JP2007267013A - Facsimile device, program and recording medium thereof, and display method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an image that is small and easy to see for a user.
A FAX communication unit 11 that generates image data from received communication data and a projector unit 12 that projects an image based on the image data generated by the FAX communication unit 11 are provided.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus such as a facsimile capable of confirming a received image without printing, a multifunction machine having a facsimile function, and a computer having a facsimile board, its program and recording medium, and a display method. is there.

  Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus only prints received data on paper. However, in recent years, a method of displaying received data before printing on a display device including a liquid crystal display (LCD) provided in a facsimile apparatus has been used.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a facsimile apparatus that displays data received by a facsimile apparatus on an LCD without printing on paper.
JP 5-191545 A (published July 30, 1993)

  However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus that displays an image on the LCD based on the data before printing, the display surface of the LCD is generally downsized to reduce the size of the facsimile apparatus. There is a problem that it is difficult for the user to see the image. Further, in order to overcome the above-described problems by increasing the display surface of the LCD, it is necessary to provide an expensive large LCD, which gives an economical burden to the user. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size of the facsimile apparatus by increasing the display surface of the LCD.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus, a program, a recording medium, and a display method that can provide a user-friendly image that is small in size. There is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention is a facsimile apparatus including a receiving unit that receives communication data, and the image data generating unit generates image data from the communication data received by the receiving unit. And projection means for projecting an image based on the image data generated by the image data generation means.

  The display method of the present invention is a display method in a facsimile apparatus that receives communication data in order to solve the above-described problem, and includes an image data generation step for generating image data from the received communication data, And a projection step of projecting an image based on the image data.

  According to the above invention, the image is projected by the projection unit based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit from the communication data received by the reception unit, and the image data is projected by the projection unit. Even without using a display device such as an LCD, the image data projected by the projection means can be confirmed before printing the image data. Therefore, it is possible to obtain information without printing image data that does not need to be printed. Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved economically. In addition, if the projection unit includes a projection lens, the display size of the image data to be projected can be changed by changing the position of the projection lens. When projecting image data, it is possible to easily increase the size of the image data to be projected without increasing the size of the projection means itself, so that the image data can be displayed larger without increasing the size of the facsimile apparatus. It becomes possible to do. Furthermore, if the image data is displayed in a large size, it becomes easier for the user to determine the contents of the image data, so the convenience for the user is improved. Further, since the image data is projected by the projecting means, the image data can be displayed in a large size as described above without using a large-sized LCD which is expensive. As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a user-friendly image that is small in size.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the image data is acquired from the storage unit that stores the image data and the storage unit in response to a user operation, and the projection unit uses the acquired image data. It is preferable to further include control means for projecting an image.

  Accordingly, the control unit acquires image data from the storage unit according to the user's operation, and the projection unit projects the image based on the image data. Therefore, the image data can be projected according to the user's operation. It becomes possible.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the projection unit projects the entire area of the image in units of one page at a time.

  As a result, the entire area of the image in units of one page can be projected at a time by the projector unit, so that the user can check the entire area of the image in units of one page on the transmission side at a time. become. Therefore, there is no need for the troublesome trouble that the user confirms while displaying the images in units of one page in order when the image on the page of the transmission side is divided into a plurality of images and displayed in order. .

  The facsimile apparatus of the present invention preferably further comprises a sheet supply tray for placing sheets, and the projection unit projects the image onto the sheet supply tray or the sheet placed on the sheet supply tray.

  As a result, image data can be projected onto a sheet supply tray that is generally provided in a facsimile apparatus. Therefore, a new unit that is not generally provided in a facsimile apparatus as a projection target for projecting image data. It is not necessary to provide a special facility. Therefore, no new cost is generated.

  The facsimile apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, a program that causes the facsimile apparatus to be realized by the computer by causing the computer to operate as the above-described means, and a computer-readable program that records the program. Various recording media are also within the scope of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, since the image data is projected by the projecting means, the image data can be displayed in a large size so that the user can easily determine the contents of the image data. Further, the image data can be displayed large without using an expensive large LCD. In addition, by checking the projected image data before printing the image data, it is possible to obtain information without printing image data that does not need to be printed. Further, the image data can be displayed in a large size without increasing the size of the facsimile apparatus. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an image that is small and easy to see for the user.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 as follows. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a facsimile machine 1 according to the present invention, and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a paper feed tray 3, a facsimile (FAX) communication unit (reception unit, image data generation unit) 11, a projector unit (projection unit) 12, A memory 13, a first input unit 14, a first control unit 15, and a printer unit 16 are provided. Examples of the facsimile apparatus 1 include a facsimile, a copier having a facsimile function, a multifunction machine including a scanner, and a computer having a facsimile board (control board for facsimile function).

  The paper feed tray (sheet supply tray) 3 is for placing paper (sheets) such as recording paper for printing image data obtained from transmission originals at the time of FAX transmission and communication data received at the time of FAX reception. The paper feed tray 3 has a plate-like portion in contact with the paper so that at least a part of the paper can be kept flat. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed tray 3 is provided so that paper can be set on the top of the facsimile machine 1.

  The FAX communication unit 11 communicates information (communication data) by a data signal with a facsimile apparatus different from the facsimile apparatus 1. When communication data is transmitted from the other facsimile apparatus to the facsimile apparatus 1, the FAX communication unit 11 receives the communication data and converts (generates) the received communication data into image data. Further, when transmitting image data from the facsimile apparatus 1 to the other facsimile apparatus, the FAX communication unit 11 converts the image data into communication data and transmits it. The image data referred to here may be only character data or only graphic data. Further, it may be data including both character data and graphic data.

  The projector unit 12 is provided inside the facsimile apparatus 1 and projects characters and / or graphics represented by the image data sent from the FAX communication unit 11 toward the paper feed tray 3. The projector unit 12 can change the size of an image to be projected by changing the position of the projection lens provided. The projector unit 12 is based on image data having an information amount corresponding to one A4 size page (in units of one A4 size page), that is, image data that can be printed on one A4 size page by the printer unit 16. Project images in bulk. Further, the reason for projecting an image for one page of A4 size is that an A4 size transmission document is generally most used for communication between facsimile apparatuses, and an image for one transmission document is directly used as a projector. This is because the image can be projected by the unit 12.

  In the present embodiment, an image corresponding to one page of A4 size is projected. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and an image corresponding to one page of another document size such as A3 size is projected. It may be. In this case, if the configuration is such that one page of the document size of the same size as the transmission document read by the transmission side facsimile apparatus is projected, the image of the transmission document can be projected as it is by the projector unit 12.

  Further, when the projector unit 12 is configured to project an image for one page of A4 size, it is preferable that the image data is enlarged and displayed so that the size of the displayed image is equal to or larger than the A4 size. In general, A4-sized transmission originals are most used for communication between facsimile apparatuses, so that an image can be projected with a size larger than that of the transmission originals. As a result, it is possible to project an image with a size larger than the size of the transmission original, and therefore it is possible to provide image data that is easier to see than the transmission original. For example, in the case of a configuration in which an image for one page of another document size such as A3 size is projected, the image is enlarged so that the size of the displayed image data is larger than the other document size such as A3 size. May be displayed. Further, when the size of the displayed image is A4 size, it is preferable that the paper feed tray 3 is exactly the size of A4 size. As a result, for example, the displayed image just overlaps the A4 size paper set in the paper feed tray 3, so that it becomes easier to see sensuously.

  Further, the image data projected by the projector unit 12 and the image data printed by the printer unit 16 are projected or printed after being finally converted into a data format for projection or printing, respectively. Specifically, for example, “CMYK system” can be used as a data format for printing, and “RGB system” can be used as a data format for display.

  The memory 13 stores image data obtained by converting communication data received by the FAX communication unit 11. Also, the first input unit 14 is for a user to give an instruction to print an image based on the image data, and when receiving a print instruction from the user, the first input unit 14 sends to the first control unit 15. It conveys a print instruction to the printer. Subsequently, the first control unit 15 reads (acquires) the image data stored in the memory 13 and sends it to the printer unit 16 in accordance with a print instruction from the first input unit. The printer unit 16 prints an image based on the image data sent from the first control unit 15 on the paper set in the paper feed tray 3.

  Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the display method in the facsimile apparatus 1.

  First, in step S <b> 1, the FAX communication unit 11 receives communication data transmitted from another facsimile device of the facsimile device 1. Subsequently, in step S2, the FAX communication unit 11 converts the received communication data into image data. Then, the image data is sent to the memory 13 for storage and sent to the projector unit 12.

  In step S <b> 3, the projector unit 12 projects characters and / or figures (images) represented by the image data sent from the FAX communication unit 11. In the case of the present embodiment, the projector unit 12 projects characters and / or figures toward the paper feed tray 3. Specifically, when paper is set in the paper feed tray 3, characters and / or figures are projected on the paper set in the paper feed tray 3, and no paper is set in the paper feed tray 3. Projects characters and / or figures directly onto the plate-like portion of the paper feed tray 3.

  In step S <b> 4, an instruction as to whether or not to print the image is input to the first input unit 14 from the user who has viewed the image projected by the projector unit 12. When an instruction to print the image (print instruction) is input to the first input unit 14 (Yes in step S4), a print command is sent from the first input unit 14 to the first control unit 15. The process proceeds to step S5. If the instruction to print the image data is not input to the first input unit 14 (No in step S4), the flow of step S4 is repeated.

  In step S <b> 5, based on the image data sent from the first control unit 15, the printer unit 16 prints an image on the paper set in the paper feed tray 3.

  In addition to steps S1 to S5, when an instruction not to print the communication data is given, the configuration described below can be used. For example, if an instruction not to print communication data is input to the first input unit 14 or an input unit other than the first input unit 14 in step S4, a deletion command for deleting the image data stored in the memory 13 is issued. 1 control unit 15 or a control unit other than the first control unit 15 is sent to a control unit other than the first control unit 15, and the image data stored in the memory 13 is performed by a control unit other than the first control unit 15 or the first control unit 15. Also good. If an instruction not to print communication data is input to the first input unit 14 or an input unit other than the first input unit 14 in step S4, the image data stored in the memory 13 is not deleted and the first The configuration may be such that image data is not sent from the control unit 15 to the printer unit 16. Note that step S5 is not performed in the above two configurations.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the projector unit 12 is configured to project an image on the paper set in the paper feed tray 3 or the plate-like portion of the paper feed tray 3, but this is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the projector may be configured to project onto the wall of the room where the facsimile machine 1 is installed. Thus, as in the case of using the paper set in the paper feed tray 3 or the plate-like portion of the paper feed tray 3, it is not necessary to newly provide equipment as a projection target for projecting an image. Does not generate costs.

  In the present embodiment, an image is printed by the printer unit 16 based on image data obtained from data received by the FAX communication unit 11, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the memory 13, the first input unit 14, the first control unit 15, and the printer unit 16 may be omitted. In this case, the projector 12 only projects an image based on the image data obtained from the communication data received by the FAX communication unit 11. That is, the operation flow of the display method in the facsimile apparatus 1 shown in steps S1 to S5 is configured such that steps S4 to S5 are not performed and the operation flow ends after step S3 is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the received communication data is received by the FAX communication unit 11 and converted into image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other members such as the projector unit 12, the printer unit 16, and the first control unit 15 may have a function of converting communication data into image data, or a member having a function of converting communication data into image data. (Image data generating means) may be provided independently.

[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. Configurations other than those described in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted.

  First, a schematic configuration of the facsimile machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the facsimile machine 2.

  The facsimile apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment includes a FAX communication unit 11, a memory (storage unit) 13, a first input unit 14, a first control unit 15, a printer unit 16, a projector unit (projection unit) 22, and a second input unit. 24 and a second control unit (control means) 25.

  The second input unit 24 is for the user to instruct the projection of characters and / or figures (images) represented by the image data obtained from the communication data received by the FAX communication unit 11. When an instruction is received, a projection instruction is transmitted to the second control unit 25. Subsequently, the second control unit 25 reads out image data stored in the memory 13 and sends it to the projector unit 22 in accordance with a projection instruction from the second input unit. The projector unit 22 projects characters and / or graphics represented by the image data sent from the second control unit 25 toward the paper feed tray 3. The projector unit 12 can change the size of an image to be projected by changing the position of the projection lens provided.

  Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the display method in the facsimile apparatus 2.

  First, in step S <b> 11, the FAX communication unit 11 receives communication data transmitted from another facsimile apparatus of the facsimile apparatus 1. Subsequently, in step S12, the FAX communication unit 11 converts the received communication data into image data. Then, the image data is sent to the memory 13 and stored.

  In step S <b> 13, an instruction as to whether or not to project image data obtained from communication data received by the FAX communication unit 11 is input to the second input unit 24 from the user. When an instruction to project an image (projection instruction) is input to the second input unit 24 (Yes in step S13), a projection command is sent from the second input unit 24 to the second control unit 25. Control goes to step S14. If no instruction to project an image is input to the second input unit 24, the flow of step S13 is repeated.

  In step S <b> 14, the projector unit 22 projects characters and / or figures represented by the image data sent from the FAX communication unit 11. Also in the case of the present embodiment, the projector unit 22 projects characters and / or figures toward the paper feed tray 3. Specifically, when paper is set in the paper feed tray 3, characters and / or figures are projected on the paper set in the paper feed tray 3, and no paper is set in the paper feed tray 3. Projects characters and / or figures directly onto the plate-like portion of the paper feed tray 3.

  In step S <b> 15, an instruction as to whether or not to print the image is input to the first input unit 14 from the user who has viewed the image projected by the projector unit 22. When an instruction to print the image data (print instruction) is input to the first input unit 14 (Yes in step S15), a print command is sent from the first input unit 14 to the first control unit 15. Then, the process proceeds to step S16. If the instruction to print the image data is not input to the first input unit 14 (No in step S15), the flow of step S15 is repeated.

  In step S <b> 16, based on the image data sent from the first control unit 15, the printer unit 16 prints an image on the paper set in the paper feed tray 3.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the projector unit 22 is configured to project an image on the paper set in the paper feed tray 3 or the plate-like portion of the paper feed tray 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the projector may be configured to project onto the wall of the room where the facsimile machine 1 is installed. Thus, as in the case of using the paper set in the paper feed tray 3 or the plate-like portion of the paper feed tray 3, it is not necessary to newly provide equipment as a projection target for projecting an image. Does not generate costs.

  In the present embodiment, an image is printed by the printer unit 16 based on image data obtained from data received by the FAX communication unit 11, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the first input unit 14, the first control unit 15, and the printer unit 16 may be omitted. In this case, the projector 22 only projects an image based on the image data obtained from the communication data received by the FAX communication unit 11. That is, the operation flow of the display method in the facsimile apparatus 2 shown in steps S11 to S16 is configured such that steps S15 to S16 are not performed, and the operation flow ends after step S14 is performed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration including two of the first input unit 14 and the second input unit 24 is shown, but this is shown as being divided into two as functional blocks, and is not necessarily It is not limited to this. For example, the first input unit 14 and the second input unit 24 may be provided as independent members, respectively, or the first input unit 14 and the second input unit 24 may be provided as one member.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration including two of the first control unit 15 and the second control unit 25 is shown, but this is divided into two as functional blocks, and is not necessarily limited to It is not limited to this. For example, the first control unit 15 and the second control unit 25 may be provided as independent members, respectively, or the first control unit 15 and the second control unit 25 may be provided as one member.

  In the present embodiment, the received communication data is received by the FAX communication unit 11 and converted into image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other members such as the projector unit 22, the printer unit 16, the first control unit 15, and the second control unit 25 may have a function of converting (generating) communication data into image data. A member (image data generating means) having a function of converting (generating) image data may be provided independently.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the technical means disclosed in different embodiments can be appropriately combined. Such embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the facsimile machines 1 and 2, in particular, the FAX communication unit 11, the projector unit 12, the first input unit 14, the first control unit 15, the printer unit 16, the second input unit 24, the second control unit 25, And the projector part 26 may be comprised by a hardware logic, and may be implement | achieved by software using CPU as follows.

  That is, the facsimile apparatus 1 or 2 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program for realizing each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program. ), A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the facsimile machines 1 and 2 which is software for realizing the functions described above is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. Can also be achieved by supplying the program to the facsimile machines 1 and 2 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the facsimile machines 1 and 2 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  As described above, the facsimile apparatus, the program and the recording medium, and the display method of the present invention realize a facsimile apparatus that is small in size and can provide a user-friendly image. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably used in industrial fields related to facsimile machines such as a facsimile machine and a multifunction machine having a facsimile function and a computer having a facsimile board.

2 is a functional block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the said facsimile apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow of the display method in the said facsimile apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows other embodiment of the facsimile apparatus in this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow of the display method with the facsimile apparatus in other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile apparatus 2 Facsimile apparatus 3 Paper feed tray 4 Projected image 11 FAX communication part (reception means, image data generation means)
12 Projector unit (projection means)
13 Memory (storage unit)
14 First input unit 15 First control unit 16 Printer unit 24 Second input unit 25 Second control unit (control means)
26 Projector section (projection means)

Claims (7)

A facsimile apparatus having a receiving means for receiving communication data,
Image data generating means for generating image data from the communication data received by the receiving means;
A facsimile apparatus comprising: projection means for projecting an image based on the image data generated by the image data generation means. A storage unit for storing the image data;
The image processing apparatus further includes a control unit that acquires the image data from the storage unit according to a user operation and causes the projection unit to project an image based on the acquired image data. 1 facsimile machine.   The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit projects all regions of the image in units of one page at a time. A sheet supply tray for placing sheets;
4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit projects the image onto the sheet supply tray or a sheet placed on the sheet supply tray.   A program that causes a computer to operate as each of the units included in the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 5 is recorded. A display method in a facsimile machine that receives communication data,
An image data generation step of generating image data from the received communication data;
And a projection step of projecting an image based on the generated image data.

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