JP3402835B2 - Facsimile setting device, facsimile device and facsimile system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile setting device, a facsimile device and a facsimile system, and more particularly to time setting of a facsimile device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various types of facsimile machines to which various functions are added by the improvement thereof. When using the facsimile apparatus, it is necessary to set those functions according to the line and the purpose.

On the other hand, in order to directly send the data on the computer system by facsimile without using a manuscript, a facsimile machine built in the computer system or even a single facsimile machine is connected to the computer system to send the data. The one that can input and output is proposed.

When setting the function of the facsimile apparatus of the type for inputting and transmitting the data of the computer system as described above, the software incorporated in the computer system is used to operate the facsimile apparatus by the software installed in the computer system, not by directly operating the facsimile apparatus. A method of displaying the function menu and setting it with a keyboard or a mouse on the computer system can be considered.

According to this method, it is possible to set the function of the built-in type facsimile apparatus which cannot be directly set, and the setting is easier and more efficient than the setting by looking at a small number of keys or a limited display device even with a single facsimile apparatus. Target.

[0006]

The facsimile machine is
The time is managed by the built-in calendar timer in order to enter the date and time in the reception record and to send the data with a designated time. This time is not the facsimile function itself, and is usually not something the user should arbitrarily set. On the other hand, if such a time setting item is provided on the computer system side, the time changes in real time, so the user is required to confirm and input the time and input by the user is also impossible. It can be accurate. For this reason, the time information is not set by the computer system as described above and transmitted to the facsimile device.

However, if the time goes astray due to a long power outage or the like, it is troublesome if the correction cannot be made. Therefore, the setting can be made on the facsimile machine side. Therefore, as in the past, the correction of the time was set while observing a small number of keys and a limited display device. An object of the present invention is to eliminate such troublesome setting and automatically rewrite the time of the facsimile apparatus.

[0008]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A user can set the connected fax machine.
By sending a constant set data of this the facsimile apparatus was, a facsimile setting device having a setting data transmission means for the facsimile apparatus to a desired setting state,
The setting data transmission means, Fakushi the setting data
Automatic when transmitting the configuration data to the facsimile device based on a user's instruction to transmit the millimeter device, the transmission time information calculated by a timer with a built together with the setting data set by the user a facsimile setting device, characterized in that the system to execute <br/>.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a contract is provided in addition to the communication line.
It is connected to the facsimile setting device Motomeko 1, the file
A facsimile device having an input / output unit for inputting / outputting a signal to / from a facsimile setting device , wherein when the input signal from the input / output unit is setting data for the facsimile device itself, the facsimile device itself Is set in accordance with the setting data, and when the time information is transmitted together with the setting data, the facsimile apparatus is provided with a setting means for setting the timer of the facsimile apparatus itself in accordance with the time information.

The invention according to claim 3 further comprises a setting content transmitting means for transmitting the setting content of the facsimile device itself to the facsimile setting device in response to a setting content transmission request from the facsimile setting device according to claim 1. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the facsimile apparatus is provided.

The invention according to claim 4 is a facsimile system comprising the facsimile setting device according to claim 1 and the facsimile device according to claim 2 or 3.

[0012]

In the facsimile setting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the setting data transmitting means has a built-in timer together with the setting data set by the user when transmitting the setting data for setting the facsimile apparatus in a desired setting state. Since the transmission of the time information calculated in step 1 is automatically executed , the facsimile device can reset the timer of the facsimile device itself with the time information.
Therefore, since the time of the timer of the facsimile setting device is automatically set to the timer of the facsimile device, the user does not have to perform troublesome correction processing.
In addition, it is not necessary for the user to input the data by himself / herself and make incorrect settings.

Further, as the configuration of the above-mentioned facsimile apparatus, the facsimile setting according to claim 1 is provided in addition to the communication line.
A facsimile device connected to a device and provided with an input / output unit for inputting / outputting signals to / from the facsimile setting device , wherein the input signal from the input / output unit is setting data for the facsimile device itself. In addition to setting the facsimile device itself according to the setting data, when the time information is transmitted together with the setting data, a facsimile device having a setting means for setting the timer of the facsimile device itself according to the time information, Further, there is a facsimile apparatus provided with a setting content transmitting means for transmitting the setting content of the facsimile apparatus itself to the facsimile setting apparatus in response to a setting content transmission request from the facsimile setting apparatus.

By combining the above-mentioned facsimile setting device and the above-mentioned facsimile device, it is possible to provide a facsimile system in which time setting can be automated.

[0015]

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus 2 with a printer function of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing its appearance, and FIG. 3 is an explanation of its internal mechanism. It is a figure.

The facsimile apparatus 2 with a printer function according to the present embodiment reads an image from a document, transmits the image data as facsimile data to another facsimile apparatus via a telephone line, and transmits the image data to another facsimile apparatus via a telephone line. Other than the function as a normal facsimile device that receives the facsimile data transmitted from the facsimile device and forms the image on the recording paper, a printer cable from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or a word processor. It has a function as a printer that receives print data (hereinafter, also referred to as PC data) transmitted via the printer and forms an image according to the data on a recording sheet.

Further, as will be described later, when the facsimile device with printer function 2 receives a function data transmission request command from a personal computer, a word processor or the like, it responds to the command and sends the function data as a facsimile device to the personal computer, word processor or the like. And the function setting data from the personal computer, word processor or the like is received, and the function as the facsimile apparatus is set.

As shown in FIG. 2, a receiver 12 is attached to the side of the main body 10 of the facsimile apparatus 2 with a printer function, and an operation panel 14 is provided on the front of the upper surface. Further, a cassette mounting portion 18 for detachably mounting the recording paper cassette 16 is formed at the rear portion of the upper surface of the main body 10, and a document table 20 is formed at the center of the upper surface.

On the other hand, in the main body 10, as shown in FIG.
The scanner unit 22 for reading an image from a document placed on the document table 20, the recording unit 26 for forming an image on the recording paper 24 accommodated in the recording paper cassette 16, and the drive control of these units are used to perform the above-mentioned operation. A control unit 70 for realizing the function is built in.

In the scanner section 22, the originals placed on the original table 20 are taken one by one by a paper feed mechanism including a paper feed roller 32 and a separation pad 31. Then, the document is transported to the document support plate 34 by the transport roller 33, and the image is read by the image reading device 35 arranged below the document support plate 34. Further, the document after the image reading is discharged to the discharge tray 37 provided on the front surface of the main body 10 via the discharge roller 36.

The image reading device 35 irradiates the original document on the original document support plate 34 with light from the light source 38, reflects the reflected light from the original document with the mirrors 39 and 40, and further, with the lens 41, the line image sensor 42. It is known that the original image is read line by line by condensing it on the light receiving surface. A document sensor 44 that optically detects whether or not a document is set on the document table 20 is provided on the path from the document table 20 to the paper feeding mechanism.

On the other hand, in the recording section 26, the recording paper cassette 1
The recording papers 24 accommodated in 6 are taken in one by one by a paper feed mechanism including a paper feed roller 51 and a separation pad 52. Then, the recording paper 24 is sent to the image forming apparatus 55 via the conveyance roller 53, and the toner image is formed in the image forming apparatus 55. Further, the recording paper 24 after image formation is sent to the fixing device 56, and after the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 56, the recording paper 24 is discharged via the paper discharge roller 57.
The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray 58 provided on the front surface of the main body 10. The fixing device 56 is a well-known device including a heating roller having a built-in heater for heating and a pressing roller for holding the recording paper 24 between the heating roller and the heating roller. By doing so, the toner image is fixed on the recording paper 24.

Further, the image forming apparatus 55 of the recording unit 26 is
A photosensitive drum 61 and a laser beam scanning device 62 that irradiates the photosensitive drum 61 with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface thereof.
A developing device 63 for adhering toner to the photosensitive drum 61 after electrostatic latent image formation, and a transfer roller 64.
And a transfer device 65 for transferring the toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 61 to the recording paper 24. Further, the laser beam scanning device 62 emits a laser beam in accordance with a command from the controller 70. Laser emitting section 67, a lens 68 for condensing laser light, and a reflection mirror 6 for guiding the laser light condensed by the lens 68 to the photosensitive drum 61.
It is equipped with 9 mag.

That is, the recording unit 26 is configured as a so-called laser printer, and forms an image on the recording paper 24 according to a command from the control unit 70. During this image formation, the recording paper leading edge sensor 26a detects the leading edge of the recording paper 24, and the transfer timing by the transfer device 65 is determined based on the detection.

Next, the control unit 70 which controls the above-mentioned respective units,
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, fax (FAX)
It comprises a section 72, a printer section 74, and a gate array 76 connecting these sections. Fax department 7
Reference numeral 2 denotes setting of an operation mode, reading of a document image by the scanner unit 22, encoding of transmission data, in accordance with various commands from the operator inputted through the operation panel 14.
The CPU 80, the calendar timer 81, the ROM 82, the RAM 84, and other telephones and facsimile devices are used to perform transmission / reception of facsimile data, decryption of received data, transfer of decrypted facsimile data to the printer unit 74, and the like. Network control unit (NC) that enables communication between telephones and facsimile data
U) 86, and a modem 88 for transmitting / receiving facsimile data to / from another facsimile apparatus via the NCU 86.

Then, the CPU 80 and the calendar timer 8
1, ROM 82, RAM 84, NCU 86, modem 8
8. The operation panel 14 and the scanner unit 22 are connected to the bus 89.
And the gate array 76 is also connected to the bus 89. Also, NCU86
The above-mentioned handset 12 and a speaker for making a call are connected to the telephone, and a call with another telephone can be performed via the handset 12.

The calendar timer 81 has a clock 81a.
The current date and time are calculated by counting the pulses of. On the other hand, the printer unit 74 drives and controls the recording unit 26 according to the facsimile data sent from the fax unit 72 via the gate array 76,
This is for forming a facsimile image on the recording paper 24 (in other words, recording facsimile data), and like the fax unit 72, CPU 90, ROM 92, RAM.
It is configured as a well-known microcomputer centering on 94. Further, the printer unit 74 is provided with a personal computer interface (for example, Centronics interface) 96 as a print data input unit, and the CPU 90 causes the personal computer interface 96 to receive PC data from an external computer system. Is input via the cable 96a, the recording unit 26 is driven and controlled according to the PC data, and a created image created on the recording paper 24 on the personal computer 98 side is formed (in other words, PC data is recorded). To do. When a function data transmission request command or function setting data is received from the personal computer 98, the command or data is transmitted to the fax section 72 side through the gate array 76,
When the function data for the personal computer 98 is received from the fax section 72 side, it is transmitted to the personal computer 98 side.
Intermediary processing is also performed.

The accumulation buffer memory 94a set in the RAM 94 is for temporarily storing the PC data transmitted from the personal computer 98 side at the time of printing the facsimile data by the PC data recording process, and further for the fax section. This is for temporarily storing the contents of communication when mediating the communication between the computer 72 and the personal computer 98. R
The recording buffer memory 94b set in the AM94 is
This is for temporarily storing print data for one page.

A personal computer 98, which is a facsimile setting device connected to the printer section 74 of the facsimile device 2 with a printer function, is configured as an ordinary computer.
CPU 102, calendar timer 103, ROM 104,
A RAM 106, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 108, a floppy disk drive (FDD) 110, a hard disk device (HD) 112, a key input unit 114, an input / output interface 116, a mouse input device 117 and a bus 118 are provided. I / O interface 11
6 is a personal computer interface 96 of the printer unit 74
The personal computer 98 is connected to the I / O interface 1
It is possible to send and receive data to and from the facsimile apparatus 2 with a printer function via 16. Calendar timer 1 above
03 counts the pulses of the clock 103a to calculate the current date and time.

Next, the processing executed by the personal computer 98 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. First, FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for installing the facsimile processing program. This installation process is stored as an execution program in the same floppy disk as the facsimile processing program to be installed, and the personal computer 9
8 is a program that is loaded into the personal computer 98 and started when the facsimile processing program is installed in the hard disk 112 of the No. 8 computer.

The user inserts the floppy disk in which the installation processing program and the facsimile processing program are stored into the floppy disk drive 110 while the operating system is started up, and the installation processing program is input from the key input unit 114. Enter the start command of. As a result, the installation system program in the floppy disk is loaded into the RAM 106 and executed by the operating system.

First, a facsimile function data reading process (S1000), which will be described later, is performed. Then, the facsimile processing program is installed from the floppy disk to the storage device of the personal computer 98, here the hard disk 112 (S2000).

Details of the facsimile function data reading process (S1000) executed by the personal computer 98 are shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 6 shows a reception process in the printer section 74 related to this, and the fax section 7
FIG. 7 shows the receiving process in No. 2. PC 98,
The communication state between the printer unit 74 and the fax unit 72 is shown in the sequence diagram of FIG.

First, a function data transmission request command is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 2 with printer function (S10).
10). Next, it is determined whether or not the function data supposed to be transmitted by the facsimile apparatus 2 with the printer function, which has received the function data transmission request command, has been received within the predetermined time (S1020). If received within a predetermined time (YES in S1020), the function data is stored in the hard disk 112 as a data file (S10).
30). This data file is used as menu display data in the facsimile setting process described later.

In the printer section 74 of the facsimile apparatus 2 with a printer function, if there is a print request from the fax section 72 (YES in S2010), if it is not the personal computer transmission mode described later (NO in S2015), the fax section 72 side. A process of receiving the facsimile data transmitted from the recording unit 26 and recording it on the recording paper 24 by the recording unit 26 (S20
20) is executed and there is a print request from the personal computer 98 (YES in S2030), the PC data transmitted from the personal computer 98 is received, and the recording unit 26 prints the recording paper 2
The process of recording in S4 (S2040) is executed.

When a command such as a function data transmission request command is transmitted from the personal computer 98 side by the processing in step S1010 (YES in S2050), the command is transmitted to the fax section 72 via the gate array 76 ( S2060). Next, it is determined whether or not the personal computer data is received from the fax unit 72 within a predetermined time (S2070). When the personal computer data is received within the predetermined time, the data is transmitted to the personal computer 98 side (S
2080).

If the command is not to the fax unit 72 (NO in S2050), it is determined whether the data is to the fax unit 72 (S2090). If the data is to the fax unit 72 (YES in S2090), the The data is transmitted to the fax section 72 side through the gate array 76 (S2100). If it is not data to the fax unit 72 (NO in S2090), it is determined whether or not it is a facsimile data request command to the printer unit 74 itself (S2110). If it is a facsimile data request command (YES in S2110), the personal computer transmission mode is set in the printer unit 74 (S2120). As a result, an affirmative decision is made in step S2015,
The image data received from the fax unit 72 is transmitted to the personal computer 98 without printing (S2025), and then the personal computer transmission mode is canceled (S202).
7).

Incidentally, steps S2020, S2027, S
After 2040, S2080, S2100, S2120,
Alternatively, if a negative determination is made in steps S2070 and S2110, the process returns to step S2010. If it is determined that the fax unit 72 side receives a fax from the telephone line (YES in S3010),
A normal receiving process and a recording process for transmitting the image data received and decoded to the printer unit 74 for printing (S3
020) is done. If it is determined in step S3010 that the fax is not received, then it is determined whether the function data transmission request command is received (S3).
030). If the function data transmission request command is received (YES in S3030), the content of the function of the facsimile unit 72 itself as a facsimile is transmitted to the printer unit 74 side as the function data (S304).
0). Upon receiving this transmission, the printer unit 74 transmits the function data to the personal computer 98 side in step S2080 of FIG. 6 as described above. Therefore, the personal computer 98 receiving this stores the function data as a file in the hard disk 112 in step S1030 of the facsimile function data reading process of FIG.

Further, if the function data transmission request command is not received (NO in S3030), it is determined whether or not the function setting data of the fax section 72 itself has been received from the personal computer 98 side (S3050). If the function setting data is received (YES in S3050), the function of itself is set according to the function setting data (S3060).

If the function setting data is not received, it is determined whether or not the facsimile transmission data is received from the personal computer 98 via the printer unit 74 (S307).
0). If the data for facsimile transmission is received (S
If YES in 3070), the facsimile transmission process is performed in which the image data in the facsimile transmission data is used as facsimile data and is transmitted to the telephone number in the facsimile transmission data (S3080). When a negative determination is made in step S3070, it is determined whether the time data is received from the personal computer 98 via the printer unit 74 (S3090). If time data is received (S30
(YES at 90), the date / time of the calendar timer 81 of its own is set according to the time data. Step S309
If a negative determination is made by 0, the process returns to step S3010.

Next, the function of the facsimile processing program installed in the hard disk 112 in step S2000 of FIG. 4 will be described. This facsimile processing program is selected by the user and activated by the activation menu processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

When the start menu process is started by inputting the start command, the menu is first displayed (S
4010). This menu is a selection menu of programs to be started. For example, it is a menu in which the names of programs for facsimile processing, word processing, spreadsheets, etc. are displayed. If the user selects a desired program from this program through the key input unit 114 or the mouse input device 117 (S4020), the selected program is the RAM 106 of the personal computer 98.
Then, the program is loaded from the hard disk 112 and the program is started (S4030 to S4050).

For example, when the facsimile processing is selected, a facsimile processing program, which will be described later, is loaded and activated (S4030), and the personal computer 98 functions as a processing device for setting functions for the fax section 72. Also, if a word processor program is selected, the personal computer 98 loads and starts the word processor program (S4040), and functions as a word processor. If a spreadsheet program is selected, the personal computer 98 loads and starts the spreadsheet program (S4050). Start spreadsheet processing. If the user selects "End", the boot menu process is ended.

FIG. 10 shows the facsimile processing program started when the facsimile processing is selected.
A description will be given based on the flowchart. First, when the process is started, the function data of the fax unit 72 stored in the hard disk 112 in step S1030 described above is read into the work area of the RAM 106 (S501).
0).

Next, a processing menu is displayed (S50).
20). Here, as the processing menu, menus of “remote setup”, “facsimile transmission”, “facsimile reception”, “file display / recording”, and “end” are displayed and waiting for selection (S5030).

Here, if "remote setup" is selected, remote setup processing described later is executed (S5040). If "Facsimile transmission" is selected, the personal computer 9 is sent to the facsimile device 2 with printer function.
By transmitting the image data from the 8 side, a process of transmitting the image data to another facsimile apparatus via the facsimile apparatus with a printer function 2 is performed. That is, in step S5050, the image data stored in the hard disk 112 is transferred to the printer unit 74.
By sending the data to the printer unit 74 side, an affirmative decision is made in step S2090 of FIG.
At 100, the image data is transmitted to the fax section 72 side. On the fax section 72 side, an affirmative decision is made in step S3070, and the image data is used as facsimile data to be transmitted to the telephone number of the other party transmitted together with the image data (S308).
0).

If "Facsimile reception" is selected, the facsimile data is directly received as image data from the facsimile apparatus 2 with a printer function and the hard disk 1 is received.
A process of storing the data in 12 or the like is performed. That is, in step S5060, the facsimile unit 74 sends a facsimile data request command to the printer unit 74,
On the side, an affirmative decision is made in step S2110, and the personal computer transmission mode is set (S2120). As a result, if there is a print request from the fax unit 72 immediately after that (YES in S2010), step S2
An affirmative judgment is made in 015, and the image data received from the fax section 72 is transmitted to the personal computer 98 side (S202).
5) After that, the personal computer transmission mode is canceled (S20)
27). On the side of the personal computer 98, in step S5060, the image data received from the printer unit 74 is stored in the hard disk 112 or the like.

If "File display / record" is selected,
Hard disk 1 in the process of "facsimile reception"
File display / recording processing for displaying the image data stored in 12 or the like on the LCD 108 or transmitting the image data to the facsimile device 2 with a printer function for recording is performed (S5070).

If "end" is selected in step S5030, the facsimile process ends. The remote setup process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S5010, the RAM 106 is already used.
The facsimile setting menu is displayed on the LCD 108 based on the function data of the fax section 72 as a facsimile read in the work area of the fax (S601).
0). An example of this display state is shown in FIG. Areas D1 and D2 therein are displayed based on the function data of the fax unit 72. The area D1 represents all the setting items, and all the functions of the facsimile device with a printer function 2 are described. The area D2 shows the setting state of the facsimile apparatus 2 with a printer function, and the default value held by the facsimile processing program is described in the first facsimile setting menu display. Of course, in the process of step S1010, if not only the function but also the function setting contents are transmitted from the fax unit 72 side,
From the first facsimile setting menu display, the current setting state of the fax section 72 may be displayed in the area D2.

Next, the process input waits (S602).
0). For example, in FIG. 12A, if the mouse cursor is moved to “Large” of “OFF / Small / Large” of the buzzer volume of the region D1 and the left button of the mouse input device 117 is clicked to select it, the region D2 is displayed. The same item of is changed from "small" to "large". This setting change processing is step S6030.
This is the user setting process. This setting is surely selected from the functions of the fax unit 72. That is, if the fax unit 72 does not have the "smoothing recording" function and the "fax transfer" function, the fax unit 72 shown in FIG.
As in 2 (b), the items corresponding to "smoothing recording" and "fax transfer" are not displayed in the areas D1 and D2. Therefore, there is no need to perform setting processing of functions that the fax unit 72 does not have, and there is no wasteful setting for the user.
Since the function of is not known, unnecessary confusion does not occur and efficient setting is possible.

When the button B1 on the screen is selected with the mouse cursor, the function upload process (S6040) is executed. The function upload process is step S1 in FIG.
000 and the same process as step S5010 of FIG. Therefore, the processing similar to that at the time of installation is performed in the personal computer 98, the printer unit 74 and the fax unit 72, and the function data file existing in the hard disk 112 is updated to the current content of the function data of the fax unit 72. , The function data of the work area of the RAM 106 is also updated. Therefore, LCD
The facsimile setting menu screen 108 is also updated with new function items. This is an effective process when the printer-equipped facsimile apparatus 2 is replaced after the facsimile processing program is installed.

When the button B2 on the screen is selected with the mouse cursor, the time data transmission process (S6045) and the setting download process (S6050) are executed. In the time data transmission process (S6045), in order to set the calendar timer 81 of the fax unit 72 from the personal computer 98 side, the time data including the date and time calculated by the calendar timer 103 of the personal computer 98 is added to the printer function. This is a process of transmitting to the facsimile device 2.

By transmitting this time data, an affirmative decision is made in step S2090 of the printer section 74, and in the processing of step S2100, the time data is transmitted from the printer section 74 via the gate array 76 as shown in FIG. It is transferred to the fax section 72. When the fax unit 72 receives this time data, an affirmative decision is made in step S3090, and in step S3100 the calendar timer 81 is rewritten according to the received time data.
As a result, the time of the fax section 72 is matched with the time of the personal computer 98.

The setting download process (S6050)
The contents set as shown in FIG. 12 (a) or (b) are
As shown in FIG. 8, the processing is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 2 with a printer function as the function setting data. Due to the transmission of the function setting data, the printer unit 74 makes an affirmative decision in step S2090 of FIG.
At 100, the function setting data is transmitted to the fax section 72 side. On the fax section 72 side, step S in FIG.
An affirmative decision is made in 3050, and the own function is set in accordance with the function setting data received from the printer section 74 side in step S3060.

In this way, the user has the personal computer 98
Since the contents set on the screen can be immediately reflected in the fax section 72, the setting work can be performed extremely efficiently. Since the screen contents also faithfully represent the function contents of the fax unit 72 of the connected facsimile machine 2 with printer function, the settings can be made without confusion and incorrect settings can be prevented.

Further, when the user gives an instruction to download, prior to the setting download processing (S6050),
Since the date / time of the fax section 72 is automatically corrected by the time data transmission process of step S6045,
The user does not have to perform troublesome processing on the operation panel 14 of the facsimile apparatus 2 with a printer function.

When the button B3 on the screen is selected with the mouse cursor, the save process (S6060) to the recording device is executed. Here, the recording device is the hard disk 112, and the function setting data set by the user on the screen is stored in the hard disk 112 as a file.

When the button B4 on the screen is selected with the mouse cursor, the loading process from the recording device (S6070) is executed. The function setting data is read from the function setting data file previously set by the user and saved in the hard disk 112 into the work area of the RAM 106, and is displayed on the LCD 108 as shown in FIG.
Therefore, it is effective to refer to the previous setting contents.

When the button B5 on the screen is selected with the mouse cursor, the remote setup process is completed. If button B6 on the screen is selected with the mouse cursor, the setting upload process (S6080) is executed. In this process, the setting contents of the function in the fax unit 72 are transmitted from the fax unit 72 to the personal computer 98 via the printer unit 74 as the function setting data, and as shown in FIG.
This is a process of displaying in the area D2 shown in (b). That is, the process is the reverse of step S6050.

After steps S6030 to S6080, the process returns to step S6010. In the first embodiment configured as described above, when the download is selected in the process of step S6020, the time data is transmitted from the personal computer 98 to the fax unit 72 in step S6045, and the time is transmitted to the fax unit 72 side. Since the time can be corrected according to the data, the user does not have to perform troublesome processing for time adjustment.

Further, particularly during the installation process of the facsimile processing program shown in FIG. 4, the function of the facsimile device with printer function 2, actually the function of the fax unit 72 therein is read as the function data, and the fax unit 72 is read. When setting the function of, using the function data,
Since the items of the fax setting menu are displayed,
Users can efficiently set up the functions without confusion.

From this, even if the facsimile machine with printer function 2 is replaced with a new model, the facsimile machine with printer function 2 transmits its own function data in response to the function data transmission request from the personal computer 98 side. As long as it comes, a single program can be used without changing the facsimile processing program, and the development of the program is efficient.

In the first embodiment, step S6045,
S6050 corresponds to the processing as the setting data transmitting means, and steps S3050, S3060, S3090, S
3100 corresponds to the processing as the setting means, and step S
3030 and S3040 correspond to the processing as the setting content transmitting unit.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the command or data is transmitted and received between the personal computer 98 and the fax section 72 via the printer section 74. However, as shown in FIG.
The personal computer interface (for example, RS232C interface) 87 is provided in the personal computer interface 87, and the personal computer interface 87 is used for sending time data to the fax unit 72, function data transmission request command, function setting data, and receiving function data from the fax unit 72. You may implement. As a result, the effect of reducing the processing load on the printer unit 74 is produced in addition to the effect of the first embodiment.

[Others] In the first and second embodiments, the facsimile apparatus 2 with a printer function is used, but of course, a dedicated facsimile machine may be used.
In this case, for example, the dedicated facsimile machine has the same interface as the personal computer interface 87, and does not function as a printer for printing PC data.

In the first and second embodiments, the time data transmission process (S6045) is the setting download process (S605).
I went immediately before 0), but it may be done immediately after. Further, the time data transmission process (S6045) may be executed as an independent selection process in step S6020 without depending on the setting download process (S6050).

Further, time data transmission processing (S6045)
In addition, before transmitting the time data, a time data transmission request command is transmitted to 72 via the printer unit 74 to obtain time data of the calendar timer 81 from the fax unit 72, and the time data and the calendar of the personal computer 98 are acquired. Timer 1
For example, if the difference is within 1 minute by comparing with the time data of 03, the time data may not be transmitted to the fax unit 72 in the time data transmission process (S6045).

Further, time data transmission processing (S6045)
Then, as described above, the time data of the fax unit 72 side is obtained and displayed on the menu of the LCD 108 together with the time data of the calendar timer 103 of the personal computer 98. If the time data of the fax unit 72 side is incorrect, The time data may be transmitted to the fax unit 72, and if the time data on the personal computer 98 side is incorrect, the user may select not to transmit the time data to the fax unit 72.

In the first and second embodiments, the facsimile function data reading process (S1000) is performed during the installation process, but it may be performed before or after the installation process. When the power of the personal computer 98 is turned on, the facsimile function data reading process (S1000) may be executed immediately after the operation system is started up to create the function data file on the hard disk 112. That is,
If the personal computer 98 is in a state where the remote setup process (S5040) can be executed, the function data file may exist.

Further, R of the function data of step S5010
The reading to AM106 should be step S601 at the latest.
At 0, it may be executed before the facsimile setting menu is first displayed. The facsimile function data reading process (S1000) may be performed immediately before step S5010 at the latest. Therefore, the processes of steps S1000 and S5010 may be executed immediately before the remote setup process of step S5040 is started.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile machine with a printer function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal mechanism thereof.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of installation processing of a facsimile processing program.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a facsimile function data reading process in a personal computer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a reception process in the printer unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a reception process in the fax section.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a communication state among a personal computer, a printer unit, and a fax unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a startup menu process in a personal computer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a facsimile processing program in a personal computer.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of remote setup processing in a personal computer.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a facsimile setting menu on the LCD.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a facsimile device with a printer function according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Facsimile device with printer function 10 ... Facsimile device main body with printer function 14 ... Operation panel 70 ... Control part 72 ... Fax part 74 ... Printer part 76 ... Gate array 80 ... C
PU80 81 ... Calendar timer 84 ... RAM 86 ... NC
U 87 ... PC interface 90 ... CPU
94 ... RAM 96 ... Personal computer interface 98 ... Personal computer 102 ... CPU 103 ... Calendar timer 106 ... RAM 108
... LCD 110 ... Floppy disk drive 112 ... Hard disk 114 ... Key input unit 116 ... Input / output interface 117 ... Mouse input device D1, D2 ... Area B1, B2, B3, B4, B
5, B6 ... Button

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00 107 G06F 13/00 351

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile device connected to a user
And transmits the setting data of this the facsimile apparatus is set by The, the facsimile device to a facsimile setting device having a setting data transmission means to the desired setting state, the setting data transmission means, the setting Fax data
Automatic when transmitting the configuration data to the facsimile device based on a user's instruction to transmit the millimeter device, the transmission time information calculated by a timer with a built together with the setting data set by the user facsimile setting device according to claim practicable <br/> be. 2. The fax machine according to claim 1, other than the communication line.
A facsimile device having an input / output unit connected to a re-setting device and for inputting / outputting signals to / from the facsimile setting device , wherein an input signal from the input / output unit is setting data for the facsimile device itself. In some cases, the facsimile device itself is set according to the setting data, and when the time information is transmitted together with the setting data, a setting means for setting the timer of the facsimile device itself according to the time information is provided. Characteristic facsimile machine. 3. A setting content transmitting means for transmitting the setting content of the facsimile apparatus itself to the facsimile setting apparatus in response to a setting content transmission request from the facsimile setting apparatus according to claim 1. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 4. A facsimile setting device according to claim 1,
A facsimile system comprising the facsimile apparatus according to claim 2.