JP2696966B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus including a facsimile communication apparatus and a facsimile apparatus comprising facsimile data including image information and a removable information storage carrier such as a magneto-optical disk. The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus to which facsimile data storage / reproduction control means for storing the information and enabling the information to be reproduced and rewritten as needed is added.

[Prior Art] A conventional facsimile apparatus is configured to transmit and receive an image of a document and to print all received image information on a recording sheet, and all received information (sender, date and time of reception, etc.) In addition, the image information is organized and stored on a recording paper output as a hard copy output. Further, when processing a received image by computer processing, the image is read by an image information reading device such as an image scanner and input to a host computer, and then processed.

Also, the index of the file name of the transmission manuscript, the reception manuscript, the sender, the receiver, their date and time, etc. should be written manually in the ledger etc. as needed, or instead of the manual writing, the RAM etc. in the facsimile terminal A memory is built-in, and only the received information is stored in the RAM, and this is subjected to a tallying process.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above-described conventional facsimile apparatus, all the received information and image information are output as a hard copy. As a result, it is difficult to maintain confidentiality, and the confidential information is used by the facsimile apparatus. Care was required to send and receive.

In addition, the organization and storage of the recording paper on which the received information is recorded is troublesome, and the entry of the index is troublesome and time-consuming. In the case of the one having the RAM, only the received information can be stored due to the limitation of the memory capacity, and new information cannot be stored unless the stored received information is sequentially deleted.

In addition, in terms of processing image information, since it was input to the host computer via a reading device,
This has caused deterioration of image information and increased system cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus which solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, can maintain confidentiality, and can easily totalize, process, and search transmission / reception histories. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus which can easily process received image information.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention comprises a facsimile data storage / reproduction control device connected between a facsimile terminal body and a communication line. A data storage / reproduction control device, comprising: storage / reproduction means capable of detachably loading a storable and erasable information storage carrier; an operation unit; and control means for switching and controlling an operation mode of the facsimile apparatus in accordance with an operation of the operation unit. (A) a normal facsimile operation mode in which the storage / reproduction function is inactive; and (b) a transmission / reception facsimile data comprising image information and transmission information set in the facsimile apparatus, with the storage / reproduction function in an operation state. Transmitting the facsimile data to an information storage carrier and transmitting the image information and Facsimile operation mode with a storage function of storing received facsimile data consisting of information in the storage / reproduction carrier, and (c) a search mode in which the storage contents of the information storage carrier in the storage / reproduction means are searched based on a search word. And configured control means. That is, according to the present invention, a facsimile data storage / reproduction control device is inserted between a general-purpose facsimile terminal main body and a communication line, and the facsimile data transmission / reception information (date and time, sender,
It is characterized in that index information of a recipient or the like, information on the number of pages, paper size, etc.) and image information are stored in a removable storage means, and the stored information can be searched based on a search word.

Further, according to the present invention, the data to which the confidentiality code is added cannot be displayed or printed unless a predetermined ID code is input, and a display unit in the facsimile data storage / playback control device is connected to a host computer. It is characterized in that information processing can be performed while viewing the information.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a main body of a facsimile terminal having a configuration generally used in the past, which includes an NCU, a transmission control device, a reading device, a printer, a calendar, a clock device, and the like, and performs predetermined control steps, for example, (1) dial call And (2) perform function identification and phase synchronization processing to match the receiving station, and (3) read an image with a reading device, compress the information, and transmit it to the receiving station.
(4) Confirmation of messages and the like, and (5) Transmission can be performed by the step of performing initial setting for the next processing.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a facsimile data storage / playback control device which is a feature of the present invention. A display comprising a data storage / reproduction unit 22 for storing on a large-capacity, rewritable and removable information storage carrier, a host computer interface 23 for interfacing with a host computer, a control unit 24 for controlling the operation of each unit, a CRT display, etc. It comprises a unit 25, an operation unit 26 including a keyboard and the like, and a character generator 27. Reference numeral 30 denotes a host computer.

In a facsimile apparatus having such a configuration, broadly speaking, I. a normal facsimile mode (a mode in which the facsimile data storage / reproduction control device 20 is not operated),
II. Facsimile mode with memory function, III. Search mode, I
The operation mode is divided into four operation modes of V. facsimile data formation processing mode, and these modes are selectively set by the operation of the control section when the operation section 26 is operated.

I. In the normal facsimile mode, conventional facsimile communication is performed, and a transmission mode and an automatic reception mode are selected.

II. In the facsimile mode with the storage function, the transmission mode and the automatic reception mode are also selectively set, but all the facsimile data are stored on the disk in the storage / reproduction unit. Transmission mode is facsimile terminal body 10
Is selected when transmitting the information of the original set in the main body from the device or when transmitting the information from the disc set in the storage / reproducing unit 22. The case of transmitting a document set on the main body 10 will be described. (1) The transmission mode is selected and the connection with the partner station is made.

(2) When the connection is detected, the display unit 25 displays that transmission is possible.

(3) The image information of the original set on the facsimile terminal body and the set transmission information are transmitted to the partner station via the facsimile interface 21 and the communication line.

(4) At the same time, the transmission information and the image information are stored in the disk set in the storage / reproduction unit 22 via the interface 21.

When transmitting the transmission information and image information stored in advance on the disk to the partner station, set the disk in which the transmission information and image information are stored in advance in the storage / playback unit and press the transmission button. twenty one
The information is sent to the communication line via the communication terminal, and there is no need to operate the main body of the facsimile terminal or insert a document.

If the image information is a character image, it is converted into a bit image by a character generator 27 and transmitted to a communication line via the interface 21 without passing through a reading device.

When a reception signal is input while the automatic reception mode is selected in mode II, (1) the control circuit 24 detects that the communication line is connected.

(2) Display on the display unit 25 to notify the reception.

(3) The received reception information and image information are stored in the storage / reproduction unit 22.
Is stored in the disk set in.

Here, the memory function of the disk will be described.
The disk includes (a) a disk management information area, and (b)
A document management information storage (transmission / reception management information storage) area and (c) an image information storage area are provided. The disc management information area contains (a ₁ ) disc identification ID information,
(A ₂₎ the document management information storage area definition information (a ₃₎ image information area definition information is (a ₄₎ other disk management information is stored. In the transmission / reception management information storage area, (b ₁ ) date and time when transmission / reception was performed, (b ₂ ) sender and receiver ID information,
(B ₃ ) a security flag, (b ₄ ) a security code,
(B ₅ ) Image information type flag (bit image / character), (b ₆ ) number and size of image information, (b ₇ ) transmission / reception result (success or not), (b ₈ ) other transmission / reception management information It is memorized. Image information is stored in the image information storage area in the form of a bit pattern or an ASCII code (ASCII code).

The data transmitted or received in Mode II and the additional data associated therewith are stored in each area of the disk, and the history of facsimile data communication is stored. Therefore, necessary information is searched by classifying and identifying the stored information using various search words. For example, a specific period (date band,
A word that specifies a time zone), a word that specifies a specific sender / receiver (company, department), and the like can be considered. By inputting this search word, a transmission history, a reception history, and the like corresponding to the word can be appropriately searched. Further, necessary image information can be obtained as a hard copy based on this.

III. The search mode will be described below. (1) First, the operator inputs the search word by appropriately operating the operation unit 26 based on the search word displayed on the display unit 25.

(2) The transmission / reception history according to the search word is displayed on the display unit 25.

(3) The operator sees this display and inputs an image information output request of necessary information by operating the operation unit 26.

(4) The control unit 24 checks whether or not the requested image information has the security flag, and if the image information has the security flag, requests the security code.

(5) If a correct security code is input or if the image information does not have a security flag, the control unit 24 checks the type flag of the image information. Control to convert to image.

(6) The image information converted into the bit image or the image information stored in the bit image is displayed on the display unit 25.

(7) The operator looks at the image display on the display unit 25 and operates to transfer the corresponding image information and transmission / reception information from the disk to the facsimile apparatus body 10 in order to make a necessary image into a hard copy.

(8) The stored contents of the transferred disk are printed on recording paper by using the printer function of the facsimile machine body 10.

In the above search mode, all operations are performed by the control unit.
It is performed under the control of 24.

IV. Forming and processing mode of facsimile data will be described. In the present invention, a host computer 30 is provided, and desired information is stored in a disk loaded in the storage / playback unit 22, and functions of the host computer are operated by a keyboard operation of the operation unit 26. Is configured to be stored using This can, of course, form new facsimile data, but can also process received data. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is often necessary to modify received information and send it back. In this case, a hard-copy received original has been modified and sent back. In the present invention, facsimile data can be formed and processed without using a hard copy, and processing such as correction and insertion can be easily performed in a state where received information stored in the disk is stored in the disk. Since the hard copy is not processed in a hard copy state, the image does not deteriorate.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is configured as described above,
The following effects are obtained.

(1) Since facsimile data is managed on a disk basis using a removable disk, facsimile data can be easily managed, processed, and searched, and image deterioration does not occur even if the same data is sent many times.

(2) To use removable disks, the host computer can manage facsimile data online,
Can be processed and searched.

(3) Since the facsimile data can be confirmed on the display, it is not necessary to print out data of low importance or data which is not desired to be hard copied due to confidential matters or the like.

(4) Since the facsimile image data to which the confidential flag is added is not displayed on the display unless a confidentiality code is input, the confidentiality is maintained.

(5) The facsimile apparatus main body can be used as a printer or an image scanner.

(6) Text and image data created and processed using a host computer can be transmitted without passing through an image reading device, so that there is no deterioration of the image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 10: facsimile terminal body 20: facsimile data storage / reproduction control device 21: facsimile interface 22: storage / reproduction unit 23: host computer interface 24: control unit 25: display unit 26: Operation section 27 Character generator 30 Host computer

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus comprising a facsimile terminal main body and a facsimile data storage / reproduction control device connected between the main body and a communication line, wherein the facsimile data storage / reproduction control device stores information that can be stored and erased. A storage / reproducing means capable of detachably loading a storage carrier; an operation unit; and control means for switching and controlling an operation mode of the facsimile apparatus in accordance with an operation of the operation unit. A normal facsimile operation mode in which: (b) the storage / reproduction function is set to an operation state, transmission facsimile data including image information and transmission information set in the facsimile apparatus is transmitted to a communication line, and the transmission facsimile data is stored in an information storage medium. And stores received facsimile data comprising image information and received information. A facsimile operation mode with a storage function to be stored in the reproduction carrier; and (c) a control unit configured to control switching to a search mode in which the storage contents of the information storage carrier in the storage and reproduction unit are searched based on a search word. Facsimile machine characterized by the following. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile data storage / reproduction control device further comprises a display means, and the information storage carrier determines whether or not the data stored on the carrier is confidential data. The security flag to be identified can be stored together with the data, and the control means further reads out the data with the security flag from the information storage medium when the security code is input from the operation unit and displays the data on the display means. A facsimile machine configured to control whether or not the facsimile machine is operating. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile data storage / reproduction control device further includes a character generator, and the facsimile image information stored in the information storage carrier is converted into a bit image even if the facsimile image information is a character image. A facsimile apparatus characterized in that it can be converted and displayed on a display means. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus further includes a computer connected to the facsimile data storage / reproduction control device, and the control means further comprises: A facsimile apparatus which controls to switch to an information forming processing mode in which storage and processing of stored information are performed by a computer. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said control means further comprises:
A facsimile apparatus characterized in that control is performed so as to print the storage contents of an information storage carrier by using a print function of a facsimile terminal body. 6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means further controls to print the storage contents of the information storage medium using the print function of the facsimile terminal body in the search mode. Facsimile machine characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means further comprises, in a facsimile mode with a storage function, transmitting facsimile data previously stored in an information storage carrier to a communication line as transmission facsimile data. A facsimile apparatus which controls transmission. 8. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information storage carrier is a magneto-optical disk.