JP2002185679A - Image communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To separate a scanner unit for reading image information and a main unit for transmitting / receiving image information, transfer the image information read by the scanner unit to the main unit, and perform facsimile communication in the main unit. An object of the present invention is to provide an image communication device that can recognize whether an error has occurred in a main body recording unit and can immediately respond to the image communication device even if a user does not go to a place where the main body unit is installed. It is assumed that. SOLUTION: A main unit monitors the state of the recording unit, and when an error such as no recording paper or no ink occurs in the recording unit, the error is transmitted to a scanner unit by a first wireless communication unit. The unit is provided by a second wireless communication unit,
An image communication device that receives the information of the main body, and, when receiving the information indicating that the recording unit has entered an error state, notifies the user of the fact by an LED lamp, an LCD display, an alarm, voice guidance, or the like. is there

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a scanner section for reading image information and a main body section for transmitting and receiving image information which are separated by the scanner section. To an image communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus that transfers facsimile communication to a main body and performs facsimile communication in the main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art JP-A-63-193658 discloses that
In a facsimile apparatus in which a scanner unit that reads image information and a main unit that transmits and receives image information can be separated, a thick book or the like can be easily read even at a distance from the main unit. A technique relating to a cordless handy scanner that does not use any cables such as a power supply cable and a signal cable when transmitting and receiving information to and from the scanner unit is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-22519 discloses that facsimile communication is performed by remotely operating a cordless handy scanner unit so that an image read at a distance from the main unit can be immediately transmitted by facsimile. It has been disclosed.

As described above, when a series of operations related to facsimile can be performed by the handy scanner unit, the reading and transmitting operation can be performed without the operator having to go near the main unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to install the handy scanner near the main body.

[0005]

By the way, it is no longer necessary to install a handy scanner near the main body, and it is possible to perform facsimile transmission and copy operation by remote control, but the state of the recording section of the main body is not required. In the case where the copying is performed by remote control without knowing the error during the error state, a problem occurs that the recording operation is not performed normally even if the scanning operation is performed.

In addition, even if the main body is in a paper-out state or an ink-out error state, and the received image is accumulated, if the user does not go to the installation location of the main body, the above error state is found. There is a problem that it is inconvenient because it cannot be done.

[0007] The above problem is a problem that also occurs in image communication apparatuses other than facsimile apparatuses such as personal computers having an image communication function.

According to the present invention, when an error state such as a paper-out state or an ink-out state occurs in the main body recording unit, the fact is transmitted to the handy scanner unit using wireless communication means. When information from the unit is received by the wireless communication means, it is possible to notify the user that an error condition has occurred in the main body recording unit, even if the user does not go to the place where the main unit is installed, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image communication apparatus capable of recognizing whether or not an error has occurred in a main body recording unit and taking immediate action.

[0009]

According to the present invention, a scanner unit for reading image information and a main unit for transmitting / receiving image information are separated, and the image information read by the scanner unit is transferred to the main unit. In an image communication device that performs facsimile communication, the main body monitors the state of the recording unit, and when an error such as out of recording paper or out of ink occurs in the recording unit,
This is transmitted to the scanner unit by the first wireless communication unit, and the scanner unit receives the information of the main unit by the second wireless communication unit, and outputs information indicating that the recording unit has entered an error state. If received, LED lamp or L
This is an image communication device that notifies a user by a CD display, an alarm, voice guidance, or the like.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus FS1 showing one embodiment of the present invention.

The facsimile apparatus FS1 has a hand scanner section HS1 and a main body section M1.

The hand scanner unit HS1 comprises a ROM 1
RAM 2, CIS 3, scanner image processing unit 4, main body I / F connector 5, rotary encoder 6, scanner operation panel 7, speaker 8, battery 9, B
Bluetooth baseband processing unit 10 and 2.4G
It has a high frequency unit 11 in the Hz band and a CPU 12.

The ROM 1 stores various programs of the CPU 12 and fixed data.

The RAM 2 is used as a work memory for various programs of the CPU 12 and a storage memory for image data and the like in the hand scanner unit HS1.

The CIS 3 is a contact-type color image sensor CIS (Con) which reads image data line by line.
tact Image Sensor), which incorporates red (R), green (G), and blue (B) LED arrays,
When a read timing signal is input, a video signal is output in synchronization with the timing signal.

The scanner image processing unit 4 outputs a read timing signal to the CIS 3, performs A / D conversion on a video signal output from the CIS 3, performs shading correction, and performs gamma conversion of luminance / density to obtain a digital multi-value. / 2
An image processing unit that converts the data into value data, and performs image scaling and resolution conversion. The image data converted into digital data is stored in the RAM 2 and then transmitted to the main unit M1 via a wireless line as needed.

The main unit I / F connector 5 is a main unit interface, and is constituted by a connector for connecting to the main unit M1, and charging of the battery 9 is performed through this connector.

The rotary encoder 6 is a detection output section of the rotary encoder for monitoring the rotation state of the reading roller of the hand scanner section HS1.
U12 calculates the moving distance data (rotational speed information of the rotary encoder) of the hand scanner unit HS1 from the detection output, and executes the image reading by the image processing unit 4.

The scanner operation panel 7 includes a liquid crystal display for displaying the state of the hand scanner HS1 and various data.
The scanner operation panel includes a key input unit for performing various settings such as selection of a reading mode and erasure of an image in a memory.

The speaker 8 is a speaker that outputs an alarm sound and voice guidance.

The battery 9 is used when the hand scanner unit HS1 is taken out of the main unit M1 and used alone.
This is a storage battery that drives the entire system of the hand scanner unit HS1, and is a battery for a hand scanner that is constantly charged with power supplied from the main unit M1 when the hand scanner unit HS1 is mounted on the main unit M1.

Bluetooth baseband processing unit 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a wireless interface unit between the hand scanner unit HS1 and the main unit M1, and a command interface for bi-directionally specifying an operation mode and exchanging state information between the main unit M1 and the hand scanner unit HS1. And an image data interface for exchanging image data in both directions, and a Bluetooth interface for performing Bluetooth frequency hopping processing and frame assembly / disassembly processing.
The Bluetooth baseband processing unit.

The 2.4 GHz band high frequency section 11 is a 2.4 GHz band high frequency section for transmitting and receiving radio waves.

The CPU 12 is a control section of the hand scanner section HS1, and has a function of compressing / expanding digital image data by JPEG using middleware.

The main body M1 includes a ROM 21 and an SRAM 2
2, a printer image processing unit 23, a RAM 24, a modem 25, a main body operation panel 26, a speaker 27,
NCU 28, handset 29, cross point switch 30, color printer 31, primary battery 32
, RTC 33 and scanner interface connector 3
4, a Bluetooth baseband processing unit 35,
It has a 2.4 GHz band high frequency unit 36 and a CPU 37.

The ROM 21 stores various programs of the CPU 37 and fixed data.

The SRAM 22 is an SR for registering and recording registration data (various software switches, communication destination data, telephone number and abbreviated ID information of the apparatus) necessary for the system.
The AM is backed up by a primary battery 32 so that the data is not lost due to a main power supply interruption.

The printer image processing unit 23 performs image processing required on the main unit side such as binarization processing for converting multi-valued image data into a binary image and image enlargement / reduction, and adjusts the resolution of the image data to the printer. This is a printer image processing unit that performs resolution conversion for converting the resolution to 31 dpi of 360 dpi and transfers print data to a color printer.

The RAM 24 is a memory used as a work memory for various programs of the CPU 37 and a storage memory for audio data and image data on the main body M1 side, and is assumed to be a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory.

The modem 25 is a modem for performing facsimile communication in a known G3 mode or the like. 29, V.I. 21, V.I. 27ter, DT
MF signal recognition function, voice recording to RAM 24, RAM
It has an audio codec function for audio playback from the H.24.

At the time of facsimile communication, a maximum of 9600 b
Communication between a monochrome image and a color image is performed at a transmission speed of ps according to the ITU-T Recommendation G3 standard. As for the color image communication, in addition to the G3 standard (hereinafter referred to as “ITU-T color mode”), color image communication can be performed in the “unique mode” of the apparatuses. The “unique mode” refers to, for example, color communication using BFT as described below. In color communication according to the G3 standard, a resolution of 200 dpi in main and sub-directions and JPEG encoding in a Lab color space are required as image standards on a driving path. In the color communication in the unique mode, the main and sub 90 d
It has a function of pi resolution and DPCM encoding in an RGB color space.

The main unit operation panel 26 includes a key input unit for performing dial operations, various operation instructions, and various settings, a liquid crystal display unit for displaying device status and various data, and an LED. Speaker 2
Reference numeral 7 denotes a speaker for outputting various alarm sounds, ringing sounds, and audio signals on the line. The NCU 28 is an NCU that interfaces the analog telephone line with the facsimile machine FS1. The handset 29 performs a call using the facsimile machine FS1.

The cross point switch 30 is a connection switch for analog signals, and is a known circuit that freely switches connections of analog signals among the handset, speaker, NCU, and modem according to settings from the CPU 37.

The color printer 31 is a printer unit of the facsimile machine FS1 and is a known color printer of an ink discharge system. The color printer 31 is provided with a cartridge in which an ink tank and an ink discharge unit are integrated in a main scanning direction of recording paper. The binary data is recorded on the recording paper at a recording resolution of 360 dpi while moving to. A color cartridge combining an ink tank of each color of CMYK and an ink ejection unit, an ink tank of only monochrome ink,
There is a monochrome cartridge in which an ink ejection unit is combined, and the CPU 37 can determine which of the color cartridge and the monochrome cartridge is mounted by the configuration of the electrical contacts of the cartridge. The recording width in monochrome recording is up to B4, and the maximum recording width is A4 in color recording with a color cartridge attached.

The primary battery 32 backs up the data registered in the SRAM 22 and the operation of the clock IC 33. The RTC 33 is a clock IC that can measure time in units of one second and can operate even when the main power is turned off.

The scanner interface connector 34
An interface connector that serves as a power supply path from the main body unit M1 to the hand scanner unit HS1 and detects whether the hand scanner HS1 is attached or not.

Bluetooth baseband processing unit 3
Reference numeral 5 denotes a wireless interface unit between the hand scanner unit HS1 and the main unit M1, and a command interface for bidirectionally specifying an operation mode and exchanging state information between the main unit M1 and the hand scanner unit HS1. And an image data interface for exchanging image data in both directions, and a Bluetooth interface for performing Bluetooth frequency hopping processing and frame assembly / disassembly processing.
The Bluetooth baseband processing unit.

The 2.4 GHz band high frequency section 36 is a 2.4 GHz band high frequency section for transmitting and receiving radio waves. CPU3
Reference numeral 7 denotes a control unit of the main unit M1.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the main unit M1 and the handy scanner unit HS1 in the standby state in the above embodiment.

First, the control when an error occurs in the recording unit (color printer 31, printer image processing unit 23) of the main body unit M1 will be schematically described.

First, in S1, it is monitored whether or not an error has occurred in the recording section. If an error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S2. If no error has occurred, the monitoring is continued.

In S2, information that an error has occurred in the recording section of the main body section M1 is transmitted to the handy scanner section HS1 using wireless communication means such as Bluetooth, and the process returns to the top S1.

In S11, it is monitored whether there is information from the main unit M1 using the wireless communication means. If there is information from the main unit M1, the process proceeds to S12, where the main unit M1 is checked.
If there is no information from, monitoring is continued.

In S12, the information obtained from the main unit M1 obtained through wireless communication is analyzed.

In S13, as a result of analyzing the information from the main unit M1, if the information indicates that a recording unit error has occurred in the main unit M1, the process proceeds to S14, and if it is not the information that a recording unit error has occurred, the process proceeds to S14. Performs the process according to the information, and returns to S11 at the top.

In step S14, the user is notified of the error state of the main body recording unit by a notifying means such as an LED lamp, an LCD display, an alarm sound, and voice guidance.

Instead of the LCD display, LE
The user may be notified that an error has occurred in the main body recording unit using at least one of a D lamp, an alarm sound, and a voice guidance.

That is, in the above-described embodiment, the image communication apparatus which separates the image information read by the scanner section from the main section of the image communication apparatus, transfers the image information read by the scanner section to the main section, and performs transmission processing. , Wherein the main unit monitors first and second wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the scanner unit via a wireless line, a recording unit configured to record on a recording medium, and a state of the recording unit. The scanner unit has a recording unit state monitoring unit, the scanner unit optically reads the original information and converts it into image information, an operation unit for selecting a predetermined operation, and a read image A second wireless communication unit for transmitting and receiving information and control information to and from the main unit via a wireless line; an information analyzing unit for analyzing the information of the main unit received by the second wireless communication unit; You The main body unit monitors the status of the recording unit via the recording unit status monitoring unit, and when an error occurs in the recording unit, the main unit unit transmits the error to the recording unit. Information indicating that an error has occurred is transmitted to the scanner unit via the first wireless communication unit, and the scanner unit transmits information of the main unit via the second wireless communication unit. If the information analysis means receives the information indicating that the recording unit is in an error state as a result of the analysis, the information notifying means indicates that the recording unit is in an error state. 1 is an example of an image communication device that notifies the user of the notification.

[0050]

According to the present invention, when an error state such as a paper-out state or an ink-out state occurs in the main body recording unit, the fact is transmitted to the handy scanner unit using wireless communication means, and the handy scanner unit is transmitted. When the information from the main unit is received by the wireless communication unit, the user is notified that an error condition has occurred in the main unit recording unit, so even if the user does not go to the place where the main unit is installed, This has the effect that the user can recognize whether or not an error has occurred in the main body recording unit, and can take immediate action.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a facsimile apparatus FS showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing operations of a main body unit M1 and a handy scanner unit HS1 in a standby state in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a hand scanner unit HS1 in the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which “Kiroshiga Alimasen” is displayed on the display unit of the scanner operation panel 7 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 FS1 facsimile machine, HS1 hand scanner unit, M1 main unit, 1, 21 ROM, 2, 24 RAM, 3 CIS, 4 scanner image processing unit, 5 main unit I / F connector, 6 rotary Encoder, 7: Scanner operation panel, 8: Speaker, 10, 35: Bluetooth baseband processing unit, 11, 36: High frequency unit in 2.4 GHz band, 12, 37: CPU, 23: Printer image processing unit, 26: Main unit Operation panel, 29 ... Handset.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image communication apparatus, wherein a scanner section for reading image information is separated from a main body section of the image communication apparatus, transfers image information read by the scanner section to the main body section, and performs transmission processing. A first wireless communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from the scanner unit via a wireless line, a recording unit for recording on a recording medium, and a recording unit state monitoring unit for monitoring a state of the recording unit On the other hand, the scanner unit includes: document information reading means for optically reading document information and converting the information into image information; operating means for selecting a predetermined operation; and reading the read image information and control information. Second wireless communication means for transmitting and receiving to and from the main unit via a wireless line, information analyzing means for analyzing the information of the main unit received by the second wireless communication means, and information for notifying the user of the information notification The main unit monitors the state of the recording unit via the recording unit state monitoring unit, and when an error occurs in the recording unit, the error has occurred in the recording unit. To the scanner unit via the first wireless communication unit, the scanner unit receives the information of the main unit via the second wireless communication unit, and performs the information analysis. As a result of analysis by the means, if information indicating that the recording unit has entered an error state has been received, the information notifying unit notifies the user that the recording unit has entered an error state. Image communication device. 2. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the information notifying unit is at least one of an LED lamp, an LCD display, and a speaker. 3. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error is an error of no recording paper or no ink. 4. The image communication device according to claim 1, wherein the image communication device is a facsimile device.