JP2000101671A - Data processing apparatus, control method thereof, and data processing system control method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: In a data processing device connectable to an information processing terminal, various processes are performed using a function of converting data sent from the information processing terminal into bitmap image data. A PDL data sent from an information processing terminal (1-5) is converted into bitmap image data by a data conversion unit (1-3) and then recorded by a printer unit (1-4), or the data conversion unit (1-3) To the facsimile control unit 1-1 for facsimile transmission, or to the facsimile control unit 1-1 without conversion to bitmap image data by the data conversion unit 1-3. To selectively switch to facsimile transmission.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus connectable to an information processing terminal, a control method therefor, and a data processing apparatus for performing data communication via a communication line and a data processing system having the information processing terminal. It relates to a control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a system in which a host computer and a facsimile machine are connected, it has been proposed to transmit data from the host computer using the facsimile machine.

In a system in which a host computer is connected to a printer, the host computer transfers data represented by a character code or data represented by a page description language to the printer, and the printer transmits the data. Is converted to bitmap image data, so that the data is converted and recorded using the converter.

[0004]

However, the converter is conventionally used only for recording data received from the host computer, and is not used for other purposes. Therefore, for example, when data from a host computer is transmitted to a facsimile apparatus, it is necessary to create data for facsimile transmission on the host computer side and then perform transmission processing.

Further, for example, depending on the destination, there is a case where it is desired to transmit data in an input format without conversion, but conventionally, it was not possible to select the data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to appropriately process data input to a data processing device connectable to an information processing terminal according to a use.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a data processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following arrangement.

That is, communication means for performing data communication via a communication line, connection means for connecting to the information processing terminal, and data sent from the information processing terminal via the connection means are converted into bitmap image data. Conversion means for converting, input means for inputting data, recording means for recording bitmap image data converted by the conversion means, and input means based on an instruction from an information processing terminal connected by the connection means A first processing mode in which the data input in step (b) is converted into bitmap image data by the conversion means and recorded by the recording means, and a second processing mode in which the conversion means converts the data into bitmap image data and transmits the data by the communication means. And control means for performing control in any one of the third processing mode in which the data is transmitted by the communication means without being converted by the conversion means. Having.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of the present system.

The facsimile control unit 1-1 accesses a communication line to manage a communication operation, and exchanges commands, data, and the like with the data conversion unit 1-3 through the I / F unit 1-2. Also, a video I / F to the printer section 1-4 is provided, and the recording operation can be directly controlled.

The I / F section 1-2 includes a facsimile control section 1
-1 and data communicated between the data conversion unit 1-3,
Manage command control.

The data conversion section 1-3 is connected to the information processing terminal 1-
5 and a video I / F (to be described later) to the printer unit 1-4.
Control the recording operation. In addition, an operation of developing character data from the information processing terminal 1-5 into a bitmap image is also performed.

The printer section 1-4 includes a data conversion section 1-3.
And print data that has been image-developed into a bitmap.

The information processing terminal 1-5 is a host such as a personal computer (PC), and has a data conversion unit 1-3.
For example, image data described in a page description language (PDL) is output.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the facsimile control unit.

A CPU 2-1 manages the facsimile controller 1-1.

Reference numeral 2-2 denotes a ROM in which an operation program of the CPU 2-1 is stored.

Reference numeral 2-3 denotes a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 2-1.

2-4 is a MOD for modulating and demodulating communication data.
EM.

Reference numeral 2-5 denotes an NCU for managing a communication line.

Reference numeral 2-6 denotes an image processing section for processing image data obtained by scanning the original with the scanner 2-7.

Reference numeral 2-8 denotes an operation unit for inputting commands from keys and displaying the state of the main body.

Reference numeral 2-9 denotes a line buffer for temporarily storing image data with the I / F section 1-2.

Reference numeral 2-10 denotes an I / O port for managing inputs from a sensor or the like (not shown) and outputs to peripheral parts.

Reference numeral 2-11 denotes a storage memory for storing image data.

Reference numeral 2-12 denotes a resolution conversion processing unit for matching the resolution of the image data processed by the facsimile control unit 11 with the resolution of the image data processed by the data conversion unit 1-3.

Reference numeral 2-13 denotes an image data encoding / decoding processing unit which encodes image data.
13a, a decoding processing unit 2-13b for decoding image data
And line buffer 2-13 for storing image data
c.

Reference numeral 2-14 denotes a video interface (I / F) for exchanging image data with the data conversion section 1-3.
It is.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the I / F 1-2.

In the figure, 3-1 is a command register, 3-2 is a command response register, 3-3 is a response data register, 3-4 is a key data register, 3-
5 is an image data register from the data conversion control unit to the FAX control unit, 3-6 is an image data register from the FAX control unit to the data conversion control unit, and 3-7 is Ready / Emp.
ty output buffer, 3-8 is a bus A control unit, 3-9 is a selector, 3-10 is a bidirectional buffer, 3-11 is a bus B
A control unit, 3-12 is a selector, and 3-13 is a bidirectional buffer.

The register 3-1 stores a plurality of bits of DF / F
F, which passes command data from the data conversion control unit to the FAX control unit.

The register 3-2 stores a plurality of bits of D-
The FAX controller responds to the command from the FAX controller to the data conversion controller.

The register 3-3 stores a plurality of bits of DF / F
F, from the data conversion control unit to the facsimile control unit,
Pass operation unit display data.

The register 3-4 stores a plurality of bits of DF / F
F, from the FAX control unit to the data conversion control unit,
Pass the key input data of the operation unit.

The register 3-5 stores a plurality of bits of DF / F
F, from the data conversion control unit to the facsimile control unit,
Used to download image data that passes image data.

The register 3-6 stores a plurality of bits of DF / F
F, from the FAX control unit to the data conversion control unit,
Used to upload image data that passes image data.

The buffer control unit 3-7 has the register 3
For each of -1 to 3-6, each time the transmitting side writes data, a Ready signal notifying the receiving side that data can be read, and each time the receiving side reads out the written data, new data is transmitted to the transmitting side. Create and output an Empty signal indicating that writing is possible.

The bus A control unit 3-8 corresponds to the FAX in FIG.
A read signal, a write signal, and a predetermined address signal are input from the control unit, and signals c, d, and f for selecting a buffer to be accessed are created.

The selector 3-9 receives command data from the register 3-1, display data from the register 3-3, image data from the register 3-5, status data of each buffer from the register 3-7, and the like. , According to the address input ADD_A.

The bidirectional buffer 3-10 is connected to the data bus of the FAX controller.

The bus B control unit 3-11 is connected to the data conversion control unit in FIG. 1 and operates in the same manner as the bus A control unit 3-8.

The selector 3-12 stores command response data from the register 3-2, key input data from the register 3-4, image data from the register 3-6, and status data of each buffer from the register 3-7. Etc.,
Either one is selected according to the address input ADD_B.

The bidirectional buffer 3-13 is connected to the data bus of the data conversion control unit.

Signal a is input data from the data bus of the facsimile control unit, signal b is output data to the data bus of the facsimile control unit, and signal c is a selection signal for controlling the selector 3-9. , A selection signal of a buffer to be read determined from the address input ADD_A and the bus control signal CNT_A.

At the same time, the buffer controller
Creation of an Empty signal to the AX control unit is performed.

The signal d is a write signal for selecting one of the write operations for the buffers 3-2, -4, and -6. The write to each buffer is performed by this signal, and at the same time, the data conversion control A Ready signal for the unit is created.

The signal e is a Ready signal and an Empty signal of each register for the FAX controller.

The signal f is a signal for controlling the output buffer of the bidirectional buffer 3-10.

Signal g is input data from the data bus of the data conversion control unit, signal h is output data to the data bus of the data conversion control unit, and signal i is selector 3-
12 is a selection signal for controlling the address input ADD_
B is a signal for selecting a buffer to be read, which is determined from B and the bus control signal CNT_B. At the same time, the buffer control unit creates an Empty signal to the data conversion control unit.

The signal j is supplied to the registers 3-1, 3-3 and 3-5.
This is a write signal for selecting which of the write operations is to be performed. At the same time as writing to each buffer is performed using this signal, the buffer controller creates a Ready signal to the FAX controller.

The signal k is a Ready signal and an Empty signal of each register for the data conversion control unit.

The signal 1 is a signal for controlling the output buffer of the bidirectional buffer 3-13.

The data conversion control unit and the FAX control unit exchange data through these buffers as described later.

FIG. 4 shows a data conversion control unit,
-9 Convert the received file data into image data.

In the figure, 4-1 is a CPU for executing the operation control of the conversion control unit and for performing control for converting file data into image data, 4-3 is a ROM for storing character data fonts, and 4-4 is a CPU 4-4. ROM for storing a program for operating -1; and 4-5, an I / F control unit (E
X. Centro, RS232C); 4-7, a memory capable of R / W (ex. DRAM / SRAM); 4-6, a memory controller for controlling access to the memory 4-7;
Reference numeral 8 denotes a video I / F for exchanging control data with the printer unit in FIG. 4, reading image data stored in the memory 4-7, and performing serial transfer control.

FIG. 5 shows a printer section, which prints image data on printing paper.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 5-2 denotes a video I / F for exchanging control data with the data conversion unit shown in FIG. 4 and controlling reception of serially transferred image data. Is a one-chip microcomputer having a built-in ROM, RAM, IO, etc., and performs a printing operation in accordance with control data from the CPU 4-1 for controlling the data conversion unit in FIG.

Reference numeral 5-3 denotes a laser driver which causes a laser diode to emit light and generates a laser beam in accordance with a drive signal sent from the video I / F 5-2.

The laser beam passes through a collimator lens 5-4.
After being converted into parallel light by the scanner, the laser beam reflected from the polyhedral mirror 5-6 incident on the polyhedral mirror 5-6 rotating at a constant speed by the scanner motor 5-5 is reflected by the polyhedral mirror 5-6. Imaging lens 5 arranged before
Focusing is performed on the photosensitive drum 5-9 by -7. When the polygon mirror rotates at a constant speed, the laser beam scans the photosensitive drum at a constant speed. In addition, the beam position detection unit 5-
Numeral 8 detects a beam for each scan and forms a line synchronization signal.

The flow of a simple printing operation will be described below.
First, the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 5-9 is charged by the primary charging roller 5-10, and then the charged portion is scanned with a laser beam to remove the negative charge of the portion irradiated with the laser beam. For the charge that has not been removed, the toner jumps and adheres to the drum surface in the developing unit 5-11. Further, the transfer charging roller 5-12 is
The print paper conveyed by the paper feed control unit 5-14 is positively charged, and the toner on the photosensitive drum 5-9 is transferred to the print paper. The toner transferred to the print sheet is applied to the print sheet by applying heat and pressure in the fixing unit 5-13.

The photosensitive drum 5-9, the primary charging roller 5-1
0, a transfer charging roller 5-12, and a paper feed controller 5-14
Is driven by the main motor 5-15.

The present embodiment has both a function as a printer and a function as a facsimile, and the operation of each function will be described below.

Description of Operation as Printer A summary of the operation when functioning as a printer in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The file data sent from the information processing terminal 1-5 (hereinafter, referred to as a host) such as a personal computer to the data conversion section 1-3 is converted into image data in the data conversion section. It is sent to the printer section 1-4. In the printer section, the image data received from the data conversion section is printed on printing paper.

Next, the exchange between the host and the data converter will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7, and then the exchange between the data converter and the printer will be described.

The exchange between the host and the data converter will be described with reference to FIG. When a data transfer request, that is, a print request is issued from the host to the data conversion unit (6-1),
The data conversion unit sends P_RDY to the facsimile control unit.
The signal is turned off (6-2), and a print request is sent to the printer unit (6-3). If the printer unit responds to the data conversion unit that printing is possible (6-
In 4), the data converter notifies the host that the data transfer request can be accepted (6-5). If there is a response indicating that printing is not possible (6-4), a notification that the data transfer request cannot be accepted is given (6-6), and the exchange between the host and the data conversion unit ends. When the host receives the notification that the data transfer request can be accepted, data transfer is performed between the host and the data converter (6-7). After completing the reception of the data for one page (6-8), the data conversion unit starts processing for expanding the received data into image data (6-6).
9), the development processing to the image data ends (6-1)
0), an image data transfer request is sent to the printer unit (6-11). The data conversion unit receives a response from the printer unit indicating that data transfer is acceptable (6-1).
2), transfer of image data is started (6-13).
The image data is transferred to the printer unit as serial data according to the line synchronization signal. The data conversion unit ends the transfer of the image data for one page (6-14).
And notifies the host of the end of one-page printing (6-
15). If there is a request for data transfer of the next page from the host to the data conversion unit, the process returns to 6-7 (6-16). If there is no request for data transfer of the next page (6-16), the process returns to the printer unit. Notification of completion of data transfer request (6-1)
7) The P_RDY signal is set to O for the facsimile control unit.
N (6-18), and the control of data conversion / transfer is terminated.

Next, the exchange between the data conversion unit and the printer unit will be described with reference to FIG. When there is a print request from the data conversion unit to the printer unit (7-1), the printer unit senses the internal state of the printer unit (7-1).
2). Specifically, the temperature of the fixing roller is detected, and it is determined that printing is possible if the fixing roller is in a predetermined temperature range and there is no other abnormality, and otherwise it is determined that printing is not possible (7-3). ). If printing is possible, the printer unit notifies the data conversion unit that a print request can be accepted (7.
-4). If printing is not possible, a notification that the printing request cannot be received is sent (7-5), and the exchange between the data conversion unit and the printer unit ends. When the printer unit notifies that the print request can be accepted, it waits for a data transfer start request from the data conversion unit (7-6). When there is a data transfer start request to the printer unit, if image data can be received (7-7)
The scanner motor and the main motor are driven to prepare for a printing operation and notify the data conversion unit that image data can be received (7-8). If image data cannot be received (7-7), the data conversion unit is notified that image data cannot be received (7-9), and the exchange between the data conversion unit and the printer unit ends. When the serial image data is transferred from the data conversion unit, the printer unit starts a printing operation (7-10). When the printing operation of one page is completed (7-11), the scanner motor and the main motor are stopped, the printing operation is completed, and the end of the printing operation is notified to the data conversion unit (7-12).

Description of operation as facsimile (at the time of reception) The facsimile reception operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, the outline of the receiving operation in this embodiment will be described. The reception operation includes a reception control unit that receives image data and a reception recording control that records the received image data. The reception control is performed by the facsimile control unit, and the received image data is temporarily stored in the storage memory 2-11 in the facsimile unit 1-1. The reception recording control is performed by sequentially transmitting the received image data from the facsimile unit 1-1 to the data conversion control unit 1-3.
From the data conversion control unit 1-3 to the printer unit 1-
4 to control recording. In the receiving operation according to the present embodiment, the receiving control and the receiving recording control operate asynchronously and independently. For this reason, it is necessary to temporarily store the image data in the storage memory 2-11 in the reception control even in the recording paper reception in which the reception recording control is performed while performing the reception control.

Next, the details of the receiving operation in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reception control in this embodiment. First, in an NCU (network control unit) 2-5 in the facsimile control unit,
A CI (call signal) is detected (S801). If a CI signal is detected, NCU2-
5, the communication line is captured (S802).

After capturing the communication line, first, the F_RDY signal of the I / O port 2-10 in the facsimile control unit, which indicates that the facsimile control unit is in use, is set to 0. Next, a status request of the printer unit is made to the data conversion control unit in order to grasp the use status of the printer unit (S803). The return status from the printer unit is received via the I / F unit, and it is determined whether or not recording paper can be received based on the status (use status of the printer unit, printer unit, error status, and the like) ( S80
4). In the present embodiment, the use status of the printer unit is determined by the P_RDY signal connected between the I / O port 4-2 in the data conversion unit and the I / O port 2-10 in the facsimile control unit, and the printer unit. Is determined based on the return status in which the details of the status of the data control unit and the details of the status of the data control unit are stored.

If recording paper cannot be received due to an error condition such as the printer unit being used or no recording paper, it is determined whether proxy reception is possible (S805). The determination as to whether or not the alternate reception is possible is performed by the storage memory 2-1 of the facsimile unit.
This is performed based on the remaining memory capacity of 1. If the remaining memory capacity is small, proxy reception cannot be performed, so that a reception control process is performed (S813), and the reception control ends.

If recording paper reception or proxy reception is possible, reception control is started (S806).

After the start of the reception control, the communication mode such as the main scanning width, the sub-scanning line density, the communication speed, and the encoding method for communication is set (S807).

The image data in the reception control is transmitted from the communication line via the NCU 2-5 in the facsimile control unit to the MO.
Stored in DEM2-4. The image data at this point is
This is data encoded by the encoding method determined in the communication mode. This image data is stored line by line using a decoding unit 2-13b and a built-in line buffer 2-13c.
The decryption process is performed once. Further, the decoding unit 213 performs an encoding process on the decoded image data stored in the internal line buffer 2-13c using the encoding unit 2-13a in accordance with a predetermined encoding method (S808).
Further, the received image data of one line on which the encoding / decoding process has been performed is stored in a storage memory 2 for storing the image data.
11 (S809).

Next, the end of the reception control for one page is determined (S810), and if not, the flow shifts to step S808 to continue the reception control for one page.

After the reception of one page, the storage memory 2-1
Then, the remaining memory amount is checked (S811), and it is determined whether the next page can be received. If the remaining memory is small, it is determined that the next page cannot be received, and a reception end process is performed (S812), and the reception control ends.

If reception control of the next page is possible, it is determined whether there is a next page (S812). If there is a next page, the process shifts to step S807 to control reception of the next page. When ending the reception control, the reception control is terminated (S813), the communication line is released, and the reception control is terminated. When the reception control is completed, the F_RDY signal of the I / O port 2-10 in the facsimile control unit, which indicates that the facsimile control unit is on standby, is set to 1.

Next, reception recording control for recording the received image data will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reception recording control in this embodiment.

First, the storage state of the received image data in the storage memory 2-11 in the facsimile control unit is monitored to determine whether there is received image data to be recorded (S901). If there is no received image data, monitoring of the storage status of the received image data is continued.

When the received image data to be recorded is stored in the storage memory 2-11, a status request of the printer unit is made to the data conversion control unit in order to grasp the use status of the printing unit ( S902). The return status from the printer unit is received via the I / F unit,
This status stores information such as the use state of the printer unit, the printer unit, and an error state.
Based on the status of the printer unit and the setting status of the PC / FAX switching function, it is determined whether or not recording control of the received image is possible (S903).

Here, the PC / FAX in the present embodiment
The switching function will be described. The PC / FAX switching function includes a printer mode (information processing terminal 1-5) depending on the situation.
) And a facsimile mode (recording from the facsimile control unit 1-1) in accordance with a preset mode.

The PC / FAX switching function according to the present embodiment includes a PC / FAX automatic switching mode (AUTO mode / P
C priority mode / FAX priority mode) and PC / FAX manual switching mode (PC exclusive mode / FAX exclusive mode). These modes are selected in advance.
This is done by setting. PC /
An operation example of each mode of the FAX switching function will be described.
FIG. 10 schematically shows the operation in each mode.

1. PC / FAX automatic switching mode (AUT
O mode) When a recording request is issued from the facsimile control unit or the information processing terminal, if the printer unit is on standby, the recording control is started. If the printer is running,
After the recording control is completed, the mode is automatically switched to the facsimile mode or the printer mode to perform the recording control (FIG.
(See (a)).

2. PC / FAX automatic switching mode (FAX
(Priority mode) When a printing request is issued from the facsimile control unit, if the printer unit is operating in the printer mode, the operation is temporarily stopped between pages, and the printing control is automatically performed by switching to the facsimile mode. . After the printing control in the facsimile mode ends, the mode is automatically switched to the printer mode again, and printing in the printer mode is restarted.

When a printing request is issued from the information processing terminal and the printer unit is operating in the facsimile mode, the printing mode is automatically switched to the printer mode after the end of the facsimile mode printing control to perform the printing control (FIG. 10
(B)).

3. PC / FAX automatic switching mode (PC priority mode) When a printing request is issued from the information processing terminal and the printer unit is operating in the facsimile mode, the operation is temporarily stopped between pages, and the operation is automatically switched to the printer mode. The recording control is performed by switching the recording mode. After the end of the printing control in the printer mode, the mode is automatically switched to the facsimile mode again, and the printing in the facsimile mode is restarted.

If a printing request is issued from the facsimile control unit and the printer unit is operating in the printer mode, the printing mode is automatically switched to the facsimile mode after the printing control in the printer mode is completed, and the printing control is performed (FIG. 10). 10
(C)).

4. PC / FAX manual switching mode (FAX
Occupied mode) Only when there is a recording request from the facsimile controller,
The printer unit controls recording. When there is a recording request from the information processing terminal, the recording control is not performed, and the information processing terminal is informed that the printer unit cannot operate in the printer mode (see FIG. 10D). .

[0092] 5. PC / FAX manual switching mode (PC exclusive mode) The printer unit performs recording control only when there is a recording request from the information processing terminal.

When there is a recording request from the facsimile control unit, recording control is not performed, the facsimile control unit is informed that the printer unit cannot operate in the facsimile mode, and proxy reception is performed. (FIG. 10
(E)).

In the following description, the reception recording control
The description will be made on the assumption that the PC / FAX automatic switching mode (AUTO mode) is selected and set in advance.

If it is determined in step S903 that the printer unit is not in the standby state based on the return status from the printer unit, it is determined whether the printer unit is in an error state (S90).
4). The error state of the printer unit is a state in which the printer unit cannot perform recording control such as a recording paper out state or a recording paper jam state. If the printer is in an error state,
It is determined that the reception record control cannot be performed, and a substitute reception flag indicating that the apparatus is in the substitute reception state is set (S917), and the reception record control ends.

If the printer unit is not in an error state, it is determined that the printer unit is in use in the printer mode, and the PC / FAX switching control set in advance can perform recording based on facsimile reception in the automatic switching mode or the like. It is determined whether or not the current mode is set (S905). In the case of the manual switching mode (PC mode), it is determined that the reception and recording control cannot be performed, the proxy reception flag is set (S917), and the reception and recording control ends.

If recording based on facsimile reception in the automatic switching mode or the like is possible, the flow shifts to step S902, where a status request for the printer unit is made again, and the process waits until the printer unit enters a standby state (facsimile mode).

If the printer is in the standby state, the reception / recording control is started (S906). When starting the reception recording control, first, the reception recording mode is set. The setting of the reception recording mode refers to the size of the received image
Various settings for performing a reduction ratio, resolution conversion, and the like of a received image are performed based on information such as resolution and information such as recording paper size and resolution of the printer unit.

First, in the reception control, the storage memory 2-1
The CPU 2-1 transfers the received image data in the
Is used to perform a decoding process (S908). Reduction processing (S909) and resolution conversion processing (S910) are performed on the decoded reception image data so as to meet the reduction ratio and resolution set in the reception recording mode setting. In the present embodiment, the reduction process and the resolution conversion process are performed simultaneously by the resolution conversion processing unit 2-12.

The received image data of one line on which these processes have been performed is transferred sequentially (S912) after confirming the empty state of the line buffer 2-9 (S911). It is assumed that the received image data stored in the line buffer 2-9 is sequentially extracted from the data conversion processing unit via the I / F unit.

Next, it is determined whether the transfer of the received image data for one page has been completed (S913), and if not completed, the process proceeds to step S908 to continue the transfer control of the received image data. .

After the reception and recording control for one page, the memory release processing of the received image data stored in the storage memory 2-11 and for which the reception and recording control has been completed is performed (S914).

It is determined whether there is received image data of the next page (S915). If there is a next page, step S90 is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to step S2, and the reception and recording control of the next page is performed. If there is no next page, the reception recording control is terminated (S91).
6) is performed, and the reception and recording control ends.

Description of Operation for Facsimilely Transmitting PC Data Under Control from PC Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, an information processing terminal (hereinafter, PC) such as PC1-5 in FIG. Conversion control unit 1-
3 (hereinafter, data conversion unit) and FAX control unit 1-1 (hereinafter, F
Data exchange with AX) will be described.

Here, since the exchange of commands between the PC and the data conversion unit is based on the page description language, the data conversion unit uses a command suitable for FAX when outputting to a FAX via a command from the PC. Convert and put out.

First, when the PC transmits [File data] (information data of image data and TEL number) on the PC using FAX (C001), the PC converts the data (as character data from the PC). A [transmission request command] is issued to the unit as one command in the page description language (PDL) system.

When the post script is adopted, for example, by sending “FAX PAGE”, the memory 4
The bitmap image data developed on -7 may be transmitted by facsimile. [Send request command]
Is detected by the data conversion unit (C002), the data conversion unit confirms that the fax can be transmitted by the [FAX_RDY] status from the fax (C002).
003).

Here, when the FAX is [NOT_RDY], the transmission operation is disabled, so that the PC is notified that the FAX transmission operation is disabled (C007), and the operation ends.

When [FAX_RDY] is set in C003, the FAX is instructed to enter the transmission mode (C00
4) Further, the PC is notified of the transmission permission (C006).

Next, the data converter receives the information data such as the TEL number, abbreviation, confidentiality, broadcast, and relay from the PC and the image data (PDL) separately for transmission (C008). For example, the information data is transferred as an operand using [transmission request command] as an operator. When one page of image data has been transferred following the information data (C009), the data conversion unit converts the PC character data into FAX image data (raw data) (C010) (for example, 300 DPI).

Further, when the conversion of the image data is completed for one page (C011), the data converter once disconnects the PC and starts handshaking with the FAX.

A transmission request command (TE
(Including information data such as L numbers) (C012), and further instructs page attributes (size, resolution) (C0).
14).

Next, the data conversion unit transfers the raw image data (300 DPI) converted in C010 to FAX. At this time, the FAX converts the raw data received via the I / F unit 3-5 in FIG. 3 into FAX code data line by line in the encoding unit 2-13A in FIG. Is stored in the storage memory 2-11 (C016).

Here, when the code of one page and the accumulation are completed (C017), the data conversion unit notifies the PC that the image data of one page is stored in the facsimile (C0).
18).

If the image data from the PC is a multi-page (C019), the process returns to C006, and the PC data is transferred in the same manner. In the case of page end in C019, the data conversion unit notifies the FAX of the end by a command and leaves the subsequent transmission operation to temporarily end the handshake (C022).

In C021, the facsimile is sent to NCU2-5 in FIG.
And calls the partner station according to the TEL number from the previous PC.

Next, the FAX controls the MODEM 2-4 in FIG. 2 to start transmission control (protocol). (C02
2) Based on the response from the other party (C023), the encoding mode, resolution, size, etc. are confirmed, and the image data is converted according to the format of the other party (C024).

In particular, it is good when the resolution of the recording unit of the other party is the same as that of the data conversion unit, but when it is different, it is necessary to perform conversion processing in accordance with the resolution of the other party (for example, 30
0 DPI to 200/400 DPI).

When the resolution of the other party is other than 300 DPI, the data is converted into raw data by the decoding unit 2-13B of FIG. 2 and further converted by the resolution conversion unit 2-12 of FIG. 2 according to the other party ( For example, 200/400 DPI).

Thereafter, the encoding unit 2-13A of FIG. 2 similarly converts the image data again according to the encoding mode and size of the other party, and transfers the image data to the modem 2-4 line by line (C
025).

The FAX controls the modem to start transmission (C026).

When the transmission is completed (C027), the PC is notified of this (C028), and the above-described PC_FAX transmission processing is terminated.

Description of Operation as Copying Machine The copying operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The operator sets an original on the scanner unit 2-7 and instructs a copy operation by operating a key on the operation unit 2-8 (S1401). Facsimile control unit 1
In response to this, the printer unit 1-4 checks whether the printer unit 1-4 can be used (S1402).
If is available, the process is continued; otherwise, the process returns to the initial state. Next, the facsimile control unit 1-
1 displays on the LCD the operator instructs the number of copies. If the number instruction has not been issued within a certain period of time, the operation returns to the initial state, and if the number instruction has been issued, the reading operation is started. The reading operation is performed as follows.

(A) In synchronization with scanning of the original in the sub-scanning direction,
Scanning and reading of one line.

(B) After binarizing the read data,
A process in which the data is converted into code data by the code decoding unit 2-13 and stored in the storage memory 2-11. The above processes (A) and (B) are alternately repeated until one page is read (S1).
408). When the reading of one page of the document is completed,
The facsimile control unit 1-1 sends a data print request signal to the data conversion unit 1-3, and when this request is accepted, transfers information such as the resolution / size / number of prints of the transfer image to the data conversion unit 1-3. (S1411), the image data stored in the storage memory 2-11 is read out, decoded by the code decoder 2-13, and converted into raw data.
The data is stored in the line buffer 2-9, if necessary, is subjected to resolution conversion, and is transferred to the data conversion unit 1-3 through the I / F unit 1-2 (S1413). When the transfer of one page of data is completed, the data conversion unit 1-3 activates the printer unit 1-4 to print an image. If the image is not output normally, the image printing process is performed again. When the printing is completed normally, the image file in the storage memory 2-11 is deleted.
Returning to the reading and storing process (S1407), a series of processes is repeated.

When an instruction to copy after all pages are stored, when controlling the printing order of a plurality of pages of a document, or when printing a plurality of copies, the printing of the same page is not performed continuously, but in the order of the pages. When printing a plurality of copies, image data for all pages is temporarily stored in a memory and then printed. The processing at this time will be described below.

Normally, the image data of the first page is developed in the memory 4-7. However, reading / writing of all pages is performed by the setting of the facsimile control unit 1-1 or the instruction of the information terminal 1-5.
When an instruction to print after storing in memory is given, or
When it is instructed to control the printing order and when the operator instructs a plurality of pages of the document, the image data of all pages is stored in the storage memory 2-11. After reading / accumulation of all pages is completed, if necessary, the printing order is controlled and printed out.

When the operator does not give an instruction for a document of a plurality of pages, it is determined that the document is a single document, and the control of the printing order is not performed.

Description of operation as facsimile (at the time of original transmission) An outline of the operation of original transmission in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 showing a facsimile control unit. The CPU of the facsimile control unit 2-1 reads a document from the scanner 2-7 in accordance with an instruction input from the operation unit 2-8. The read document information is subjected to processes such as image processing, resolution conversion, encoding, decoding, modulation, and recording as needed under the control of the CPU 2-1. Sent.

Next, an example of operation control in this embodiment is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, in the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that only the operation of document transmission is performed, and the operation in other situations will be referred to other examples. When there is a document transmission request to the CPU (15-1), the F_RDY signal is set to O.
Then, the internal state in the facsimile control unit is sensed to determine whether the original can be transmitted (15-2). If the original can be transmitted (15-3), the transmission mode specified by the original transmission request is set. If the original cannot be transmitted, error message processing corresponding to the cause is performed (15-).
4), the document transmission control ends. After setting the transmission mode, the scanner reads an image of one line and converts it into an electric signal (15-5). Next, the electric signal is converted into image data in the image processing unit (15-6),
It is encoded by an encoder according to a predetermined encoding method (15-7) and stored in a storage memory (1).
5-8). The above processing is repeated for each line (15-9). After the processing is performed up to the last line, the communication control processing is started (15-10). The CPU connected to the called device by the communication control process sets the communication mode (15-11). Next, the CPU decodes the encoded data in the storage memory for one line (15-12), and converts the decoded data to the required resolution in the resolution converter (15-13). The resolution-converted data is encoded by the encoder according to the required encoding method (15-14). This encoded data is
The signal is modulated by the DEM (15-15) and transmitted to the line via the NCU (15-16). The above processing is repeatedly performed on the image data to be transmitted (15-17). After transmitting all the image data (15-17) and ending the communication control processing (15-18), the F_RDY signal is turned ON (15-19), and the original transmission control is ended.

Scanner data is controlled by PC
Description of Operation for Storing / FAX Transmission to PC Referring to FIGS. 16, 17, 18, and 19, an information processing terminal (hereinafter, PC) such as a PC, a data conversion control unit (hereinafter, data conversion unit), and a FAX Data exchange with a control unit (hereinafter, FAX) will be described.

Here, since the exchange of commands between the PC and the data conversion unit is based on the page description language, the data conversion unit uses a command suitable for FAX when outputting to a FAX via a command from the PC. Convert and put out. First, an original is set on a scanner by a remote operation from a PC, and the read image data is stored in the PC via a facsimile and data conversion unit. (2) FAX sends directly. The operation of the embodiment will be described.

After confirming that a document has been set on the scanner, a command is issued from the PC based on the page description language to instruct each operation (F001). The data conversion unit checks whether a command based on the page description language is received from the PC (F002). When a command from the PC is detected (F002), (1) FAX, stored in the PC via the data conversion unit (2) FAX direct transmission, etc.
If identified, proceed to the next operation. First, the data converter
Since the command instruction uses the scanner, the status of the scanner (FAX) is checked (F003).
If so, the commands of the contents (1) and (2) are issued to the facsimile.

Here, the command from the PC is analyzed (F004), and if the command is a command representing the contents of the above (1), a [read data PC storage command] is issued (F005). If the command represents the content of (2), a [read data FAX transmission command] is issued (F006).

(1) When the [read data PC storage command] is issued in F005, the status of the fax is set to N
If it is OT_RDY (F007), the FAX cannot perform the reading operation, so the PC is notified of the fact, and the flow ends here.

FAX receives the command in F005,
Confirm [OK] from the scanner (F007), and start reading image data (F008). The FAX encodes raw data from the scanner into an MR or the like in the encoding unit 2-13A of FIG. 2 and stores the encoded data in the memory 2-11 line by line (F
009). When one page has been stored in FAX (F
010) The FAX notifies the data conversion unit that the image data for one page has been stored in the FAX memory by status (F011). The data converter receives this and issues an image data transfer command to the FAX (F012). If it is OK (F013), the FAX instructs the data conversion unit to specify the page attribute of the image data (size / DPI) (F013).
4) If OK (F015), transfer of scanner data is started (F016).

Here, FAX is converted into a data format compatible with the data conversion unit (EX. Raw data, 300DP
I, size, etc.). Therefore, the facsimile decodes the image data stored in the storage memory 2-11 of FIG. 2 one line at a time, and then converts the image data into a resolution suitable for the data conversion unit by the resolution conversion unit 2-12. It is necessary to transfer in the state of. When the transfer of one page is completed and stored in the memory 4-7 in FIG. 4 (F01
7), the data conversion unit notifies the PC that the scanner data can be transferred (F018). If the PC is [RDY] (F019), the data conversion unit starts transferring the scanner data (F020). When the transfer of one page is completed (F021), the data conversion unit checks whether there is a next page in the FAX (F022), and if not, notifies the PC of the end (F023). If there is a next page, the process returns to F008 and the same processing as described above is performed.

(2) [Read data FAX
Transmission command] (including information data such as a TEL number), the status of the fax is NOT_R.
If it is DY (F024), the FAX cannot perform the reading operation, and notifies the PC that the command cannot be accepted, and ends the flow.

After receiving the command in F006, the FAX
When [OK] is confirmed from the scanner (F024), reading of image data is started (F025). The FAX encodes raw data from the scanner into an MR or the like in the encoding unit 2-13 in FIG. 2 and stores the encoded data in the memory 2-11 line by line (F
026). When one page has been stored in FAX (F
027) The FAX activates the NCU 2-5 of FIG. 2 and calls the partner station according to the TEL number from the previous PC (F0).
28). Next, the FAX controls the MODEM 2-4 in FIG. 2 to start transmission control (protocol). (F029),
According to the response from the other party (F030), the encoding mode,
After confirming the resolution and size, the image data is converted according to the format of the other party (F031).

In particular, when the resolution of the recording unit of the other party is the same as that of the scanner, it is good. However, when the resolution is different, conversion processing according to the resolution of the other party is necessary.
PI ...> 200/400 DPI).

When the resolution of the other party is other than 300 DPI, the data is again converted into raw data by the decoding unit 2-13B in FIG. 2 and further converted by the resolution conversion unit 2-12 in FIG. (EX. 200/400 DPI). afterwards,
Similarly, the encoding unit 2-13A in FIG. 2 converts the image data again according to the encoding mode and size of the other party, and transfers the image data to the modem 2-4 line by line (F032).

Then, the FAX starts transmission by controlling the modem (F033).
4) Notify the PC to that effect (F035) and terminate the above processing.

Description of Operation for Uploading Received Facsimile or Data Obtained by Data Communication to PC Operation for Transferring Facsimile Received Image of the Embodiment to Information Processing Terminal According to Flowcharts in FIGS. 20 and 21 Will be described.

First, the outline of the PC transfer receiving operation in this embodiment will be described. The PC transfer reception operation includes a reception control unit for receiving image data, and a reception image transfer / recording control for transferring the received image data to the information processing terminal 1-5 or recording the received image data in the printer unit 1-4. is there. Reception control is performed by a facsimile control unit,
The received image data is temporarily sent to the facsimile unit 1-1.
In the storage memory 2-11. The received image transfer / recording control transmits the received image data to the information processing terminal 1-5.
It is determined whether the data is transferred to the printer unit 1-4 or the reception / recording control is performed by the printer unit 1-4.

Next, the details of the PC transfer receiving operation in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reception control in this embodiment. After the start of the receiving operation (S2001), the output destination of the received image is set (S2001).
2002). The output destination of the received image in the present embodiment is:
A printer unit or an information processing terminal, according to a predetermined recording / transfer switching mode for a received image,
Is to be determined.

Here, the received image recording / transfer switching function in this embodiment will be described. The reception image recording / transfer switching function is to select an output destination of a reception image from a printer unit, an information processing terminal, or the like, and output the reception image data. In the present embodiment, the reception output mode for determining the output destination is selected and set in advance from the following three modes, and the reception control is performed. 1. 1. Reception recording mode: output to printer unit 2. PC transfer mode: output to information processing terminal Reception record / PC transfer mode: After output to printer
Output to information processing terminal

Further, the recipient is limited by the recipient information (information such as the recipient's telephone number and abbreviation) at the time of reception, and the designated recipient, which is a predetermined recipient, and other non-designated recipients are specified. Different destinations can be set at the destination.

After the start of reception, reception destination information (destination telephone number, abbreviated name, etc.) is set from a reception command signal (DCS, etc.) (S2003). It is determined from the recipient information whether or not the recipient is a preset designated recipient (S2004). If the destination is a designated destination, a designated destination reception flag is set (S20).
05) In the case of a non-designated destination, the designated destination reception flag is reset.

Next, it is determined whether the reception output mode is the reception recording mode (S2006). If the reception output mode is the reception recording mode, a reception recording start flag is set (S200).
7). Here, the reception output mode is independently selected for the designated destination and the non-designated destination, and the current reception output mode is determined by the designated destination reception flag set in step S2005. It is. The reception record / PC transfer mode is the same as the reception record mode and P
It has two types of C transfer mode.

Further, it is determined whether or not the reception output mode is the PC transfer mode (S2008). If the PC is in the PC transfer mode, a PC transfer start flag is set (S20).
09).

After completion of the setting of each reception output mode, reception control of one page is performed (S2010). The received images are sequentially stored in a storage memory 2-3 by a coding unit 2-13 a and a decoding unit 2-13 b in a predetermined coding method.
11 is stored.

After completion of the reception control for one page, it is determined whether or not there is a next page (S2011). If there is a next page, the flow shifts to step S2010 to control the reception of the next page. If there is no next page, a reception end process is performed (S2).
012), the reception control ends.

Next, the received image transfer / recording control for transferring the received image data to the information processing terminal 1-5 or recording the received image data in the printer unit 1-4 will be described.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the received image transfer / recording control in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the recording control of the received image starts automatically after the reception control of the first page is completed. In addition, the received image transfer control
After the reception control ends, the operation automatically starts after the reception recording control ends.

First, whether or not the reception output mode is the reception recording mode is determined based on the recording start flag (S2101). When the reception output mode is not the reception recording mode, the reception recording control is not performed.

If the mode is the reception recording mode, a status request of the printer unit is made via the data conversion unit, and it is determined whether the printer unit can start recording control (S210).
2). If the recording control cannot be started, it is determined whether or not the printer unit is in an error state such as a recording paper empty state or a recording paper jam state (S2103). In the case of an error state, it is determined that the reception recording control cannot be performed,
The recording end flag is reset (S2104), and the recording control ends. If the printer unit is not in an error state, it is determined that the printer unit is currently in use, and step S21 is performed.
02, and waits until the printer unit is in a standby state.

If the recording control can be started, the image data is transferred line by line to the printer unit via the data conversion unit (S2105). Next, it is determined whether or not the one-page reception / recording control has been completed. If not, the process shifts to step S2105 to continue the one-page reception / recording control.

After the reception and recording control of one page is completed, it is determined whether or not the image data is to be transferred to the information processing terminal, based on the PC transfer start flag (S2107). If the PC transfer flag has not been set, there is no need to perform PC transfer control, so the received image memory for one page for which the reception and recording control has been stored and stored in the storage memory 2-11 is released (S2108). ).

Next, it is determined whether there is a next page (S210).
9) If there is a next page, the flow shifts to step S2102 to control the reception and recording of the next page. If there is no next page, it is determined that the reception and recording control has been completed, and a recording end flag is set.

Next, whether or not the reception output mode is the PC transfer mode is determined based on the PC transfer start flag (S2111). If the reception output mode is not the PC transfer mode, the PC transfer control ends.

When transmitting the received image data to the information processing terminal, first, in order to notify the information processing terminal that the reception has been completed, a PC transfer start request is transmitted via the data conversion unit to the information processing terminal. (S211)
2). After sending the PC transfer start request, it is determined whether or not a PC transfer start command indicating completion of PC transfer preparation of the information processing terminal has been transmitted from the information processing terminal via the data conversion unit (S2113). The monitoring of the PC transfer start command is performed within a predetermined PC transfer start time. If there is no PC transfer start command within this time, it is determined that the control by the information processing terminal is not performed, and the received image transfer control ends (S2114).

After receiving the PC transfer start command, the received image data is transferred line by line to the information processing terminal via the I / F unit and the data conversion unit (S2115).

Next, it is determined whether or not the one-page received image transfer control has been completed (S2116). If not completed, the flow shifts to step S2115 to continue the one-page received image transfer control.

After the transfer control of the received image of one page is completed, the setting state of the recording end flag set in the reception recording control is determined (S2117). If the recording end flag is set, it is determined that the received image recording control and the end of the received image transfer have been completed, and the received image memory for one page stored in the accumulation memory 2-11 is released (S21).
18). If the recording end flag is reset,
It is determined that the received image recording control has not been completed, and the memory release control is not performed.

Next, it is determined whether there is a next page (S211).
9) If there is a next page, the flow shifts to step S2113 to continue the received image transfer control. If there is no next page, the transfer / recording control of the received image ends.

Description of Outputting FAX Report The output operation of a received image of character data and the output operation of a FAX report according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, an outline of the operation of outputting a received image of character data and outputting a FAX report in the present embodiment will be described.

The received image of character data is ASC
This is a received image composed of character data such as an II code, and is used for data communication such as personal computer communication.

FAX Report is Facsimile Unit 1-1
This is a report in which various types of management data such as various setting data and communication records stored in the RAM 2-3 are read out, and necessary information is configured according to a predetermined format. The facsimile report is developed into a predetermined character code in a character code buffer provided in a part of the RAM 2-3 in the facsimile unit 1-1 and is created to be an image of character data.

In the present embodiment, the output control of the received image of the character data and the output control of the FAX report are performed by selecting the output mode from the following three types of character image output modes and performing the output control.

Mode 1 Based on the font data stored in the ROM 2-2 in the facsimile unit 1-1, the built-in line buffer 2-13c in the encoding / decoding unit 2-13 in the facsimile unit 1-1
After being developed into a bit pattern, the encoding / decoding unit 2-1
3 using the encoding unit 2-13b, the data is converted into encoded data in exactly the same format as the received image data, and stored in the storage memory 2-11 in the facsimile unit 1-1.

If the font data is composed of 24 dots in the sub-scanning direction, the main encoding operation is performed 24 times for one line of the character code, and the encoding process for blanks between lines is executed for several lines. I do. The actual printing process by the printer after the process of the last line is completed is the same as the above-described receiving operation.

The conversion operation of the character data / image data in the facsimile control unit of the present system is the same as that performed in a normal single-function LBP facsimile apparatus.

Mode 2 The character code data set for the character code characters provided in a part of the RAM 2-3 is transferred to the data conversion unit as it is via the I / F unit 1-2. After being developed into a bit pattern by 1-3, it is recorded by the printer unit 1-4. In this case, the data conversion unit 1
-3, the same control code (command) as the printer control language used for print output from the information processing terminal 1-5 is added to the character code data. Thus, it is possible to perform fine print control such as character size, typeface, line pitch, and spacing.

[0178] Also, a composite report of a character and an image, such as a so-called non-delivery notice, can be easily realized by a graphic command.

Mode 3 The character code data set in the character code line buffer via the I / F unit 1-2 is transferred as it is to the data conversion unit. 5
Transfer to. In this case, the received image and the fax report are not output as a hard copy,
It is only displayed on the screen by the processing of the application software of the information processing terminal 1-5.

Note that, depending on the control of the application software of the information processing terminal 1-5, it is also possible to output once on the screen and then on the printer unit.

Note that the setting of the character image output mode in this embodiment is different for the reception image output and the FAX report output.

In the received image of character data, a character output mode is set in advance for each designated destination, and output control is performed. In the FAX report, the output mode is set by the facsimile control unit 1-1 or the information processing terminal 1-4 at the start of output, and output control is performed.

Next, the operation of outputting a received image of character data and outputting a FAX report in this embodiment will be described in detail.

First, it is determined whether or not the image data to be output-controlled is character-mode received image data or FAX report image data (S2201).

If the output is in the character mode, it is determined whether the image data is a received image or a facsimile report (S2202). If the received image is a received image, a received data output request is sent to the data conversion unit in accordance with the character image output mode (S2203). FAX
If it is a report, a report output mode setting request is sent to the information processing terminal via the data conversion unit to determine the output mode of the character image output mode (S2204).

Next, it is determined whether character image output control can be started (S2205). The method of determining whether output can be started differs depending on the character image data output mode, and information necessary for each mode is selected from information such as the usage status of the printer unit and the usage status of the information processing terminal, and the determination is performed. .

If the character image output control cannot be performed, it is determined whether to stop the output (S220).
6). The term “output stop” means that in a situation where the printer unit is in an error state or the information processing terminal is not connected, it is determined that output is impossible and the output process is stopped.

Next, the mode is determined according to the selection status of the character image output mode (S2207).

If the character image output mode is mode 1, CG expansion is performed in order for the facsimile control unit to convert the character image data into image image data (S2208). The CG expansion in the facsimile control unit expands the character image data into a bit pattern in the built-in line buffer 2-13c in the encoding / decoding unit 2-13 using the font data stored in the ROM 2-2, and converts it into image data. It is done by doing. After converting the image data into image data, the encoding unit 2-13b in the encoding / decoding unit 2-13 performs encoding processing according to a predetermined encoding method, and stores the encoded data in the storage memory 2-11.

After the end of the CG development control, the data converter is controlled to transfer image data (S2209). The transfer control of the image data is performed by first storing the image memory converted from the storage memory into the image data by the CPU 2 for each line.
-1 is decoded, the resolution is further converted by the resolution converter 2-12, and the result is stored in the line buffer 2-9. After the image data is stored in the line buffer, the character image data converted into the image data is transferred to the data conversion unit via the I / F unit, and recording control is started in the printer unit (S2210).

When the character image output mode is mode 2, transfer of the character image data to the data conversion unit is controlled so that the data conversion unit converts the character image data into image data (S2211). The transfer control directly transfers the character image data stored in the storage memory 2-11 to the data conversion unit via the I / F unit 1-2.

After the character image data is transferred to the data converter, the character data is transferred to the font RO in the data converter.
CG development is performed using M4-3 (S2212), and converted into image data. In this case, font ROM4
-3 is used, but by adding the same control code (command) to the character code data as the printer control language used for printing output from the information processing terminal, size·
It is possible to perform fine print control such as font, line pitch, and spacing.

After the data conversion unit converts the image data into image data, the printer unit starts recording control.

When the character image output mode is mode 3, character image data stored in the storage memory 2-11 is transferred to the information processing terminal without converting the character image into image data. ,
The transfer control for transferring the data to the data conversion unit as it is is performed (S2).
214). Further, the character image data is directly transferred to the information processing terminal (S2215). In this case, the character image data is processed by processing of application software of the information processing terminal.

After the output control of the character image data is completed,
Output control end processing is performed (S2216), and the output control ends.

Description of Operation for Instructing Control Using Operation Unit The operation unit of the apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided in the operation unit 2-8 in the facsimile control unit 1-1.
It operates the data conversion section 1-3 and the facsimile control section. Therefore, the operation unit is the facsimile control unit 1
-1 will be managed. However, the operation unit is not dedicated to the facsimile control unit 1-1, and is also used for operating the data conversion unit 1-3 depending on the operation of the apparatus. For this reason, the control of the operation unit in the present embodiment is performed by automatically switching the following control according to the operation of the apparatus.

Control 1. The operation unit is occupied by the facsimile control unit and control is performed. Control 2. The operation unit is occupied by the data conversion unit and control is performed.
In this case, the operation unit in the facsimile control unit connects the data conversion unit via the I / F unit, and directly controls the data conversion unit without processing the data in the facsimile control unit. Control 3. The state of the data conversion unit is monitored by the facsimile control unit and controlled. In this case, information such as the use state of the data conversion unit is monitored by the facsimile control unit via the I / F unit, the state of the data conversion unit is processed in the facsimile control unit, and the operation unit is controlled by the facsimile control unit. .

Next, the configuration of the operation unit in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 23-1 denotes a numeric keypad used for dial call control and various registration controls in the facsimile control unit.

Reference numeral 23-2 denotes a key for performing abbreviated dial control, redial control, and tone switching control in the facsimile control unit.

Reference numeral 23-3 denotes a printer key dedicated to the data conversion unit used for various settings of recording control in the data conversion unit, online / offline control, and the like.

Reference numeral 23-4 denotes a key for performing control such as start and stop of various operations and copy control.

Reference numeral 23-5 is a one-touch key for performing one-touch dialing.

23-6 is an L for displaying various information.
It is a CD display unit. This display is controlled by the facsimile controller, but depending on the operation,
The data from the data converter is displayed.

Reference numeral 23-7 denotes an LED control unit which indicates various states. In the present embodiment, the printer key is valid only in the printer mode, and is invalid in other modes. Conversely, in the print mode, keys other than the printer key are not accepted.

[0206] The usage of the operation unit in various operations in the present embodiment will be described below.

First, the mode switching LED control section 23-7a in the LED control section 23-7 will be described. The mode switching is to select three types of operation modes of the present apparatus, that is, facsimile, printer, and scanner. The mode switching LED control unit 23-7a turns on the LED at the position corresponding to the selected mode, and switches cyclically by pressing the mode switching key. In the case of performing control for automatically switching modes such as PC / FAX automatic switching in the above-described reception control, the mode LED corresponding to the currently executed mode is blinked.

Next, the printer key 23-3 will be described. The printer key 23-2 is a key dedicated to the data conversion unit, and is valid only when the printer LED in the mode switching LED control unit 23-7a is turned on. When the printer LED is not lit, the operation unit is controlled by the facsimile control unit, and therefore, even if the printer key 23-2 is pressed, it is ignored.

Next, the LCD display section 23-6 will be described. The LCD display unit 23-6 converts input data into display characters according to predetermined character information and performs display. In the present embodiment, the character input data includes input data from the facsimile control unit and input data input from the data conversion unit via the I / F unit, and these are the mode switching LED control unit 23-7a.
The display control is performed by determining which input data is to be displayed on the LCD display unit 23-6 by making a determination based on the lighting state of the LED.

Next, the LCD display unit 23 in various operations will be described.
-6 and LED of mode switching LED control section 23-7a
Will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 24A shows a standby state in the facsimile mode, and the input data on this display screen is created in the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 24 (b) shows a standby state in the printer mode. The input data on this display screen is created in the data converter.

FIG. 24C shows a standby state in the scanner mode. Since the scanner is in the facsimile control unit, this display screen is created by the facsimile control unit.

FIG. 24D shows a display state in a case where original transmission control is performed in the facsimile mode.

FIG. 24E shows a display state in a case where print control is performed from the information processing terminal in the printer mode.

FIG. 24F shows a display state when the scanner reading control is performed in the scanner mode.

FIG. 24 (g) shows the FAX in the reception control.
This shows a display state when print control is being performed from the information processing terminal when PC / FAX automatic switching control in the priority mode is being performed. In this case, the printer LE
D is blinking, the display screen is a facsimile control unit, which monitors the state of the data conversion unit and displays appropriate information on the LCD.
Is displayed on the screen. In this case, it is assumed that the facsimile mode is set in the standby state.

FIG. 24 (h) shows a display state in the case where the facsimile control section is performing the reception control when the PC / FAX automatic switching control in the PC priority mode in the reception control is being performed. In this case, facsimile LED
Is blinking, the display screen is not a data conversion part,
The facsimile control unit displays appropriate information on the LCD. In this case, it is assumed that the printer mode is set in the standby state.

FIG. 30 is a control flow when the data conversion control unit transmits a command.

J051: The corresponding Empty signal is checked in order to confirm the availability of the command transmission buffer. If not, wait.

J052: The corresponding Ready signal is checked to check the status of the command response buffer.
If not, wait.

In a single task system, the above two steps are not necessary. However, in the case of operating in a multitask, it is necessary because another task may be transmitting and receiving a command.

J053: Write the target command to the transmission buffer.

J054: Wait for command response data to be written to the reception buffer.

J055: Read command response data.

FIG. 31 is a command response flow of the FAX controller. This flow is generated by R
It is activated by interrupt processing due to a change in the ready signal, or by monitoring this signal periodically.

J061: Read command data from the command reception buffer.

J062: Perform processing corresponding to the command.

J063: Emp of command response buffer
Check the ty signal. If it is not empty, J065
Proceed to.

J064: Returns normal command response data.

J065: It is assumed that there is some abnormality in command transmission / reception, and the contents of the command response buffer are rewritten to data representing an error.

(1) Command / Command Response In order to perform a cooperative operation between the data conversion control unit and the facsimile control unit, it is necessary to exchange a control command and its response between them.

The transfer of a command always starts when the data conversion control unit first writes data according to a predetermined format into the command buffer, and the FAX control unit receives the command data every time the single command data is received. One corresponding command response data is returned.

Therefore, the command and the command response always correspond one-to-one.

(2) Transfer of Key Input Data / Display Data of Operation Unit The operation unit is managed by the FAX control unit. However, depending on the operation of the device, it is necessary to perform key input or display required by the data conversion control unit.

Therefore, each key of the operation unit is
It is divided into one dedicated to the X control unit and one dedicated to the data conversion control unit. The FAX control unit writes the data into the key input buffer only when a key for the data conversion control unit is input, and controls the data conversion. Hand over to the department.

On the other hand, display data to be displayed by the data conversion control unit is passed to the FAX control unit through the display data buffer. This data is always stored in a virtual display buffer prepared in the memory of the FAX control unit. Another virtual display buffer is also prepared for the FAX control unit, and the display on the actual operation unit can be selectively performed using one of the two virtual display buffers by a display switching key provided on the operation unit. Display the contents of

Note that the key data buffer and the display data buffer do not require one-to-one correspondence such as the command and command response, and operate independently.

(3) Transfer of Image Data Image data is exchanged between the data conversion control unit and the facsimile control unit in one-page units in a one-way fixed manner. Data transfer control is performed by the method using Empty and Ready described above. If this signal is used as a DMA request signal, high-speed data transfer can be performed.

In the buffer control unit in FIGS. 25, 26 and 3, the Ready
3 shows an example of a circuit for generating a signal and an Empty signal and operation timings thereof.

First, the output Q of the DF / F J11 changes to 1 by the write signal WR to the register buffer. This output is supplied to the next stage DF / F J1 by the clock.
2 and the output Q also changes to 1. As a result, J
11 is reset, the next stage JK-F / F is set, and R
The ready signal RDY = 1 and the empty signal EMP = 0.

Next, at the time of reading from the register buffer, the DF / FJ15 becomes 1 at the edge of the read signal RD, and the DF / FJ15 of the next stage is obtained by sampling the clock.
/ F J14 becomes 1. As a result, the JK-F / F J13 already in the set state is inverted, changes to RDY = 0 and EMP = 1, and returns to the original state.

In the above, the register for transferring data between the data conversion control unit and the facsimile control unit has been described. There is a signal. This is shown in FIG.

FAX control unit from data conversion control unit P_PW_RDY: Indicates that the power of the data conversion control unit is turned on and the system is operating.

P_RDY: The data conversion control unit is in a standby state, and if there is any operation request from the FAX control unit,
It means that you can answer it.

P_PAGE: FA from data conversion control unit
Transfer of image data to X control unit This signal is to continuously output a positive value for each page, and the FAX control unit recognizes the end of one page by detecting a change from positive to negative of this signal.

FAX control section to data conversion control section F_PW_RDY: Indicates that the power of the FAX control section is turned on and the system is operating.

F_RDY: The FAX control unit is in a standby state, and if there is any operation request from the data conversion control unit,
It means that you can answer it.

F_PAGE: Transfer of image data from FAX control unit to data conversion control unit This signal keeps outputting a positive value for each page, and the data conversion control unit detects a change from positive to negative of this signal. By doing so, the end of one page is recognized.

S_REQ: When a failure occurs in the facsimile control unit and the data conversion control unit is to be notified of the failure, or when the data conversion control unit is requested to perform some operation, the contents are transmitted. This is a request signal for causing the data conversion control unit to issue a polling command. The request content from the FAX control unit is notified to the data conversion control unit as a command response to the polling command.

As described above, the data conversion control unit and the FA
The command / command response between the X control units is based on the fact that the command is always issued first from the data conversion control unit and the FAX control unit responds to it in order to ensure the handshake. In order to allow the conversion control unit to do something, the signal S_
REQ is required.

(Other Examples) The following are other examples obtained by improving the above-described embodiment. The first to fifth embodiments described below are for the case of operating as a facsimile (at the time of reception), and the sixth to eleventh embodiments are for the case of transmitting PC data by fax from the control of the PC. In the twelfth embodiment, when operating as a copying machine, the thirteenth to the seventeenth embodiments use the eighteenth to the nineteenth embodiments in which the scanner data is stored / transmitted to the PC under the control of the PC. When uploading data obtained by facsimile or data communication to a PC,
The twentieth to twenty-first embodiments describe the case of outputting a FAX report, and the twenty-second embodiment describes the interface unit.

The description of the case of operating as a facsimile (at the time of reception) will be given in the following first to fifth embodiments.

[Example 1] In the receiving operation of the embodiment, the PC / FAX switching function operates according to a predetermined mode, but is not limited to this. For example, at the time of reception control, the facsimile control unit 1
If the remaining memory capacity of the storage memory 2-11 in -1 is small, it is set in advance. The output control of the received image may be forcibly performed without following the PC / FAX switching mode. The details of the operation will be described below.

First, in the reception control in the reception operation, the received image data is sequentially encoded and decoded and stored in the storage memory 2-11 in the same manner as in the embodiment. When storing the received image data in the storage memory 2-11, the remaining memory capacity of the storage memory 2-11 is monitored, and when the remaining memory capacity becomes low, the FAX reception image output flag is set at that time. Note that the reception control is continued in this case as well.

Next, the reception record control in the reception operation is as follows.
In the same manner as in the embodiment, a preset P
The recording control is performed according to the C / FAX switching mode. The start of the recording control differs depending on the PC / FAX switching mode. However, when the FAX reception image output flag is set in the reception control, the reception recording control is performed as the FAX priority PC / FAX automatic switching mode. This is performed in order to prevent a communication error due to a memory overflow of the storage memory 2-11 in the facsimile control unit in the reception control. By forcibly giving priority to the fax, the start timing of the output control of the received image data is advanced, the memory of the received image data is released, and the memory overflow of the storage memory 2-11 is prevented.

[Embodiment 2] Printing of a received image from the facsimile control unit 1-1 and the information processing terminal 1-
When image output control such as printing from the printer 5 is performed, the paper feed control unit 5-14 in the printer unit 1-4 may switch the recording paper cassette to be selected according to the image output mode. The details of the operation will be described below.

In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the paper feed control unit in the printer unit has a plurality of recording paper cassettes. In the printer unit, image data to be subjected to recording control is image data received from a facsimile control unit, print data from an information processing terminal, and the like.

First, a recording paper cassette to be selected is set in advance for each type of image data. Note that a plurality of cassettes to be selected may be selected, or may be set in an overlapping manner.

As described above, by selecting a cassette in advance, for example, the received data is output on recycled paper,
It is possible to control print data to be output on high quality paper, and to control the separation of received image data and print data by changing the color of the recording paper and installing a cassette.
Further, by setting a non-output cassette for the print data and providing a recording paper cassette dedicated to the received data, it is possible to prevent an alternate reception in the reception control due to the absence of the recording paper in the printer unit. It is possible.

The recording control of the image data is started by sending a recording start request from the data conversion unit to the printer unit. First, the data conversion unit determines the attribute of the image data, and selects a recording paper cassette set in advance according to the attribute of the image data. After selecting the recording paper cassette, a setting command for the recording paper cassette is sent from the data conversion unit to the printer unit. The printer unit supplies recording paper from a paper supply control unit 5-14 in the printer unit in accordance with the setting command of the recording paper cassette.
Perform recording control.

[Embodiment 3] Printing of a received image from the facsimile control unit 1-1 and the information processing terminal 1-
When performing image output control such as printing from the printer 5, the printer unit 1-4 has a plurality of paper discharge units, and switches the paper discharge units 5-16 in the printer unit 1-4 according to the image output mode. Recording control may be performed. The details of the operation will be described below.

In the third embodiment, the paper discharge unit 5 of the printer unit
In the case of -16, it is assumed that there are a plurality of discharge units such as a recording paper sorter. In the printer unit, image data to be subjected to recording control is image data received from a facsimile control unit, print data from an information processing terminal, and the like.

First, for each type of image data, a recording paper discharge section is set in advance.

As described above, by separating the discharge unit according to the image data, it is possible to control to easily separate the received image data and the print data. In addition, recording control can be performed by setting a discharge unit for each recipient or recipient for received image data, or setting a discharge unit for each user of the information processing terminal for print data. Separation of the performed image data is facilitated.

The recording control of the image data is started by sending a recording start request from the data conversion unit to the printer unit. First, the data conversion unit determines the attribute of the image data, the information of the receiving destination, the information of the information processing terminal user, and the like, and selects a recording paper discharge unit set in advance. After selecting the discharge unit, the data conversion unit sends a recording paper discharge unit setting command to the printer unit. The printer unit supplies the recording paper from the paper feed control unit 5-14 in the printer unit, controls the recording, and outputs the recording paper to the designated discharge unit according to the setting command of the recording paper discharge unit.

[Embodiment 4] In the embodiment, the image received from the facsimile control section 1-1 or the information processing terminal 1-5
The recording control of the print image from the printer unit 1
4 is performed using only one path from the data conversion section 1-3 to the printer section 1-4, the data conversion section 1-3 controls one of the recording controls. It is done by choosing. But,
The present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of image data transfer paths to the printer section 1-4 may be provided. In this case, for example, the data conversion unit 1
-3, during transfer of print data, the video I / O in the facsimile unit 1-1 directly connected to the printer unit 1-4.
Through F2-14, recording control of the received data from the facsimile control unit 1-1 can be performed. The details will be described below.

First, the information processing terminal issues a recording start request to the data conversion unit and starts recording control. At this time, the data conversion unit sets the P_RDY signal indicating the standby state of the printer unit to 0 for the facsimile terminal,
It is assumed that the printer unit is operating. At this time, if there is a request to start recording of a received image or the like from the facsimile control unit, the recording request is not accepted because the data conversion unit is in use.

The print data from the information processing terminal is sequentially transferred to the data conversion unit, converted into image data according to the font data in the font ROM 2-4 in the data conversion unit, and after receiving a page break command from the information processing terminal, The recording control is started in the printer unit.

At this time, when performing recording control in the facsimile control section, the use state of the printer section is monitored and the empty state of the printer section is determined. When data is being transferred from the information processing terminal, the video I / F 5-2 of the printer unit is used.
2-1 in facsimile control unit connected to
From 4, the received data such as the received image is directly transferred to the printer unit, and the recording control is started. By using this control, the operation rate of the printer unit is improved.

In this case, by providing a plurality of discharge units and the like in the printer unit and separating the print from the facsimile control unit and the print from the information processing terminal, more sophisticated time-sharing recording control becomes possible.

[Embodiment 5] The PC / PC for the reception control of the embodiment
In the FAX automatic switching mode, recording control is performed by interruption control in units of pages, and control for resuming recording control after completion of the interruption processing is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, recording control may be stopped after a request for page-based interrupt control is received. The timing of releasing the memory of the received image data and the timing of starting the output of the received image are not limited to the above.

The operation when the PC data is transmitted by facsimile under the control of the PC will be described below from the sixth embodiment to the first embodiment.
This is described in 1.

[Embodiment 6] When transferring information data such as a TEL number and a user's abbreviation from a PC to a FAX, it is also possible to directly transfer the data to the FAX by an RS I / F or the like without passing through a data conversion unit.

[Embodiment 7] When image data is transmitted from a PC via a data conversion unit, it is simultaneously output to the printer unit 1-4 in FIG. 1 from the memory of the data conversion unit in parallel processing and printed. Things are possible.

[Eighth Embodiment] In the embodiment, the command from the data conversion unit is limited to the transmission request command. However, the data conversion unit may have a means for analyzing the command and identify the command.

[Embodiment 9] The data conversion unit identifies data to be transferred from the PC to the data conversion unit. 1. Convert to a bitmap image and record in the recording unit (image data) 2. Convert to bitmap image and communicate from data communication means (image data) Instead of converting to a bitmap image, it is also possible to output the data separately to the data communication means (TEL number).

[Embodiment 10] F is identified by the data conversion unit.
The information data such as the TEL number and abbreviation transferred to the AX is F
The same format as the data input from the AX panel is also possible.

[Embodiment 11] It is also possible to print out image data expanded into a bitmap image to be communicated from a facsimile and information data such as a TEL number from a data conversion unit at the same time.

The operation in the case of operating as a copying machine will be described in the following twelfth embodiment.

[Embodiment 12] In the above embodiment, the reading / writing by the facsimile control unit 1-1 is performed in units of one page.
The storage / transfer and the printing by the data conversion unit 1-3 have been performed. However, the handling of the image data does not need to be performed in units of pages, and there are other reading / transfer methods as follows.

(1) A process of controlling reading / transfer in units of lines, storing read data in the storage memory 2-11, reading data from the storage memory 2-11, and sending the data to the data conversion unit 1-3. The transfer process may be performed simultaneously.

(2) The image data read by the facsimile control unit 1-1 is encoded, and the read data is directly transferred to the data conversion unit 1-3 without performing processing for storing the image data in the storage memory 2-11. accumulate.

(3) The data to be stored is stored in the storage memory 2-11 as raw data without encoding.

(4) The storage of the read data is not performed by the facsimile control unit 1-1, but the data is transferred to the data conversion unit 1-3, and the data conversion unit 1-3 or the information terminal 1-
5 is stored in the memory.

(5) The data to be transferred from the facsimile control unit 1-1 to the data conversion unit 1-3 or the information terminal 1-5 is coded data.

In the methods (4) and (5), when performing copy printing, the facsimile control unit 1 transmits the encoded data again.
-1 and decodes and prints, or the data conversion unit 1-3
Alternatively, the information terminal 1-5 is provided with a decryption processing function, and performs decryption and print processing.

In the above embodiment, when controlling the printing order of a plurality of pages of a document or when printing a plurality of copies, the same page is not continuously printed but a plurality of copies are printed in a page order. The process of storing the image data of all pages in the storage memory 2-11 and controlling the printing order only when the operator instructs that the document includes a plurality of pages has been described. The following method may be used as a method of determining whether or not to store the image and storing the image.

First, there is the following method for storing image data of all pages in a memory.

[0290] 1. All the read data is stored in the memory of the external information terminal.

[0291] 2. Until the read data reaches a predetermined number, the image data is stored in the storage memory, and the image data of the predetermined number or more is stored in the memory of the information terminal.

[0292] 3. Until the read data reaches a predetermined data amount, image data is stored in the storage memory,
The image data having the predetermined data amount or more is stored in a memory of the information terminal. An example of printing order control will be described below.

(Control Example 1) Normally, the image data of the first page is developed in the memory 4-7, but the printing order is controlled by the setting of the facsimile control unit 1-1 or the instruction of the information terminal 1-5. When the instruction is given, regardless of the number of documents, the image data of all pages is stored in the memory by the setting or the method designated by the instruction, and thereafter, when the document has a plurality of pages, The print order of each page is controlled and printed out.

(Control Example 2) In Control Example 1, the image data was stored in the memory by the method of 1 to 3 regardless of the document of single / multiple pages. At times, the image data is expanded in the memory 4-7, and when the document has a plurality of pages, the image data can be stored in the memory by the methods 1 to 3.

(Control Example 3) According to the above setting, the printing order is controlled. If it is not known whether the document is a document or a plurality of pages, the following method is used to control the printing order. .

The image data of the first page is expanded in the memory 4-7. When there is a next page, the data in the memory 4-7 is not printed, but the data is read out from the memory 4-7 and the designated data is read out. The image data is stored in the memory by the methods 1 to 3, and the subsequent page reading and accumulation processing is performed.

(Control Example 4) The method of storing image data in the memory of Control Example 3 may be as follows.

In parallel with the expansion of the image data of the first page into the memory 4-7, the image data is stored in the memory according to the designated methods 1-3, and when the next page exists, the image data of the memory 4-7 is stored. The data is not printed, and the subsequent pages are read and stored.

During the copy operation, fax reception and information terminal 1
Processing when a printer use request is received from -5 is performed as follows.

First, two modes, a FAX priority mode and a printer priority mode, are set as system modes.
Different processing is performed depending on the mode setting state of the system.

(A) FAX priority mode In this mode, a print request from the information terminal 1-5 is not accepted during copying. If a facsimile is received during copying, after the output of the page being processed is completed, the copying process is stopped and the reception printing process is performed. If the setting is to perform the memory substitute reception, the storage memory 2 for the received data
If the system has sufficient processing capability, the copying operation may be performed in parallel.

(B) Printer priority mode When this mode is set, a print request from the information terminal 1-5 during copying is accepted, and after the output of the page being processed is completed,
The copying process is stopped, the printing process from the information terminal 1-5 is performed, and after this process is completed, the copying process is restarted. The processing of FAX reception during copying is performed in the same manner as in the mode.

An instruction for a copy process can also be issued by an instruction from the information terminal 1-5.

In the above-described embodiment, the erasure of the image data stored in the storage memory 2-11 is executed after the end of the print output. However, the erasure can be performed immediately after the end of the data transfer. .

An example of the case where scanner data is stored / transmitted to a PC under the control of the PC will be described in the following thirteenth embodiment.
To Example 17.

[Embodiment 13] At the time of fax transmission, PC sends T
When transferring information data such as an EL number and a user abbreviation, destination information, broadcast, and confidential information to a FAX, the FA data is transmitted directly to the RS I / F or the like without passing through a data conversion unit.
It is also possible to transfer to X.

Alternatively, the data conversion section analyzes the command and outputs it to the FAX as a command as destination information and function information.

[Embodiment 14] At the time of fax transmission, it is also possible to input destination information such as a TEL number and a user abbreviation, and function information data such as broadcast and confidentiality together with image data from a scanner.

[Embodiment 15] Even when image data is transmitted from the scanner without passing through the data conversion unit, the image data is transferred to the memory of the data conversion unit and simultaneously transmitted from the printer unit 1-4 in FIG. Output and print in parallel processing.
It is possible to transfer to C.

Further, the mode switching can be set.

[Embodiment 16] In the embodiment, the command from the data conversion unit is limited to the FAX transmission / PC storage command. However, the data conversion unit may have a means for analyzing the command and identify the command. .

[Embodiment 17] When a fax is transmitted from a scanner according to an instruction from a PC, the number of copies set from the PC is compared with the number of copies actually scanned, and the PC is notified.

At that time, the PC issues a warning.

[0314] The description of the case of uploading the data obtained by the received facsimile or data communication to the PC is as follows.
Examples 18 to 19 are described below.

[Embodiment 18] In the PC transfer receiving operation of the embodiment, the method of transferring the received image to the information processing terminal 1-5 is not limited to this. For example, the information processing terminal 1-5 may periodically monitor the reception state of the facsimile control unit 1-1 and perform control for extracting a received image from the facsimile processing unit 1-1.

[0316] Further, the control of recording the received image and the control of the transfer to the information processing terminal 1-5 do not have to operate in synchronization. For example, the received image data may be transferred to the data conversion section 1-3, and the received image data may be transferred from the data conversion section 1-3 to the information processing terminal 1-5 and the printer section 1-3.

[Embodiment 19] In the PC transfer reception operation of the embodiment, the reception output mode is set for each designated destination. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reception output mode is set according to the time zone. The setting may be made according to the online state of the information processing terminal 1-5.

[0318] The description when outputting a FAX report is as follows.
Examples 20 to 21 will be described below.

[Embodiment 20] In the output control of the FAX report of the embodiment, the output control is performed in accordance with a predetermined output mode. The output may be performed for a certain FAX report.

For example, the communication control requested by the information processing terminal 1-5 and the operation unit 2 in the facsimile control unit 1-1
-8 is automatically determined, and in the case of communication control from the information processing terminal 1-5, the FA of the communication result is determined.
The X report is output to the information processing terminal 1-5, and in the case of communication control from the facsimile control unit 1-1, the FAX report is automatically output to the printer unit 1-3.

[Embodiment 21] In the output control of the FAX report of the embodiment, the output control is performed in accordance with a predetermined output mode. However, the output mode may be automatically switched according to the type of the FAX report. Absent.

The communication result FAX report includes a communication result report composed of only character data and a non-delivery report in which image data such as an error image is added to the communication result report.

The non-delivery report is composed of image data and character data, and outputs these two types of image data to the data conversion section 1-3.
Although it is possible to perform the combining process or the like, the processing time for the combining process or the like is required. For this reason, the non-delivery report is converted into image data in the facsimile control unit 1-1 and output to the data conversion unit 1-3. Also, since the communication result report is composed of only character data, the communication result report is output to the data conversion unit 1-3 with the character data having high transfer efficiency.

The description of the interface unit will be given in the following embodiment 22.

[Embodiment 22] FIG. 27 shows image data transfer registers 3-5 and 3-6 in the embodiment of FIG.
Is an embodiment in which two lines buffer constituted by a shift register is used as a part. The feature of the present embodiment is that a line buffer accessed by the data conversion control unit,
By separately setting the line buffer to be accessed by the FAX control unit and alternately switching the line buffer to be accessed each time one main scanning line is transferred, the time required for data access by both control units is reduced.

J30, J31: Serial IN Serial O
Shift registers J32 and J36 for one main scanning length of the UT: selectors with two inputs and one output, and S =
When 1, input 1 is output, and when S = 0, input 0 is output. J33 and J35: selectors with one input and two outputs, and S =
When 1, output 0 is fixed, output 1 is input IN and output S = 0.
, Output 0 outputs input IN, output 1 is fixed J34: 2 inputs 2 controlled by selection signals S0 and S1
It is an output selector and operates as shown in the table below.

[0327]

[Table 1]

J37: A selection control section for generating a selection signal SEL, which is inverted when it receives one-line processing end pulses END_A and END_B. FIG. 28 shows the configuration, and FIG. 29 shows an operation timing chart. In the figure, the end (_ *) of the symbol of each external input / output signal indicates the control unit of the connection destination, A indicates a FAX control unit, and B indicates a data conversion control unit. DOUT_ *: Serial image data input to this circuit DIN_ *: Serial image data output from this circuit CK_ *: Serial image data clock input END_ *: Pulse input indicating the end of line processing STS_ *: Selection control unit Monitor output of selection signal DIR_B: Input signal for determining the direction of image data transfer between data conversion control unit and FAX control unit

In the above configuration, DIR_B, SEL
, The line buffers 0 and 1 operate as shown in the table below.

[0330]

[Table 2]

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the selection control unit J37 in FIG.
5 is a circuit example for explaining.

One line end signal END_B from data conversion control unit, one line end signal EN from FAX control unit
When both D_A are input, JK-F / F J43 is inverted, and the logic of the selection signal SEL is inverted.

FIG. 29 is a timing chart showing this operation.

FIG. 33 is a configuration diagram in the case where the command / command response communication register in the above embodiment is not a parallel I / F but a serial I / F using serial data and its data clock. In this case, instead of the I / F section located between the data conversion control section and the FAX control section as in the above embodiment, an S / P conversion section, a P / S conversion section, And a control unit for them.

By adopting such a configuration, the data conversion control unit and the FAX control unit can be simply connected with only four signals.

J91: P / S converter for P / S conversion of command J92: S / P converter for receiving serial command J93: P / S converter for P / S conversion of command response data J94: Serial command response S / P to receive data
Conversion unit J95: I / F control unit on the data conversion control unit side J96: I / F control unit on the FAX control unit side CMD_TX: Parallel command data to be transmitted CMD_WR: Write signal to J91 CMD_EMP: Signal indicating the state of J91 ANS_WAIT : Signal indicating that command response data has not been received ANS_RDY: Signal indicating that command response data has been received ANS_RD: Command response data read signal ANS_RX: Parallel converted command response data CMD: Serial command data signal CMD_CK: Serial command data Data clock signal ANS: Serial command response data signal ANS_CK: Data clock signal of serial command data CMD_RX: Command data converted in parallel CMD_RDY: Command reception Signal indicating the finished ANS_EMP: signal indicating the state of J93 ANS_WR: write signal command response data to J93 ANS_TX: Parallel command response data to J93

FIG. 34 is an operation timing chart of FIG.

T1: The CMD_EMP signal changes to 0 by writing command data to be transmitted to J91. T2: Output serial data to the CMD line in synchronization with the fall of CMD_CK.

When output of all bits is completed, CMD_EM
P returns to 1 and instead indicates that it is waiting for a response A
NS_WAIT becomes 1.

On the other hand, the FAX control section samples serial data at the rising edge of the clock, and sets CMD_RDY to 1 when reception of a predetermined bit is completed. T3: CMD_RDY returns to 0 by reading the command data converted in parallel by CMD_RD. T4: ANS_EMP changes to 0 by writing command response data to J93. T5: ANS, ANS_C as in the T2 period
K is output. ANS_E is output by outputting a predetermined bit.
MP returns to 1.

On the other hand, in the data conversion control section, ANS_RDY changes to 1 by receiving a predetermined bit, and A
NS_WAIT returns to 0. T6: ANS_RDY returns to 0 by reading the parallel converted command response data.

Thus, communication of one command data and its response data is completed.

Similarly, for the key data register and the display data register of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, simple P / S and S / P conversions can be used, respectively, or the serial signal line can be used. , A signal line indicating whether the data on the CMD signal is command data or display data, by adding a signal line indicating whether the data on the ANS signal is command response data or key data, using the same serial data line, Data with different attributes can be communicated.

[0344]

As described above, according to the present invention, input data is converted into bitmap image data according to the application by using the function of converting data sent from the information processing terminal into bitmap image data. Various processes such as conversion into data, recording, transmission, and transmission without conversion can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire system of a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile control unit of the data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a data processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a / F section.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a data conversion unit of the data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a printer unit of the data processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation as a printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an operation as a printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a facsimile document receiving operation in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a facsimile document receiving operation in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an information processing terminal / facsimile switching operation when a facsimile document is received in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an operation of transmitting a document or the like created by the information processing terminal as a facsimile according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an operation of transmitting a document or the like created by the information processing terminal as a facsimile according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an operation of transmitting a document or the like created by the information processing terminal as a facsimile in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a local copy operation in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an operation of reading and transmitting a document as a facsimile independent operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of reading an original from a scanner in accordance with an instruction of the information processing terminal and performing transmission or upload processing to the information processing terminal in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an operation when reading a document from a scanner in accordance with an instruction of the information processing terminal and performing transmission processing or upload processing to the information processing terminal in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an operation when an original is read from a scanner in accordance with an instruction of the information processing terminal and transmitted or uploaded to the information processing terminal in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an operation when reading a document from a scanner in accordance with an instruction of the information processing terminal and performing transmission processing or upload processing to the information processing terminal in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of an operation of uploading received data of reception of a facsimile document or the like to the information processing terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of an operation of uploading received data of reception of a facsimile document or the like to the information processing terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of an operation of outputting various facsimile reports in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of an operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a display example of sharing control by a facsimile control unit and a data conversion unit of the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a circuit for generating a control signal for each buffer in the buffer control unit 3-7 in FIG. 3;

26 is a diagram showing an operation timing chart of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a circuit for transferring image data using a line buffer according to another embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram of a selection control unit in FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an operation timing chart of FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a command transmission / command response reception operation in the data conversion unit.

FIG. 31 shows a command transmission /
It is a flowchart of a command response receiving operation.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating exchange of signals between a data conversion unit and a facsimile control unit.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a serial I / F of a command / command response register.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a timing chart of FIG. 33.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1 Facsimile control unit 1-2 I / F unit 1-3 Data conversion unit 1-4 Printer unit 1-5 Information processing terminal 2-1 CPU for facsimile control unit 2-2 ROM for storing facsimile control program 2-3 RAM 2-4 MODEM 2-5 NCU (network control device) 2-6 Image processing unit 2-7 Scanner 2-8 Operation unit 2-9 Line buffer 2-10 I / O port 2-11 Storage memory 2-12 Resolution Conversion processing unit 2-13a Encoding processing unit 2-13b Decoding processing unit 2-13c Built-in line buffer 2-14 Video I / F 3-1 Command register 3-2 Command response register 3-3 Response data register 3-4 Key data register 3-5 Image data register from data conversion control unit to FAX control unit 3-6 Data conversion from FAX control unit Register for image data to control unit 3-7 Ready / Empty output buffer 3-8 Bus A control unit 3-9 Selector 3-10 Bidirectional buffer connected to FAX control unit 3-11 Bus A control unit 3-12 Selector 3-13 Bidirectional buffer connected to data conversion unit 4-1 CPU for conversion control unit 4-2 I / O port 4-3 ROM for storing character-character data fonts 4-4 Conversion control unit program storage ROM 4-5 I / F controller for connection to information processing terminal (Centronics I / F, RS232C I / F, etc.) 4-6 Memory controller for controlling access to memory 4-7 4-7 Write as needed Readable memory 4-8 Video I / F with printer unit 5-1 One-chip microcomputer for controlling printer unit 5-2 Video I / F with data conversion control unit 5-3 Laser Driver Unit 5-4 Collimator Lens 5-5 Scanner Motor 5-6 Polyhedral Mirror 5-7 Imaging Lens 5-8 Beam Position Detector 5-9 Photosensitive Drum 5-10 Primary Charging Roller 5-11 Developing Unit 5-12 Transfer Charging Roller 5-13 Fixing Unit 5-14 Feed Control Unit 5-15 Main Motor

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Otani 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Masaya Kondo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Motoaki Yoshino 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kazuomi Oishi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. Inside

Claims (11)

[Claims] Communication means for performing data communication via a communication line; connecting means for connecting to an information processing terminal; data transmitted from the information processing terminal via said connecting means to bitmap image data Converting means for converting; input means for inputting data; recording means for recording bitmap image data converted by the converting means; and input means based on an instruction from an information processing terminal connected by the connecting means. A first processing mode in which the data input in step (b) is converted into bitmap image data by the conversion means and recorded by the recording means, and a second processing mode in which the conversion means converts the data into bitmap image data and transmits the data by the communication means. Control means for controlling processing in any one of a third processing mode in which the data is transmitted by the communication means without being converted by the conversion means. The data processing apparatus characterized by having. 2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit analyzes command information sent from the information processing terminal via the connection unit and converts the command information into a bitmap image. 3. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the command information converted by the conversion unit is a page description language. 4. When the control means controls in the third processing mode, the control means causes the communication means to transmit data based on communication control information sent from the information processing terminal via the connection means. The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein 5. The input means inputs image data from a reading unit for reading an image on a document and generating image data corresponding to the image and data sent from an information processing terminal via the connection means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. When the control means controls in the first and second processing modes, data from an information processing terminal connected via the connection means is input by the input means and processed. The data processing device according to claim 5, wherein 7. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein, when controlling in the third processing mode, image data from the reading unit is input by the input unit and transmitted by the communication unit. A data processing device according to claim 1. 8. The control device according to claim 5, wherein said control means includes a second processing mode and a third processing mode.
7. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed to prohibit simultaneous processing in the processing modes. 9. The control unit controls the data from the information processing terminal connected via the connection unit to be processed in parallel in a first processing mode and a third processing mode. 9. The data processing device according to any one of 5 to 8. 10. A method for controlling a data processing device connected to an information processing terminal, comprising: a communication step of performing data communication via a communication line; and converting data sent from the information processing terminal into bitmap image data. A converting step, an output step of visually outputting the bitmap image data converted in the converting step, an input step of inputting data, and the data input in the input step based on an instruction from an information processing terminal. A first processing step of converting the data into bitmap image data in the conversion step and outputting the converted data in the output step; A second processing step of converting and communicating in the communication step, based on an instruction from the information processing terminal, the data input in the input step Third processing step and the method of controlling a data processing measures, characterized by a control step of controlling the first to third processing step of communicating with the serial conversion process by not converting the communication process. 11. A data processing apparatus comprising: a communication unit for performing data communication via a communication line; and a recording unit for recording an image based on input image data, and an information processing terminal connected to the data processing apparatus. A conversion step of converting data generated in the information processing terminal into bitmap image data; and a bitmap image in the conversion step based on an instruction from the information processing terminal. A first processing step of converting the data into data and recording the data in a recording unit of the data processing apparatus; and converting the data into bitmap image data in the conversion step based on an instruction from the information processing terminal, A second processing step of transmitting, and the data processing without converting the data in the conversion step based on an instruction from the information processing terminal. The is transmitted to location 3
And a control step of controlling the first to third processing steps. A control method for a data processing system, comprising: