 or the like when making a request for reading image information for data processing or a request for recording and outputting processed data. It is sent to the facsimile machine 10 to perform a desired operation. When the CPU 20 of the facsimile machine 10 receives the control code shown in FIG. Similarly, the standby information and the result information stored and managed in the RAM 18 are read and the communication I / F 16 is read.
And the standby information in the RAM 18 is changed or deleted. That is, the CPU 20 of the facsimile apparatus 10 also constitutes an information sending unit, an information changing unit, and an information erasing unit together with the function executing unit.

Here, the process when the PC 50 sends the control code shown in FIG. 3 to the facsimile machine 10 and requests various operations of the communication information stored and managed in the RAM 18 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The operation will be described for each of the PC 50 and the facsimile machine 10. Here, P
A case will be described in which the C50 is configured to be able to request operations such as display, change, and deletion of the standby information of the facsimile apparatus 10 by performing an input operation on the keyboard 51 or the like in accordance with the menu display on the display 53. However, it goes without saying that a control code may be directly input from the keyboard 51 and sent to the facsimile machine 10 to request an operation.

<Process in PC 50>: FIG. 4 First, when an operation of communication information stored and managed by the facsimile machine 10 is requested by a user's input operation of the keyboard 51 or the like, the PC 50 executes a control code "1B_80" for confirming connection. Is transmitted (step P1), and after the facsimile machine 10 confirms that the connection is normally established by returning the control code "1B_81" of connection OK in step P23 of FIG. 5 described later (step P1).
2) The control code "1B_82" for confirming the contents of the communication information (transmission time, destination, transmission end) is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus.
Send to 10 (step P3). Next, from the facsimile machine 10 which has received the control code "1B_82", the control codes "1B_83", "1B_84", "1B_85" indicating the transfer of information in step P26 of FIG.
The communication information of the unfinished (waiting) "00" and the end "01" is returned together with the transmission time and destination of the transmission reservation following each of the above, so that the communication information is received (step P4) and the display is performed. Display on 53 (Step P
5). Therefore, without going to the installation location of the facsimile machine 10 and performing an input operation on the operation panel 12, it is possible to remotely confirm from the PC 50 the standby information and the result information regarding the transmission reservation of the facsimile machine 10 on the display 53.

Thereafter, when the user selects one of the menus for changing the transmission time, changing the destination, or canceling (cancelling) the transmission displayed on the display 53, the transmission is performed in response to the selected request. When the change of the time is requested (step P6), a newly set value code (transmission time) which is simultaneously inputted after the control code "1B_86" for changing (setting) the content of the transmission time is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 10. When the destination is requested to be changed (step P9), a new set value code (destination) input simultaneously with the control code "1B_87" for changing the destination content is sent out (steps P7 and P8). The data is sent to the facsimile machine 10 (steps P10 and P11), and when the transmission stop is requested (step P12), the transmission time and the destination Control code to clear the setting "1
B_88 ”to the facsimile machine 10 (step P
13) When the operation end is selected (step P1
4) The control code "1B_89" indicating the end of the setting is transmitted (step P15), and this processing ends.

<Processing in Facsimile Machine 10>: FIG. 5 When the facsimile machine 10 confirms that the control code received from the PC 50 is "1B_80" for confirming the connection (steps P21 and P22), the connection is OK. The control code "1B_81" is returned to the PC 50 to notify that the connection is normally established (step P23). Then, the connection O
After confirming that the control code "1B_82" for confirming the contents of the communication information has been transmitted from the PC 50 which has confirmed K in step P3 of FIG. 4 (step P25), the RAM
Unfinished with the transmission time and destination reserved for transmission from within 18
The communication information of the end is read, and the control code "1B_8
3 ”, a transmission time set value code, a control code“ 1B_84 ”, a transmission destination set value code, a control code“ 1B_85 ”, an unfinished“ 00 ”and an end“ 01 ”indicating a standby state. Is continuously returned to the PC 50 (step P26).

Thereafter, when the control code "1B_86" for changing the contents of the transmission time is received in response to a request from the PC 50 (step P27), the control code is continuously transmitted after resetting the transmission time in the RAM 18 (step P28). The received set value is stored in the RAM 18, the transmission time reserved for transmission is changed (step P29), and when the control code "1B_87" for changing the contents of the destination is received (step P30), the destination in the RAM 18 is reset. After that (step P31), the set value sent continuously is stored in the RAM 18 to change the destination reserved for transmission (step P32), and when the control code "1B_88" for canceling the reserved transmission is received (step P33). ) Delete the transmission time and destination settings stored in the RAM 18 (step P34),
When the control code "1B_89" indicating the end of the operation has been received (step P35), this processing ends.

Therefore, the user does not need to go to the installation location of the facsimile machine 10 and perform the input operation on the operation panel 12 without using the PC.
By changing the standby information related to the reservation communication of the facsimile apparatus 10 by requesting or canceling (erasing) the information by remote control from the facsimile apparatus 10, the facsimile transmission reservation can be centrally managed by the PC 50. Also, for example, a facsimile machine
If the user wants to use 10 as a printer or the like, it is possible to adjust the time of the reserved transmission and execute data recording and output.

As described above, in this embodiment, the PC 50
To remotely read out and confirm standby information and actual information on reserved transmissions set in the facsimile apparatus 10, change the transmission time and destination, and stop the reserved transmissions Thus, the inconvenience that only information related to facsimile communication cannot be remotely controlled can be solved. For this reason, PC50
Centrally manage the functions of the facsimile machine 10 from
The function can be used effectively without going to the installation location.

[0026]

According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention,
An external data processing device can request transmission, change, or deletion of communication information (standby information and performance information) related to facsimile communication. The communication destination and communication time of facsimile communication that has been reserved, and communication that has already been performed. Achievements can be remotely controlled. Therefore, the inconvenience that information related to facsimile communication cannot be remotely operated even though the data processing device is connected can be solved, and convenience can be improved. As a result, when a scanner function and a printer function are provided as in the fifth aspect of the present invention, facsimile communication as well as these driving conditions can be centrally managed by remote control from the data processing device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a state in which an example of a data processing device is connected to an embodiment of a facsimile device according to the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of each device.

FIG. 2 is an external view of one embodiment and a data processing device.

FIG. 3 is a list showing control codes exchanged between the embodiment and the data processing device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the data processing device side.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the one embodiment side.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Facsimile machine 11 NCU (Facsimile communication means) 12 Operation panel 13 Original setting section 14 Input I / F 15 Output I / F 16 Communication I / F (Data communication means) 17 Display section 18 RAM (Information storage means) 19 ROM 20 CPU (function executing means, information sending means, information changing means, information erasing means) 50 Personal computer (data processing device) C connection cable

Claims (5)

[Claims] Facsimile communication means connected to a communication line for performing facsimile communication with a destination via the communication line; and a facsimile communication means connected between the data processing device and a communication medium via the communication medium. A facsimile apparatus comprising: data communication means for performing data communication; information storage means for storing communication information of standby information waiting for execution of facsimile communication or result information of execution of facsimile communication; and data processing. A facsimile apparatus comprising: an information sending unit that reads communication information from an information storage unit and sends the communication information to the data processing device when a communication information transmission request is received from the device. 2. A facsimile communication means connected to a communication line for performing facsimile communication with a destination via the communication line, and a facsimile communication means connected to the data processing device via a communication medium and the data processing device. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a data communication unit for performing data communication; an information storage unit for storing standby information waiting for execution of facsimile communication; and a request for changing standby information from a data processing device. A facsimile apparatus, further comprising: an information changing means for changing a facsimile communication time in the information storage means. 3. A facsimile communication means connected to a communication line for performing facsimile communication with a destination via the communication line, and a facsimile communication means connected between the data processing device and the data processing device via a communication medium. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a data communication unit for performing data communication; an information storage unit for storing standby information waiting for execution of facsimile communication; and a request for changing standby information from a data processing device. A facsimile apparatus further comprising: an information changing means for changing a facsimile communication destination in the information storage means. 4. A facsimile communication means connected to a communication line for performing facsimile communication with a destination via the communication line, and a facsimile communication means connected to the data processing device via a communication medium and the data processing device. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a data communication unit for performing data communication; an information storage unit for storing standby information waiting for execution of facsimile communication; and a request for canceling standby information from the data processing device. A facsimile apparatus characterized by further comprising an information erasing means for erasing corresponding facsimile communication standby information in the information storage means. 5. An original reading means for reading image information from a transmission original, an image recording means for recording and outputting the image information on recording paper,
Image data read from the document by the document reading means when receiving a request for reading image information from the data processing device, and transmitting image information to the data processing device while receiving a request for recording image information. 5. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function executing means for recording and outputting the image information sent together with said recording request by means.