JP2006025216A - Image communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: Since all functions are integrated in an MFP or a facsimile product, it is impossible to enhance some functions.
When a communication box having a telephone function including a cordless cordless handset and a facsimile data transmission / reception function and an image processing apparatus (MFP) composed of a scanner / printer are connected via a network, an identification signal is assigned to each MFP, and the network passes through the network. The MFP notifies the communication device of the MFP's own status information, and the communication device monitors the MFP status, so that the slave device can know the MFP status and model information, and transmits and receives facsimile data. An image communication system capable of operating an optimum scanner / printer is provided.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  In the present invention, a communication apparatus and an image processing apparatus are connected via a network and controlled by using a cordless slave unit, whereby information communication such as image data is mutually performed between the communication apparatus and the image processing apparatus. The present invention relates to an enabling image communication system.

  Conventional fax telephones have very high practicality in terms of telephone functions such as cordless telephone functions and highly reliable FAX / TEL automatic switching functions, but on the other hand, high speed and high resolution for scanner functions and printer functions. I have not caught up with the waves. On the other hand, a composite image processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as MFP) in which a FAX, a scanner, and a printer are integrated is excellent in a scanner function and a printer function, but it does not reach a telephone with a FAX in terms of a telephone function. Therefore, in order to satisfy all the functions of the telephone, FAX, scanner, and printer, the user has to purchase both the FAX-equipped telephone and the MFP.

  In order to solve such problems, the communication BOX with the scanner and printer functions deleted from the FAX-equipped telephone and the communication function from the MFP are eliminated, and both are connected to the network while reducing the cost of each device. By adopting such a configuration, it is necessary to be able to realize a FAX transmission / reception function with the same operability as conventional.

  Conventionally, transmission destination information and transmission image data are transmitted from the input terminal device connected to the storage device to the storage device, and the storage device sends the image data to the destination of the transmission destination information sent from the input terminal device. Has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, conventionally, when a copying machine composed of a master unit and a slave unit similarly connected via a network is used to set a document on the slave unit and execute a facsimile transmission processing command, the image data read by the slave unit is stored in the master unit. Has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-6-276348 JP-A-8-279865

  Conventionally, a cordless telephone apparatus with a facsimile function is known. As a peripheral device of a personal computer, an image processing device (hereinafter referred to as MFP: Multi Function Peripheral) in which a scanner that reads an image and a printer that records image data in the personal computer are integrated is known. .

  Looking at the cordless telephone with facsimile function, as for the telephone function, the cordless telephone function, the answering machine function, the highly reliable facsimile / telephone switching function, and the very excellent ability, the image reading function, With respect to the image recording function, the resolution and speed sufficient to satisfy the facsimile communication are sufficient, which is inferior to that of the MFP, and lacks the ability to be used as an image input / output device of a personal computer.

  On the other hand, when looking at the MFP, high speed and high resolution are progressing year by year, and it has a very good image input / image recording capability, but there are some MFPs that have a facsimile communication function. Does not extend to cordless phones with facsimile capabilities.

  Of course, it is technically possible to make the reading section / recording section of a cordless telephone with a facsimile function the same as that of an MFP, but there is a drawback that it becomes very expensive and has a large casing. Further, as described above, since the technological innovation of the MFP is very fast, there is a disadvantage that even if the user purchases such a device at an expensive price, it quickly becomes obsolete.

  The object of the present invention is to eliminate the duplication of the functions of the conventional cordless telephone apparatus with facsimile function and MFP, thereby simplifying the configuration of each apparatus and reducing the cost, and at the same time without losing the conventional functions. It is to propose an optimal configuration that takes advantage of the characteristics of. In the configuration of the present invention, the MFP configured by the communication BOX and the scanner / printer is separated, so that when there are a plurality of MFPs, it is difficult for the communication device to grasp the state of the MFP. Since there are a plurality of MFPs, it is difficult to determine which MFP should be used for reading and recording. For example, which MFP can output a fax when it is received and can be printed clearly and clearly, and from which MFP when transmitting a FAX can be read an image with good resolution.

  In the present invention, in consideration of the above contents, in a system in which the communication BOX and the scanner / printer are separated, each MFP assigns an identification signal, and the MFP notifies the communication apparatus of its own status information via the network. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information communication system in which MFP status information can be known from a slave unit and an optimum scanner / printer can be operated by monitoring the MFP status. Also, it is possible to acquire model information such as manufacturer information from the MFP and display the information on the liquid crystal screen of the slave unit for operation.

  In an image communication system in which a communication device having a cordless telephone function and a fax communication function and an image processing device having a scanner function and a printer function are connected to a common communication path to form a network with other devices, the communication device is A cordless slave that can transmit and receive control signals and audio signals to and from the communication device main body by wireless connection, a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the cordless slave, an encoding unit that encodes image signals for facsimile communication, and encoding A modem for transmitting the received image data to a telephone line, a calling unit for dialing a telephone number designated from the cordless handset, and a network control unit for exchanging data with an image processing apparatus connected by an external interface Identified from the network control unit and designated from the cordless slave unit Dial memory for storing telephone number, cordless slave, image memory for storing image data received from image processing device, status information receiving means for receiving status information from image processing device via network, and status information receiving Management means for storing and managing the status information of the image processing apparatus received by the means, wherein the cordless slave unit is a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication with the communication apparatus main body, and a selection means for selecting a call destination An image processing apparatus comprising: a dial means for inputting a destination telephone number; a display section for displaying information operated by the selection means and the dial means; a call instruction means for indicating a call; and a transmission instruction means for indicating a facsimile transmission. An image reading unit that scans a document with a conversion element and converts it into digital data, and converts the read data into density data Brightness / density conversion unit, network control unit that exchanges data with other devices connected via an external interface, recording unit that records image data received via the luminance / density conversion unit or external interface on recording paper, via a network And a status information notification means for notifying the communication device of status information of the image processing device, identifying a plurality of image processing devices connected to the network, and monitoring the status of the image processing device to which the identification signal is assigned. An image communication system, wherein an image processing apparatus optimal for reading and recording at that time is displayed on a selection screen of a cordless slave unit.

  With the configuration of the present invention, high-functional telephone functions such as a cordless telephone function, an answering machine function, and a highly reliable facsimile / telephone switching function can be realized by a communication BOX. Since it can be performed using an MFP having a high-performance reading unit, the configuration of each of the communication BOX and MFP is simplified, and the user has high-performance telephone functions and high-performance image input / output functions for personal computers at low cost. Can be provided.

  In addition, when the scanner function and printer function of the MFP become obsolete, the user only needs to replace the MFP, so that the user's economic burden at the time of rapid MFP replacement can be reduced.

  Furthermore, when a plurality of MFPs are connected to the network, facsimile transmission from each MFP is possible via the communication BOX, so whether there are a plurality of FAXes in one facsimile communication function included in the communication BOX. It is possible to select an MFP that is optimal for facsimile transmission and an MFP that is optimal for reception printing.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention is the following examples.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 101 is a communication BOX in which the present invention is implemented, 201 (201-1, 201-2) are cordless slave units in which the present invention is implemented, and 301 (301 -1, 301-2) is an image processing apparatus embodying the present invention, 401 is a network router having a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function, 501 is a general PC (personal computer), and 601 is a network cable. Are connected by a network as defined in IEEE802.3. Further, the cordless slave devices 201 (201-1, 201-2) are connected to the communication BOX 101 by radio.

  Further, in FIG. 1, two cordless slave units are shown as 201-1 and 201-2 in FIG. 1, but more connections are possible, or only one unit may be used.

  In the present invention, the image processing apparatus is configured to be connectable to a plurality of networks. In FIG. 1, two image processing apparatuses are described as 302-1 and 302-2. Connection is possible, or only one unit may be connected.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the communication BOX 101 embodying the present invention. The communication BOX has a wireless interface for exchanging with a cordless slave unit, an interface with a public line network for performing a facsimile communication or a call with the cordless slave unit, and an interface for communicating with a PC or MFP connected by the network. ing.

  In the figure, a control unit 1001 is a control unit that controls the entire communication BOX in accordance with a program stored in a ROM 1002. The ROM 1002 stores a control program of the control unit 1001, an operating system (OS) program, and the like, and the control unit 1001 controls the operation of the communication BOX according to the control program stored here. In the present invention, each control program stored in the ROM 1002 is subjected to software control such as scheduling and task switching under the management of the OS program stored in the ROM 1002. The RAM 1003 stores arithmetic processing, storage of setting values registered by the operator, device management data, etc., storage of addresses acquired when the communication BOX is connected to the network router, storage of addresses of MFPs connected to the network, etc. Used for. The buffer memory 1004 stores image data and data packets sent through the network, and stores facsimile image data transmitted / received via a public line. The code decoding processing unit 1004 performs code decoding processing for compressing / decompressing image data received from the MFP or received from the public line according to the operation mode, such as MH, MR, JIBG, and JPEG. The communication control unit 1006 is an interface for connecting the public line 701 and the communication BOX, and is a ringer detection circuit for detecting a call signal from the central office switch, a dial generation circuit, and a transformer circuit for performing 2-wire to 4-wire conversion. The voice signal of the call by the cordless cordless handset and the modulation signal of the facsimile communication are transmitted / received to / from the public line through the communication control unit. The modem 1007 modulates and demodulates digital data for facsimile communication. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a crosspoint switch unit, which switches an analog signal transmitted / received via the communication control unit between the modem 1007 and a radio control unit 1009 (to be described later) depending on the operation mode under the control of the control unit. Reference numeral 1009 denotes a wireless control unit including an RF module. In order to communicate with a cordless slave connected wirelessly, control data and a voice signal are modulated and converted into a format that can be wirelessly transmitted to the antenna 1012. At the same time, the radio signal received from the antenna is demodulated, the control data is output to the control unit, and the analog signal (audio signal) is output to the cross point switch 1008. When the handset 201 shown in FIG. 1 is used, the communication BOX and the handset are connected wirelessly to form an audio path. Reference numeral 1010 denotes a network control unit that performs communication control in a network defined by IEEE 802.3 or the like. The network control unit is connected to the network, performs protocol control in accordance with a standard such as TCP / IP, and receives data packets from the image processing apparatus and transmits data packets to the image processing apparatus. The network control unit 1010 notifies the control unit 1001 when it receives the data packet. Reference numeral 1013 denotes a telephone directory memory for storing a communication partner name, telephone number, FAX number, etc. registered for each cordless slave unit. A system bus 1011 connects the control unit 1001 and each block. Reference numeral 1014 denotes a WEB page memory for storing various setting menu screens described in the HTML format for display on the display unit of the cordless slave unit.

  Reference numeral 601 denotes a network cable which is connected to the network router 401.

  Reference numeral 701 denotes a public line through which a telephone call or facsimile communication is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the cordless handset 201 implementing the present invention. In the figure, a control unit 2001 controls the entire cordless slave device 201. The ROM 2002 stores a control program of the control unit 2001, an operating system (OS) program, and the like, and the control unit 2001 controls the operation of the communication BOX according to the control program stored here. The RAM 2003 stores arithmetic processing, storage of image data to be displayed on the display unit 2007, telephone book data received from the communication BOX, and the like. The operation unit 2008 includes dial keys for inputting a dial number and the like, and function keys such as a call key, a transmission key, and a phone book key. The display unit 2007 displays various setting screens, input dial numbers, operation statuses of the communication BOX, and the like according to the operation of the operation unit 2007. The baseband unit 2004 has a modem compander and a secret talk / amplifier function, and modulates and demodulates control data and audio signals into a format with good transmission efficiency. The modulation signal from the baseband unit 2004 is transmitted to the communication BOX via the radio control unit 2005 described later. In addition, the modulation signal from the wireless control unit 2005 is demodulated, the control signal is output to the control unit 2001, and the audio signal is output to the speaker 2009. The wireless control unit 2005 converts the modulated signal from the baseband unit 2004 into a format that can be wirelessly transmitted and sends it to the antenna 2006, and also extracts the modulated signal from the signal received wirelessly from the antenna 2006 and outputs it to the baseband unit 2004. The microphone 2011 inputs a call voice signal. The speaker 2009 sounds a sound output of an audio signal and a ring tone. The receiver 2010 outputs a call voice signal. 2012 is a non-volatile memory composed of an EEPROM or the like for storing a call code (system ID) of a system for establishing wireless communication between the cordless slave unit and the communication BOX, a slave unit number ID of the cordless slave unit, and the like. is there. 2013 is a system bus that connects the control unit and each block.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus (MFP) 301 embodying the present invention. The image processing apparatus has an image reading unit and an image recording unit, and outputs the read image data to the network, records the image data received from the network by the recording unit, or records the image data read by the reading unit. It can be recorded by part. In the figure, a control unit 3001 is a system control unit and controls the entire image processing apparatus. The ROM 3002 stores a control program of the control unit 3001, an operating system (OS) program, and the like, and the control unit 3001 controls the operation of the terminal device according to the control program stored therein. In the present invention, each control program stored in the ROM 3002 is subjected to software control such as scheduling and task switching under the management of the OS program stored in the ROM 3002. The RAM 3003 is used for arithmetic processing, storing setting values registered by the operator, device management data, and the like, and storing addresses acquired when the image processing device is connected to a network router. The buffer memory 3004 stores read image data and received image data, and stores data packets transmitted and received via the network. The operation unit 3005 includes various input keys and is used for various input operations by the operator. A display unit 3010 includes an LED, an LCD, and the like, and performs display for setting a reading mode, display for various settings, display of an operation status of the image processing apparatus, and the like. A reading processing unit 3006 optically reads a document with a photoelectric conversion element in the reading unit 3007 and performs various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing on the image signal converted into electrical image data. It outputs fine image data. The reading processing unit 3006 is controlled by a scan control task program of a control program stored in the ROM 3002. The reading unit 3007 is configured by a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD or a contact image sensor. The recording processing unit 3008 performs resolution conversion processing and smoothing processing on the recorded image data so that the recording unit 3009 records image data. Also, when a failure such as no paper, paper jam, or toner (or ink) running out occurs in the recording unit 3009, failure information is received from the recording unit 3009 and notified to the control unit 3001. The recording processing unit is controlled by a printer control task program of a control program stored in the ROM 3002. The recording unit 3009 is configured by a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, or the like, and has a recording paper detection unit, a toner (or ink) detection unit, and a jam detection unit. The code decoding processing unit 3011 performs code decoding processing for compressing / decompressing image data such as MH, MR, JIBG, and JPEG according to the operation mode. Reference numeral 3012 denotes a network control unit that performs communication control over a network defined by IEEE 802.3 or the like. The network control unit is connected to the network, performs protocol control in accordance with a standard such as TCP / IP, receives a data packet destined for an address acquired by the image processing apparatus, and transmits a data packet from the image processing apparatus. . The network control unit 3022 notifies the control unit 3001 when it receives the data packet. A system bus 3023 connects the control unit 3001 and each block.

  Reference numeral 601 denotes a network cable which is connected to the network router 401.

  FIG. 5 shows the appearance of the cordless slave device 201. An example of an operation unit 2008 including a dial key for inputting a dial number, a function key such as a call key, a transmission key, and a phone book key, and a display unit 2007 for displaying the input dial number is shown. Yes.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The MFP 301-1 is realized by plug and play when the MFP 301-1 is connected to the network by the network router 401 having the DHCP function. In other words, if the network router 401 having the DHCP function is physically connected to the network, settings necessary for communication such as TCP / IP are automatically performed. Here, the IP address of MFP 301-1 is determined. Then, based on the IP address distributed by the network router 401 having the DHCP function, the communication BOX 101 that wants to perform address resolution can know the MAC address of the connected MFP 301-1. As a means in this case, for example, there is ARP (Address Resolution Protocol).

  In ARP, a communication box 101 that wants to resolve an address such as knowing a MAC address from an IP address sends a packet called a broadcast packet, “MFP 301-1 having this IP address should return MAC” to the other party in the LAN. ARP broadcast is sent to the whole. Thereafter, all MFPs in the LAN receive the broadcast packet, and an unrelated MFP that does not have the IP address discards the packet. Eventually, when an MFP having a specific IP address is found, one-to-one unicast with the MFP is performed to establish communication.

The detailed exchange there is not related to the present invention, and is omitted here.
Note that the relationship between the IP address and the MAC address can be determined by another means such as RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol).

  FIG. 6 shows a reference format of the MAC address.

  The MAC address format consists of a 48-bit code, which consists of a 24-bit vendor code and a 48-bit node number (a management code that does not overlap with other devices managed and provided by the manufacturer). ing.

  In FIG. 6, 3 to 24 bits are called a vendor identifier, and a specific number is assigned to each manufacturer, and 25 to 48 bits have a structure in which a different number is assigned to each network interface manufactured by the manufacturer.

  In this embodiment, the node number of the MAC address is a scanner / printer, information such as scanner resolution, color / monochrome, CCD / CIS, and a printer such as an ink jet method, a laser beam method, or color / monochrome. Include performance information.

  From the above contents, the manufacturer can be determined from the vendor identifier part of the MAC address of the MFP 301-1 connected in the network control unit of the communication BOX 101, and it can be determined that the connected one is the MFP. By transmitting the performance information data calculated from the node number of the MAC address to the slave unit 201-1, the slave unit can display only the products connected by a certain manufacturer on the LAN and display its performance. And

FIG. 7 shows a model list display example on the display unit 2007 of the cordless slave device 201.
The user presses each key of the operation unit 2008 on the screen of FIG. 7 to select / determine an MFP to perform reading or an MFP to perform recording.

  FIG. 7A is a list of MFPs currently available. Here, the manufacturer is determined from the vendor identifier portion of the above MAC address, and the product of only the company A is displayed. Of course, other companies' products can be displayed.

  FIG. 7-2 is a list of currently available printers. The details screen of the printer in FIG. Here, performance information such as an ink jet method, a laser beam method, or color / monochrome is displayed from the node identifier portion of the MAC address. It is also possible to display error information such as no paper and no ink, information on the idle state at power-on, job information such as during printing and cleaning, and the like.

  FIG. 7C is a list of currently available scanners. The detailed screen of the scanner in FIG. Here, performance information such as scanner resolution, color / monochrome, CCD / CIS is displayed from the node identifier portion of the MAC address. It is possible to display idle state information at power-on, job information during reading, and the like.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a state information notification process to the communication box 101 on the MFP 301 side in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The MFP 301 monitors whether or not its own state has changed (S101), and notifies the communication box 101 of the state information if there has been a change. Specific examples of the status include error information such as no recording paper, recording paper jam, no ink, information on the idle state at power-on, job information during printing, cleaning, and the like.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a status information notification process from the MFP 301 on the communication BOX 101 side according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The communication BOX 101 side monitors whether or not the status information notification is received from the MFP 301 side (S201), and when the notification is received, updates the status information in the memory for storing the status information (S202).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing facsimile reception processing on the communication BOX 101 side in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication BOX 101 side monitors the arrival of a facsimile by CNG detection or the like (S301). If CNG is detected, a facsimile start procedure is performed to start facsimile reception processing (S302). Here, the image data is received from the communication line and temporarily stored in the memory. Next, whether or not the MFP that is the output destination of the image data is normal is determined by examining the memory stored in the status information update process in S202 of FIG. 9 (S303). When the output destination MFP is normal, the data of the MFP that can be output is transmitted to the cordless slave unit together with the arrival of the facsimile (S304). decide. (S305) Thereafter, the image data is transmitted to the MFP. (S306) Monitor the status information of the MFP. If the MFP is printing image data, the monitoring is continued. The normal termination process is performed (S308), and the process returns to S301. If an error state is detected, the received image data is stored in the memory and the screen returns to the MFP state confirmation screen (S307). Note that the status notification from the MFP during the printing process to the communication BOX is also performed in S102 of FIG. 8, and the status information is updated in S202 of FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing facsimile reception processing on the MFP 301 side in the embodiment of the present invention.

  The MFP side monitors whether image data has arrived from the communication BOX via the network (S401), and if it has arrived, starts printing processing of the image data (S402). Next, it is monitored whether or not the printing process has been completed normally (S403). If the printing process has been completed normally, a normal termination process for returning the printing operation to standby is performed (S404), and the process returns to S401. If an error has occurred, a print job cancel process or an error end process corresponding to the error is performed (S405), and the process returns to S401.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing facsimile transmission processing on the communication BOX 101 side in the embodiment of the present invention.

  It is monitored whether or not facsimile transmission is instructed from the operation unit of the slave unit (S501), and if it is instructed, whether or not the reading unit of the MFP serving as the transmission destination is normal is stored in the status information update process in S202 of FIG. The information state of the MFP is displayed on the display unit of the slave unit (S502).

  Based on the received MFP information, an MFP to be output by the slave unit is determined (S503). A reading instruction command is transmitted to the selected MFP (S504), and if it is in an abnormal state, processing for canceling facsimile transmission is performed (S509). While the MFP is performing a reading process, the state of the reading unit of the MFP is monitored (S505). If the error ends, facsimile transmission stop processing is executed (S509). When the reading process is normally completed, the process waits for the read image data to arrive from the MFP (S506). When the image data is received, a data conversion process such as an encoding process for facsimile transmission is performed (S507). Thereafter, facsimile transmission processing is performed by the communication control unit (S508).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing facsimile transmission processing on the MFP 301 side in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Whether or not the reading instruction command transmitted from the communication BOX in S504 has been received is monitored (S601), and if received, the reading unit is driven to start reading processing (S602).

  During the reading process, it is monitored whether or not the reading unit normally finishes reading (S603). If the reading is completed normally, the read image data is transmitted to the communication BOX (S604). If the reading unit becomes in an abnormal state during the reading process, an error end process such as notifying the communication BOX to that effect is performed and the process ends (S605).

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, when a state change occurs in the MFP 301 to which the identification signal is assigned, the state information is notified to the communication BOX 101 via the network, and the communication BOX 101 also notifies the model information and the state information of the MFP 301. Is stored and managed, it is possible to display and select an image processing apparatus optimal for reading and recording at that time on the liquid crystal screen of the cordless slave unit 201.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the image communication system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram of communication BOX101 to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram of cordless cordless handset 201 to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus (MFP) 301 to which the present invention is applied. It is an external view of the cordless cordless handset to which the present invention is applied. This is a reference format of the MAC address. It is a liquid crystal display example of the cordless cordless handset to which the present invention is applied. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a state information notification process (on the MFP 301 side) of the MFP 301 to which the present invention has been applied. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a status information notification process (communication BOX 101 side) of the MFP 301 to which the present invention has been applied. It is a flowchart which shows the facsimile reception process by the side of communication BOX101. 6 is a flowchart showing facsimile reception processing on the MFP 301 side. It is a flowchart which shows the facsimile transmission process by the side of communication BOX101. 6 is a flowchart illustrating facsimile transmission processing on the MFP 301 side.

Explanation of symbols

101 Communication BOX
201 Cordless handset 301 Image processing apparatus (MFP)
401 Network router 501 Personal computer (PC)
601 Network cable 701 Public line 1001 Control unit 1002 ROM
1003 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1004 Buffer memory 1005 Coding / decoding part 1006 Communication control part 1007 Modem 1008 Crosspoint switch part 1009 Wireless control part 1010 Network control part 1011 System bus 1012 Antenna 1013 Telephone book memory 1014 WEB page memory 2001 Control part 2002 ROM
2003 RAM
2004 Baseband unit 2005 Wireless unit 2006 Slave unit antenna 2007 Display unit 2008 Operation unit 2009 Speaker 2010 Receiver 2011 Microphone 2012 EEPROM
2013 system bus 3001 control unit 3002 ROM
3003 RAM
3004 Buffer memory 3005 Operation unit 3006 Reading processing unit 3007 Reading unit 3008 Recording processing unit 3009 Recording unit 3010 Display unit 3011 Coding / decoding processing unit 3012 Network control unit

Claims (2)

In an image communication system in which a communication device having a cordless telephone function and a fax communication function and an image processing device having a scanner function and a printer function are connected to a common communication path to form a network with other devices.
The communication device is a cordless cordless handset that can send and receive control signals and audio signals to and from the communication device body via wireless connection
A wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication with the cordless handset,
An encoding unit for encoding an image signal for facsimile communication;
A modem unit for transmitting the encoded image data to the telephone line;
A calling part for dialing a designated telephone number from the cordless handset,
A network control unit for exchanging data with an image processing apparatus connected by an external interface;
A dial memory that stores the telephone number identified from the cordless handset and identified from the network control unit;
An image memory for storing image data received from the image processing device;
Status information receiving means for receiving status information from the image processing apparatus via a network;
Management means for storing and managing the status information of the image processing apparatus received by the status information receiving means,
The cordless cordless handset is a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the communication device body,
A selection means for selecting a destination to call,
Dialing means to enter the destination telephone number,
A display unit for displaying information operated by the selection unit and the dial unit;
Call instruction means for indicating a call,
A transmission instruction means indicating facsimile transmission;
The image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit that scans a document with a photoelectric conversion element and converts the document into digital data.
A luminance density converter for converting the read data into density data;
A network controller that exchanges data with other devices connected by an external interface;
A recording unit for recording image data received via the luminance density conversion unit or the external interface on a recording sheet;
Status information notification means for notifying the status information of the image processing apparatus to the communication apparatus via the network,
A plurality of image processing devices connected to the network are identified, the state of the image processing device to which the identification signal is assigned is monitored, and the optimum image processing device for reading and recording at that time is selected as the cordless slave unit. An image communication system characterized by being displayed on a selection screen. The information communication system of claim 1,
2. The image communication system according to claim 1, wherein the slave unit operates to wirelessly communicate with the communication device main body to transmit image processing device information and manufacturer information to the slave unit.

Images