JP2004048509A - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A transmission / reception operation is reduced to shorten the time until the transmission of a PC FAX job is completed.
A facsimile apparatus includes an image reading unit that reads an image, an image communication unit that transmits and receives read image information, and an image recording unit that records the image information. And means for receiving image data created by the computer, and means for transmitting the image data to a destination. By mounting the computer, the destination is directly transmitted from the computer. Means for sending to
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having an Internet function with a PC via an electronic communication network such as a LAN.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, embedded devices are required to operate at high performance, but demands for cost reduction are also increasing. Therefore, software configurations using UNIX (registered trademark) (Linux or the like) of Free are increasing. There is an advantage that not only the function of the OS can be used but also software of a driver (such as TCP / IP) can be easily installed. UNIX (registered trademark) is strong in LAN communication, and has the advantage of easily obtaining software that can be used. UNIX (registered trademark) has a function called NFS (Network File System). NFS is generally known as a mechanism for realizing disk sharing between UNIX (registered trademark).
[0003]
Also, facsimile machines incorporating a LAN function are increasing. The facsimile apparatus has a function called PC FAX, and a document created on the PC can be transmitted by FAX or mail by operation from the PC.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-299575 discloses a communication device and communication system capable of efficiently storing and distributing received image data on a network without being limited by its own memory capacity. Techniques for providing a system are disclosed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The PC FAX function transfers image information from a PC to a communication device such as a facsimile device, and the communication device transfers the image information to a designated destination. Therefore, communication of image information has been performed twice. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile transmission operation in a conventional facsimile apparatus, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the transmission operation. Upon receiving a transmission request from the PC 20 using the PC FAX function (step S101), the facsimile machine 21 receives image information from the PC 20 (step S102). If G3 and G4 are to be transmitted (Yes in step S103), the facsimile machine 21 At step S22, facsimile transmission is performed (step S104). If G3 and G4 are not transmitted (No at step S103), a mail is transmitted to the PC 23 (step S105), and image information is transmitted (step S106).
[0006]
Further, the communication device has a function of transmitting stored images and received images to a folder on the LAN. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an embodiment when transmitting a conventional stored image or received image, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the transmission operation. When there is a transmission request from the facsimile device 22 or the PC 23 (step S121), if the transmission setting to the designated folder is registered in the facsimile device 21, image information is received (step S122) and the received image is transmitted to the folder. (Step S123), and the image information is transmitted (Step S124). Also in this case, the communication is performed twice: the receiving operation and the transmitting operation to the folder.
[0007]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-299575 discloses a technique of temporarily expanding the data in a memory of a communication device at the time of reception and distributing the data to an NFS server. However, once the data is expanded, it takes time.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to reduce the time until transmission of a PC FAX job is completed by reducing transmission and reception operations.
[0009]
Another object of the present invention is to reduce the time until transmission to a folder is completed by saving the data in a folder at the mount destination.
[0010]
Another object is to increase the security level setting by changing the mount destination depending on the destination of the received document.
[0011]
Another object of the present invention is to facilitate management of stored files.
[0012]
It is another object of the present invention to increase the environment in which folders can be used by increasing services (protocols) for sharing folders on a network.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a facsimile apparatus having an image reading unit for reading an image, an image communication unit for transmitting and receiving the read image information, and an image recording unit for recording the image information. , The image communication unit is connected to a computer via a telecommunications network, has means for receiving image data created by the computer, and means for transmitting the image data to a destination, the computer Is mounted, so that the computer has a means for transmitting the data directly to the destination.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the telecommunications network has a shared folder accessible from a plurality of users, and the facsimile apparatus mounts the shared folder on the shared folder. Means, transfer means for transferring the image data to the mounted shared folder, and storage means for storing the transferred image data in a file in the shared folder.
[0015]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the control means has means for changing a shared folder to be mounted by a destination of a received document.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect of the invention, the storage means has a file name meaning of a destination name of a received document and a reception time.
[0017]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the shared file to be mounted uses an SMB (Server Message Block).
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 includes a document sensor 1, a paper sensor 2, a battery 3, a scanner 4, a plotter 5, an operation display unit 6, an image memory 7, a parameter memory 8, a clock circuit 9, It has a communication control unit 10, an encoding and decoding unit 11, a CPU 12, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, a character generator 15, a modem 16, a network control unit 17, and a LAN I / F 18. .
[0020]
The document sensor 1 detects whether there is a document and checks a document JAM or the like. The paper sensor 2 checks the position of the paper in the apparatus and the paper JAM. The battery 3 backs up the RAM for storing the telephone number, the name of the other party, and the like. The scanner 4 reads a document image and extracts image information. The plotter 5 records image information. The operation display unit 6 displays the state of the device and operation guidance, and performs various operations on the device. The image memory 7 is used to store image data. The parameter memory 8 stores parameters such as telephone numbers. The clock circuit 9 is used for transmission and the like. The communication control unit 10 controls the network control unit 17 and the modem 16 to perform facsimile communication according to a predetermined transmission control procedure. The encoding / decoding unit 11 transmits, but encodes information, and decodes a received document. The CPU 12 controls each unit to execute a predetermined operation of the facsimile machine. The ROM 13 stores programs necessary for the operation of the facsimile machine. The RAM 14 stores data necessary for operating the program. The character generator 15 stores character font data such as English / number / kana / symbol and kanji. The modem 16 modulates and demodulates the image information and transmits the same, and also transmits various procedure signals in the transmission control procedure. The network control unit 17 performs predetermined calling and receiving operations by supplementing a line, transmitting a selection signal as a destination telephone number, detecting an incoming call, and the like. The LAN I / F unit 18 exchanges data with the LAN.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a facsimile transmission operation in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the facsimile transmission operation in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. The PC in the present embodiment may be, for example, an IBM compatible machine, Windows (registered trademark), PC-Unix (registered trademark), or the like. The PC 20 requests the facsimile machine 21 to transmit a PC FAX (step S31). The facsimile machine 21 mounts the requested folder on the PC 21 (step S32). The folder may be designated at the time of the request on the PC 21 side, or may have a fixed name. By mounting, it becomes possible to use it like a disk directly connected to the terminal of the facsimile machine 21. If the mounting is successful, if the transmission is G3 or G4 (Yes in step S33), the facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile device 22; if the transmission is not G3 or G4 (No in step S33), an e-mail is transmitted to the PC 23 (step S33). (S35), the image information in the mount destination folder is read and transmitted (step S36). By doing so, not only the time until the end of the transmission operation is shortened, but also the cost can be reduced because the image information area of the facsimile machine 21 is not used. Also, there is no memory over.
[0022]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment when transmitting a stored image or a received image in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing processing when transmitting a stored image or a received image in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows a procedure. If it is set to transmit to the folder when the facsimile machine 22 or the PC 23 receives the data, a transmission request is issued to the folder (step S51), and the folder of the PC 21 is mounted (step S52). The received image is stored in the mounted folder (step S53). By storing the received image in the folder of the PC 21, the communication time can be shortened. Also, even for large images, there is no memory over. Further, since the facsimile machine 21 does not require a memory, the cost can be reduced. If it is necessary to temporarily expand and store received images and stored images, create and use temporary files in the shared folder. By doing so, since the RAM of the terminal of the facsimile machine 21 is not used, the size restriction of the received file is eliminated.
[0023]
Further, once the image data is stored in the image memory of the facsimile machine 21 and then transferred to a shared folder (NFS folder), communication is required twice for reception and transfer, so that it takes time until the job is completed. Therefore, storing images in the shared folder while receiving images can be processed in a shorter time.
[0024]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing operation when the mount destination is changed by the destination of the received document, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the mount destination is changed by the destination of the received document. When the transmission to the folder is requested (step S71), the receiving party changes the folder to be mounted and saves the received image. Images can be automatically sorted by changing folders according to the other party (step S72). In the case of a specific destination with high security or the like (Yes in step S72), a PC set for each destination is mounted (step S73), and if the specific destination is not (No in step S72), the PC in that case is replaced. The image is mounted (step S74), and the image is received in the folder of the mount destination (step S75). In the case of facsimile, the other party can be known from the other party's CSI or TID. In the case of e-mail, the destination can be known from the From address or the like. The specification of the mount destination is specified from the function of the facsimile machine 21.
[0025]
Here, as shown in FIG. 8, if the destination name and the date and time are used for the file name to be stored, these information can be known by checking the file name. It is conceivable that the pattern used for the file name can be selected from the function. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file name when the file name is the destination name and the reception time.
[0026]
Instead of using NFS to share folders, SMB is used. SMB is a protocol for realizing file sharing and printer sharing through a network in Windows (registered trademark) NT or Windows (registered trademark) 95/98. By using SMB, it is possible to handle many clients.
[0027]
A folder is called a directory in an IBM compatible machine, PC-Unix (registered trademark), or the like. Therefore, a folder in the present invention means a directory in an IBM compatible machine, PC-Unix (registered trademark), or the like.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, image information necessary for transmission can be opened by mounting a folder on the network. Therefore, the transfer operation of the image information from the PC to the facsimile machine becomes unnecessary, and the time from the start of the job to the transmission is shortened. Further, since the image RAM (disk) area of the facsimile apparatus terminal is not used, the cost of the terminal can be reduced.
[0029]
Further, according to the present invention, by mounting a folder on the network at the save destination, the save can be performed by the same operation as the save processing in the terminal. Therefore, the transmission operation from the facsimile machine to the PC becomes unnecessary, and the time from reception to transmission end is shortened. Further, since the image RAM (disk) area of the facsimile apparatus terminal is not used, the cost of the terminal can be reduced.
[0030]
Further, according to the present invention, since the mounting destination is changed depending on the destination at the time of reception, the received image to be distinguished can be automatically saved. You can raise the security level.
[0031]
Further, according to the present invention, the content of a file can be understood without devising a saved file name without using a special process (such as using a viewer or outputting a list).
[0032]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to support a wide range of user environments by supporting not only NFS but also SMB.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a facsimile transmission operation in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a facsimile transmission operation in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment when transmitting a stored image or a received image in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when transmitting a stored image or a received image in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a processing operation when a mount destination is changed depending on a destination of a received document.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a mount destination is changed by a destination of a received document.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file name when the file name is set to the partner name + time.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a facsimile transmission operation in a conventional facsimile apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a facsimile transmission operation in a conventional facsimile apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an embodiment when transmitting a stored image or a received image in a conventional facsimile machine.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when transmitting a stored image or a received image in a conventional facsimile machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
20, 23, 24 PC
21, 22 Facsimile machine

Claims (5)

An image reading unit that reads an image,
An image communication unit for transmitting and receiving the read image information;
A facsimile apparatus having an image recording unit for recording the image information,
The image communication unit is connected to a computer via a telecommunications network, and receives image data created by the computer.
Means for transmitting the image data to a destination,
A facsimile machine having means for mounting the computer to directly transmit the data from the computer to a destination. On the telecommunications network, has a shared folder accessible by a plurality of users,
The facsimile apparatus includes: a control unit mounted on the shared folder;
Transfer means for transferring the image data to the mounted shared folder;
2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit configured to store the transferred image data in a file in the shared folder. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means includes means for changing a shared folder to be mounted by a destination of the received document. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said storage means has a file name meaning a destination name of a received document and a reception time. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the shared file to be mounted uses SMB (Server \ Message \ Block).

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