JP3872060B2 - Facsimile apparatus and facsimile communication system provided with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to a facsimile apparatus that can receive image information of a document consisting of a plurality of pages from a plurality of other facsimile apparatuses. The present invention also relates to a facsimile communication system provided with such a facsimile apparatus.

  The facsimile apparatus includes a communication unit that receives image information from another facsimile apparatus and an output unit that outputs the received image information to a sheet.

  As a conventional facsimile apparatus, an apparatus having an N (N.gtoreq.2) in 1 function for performing image processing by collecting image information of a document consisting of a plurality of pages on one page of paper is already known.

  This type of facsimile apparatus can be configured as a facsimile communication system by being connected to another facsimile apparatus via a public network. However, as such a conventional system, N-in-1 aggregation is performed in a transmission-side apparatus. That can be received at the receiving side (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and information received from the transmitting side is aggregated by N-in 1 at the receiving side (see, for example, Patent Document 2) ) Is already known.

According to such a system, since the image information for a plurality of pages is output on one sheet on the receiving side, an overview of the entire document can be grasped with a small number of sheets, and information on the entire document can be obtained. There is an advantage in that the number of sheets consumed can be reduced by outputting each page.
JP 11-215348 A JP 2001-257869 A

  However, in the system of Patent Document 2, when receiving from a plurality of transmitting side devices, the receiving side device has to reset the degree of aggregation each time it is received, which is very troublesome. Therefore, it is conceivable to set in advance so that the same level of aggregation is performed on the receiving side every time. In this case, if the number of pages of image information to be sent is small, it is aggregated more than necessary and difficult to see. There is a case.

  An object of the present invention is to receive image information of a plurality of pages from a plurality of transmission facsimile apparatuses on the receiving side while performing output suitable for the amount of image information to be sent and the contents of the document. Is to eliminate the work burden.

  A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 is an apparatus capable of receiving image information of a document composed of a plurality of pages from a plurality of other facsimile apparatuses, and includes a communication unit, an image information processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit. And. The communication unit can receive the first image information for each page from another facsimile apparatus. Based on the received first image information, the image information processing unit can prepare second image information based on N (N ≧ 1) in 1 with N values corresponding to each of the other facsimile apparatuses. The storage unit can store N values corresponding to the other facsimile apparatuses. The output unit can output the second image information.

  In this apparatus, the N value corresponding to each of the other facsimile apparatuses as the transmission source is stored, so that the N-in 1 suitable for the transmission amount from each apparatus and the contents of the document can be output. Further, when receiving from a large number of transmission side devices, it is not necessary to reset the level of aggregation each time reception is performed, and the work load such as re-setting in the reception side facsimile device is eliminated. Further, for example, for a facsimile apparatus that transmits a document with a small number of pages, by setting an N value with a small degree of aggregation, it is possible to avoid excessive aggregation on the receiving side. it can.

  Further, since the second image information is prepared by the facsimile apparatus of the present invention on the receiving side, if the other facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side sends the first image information for each page to the first facsimile apparatus. It is not necessary to have an aggregation function.

  In the present invention, N-in 1 includes a case where the N value is 1. In this case, the first image information is used as it is as the second image information. In addition, as a facsimile apparatus to which the same N value as the N value of the second image information already stored in the storage unit corresponds, the facsimile apparatus that has transmitted the first image information that is the source of the second image information. Includes himself.

  A facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 stores a plurality of other facsimile apparatuses having the same N value as apparatuses belonging to one group in the apparatus according to claim 1.

  In this apparatus, by treating the transmission side apparatuses having the same N value as apparatuses belonging to the same group, the burden associated with the processing of image information from other facsimile apparatuses is reduced.

  In addition, as a transmission side apparatus which belongs to the same group, for example, it is preferable that the number of pages of the first image information to be transmitted is about the same, and the performance such as the resolution is about the same.

  A facsimile apparatus according to a third aspect is the apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the storage unit can further store the first image information received by the communication unit.

  The number of pages of the first image information sent from other facsimile machines varies depending on the apparatus. In such a case, when image information with a small number of pages is received when N-in-1 with the same N value is uniformly collected. In some cases, it is more aggregated than necessary, making it difficult to see.

  Therefore, in this apparatus, when the first image information from another facsimile apparatus is stored as it is, for example, when the second image information that has been output becomes difficult to see due to excessive aggregation. The image data can be output again based on the first image information stored in the storage unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the second image information stored in the storage unit is erased after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In this apparatus, even if the second image information is prepared once, it is possible to reduce the capacity burden of the storage unit by erasing the second image information that has passed for a certain period of time, and to obtain a security merit for access from the outside. .

  A facsimile communication system according to a fifth aspect includes a first facsimile machine and a second facsimile machine. The first facsimile apparatus is the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The second facsimile apparatus is an apparatus that is communicably connected to the first facsimile apparatus and capable of transmitting the first image information to the first facsimile apparatus.

  In this system, the first facsimile machine on the receiving side stores the N value corresponding to each second facsimile machine that is the transmission source, so that it is suitable for the amount of transmission from each machine and the content of the document. It is possible to output by N-in-1. Further, when receiving from a large number of transmission side devices, it is not necessary to set the degree of aggregation for each reception, and the work load on the reception side facsimile device is eliminated. Further, for example, for a facsimile apparatus that transmits a document with a small number of pages, by setting an N value with a small degree of aggregation, it is possible to avoid excessive aggregation on the receiving side. it can.

  Further, in this system, since the second image information is prepared on the receiving side, the second image information collected on the receiving side can be obtained even if the second facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side does not have an N-in-1 editing function. Can be output. Further, the second facsimile apparatus may not have an aggregation function.

  According to the present invention, by storing the N value corresponding to each transmission source facsimile apparatus, it is possible to perform N-in-1 output suitable for the transmission amount from each apparatus and the contents of the document. Further, when receiving from a large number of transmission side devices, it is not necessary to reset the level of aggregation each time reception is performed, and the work load on the reception side facsimile device is eliminated. Further, for example, for a facsimile apparatus that transmits a document with a small number of pages, by setting an N value with a small degree of aggregation, it is possible to avoid excessive aggregation on the receiving side. it can.

  Further, since the second image information is prepared by the facsimile apparatus of the present invention on the receiving side, if the other facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side sends the first image information for each page to the first facsimile apparatus. It is not necessary to have an aggregation function.

[Facsimile communication system]
1 and 2 show a facsimile communication system 1 in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted.

  The facsimile communication system 1 includes a first facsimile device 11 and second facsimile devices 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71. These devices 21-71 are connected via a public line network 3. They are communicably connected to each other.

  The first facsimile apparatus 11 mainly receives from the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71, and the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 mainly transmit to the first facsimile apparatus 11.

[First facsimile machine]
The first facsimile apparatus 11 includes an image forming unit 13, a communication unit 15, another input / output unit 17, and a control unit 19.

  The image forming unit 13 outputs the first image information for each page transmitted from the other facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 via the public network 3 and the second image information prepared by N-in 1 to a sheet or the like. And a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a fixing device, and the like (not shown). Further, the image forming unit 13 can further output the second image information prepared by the control unit 19.

  The communication unit 15 is for transmitting and receiving the first and second image information to and from the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71.

  The other input / output unit 17 includes a document reading unit and a sheet feeding unit (not shown) and an input operation unit 18 (see FIG. 3).

  The document reading unit is for reading image information recorded on each page of the document, and includes an optical system (not shown). The paper feed unit is for conveying paper stored in the paper feed cassette 20 (see FIG. 3) to the image forming unit 13.

  The input operation unit 18 includes a numeric keypad for inputting a destination telephone number, a dial key for calling a telephone number already registered as a destination, setting keys for various setting operations, transmission / reception of image information, It has a display panel for displaying information related to communication such as a start key for instructing reading of a document, a telephone number of a transmission destination and a communication status, and registration information of the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71. The start key can also request polling transmission to the second facsimile machines 21-71.

  Further, the input operation unit 18 is a mode switching key that can be switched between a normal communication mode for outputting the first image information and a second image information output mode for preparing and outputting the second image information. It has further. Further, the input operation unit 18 registers a second facsimile apparatus as belonging to any of a plurality of groups, or deletes a second facsimile apparatus once registered as an apparatus belonging to a group of apparatuses from the group. And a variable registration key for registering in addition to other groups.

  The control unit 19 is connected to the image forming unit 13, the communication unit 15, and the other input / output unit 19, and specifically includes a microcomputer having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like.

  The CPU is for controlling the image forming unit 13 and the like. When the second image information output mode is selected, the CPU determines that, for example, the image information output to the display panel is the second image information prior to the reception of the first image information, or the second image information. A predetermined message may be displayed to indicate information (for example, telephone number and address) about the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 that transmitted the first image information that is the basis of the information.

  Further, when the communication unit 15 receives the first image information from the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71, the CPU prepares the second image information according to N-in 1 based on the N value corresponding to each of the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71. The image forming unit 13 outputs the data to the paper.

  The RAM functions as a work area for the CPU and holds contents input by the input operation unit 18. The RAM can hold the first image information from the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 and the second image information prepared by the CPU.

  The ROM stores a program related to control performed by the CPU and a program related to the operation of the image forming unit and the like. The ROM stores the second image information prepared by the CPU and the N value corresponding to each of the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71, and the stored second image information is erased after a predetermined time. It has become.

  The ROM stores the telephone numbers of the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 as transmission sources, and stores the second facsimile apparatuses having the same N value as apparatuses belonging to the same group. One N value is assigned and stored. For example, here, the second facsimile devices 21 and 31 are group A devices suitable for outputting the second image information by 2-in-1 and the second facsimile devices 41 and 51 output the second image information by 4-in-1. The second facsimile apparatuses 61 and 71 are respectively registered as the devices in the group C, which are suitable for outputting the second image information by 1-in-1. These second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 can be arbitrarily deleted from the group to which they belong by the variable registration key, and can be arbitrarily added and registered in other groups. It is also possible to arbitrarily change the N value of each group.

[Second facsimile machine]
Since the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 have a basic configuration substantially the same as that of the first facsimile apparatus 11, only the differences from the first facsimile apparatus 11 will be described here. Further, since the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 are all configured in the same manner, here, the second facsimile apparatus 21 will be described by paying attention to it.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the second facsimile apparatus 21 includes an image forming unit 23, a communication unit 25, another input / output unit 27, and a control unit 29. The other input / output unit 27 includes a document reading unit, an input operation unit, and the like, similar to the first facsimile apparatus 11.

  In the input operation unit, a start key capable of instructing the document reading unit to read a document consisting of a plurality of pages and instructing transmission of the read first image information to the first facsimile apparatus 11 is provided. Have. Note that when the first image information is transmitted according to the polling transmission request from the first facsimile apparatus 11, the polling transmission is performed even if the start key is not pressed.

  When there is a transmission instruction to the first facsimile apparatus or a polling transmission request from the first facsimile apparatus 11, the control section 29 transmits the first image information read by the document reading section to the first facsimile apparatus 11. The communication unit is controlled to do so.

[System Operation]
Next, the operation of the facsimile communication system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 on the transmission side, when the start key is pressed, the original is read (S1), and the read first image information is held in the RAM. . In this state, the first image information is transmitted to the first facsimile machine 11 (S2). Note that after step S1, when there is a polling transmission request from the first facsimile apparatus 11, the first image information may be temporarily held so that the process proceeds to step S2.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the first facsimile apparatus 11 on the receiving side is switched to the second image information output mode when the mode switching key is pressed in the normal communication mode. When the second image information output mode is selected (S10), registration information about the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 is displayed on the display panel. If there is no particular change, the confirmation key is pressed to confirm, and if there is a change, Variable registration is performed by changing the registration by operating a predetermined key (S11).

  When the first image information read in step S1 is received from the second facsimile device 21 (S12), if the second facsimile device that has transmitted the received first image information is a device of group A (S13). ) It is determined whether or not the second image information converted by 2-in-1 is stored in the ROM (S14). If stored, the second image information is read (S15) and output to the paper. At the same time, if the second image information is not stored, the first image information held in the RAM is converted in 2-in-1 to create the second image information (S17), which is held in the ROM. (S18) and then output (S16).

  On the other hand, if the device that requested polling transmission to the first facsimile device 11 does not belong to the A group (S13) but belongs to the B group (S19), the second image information by 4-in-1 is It is determined whether or not it is stored in the ROM (S20). If stored, the second image information is read (S21) and output (S16). If not stored, it is held in the RAM. The first image information is converted by 4-in-1 to create second image information (S22), which is stored in the ROM (S23) and then output (S16).

  In step S19, if the second facsimile apparatus that transmitted the first image information does not belong to the group B, the second image information is prepared by 1-in-1, that is, the first image information held in the RAM. Is stored in the ROM as second image information as it is (S24) and output (S16).

  If polling transmission is requested for the second facsimile apparatus, after receiving the first image information from the second facsimile apparatus, the process proceeds to step S13, and the same operation as described above is repeated.

  In step S10, when the second image information output mode is not selected, a normal output operation is performed (S25). That is, all the first image information from the second facsimile apparatuses 21 to 71 is output as it is.

  According to the facsimile communication system 1 as described above, since the second image information prepared once is stored in the ROM of the control unit 19, the second facsimile information having the same N value as that of the second image information is used. For the first image information, it is only necessary to output the second image information stored in the ROM, and it is not necessary to prepare the same second image information again. Therefore, the processing load on the first facsimile machine 11 on the receiving side is reduced.

  In particular, since a plurality of second facsimile apparatuses can be variably registered as belonging to any group according to the size of the first image information and the performance of the model, even when there are many second facsimile apparatuses, a large number of second facsimile apparatuses can be registered. The processing load on the receiving side can be reduced while supporting the second facsimile apparatus.

  Further, since the second facsimile apparatus on the transmission side only needs to send the first image information to the first facsimile apparatus 11, it may be a model that does not have an aggregation function.

  Further, when the N value is 2 or more, the number of sheets output on the receiving side can be reduced, and it is possible to avoid wasteful consumption of sheets.

[Other Embodiments]
(A) The storage unit is not limited to the ROM, and a RAM may be employed, or, instead of these main storage devices, auxiliary storage such as a hard disk device provided in the same facsimile apparatus by internal or external connection It may be a device.

  (B) The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a facsimile communication system in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted. FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the said facsimile communication system. The perspective view which shows the 1st facsimile apparatus contained in the said system. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second facsimile apparatus. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first facsimile apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile communication system 11 1st facsimile apparatus 13 Original reading part 15 Communication part 19 Control part 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 2nd facsimile apparatus

Claims (5)

A facsimile apparatus capable of receiving image information of a document consisting of a plurality of pages from a plurality of other facsimile apparatuses,
A communication unit capable of receiving first image information for each page from the other facsimile device;
An image information processing unit capable of preparing second image information based on N (N ≧ 1) in 1 based on an N value corresponding to each of the other facsimile apparatuses based on the received first image information;
A storage unit capable of storing second image information prepared by the image information processing unit and an N value corresponding to each of the other facsimile devices;
An output unit capable of outputting the second image information;
Facsimile machine equipped with.   The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of the other facsimile apparatuses having the same N value as apparatuses belonging to one group.   The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit can further store the first image information received by the communication unit.   The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image information stored in the storage unit is erased after a predetermined time has elapsed. The first facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A second facsimile machine that is communicably connected to the first facsimile machine and capable of transmitting the first image information to the first facsimile machine;
A facsimile communication system.

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