JP3725701B2 - Image forming apparatus having facsimile function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function and a printer function, and having a facsimile function connected to a plurality of terminal devices through communication lines.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when the facsimile apparatus cannot output the received facsimile data, the facsimile data is received in a memory in a storage memory in the facsimile apparatus. In particular, when a personal computer (personal computer), which is a terminal device, is connected to a facsimile machine via a communication line (such as a LAN), the received facsimile data cannot be output during print output from the personal computer. Memory reception is frequently performed in a storage memory in the facsimile apparatus. In this case, there is a problem that facsimile reception cannot be performed when the storage memory in the facsimile apparatus is full.
[0003]
A facsimile apparatus system that solves this problem is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-135323. This facsimile machine system uses a personal computer side memory to store facsimile data received by facsimile in the personal computer side memory when the facsimile machine and personal computer are directly connected via a communication line and the remaining capacity of the facsimile machine memory is insufficient. Was.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above facsimile apparatus system, only a personal computer is directly connected corresponding to the facsimile apparatus, and the memory of this directly connected personal computer can only be used, and a sufficient memory capacity can be secured. In addition, the facsimile data received in the memory of the personal computer must be output by operating the facsimile apparatus or the personal computer.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image forming apparatus having a facsimile function according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is provided with a facsimile function and a printer function, and is connected to a plurality of terminal devices through a communication line and has a facsimile function. A terminal device registration means for pre-registering a plurality of terminal devices for saving facsimile reception data received during the facsimile function operation;
When the facsimile function is received during operation of the printer function and the capacity of the facsimile receiving / storing storage unit of the image forming apparatus is predicted to be insufficient, the received terminal data is selected by the terminal unit registering means and the facsimile received data is selected. A saving storage means for saving
Printer operation detecting means for detecting the operation of the printer function;
A facsimile means for transferring facsimile reception data stored in the storage unit of the terminal device to the image forming apparatus main body when the printer operation detecting means detects that the printer operation is completed, and operating and outputting the facsimile function; ,
Free space detecting means for detecting free space in the storage unit of the terminal device;
Terminal device determination means for determining a terminal device having the largest free space detected by the free space detection means,
The saving storage means saves facsimile reception data in the storage unit of the terminal device having the maximum free capacity determined by the terminal device determination means ,
Furthermore, a reception data presence / absence detecting means for detecting presence / absence of facsimile reception data in the storage unit of the facsimile unit of the image forming apparatus main body is provided,
It said shunting storage means, when detecting facsimile received data by the reception data existence detecting means, characterized by retracted stored in the storage unit immediately terminals the received facsimile data.
[0008]
According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus configured as described above , the presence or absence of facsimile reception data transferred from the storage unit of the terminal device to the facsimile unit of the image forming apparatus main body is determined at regular intervals when not in the reception order facsimile output mode. Facsimile received data transfer detection means for detecting,
Transfer means for starting transfer of facsimile reception data stored in the storage unit of another terminal device to the facsimile unit when the facsimile reception data transfer detection unit detects completion of output of the facsimile reception data by the facsimile unit; It is provided with .
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a network system to which a digital composite printer which is an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function of the present invention is connected. In FIG. 1, 1 is a digital composite printer, 2 is a personal computer, 3 is a personal computer equipped with a function for storing facsimile data received by facsimile by the digital composite printer, and 4 is the digital composite printer 1 and the personal computers 2 and 3. A network such as a LAN, which is a communication line to be connected, 5 is a general public line to which a digital composite printer is connected, and 6 is a facsimile machine connected to the general public line 5. The digital composite printer 1 can transmit / receive facsimile data to / from the facsimile apparatus 6 via the general public line 5.
[0011]
The four personal computers 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are equipped with a facsimile data saving storage function, and the received facsimile data between the digital composite printer 1 and the personal computers 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d. The save storage process and the output process of the saved facsimile reception data are executed. In this embodiment, the personal computers 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d that are not equipped with the save storage function are also connected to the network 4. However, all the personal computers may be equipped with the save storage function, and the save storage function may be used. There are no particular restrictions on the PC equipped with the function.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital composite printer 1. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 11 denotes a general public line 5 which is connected to a general public line 5 and transmits / receives facsimile data and analyzes the facsimile data to convert it into image data or convert the image data into facsimile data. Facsimile (FAX) section for converting into a network, 12 is connected to a network 4 such as a LAN, and is a network connection section for transmitting and receiving data on the network 4, and 13 is a printer for analyzing data transmitted from the personal computers 2 and 3. A printer unit for converting the image data into image data; 14 a scanner unit for converting a document image for transmitting facsimile data into image data; and 15 a storage device for storing various data such as a personal computer address of a save storage location and facsimile reception data. , 16 outputs the image data as a visible image on paper. A printing unit, the digital multifunction printer 1 is composed of these parts. The portion of the storage device 15 that stores facsimile reception data is particularly called a facsimile reception storage memory.
[0013]
In the digital composite printer 1, when a document image is received by facsimile, the scanner unit 14 converts the document image into image data, and the facsimile unit 11 converts the image data into facsimile data. The facsimile data is transmitted to the received facsimile apparatus 6.
[0014]
When receiving and outputting facsimile data, the facsimile data transmitted via the general public line 5 is received by the facsimile unit 11 and converted into image data, and the image data is output by the printing unit 16.
[0015]
If the digital composite printer 1 cannot receive a facsimile because the printer is outputting, the facsimile unit 11 receives facsimile data transmitted from the general public line 5, and then receives the facsimile reception data for facsimile reception storage in the storage device 15. Store in memory.
[0016]
When the facsimile reception data is saved in the personal computer, the received facsimile reception data or the facsimile reception data stored in the facsimile reception storage memory in the storage device 15 is used to save the facsimile reception data previously registered by the network connection unit 12. Send to PC 3.
[0017]
When outputting the stored facsimile reception data, the facsimile reception data stored and saved from the network connection unit 12 is received and converted into image data, and the printing unit 16 outputs the image data.
[0018]
When printing out from the personal computer via the network 4, the printer data is received from the network connection unit 12 and converted into image data, and the printing unit 16 outputs the image data.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which facsimile reception data is stored in the facsimile reception storage memory of the digital composite printer 1. The received facsimile reception data is stored in the facsimile reception storage memory in the order of reception. As shown in the figure, the sizes of the received facsimile data are different from each other. When the free space of the hard disk (HD) memory of the personal computer 3 for saving the received facsimile data is small, the facsimile received storage memory is searched and the free space is searched. Facsimile reception data having a size (capacity) that fits within the capacity is searched.
[0020]
4 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining operations of temporarily storing facsimile reception data in the digital composite printer 1 and the personal computer 3 according to this embodiment and outputting the stored facsimile reception data.
[0021]
FIG. 4 shows an operation procedure of the digital composite printer 1 for saving facsimile reception data. When the facsimile data is saved, it is first checked whether or not there is a facsimile reception (S1), and if there is a facsimile reception, it is checked whether or not printing is in progress (S2). If printing is not in progress, the facsimile data is received as it is (S3), and the received facsimile data is output (S4).
[0022]
If printing is being performed in step S2, it is checked whether there is sufficient space in the facsimile reception storage memory (S5). If there is sufficient space, facsimile data is received (S6), and the received facsimile data is stored in the facsimile reception storage memory (S7). In step S5 , if there is not enough space in the facsimile reception storage memory, the saving process is started for the personal computer 3 for saving facsimile reception data connected to the network.
[0023]
First, the first saving personal computer registered in advance is set as the current saving personal computer (S8). The address of the current saving personal computer is checked (S10), and it is confirmed that there is a registered personal computer. Here, if there is no address of the current saving personal computer, it indicates the end of the registered personal computer.
[0024]
In step S10, if there is an address of the current saving personal computer, it indicates that there is a registered personal computer, so that address is taken out (S11), and it is checked whether or not a personal computer corresponding to the address of the current saving personal computer is connected. (S12). If it is connected, the HD memory capacity is acquired from the personal computer (S13), and it is checked whether or not the save mode is the maximum capacity HD memory save mode (S14). At this time, the maximum capacity HD memory saving mode is a mode in which facsimile reception data is always saved and saved in a personal computer having a maximum capacity of the HD memory.
[0025]
If in step S1 4 not the maximum capacity HD memory retracted mode and checks whether there is enough space in the HD memory (S15). If there is sufficient free space in the HD memory, facsimile data is received (S16), and the received facsimile data is saved in the HD memory of the personal computer corresponding to the address of the current saving personal computer (S17). If it is not the maximum capacity HD memory saving mode, if there is not enough free space in the HD memory in step S15, the next saving personal computer registered in advance is set as the current personal computer (S18), and the processing from step S10 to step S15 is performed. Repeat until all of the saved personal computers are found until a free personal computer with enough space in the HD memory is found.
[0026]
If it is in the maximum capacity HD memory saving mode (S19), the HD memory capacity of the saving personal computer registered in advance is checked in order, and the current saving personal computer address is lost in step S10, and the HD memory of all the saving personal computers is stored. When the capacity check is completed, the personal computer having the maximum capacity of the HD memory is set as the current saving personal computer (S20), and the facsimile reception data is saved in the personal computer in steps S16 and S17.
[0027]
In step S1, if there is no facsimile reception, it is checked whether there is facsimile reception data in the facsimile reception storage memory (S21). If there is facsimile reception data, a facsimile reception data saving process of the facsimile reception storage memory is executed. (S22). If there is no facsimile reception data in step S21, the operation is terminated without doing anything.
[0028]
Next, FIG. 5 shows the operation of the digital composite printer that saves the facsimile reception data in the facsimile reception storage memory.
[0029]
First, the first facsimile reception data in the facsimile reception storage memory is set as the current facsimile reception data (S31), and the first saved personal computer is registered as the current saving personal computer (S32). In order to check the end of the registration data, the address of the current saving personal computer is checked (S33). If there is no address, the registration data is finished and the facsimile reception data saving process of the facsimile reception storing memory is ended. If there is an address, the address of the current saving personal computer is taken out (S34), and it is checked whether or not a personal computer corresponding to the address of the current saving personal computer is connected (S35).
[0030]
If it is connected, the HD memory capacity is acquired from the personal computer (S36), and it is checked whether or not the current facsimile reception data size (capacity) is smaller than the HD memory capacity (S37). If it is smaller, the current facsimile reception data can be saved in the HD memory, so the current facsimile reception data is saved in the HD memory of the personal computer corresponding to the address of the current saving personal computer (S38).
[0031]
If the current facsimile reception data size is larger than the HD memory capacity in step S37, the current facsimile reception data cannot be saved in the HD memory. In this case, there is facsimile reception data smaller than the HD memory capacity in the facsimile reception storage memory. It is checked whether or not (S39).
[0032]
If there is small facsimile reception data, the facsimile reception data is made the current facsimile reception data (S40), and the facsimile reception data is saved in step S38.
[0033]
In step S35, if there is no connection to the current saving personal computer or if there is no small facsimile reception data in step S39, the next saving personal computer registered in advance as the current personal computer (S41), The processes after step S33 are repeated until there is no more personal computer.
[0034]
After saving the current facsimile reception data in step S38, it is checked whether there is facsimile reception data in the facsimile reception storage memory (S42). If there is facsimile reception data, the next of the facsimile reception storage memory is checked. The facsimile reception data is set as the current facsimile reception data (S43), and the processes in and after step S32 are repeated until there is no facsimile reception data in the facsimile reception storage memory. If there is no facsimile reception data in the facsimile reception storage memory, the operation is terminated. In this way, the facsimile reception data in the facsimile reception storage memory is saved in the saving personal computer registered in advance.
[0035]
Next, FIG. 6 shows the operation of the digital composite printer that outputs the facsimile reception data stored in the saved state.
[0036]
First, it is checked whether there is a transfer request for the facsimile reception data saved in the HD memory from the personal computer storing the facsimile reception data (S51). If there is no transfer request, the process ends. If there is a transfer request, the facsimile reception data saved in the HD memory transferred from the personal computer is received (S52), and it is checked whether or not the transfer is completed (S53).
[0037]
During the transfer process, it is checked whether there is an inquiry about the reception order of the received facsimile data being processed (S54). If there is an inquiry, the reception order is notified to the personal computer (S55). This process is repeated until the transfer is completed. When the transfer is completed, the facsimile reception data is output (S56), and the operation is terminated.
[0038]
Next, FIG. 7 shows the operation of the digital composite printer that automatically registers the personal computer to be saved.
[0039]
First, the digital composite printer inquires of a personal computer equipped with a save storage function over the entire network (S61). Thereafter, it is checked whether or not there is a response from a personal computer with a saving storage function (S62). If there is a response, the address of the personal computer is registered in order as a saving storage personal computer (S63). If there is no response, the automatic registration processing operation of the personal computer for evacuation storage is terminated.
[0040]
Next, FIG. 8 shows the operation of a personal computer that stores and outputs facsimile reception data.
[0041]
First, a personal computer equipped with a save storage function checks whether there is a request for checking the free space of the HD memory from the digital composite printer (S61). If there is a request, it is set as a save storage area of the HD memory. The digital composite printer is notified of the free space of the part (S62).
[0042]
If there is no confirmation request for free space in the HD memory, it is checked whether there is a facsimile reception data saving request from the digital composite printer (S63). If there is no saving request, the above processing is repeated. If there is a save request, the facsimile reception data is received from the digital composite printer and stored (S64), and waits until the printer output operation of the digital composite printer ends (S65).
[0043]
When the printer output operation is completed, the reception order facsimile output mode is checked (S66), and if it is the reception order facsimile output mode, the reception order of the stored stored facsimile reception data to be facsimile output next is acquired from the digital composite printer. (S67). It is checked whether or not the reception order to be facsimile output is the facsimile reception data saved in the HD memory of the personal computer (S68). If so, the facsimile reception data saved in the HD memory is sent to the digital composite printer. After the transfer (S69), the facsimile reception data that has been transferred is erased from the HD memory (S70).
[0044]
If it is not in the reception order facsimile output mode in step S66, it is checked at regular intervals whether or not facsimile reception data saved from another personal computer is being printed (S71) and (S72). If completed, the facsimile reception data is transferred / erased in steps S69 and S70, and the operation is terminated.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention , even if a facsimile is received during operation of the printer function, the received facsimile data can be saved in the storage units of a plurality of terminal devices, so that a large number of received facsimile data can be received. When the operation of the printer function is completed, the facsimile reception data stored in the storage unit of the terminal device is output by the facsimile unit, so that it is possible to prevent the output by the printer function and the output by the facsimile function from being mixed. it can.
[0046]
Further, since the facsimile reception data is stored in the storage unit of the terminal device having the largest free space, it is possible to prevent the facsimile reception data from being stored in a concentrated manner in one terminal device. The storage unit of the device can be used on average.
[0048]
Further, when there is facsimile reception data in the storage unit of the facsimile unit of the main body of the image forming apparatus, the facsimile reception data is saved in the storage unit of the terminal device, so that it is always possible to ensure a free space in the storage unit of the facsimile unit. In addition, facsimile reception data can be reliably stored by facsimile reception.
[0049]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to switch to a mode other than the reception order facsimile output mode, and sequentially output the facsimile reception data saved in the storage unit of the plurality of terminal devices in the mode other than the reception order facsimile output mode. By doing so, all the received facsimile data can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a network system to which a digital composite printer which is an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function of the present invention is connected.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a digital composite printer of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which facsimile reception data is stored in a facsimile reception storage memory of the digital composite printer of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a facsimile reception data saving process operation of the digital composite printer of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of saving facsimile reception data in a facsimile reception storage memory of the digital composite printer of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an output processing operation of facsimile reception data stored in the digital composite printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of automatically registering a personal computer for saving facsimile reception data in the digital composite printer of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation for standby storing and outputting facsimile reception data of a personal computer connected to the digital composite printer of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital compound printer 2 Personal computer 3 Personal computer equipped with a retractable storage function 4 Network 5 General public line 6 Facsimile device

Claims (2)

In an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, which has a facsimile function and a printer function, and is connected to a plurality of terminal devices via a communication line.
Terminal device registration means for pre-registering a plurality of terminal devices for saving facsimile reception data received during operation of the facsimile function;
When the facsimile function is received during operation of the printer function and the capacity of the facsimile receiving / storing storage unit of the image forming apparatus is predicted to be insufficient, the received terminal data is selected by the terminal unit registering means and the facsimile received data is selected. A saving storage means for saving
Printer operation detecting means for detecting the operation of the printer function;
A facsimile means for transferring facsimile reception data stored in the storage unit of the terminal device to the image forming apparatus main body when the printer operation detecting means detects that the printer operation is completed, and operating and outputting the facsimile function; ,
Free space detecting means for detecting free space in the storage unit of the terminal device;
Terminal device determination means for determining a terminal device having the largest free space detected by the free space detection means,
The saving storage means saves facsimile reception data in the storage unit of the terminal device having the maximum free capacity determined by the terminal device determination means,
Furthermore, a reception data presence / absence detecting means for detecting presence / absence of facsimile reception data in the storage unit of the facsimile unit of the image forming apparatus main body is provided,
An image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, wherein when the received data is detected by the received data presence detecting means, the saved storage means immediately saves the received facsimile data in the storage unit of the terminal device. Facsimile reception data transfer detection means for detecting the presence or absence of facsimile reception data transferred from the storage unit of the terminal device to the facsimile unit of the image forming apparatus main body at regular intervals when not in the reception order facsimile output mode;
Transfer means for starting transfer of facsimile reception data stored in the storage unit of another terminal device to the facsimile unit when the facsimile reception data transfer detection unit detects completion of output of the facsimile reception data by the facsimile unit; 2. An image forming apparatus having a facsimile function according to claim 1, further comprising:

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