JP3476563B2 - Facsimile machine - 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 machine provided with an image memory for storing image information to be transmitted and received image information, and more particularly to a facsimile machine for effectively utilizing the image memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Due to advances in semiconductor technology, small-sized and large-capacity semiconductor memories have been provided at low cost, and small-sized magnetic disk devices have been provided at low cost. Therefore, even in a facsimile machine, they are used as an image memory, the image information to be transmitted is temporarily stored in the image memory, and then the image information is read out from the image memory and transmitted to the memory, or immediately output to a recording sheet when received. Instead, a device having a function of receiving a memory, which is stored in an image memory, is becoming popular.

Generally, in the above-mentioned memory transmission / reception, the image information is erased after the transmission is completed, or the image information is erased after the received image is output to the recording paper. However, since it has become easy to make the image memory relatively large in capacity as described above in recent years, the image information in the image memory is not erased even after being transmitted or output on recording paper. It is also utilized such that it is left as it is and is transmitted to a desired partner when necessary.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile apparatus, since all the transmitted image information and the received image information are indiscriminately stored in the image memory as they are, even if a large-capacity memory is provided. Finally, it becomes saturated. Even though the memory cost has been reduced and miniaturized, increasing the memory capacity without limitation is
There are drawbacks that greatly impede the cost reduction and downsizing of the facsimile machine itself.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems relating to the conventional facsimile apparatus as described above, and to effectively utilize the image memory to provide a facsimile apparatus in which the increase in the capacity of the image memory is limited without impairing the function. It is intended to be provided.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides, as a first means, a facsimile machine equipped with an image memory for accumulating image information to be transmitted and received image information. After transmitting the accumulated transmission image information or after outputting the reception image information accumulated in the image memory to the recording paper, it is determined whether or not the accumulated image information is continuously retained in the image memory. The holding determination means is used for the determination. As a second means, in the above, the remaining capacity managing means for managing the remaining capacity of the image memory, and when the remaining capacity managed by the remaining capacity managing means reaches a predetermined remaining capacity, a part is deleted in a predetermined erasing order. The erasing means for erasing the image information and the predetermined remaining capacity setting means for setting the predetermined remaining capacity.

As a third means, in the above first means, a holding confirmation means for confirming whether or not the image information is continuously held is provided by the operation display section, and when the holding determination means continuously holds the target image information. When the determination is made, the holding confirmation means confirms whether or not to continue holding. As a fourth means, in the above-mentioned second means, a usage status monitoring means for monitoring whether or not each image information stored in the image memory has been used within a predetermined period is provided, and is not used during the predetermined period. The image information is deleted. As fifth means, in the second means, a holding priority setting means set in association with the transmission / reception type is provided, and image information belonging to the transmission / reception type having a low priority set in the priority setting means. It is configured such that erasing first is one of the predetermined erasing orders.

[0008]

In the first means, after transmitting the transmission image information accumulated in the image memory or outputting the reception image information accumulated in the image memory to the recording paper, the accumulated image information is stored in the image memory. Since it is configured to include a holding determination unit that determines whether or not to continue to hold the image depending on the type of transmission / reception, only necessary part of the image information is automatically held continuously and other image information is erased. Therefore, a certain amount of remaining memory is secured. In the second means, in the above,
A remaining capacity managing means for managing the remaining capacity of the image memory, an erasing means for erasing a part of the image information in a predetermined erasing order when the remaining memory capacity reaches a predetermined amount or less, and the predetermined remaining capacity are set. Since it has a predetermined remaining capacity setting means, when the remaining capacity of the image memory decreases to the remaining capacity set by the user, some unnecessary image information is automatically deleted. It can be used.

The third means is provided with a holding confirmation means for confirming whether or not the image information is continuously held by the operation display section in the first means, so that it is possible to automatically store the image information which does not need to be saved. If it is unknown whether to delete or save, it is possible to reconfirm the user's intention and decide whether to keep it. In the fourth means,
The above-mentioned second means is provided with a usage status monitoring means for monitoring whether or not each image information held in the image memory is used within a predetermined period, and erases the image information not used during the predetermined period. Since the configuration is adopted, it is possible to automatically delete the image information that is rarely used and to store the image information that is frequently used, and it is possible to prevent the opposite. A fifth means is provided with the holding priority setting means set in the second means in association with the transmission / reception type, and the image information belonging to the transmission / reception type having a low priority set in the priority setting means. Since it is configured that one of the predetermined erasing orders is to erase the first, the image information belonging to the transmission / reception type with the low priority is automatically deleted, and the image information belonging to the transmission / reception type with the high priority is automatically deleted. Can be saved and vice versa can be prevented.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a control unit for managing and controlling the entire apparatus according to a built-in program, 2 is a keyboard for the operator to give instructions to the facsimile apparatus, and display means for the facsimile apparatus to give messages to the operator. An operation display unit 3 and the like, which is a RAM, includes image information read by the scanner 4 and an encoding / decoding unit (DCR) for the image information.
8 is a storage medium for temporarily storing image information data compressed by 8 or received compressed image information data, image information expanded by DCR 8
A plotter that outputs the received image information expanded by R8 via the RAM 3, a network control unit (NCU) 6 for setting up a call with a remote facsimile machine via the public telephone network, and 7 a G3 protocol A communication control unit for carrying out facsimile transmission / reception in accordance with the above, 9 is a modem including a low speed modem and a high speed modem, and 10 is an image memory.

A case will be described below in which general facsimile transmission is performed without using an image memory by the facsimile apparatus configured as described above. First, under the control of the control unit 1, the scanner 4 reads the image information into the RAM 3, the DCR 8 compresses the image information, and the RA
Store in M3. Further, the control unit 1 obtains the call-time designation information such as the destination designated by the operation display unit 2, and the NCU 6 to which the destination information is passed sets up a call with the designated destination. Then, the communication control unit 7 executes phase B via the low-speed modem, and then shifts to phase C
The compressed image information data in the AM3 is modulated by the high speed modem in the modem 9 and sent through the NCU 6.

At the time of reception, after a call is set up by the NCU 6, predetermined communication is performed through the low speed modem in phase B, the process proceeds to phase C, and compressed image information data is received. The image information data is stored in the RAM 3 via the NCU 6 and the communication control unit 7, further expanded by the DCR 8, and then output to the plotter 5 via the RAM 3.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Since the image memory 10 is provided, it is possible to perform memory transmission and memory reception as needed. In the memory transmission, one or a plurality of pieces of image information read by the scanner 4 is temporarily stored in the image memory 10 as an image file, and then the image file in the image memory 10 is read and transmitted to a designated destination. In the memory reception, when the plotter 5 falls into an abnormal state or in the case of confidential reception, the received image information is stored in the image memory without being output to the plotter.

In this embodiment, further, the image information (image file) is left in the image memory 10 as it is even after the transmission operation in the memory transmission and the subsequent output to the recording paper in the memory reception are completed. However, in addition to leaving all image files, it is possible to leave some image files selectively. The holding determination means 11 shown in FIG. 1 is means for selectively saving only a part of such image files, and is composed of the control unit 1, the RAM 3, and the image memory 10.

A holding determination table 12 as shown in FIG. 2 is set in advance in the RAM 3 (a copy is also stored in the non-volatile image memory 10). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the information for holding determination is registered such that the image information that has been “memory transmitted” is retained or that the image information that has been “confidentially transmitted” is not retained according to the type of transmission / reception. ing. That is, in FIG. 2, “ON” means “hold” and “OFF” means “not hold”.

FIG. 3 is an operation flow chart of this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. When the transmission process or the reception process is started, as shown in FIG. 3, it is determined whether the image memory needs to be stored (S1). In other words, the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where the image memory 10 is not stored (held) except for memory transmission and memory reception. When the storage in the image memory occurs (S1), the control unit 1 determines the holding determination unit.
By referring to the holding determination table 12 in the RAM 3 constituting the memory 11, it is determined whether or not the image information stored in the memory at that time is continuously held even after being transmitted or output to recording paper (S).
2). In order to make this determination, it is necessary for the control unit 1 to know the type of transmission / reception (referred to as a job) stored in the memory at that time, but this differs depending on the type of transmission / reception in the control unit 1. It is possible to know it by determining what the running program (or the program that has finished executing at that time) is because the running program is executed. Alternatively, when the execution of the program is started, the transmission / reception type name (job name) of the program may be set in a predetermined area in the RAM 3. As a result, it is possible to easily determine whether or not to retain the transmission / reception type of the retention determination table 12 shown in FIG. 2 by extracting it from the type name of the predetermined area.

If the holding judgment means 11 judges that "not hold" (S2), the holding process is not performed,
When it is determined to be "retained" (S2), the image information is registered in the file management table as one file (S3). FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of this file management table, and RAM 3 (replicating image memory 10)
Is set to (not shown). When registering as shown in FIG. 4, the registration date and time and the type of transmission / reception (type of job) are set in addition to the file number. The control unit 1 acquires the output of the clock circuit 15 shown in FIG. 1 and sets the registration date and time. Then, it is determined whether or not the already registered image file is deleted from the image memory 10 (S4). In the case of erasing (S4), for example, according to the file management table shown in FIG. 4, erasing is performed from the oldest registered date and time (S5).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the remaining capacity managing means 13 for managing the remaining capacity of the image memory 10 and the image memory when the remaining capacity managed by the remaining capacity managing means 13 reaches a predetermined remaining capacity. In addition to the erasing means 14 for erasing a part of the image information, a predetermined remaining capacity setting means 16 for setting the predetermined remaining capacity is provided.

As shown in the figure, the remaining capacity management means 13 is a control unit 1.
(Not exclusive) and a partial area of the RAM 3, and manages the remaining capacity of the image memory 10 according to a program built in the ROM in the control unit 1. That is, the remaining capacity management means
Reference numeral 13 sets the total capacity of the image memory 10 that can be used for storing image files at the initial time in the current remaining capacity setting area in the RAM 3, and thereafter every time an image file is registered (stored or held) in the image memory 10. Then, the data amount of the image file is subtracted from the value of the current remaining capacity setting area, and conversely, every time the image file is deleted from the image memory 10, the data amount of the image file is added to the value of the current remaining capacity setting area.

The erasing means 14 is also composed of the control section 1 (not exclusive) and a partial area of the RAM 3, acquires the value of the current remaining capacity setting area each time an image file is registered, and stores the value in the RAM 3. Compared with the predetermined remaining capacity set in the predetermined remaining capacity setting area, if the current remaining capacity is less than or equal to the predetermined remaining capacity, for example, the image files are deleted from the oldest registered one. Therefore, the erasing means 14 uses the erasing means 14 when erasing.
The registration date / time in the file management table 17 (see FIG. 4) in the RAM 3 belonging to The predetermined remaining capacity setting area belongs to the remaining capacity setting means 16. The remaining capacity setting means 16 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the control unit 1 (not proprietary) and the operation display unit 2
(Not exclusive) and a part of RAM 3 (predetermined remaining capacity setting area), and the predetermined remaining capacity designated by the user on the operation display unit 2 according to a program stored in the ROM in the control unit 1 is determined as the predetermined remaining capacity. Set in the setting area.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a holding confirmation means 18 is provided, and the holding judgment means 11'holds'.
If it is determined that the holding confirmation means 18 displays'holding 'via the operation display unit 2, and the operator confirms'holding' with a confirmation button or the like not shown, Images are stored in memory.

FIG. 7 shows the operation display unit 2 by the holding confirmation means 18.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the screen. In the figure, 21a is a screen requesting confirmation, 21b and 21c are screens in response to operator's designation, and 22 is an operation key. In other words, when the operator prompts "Register as a file, is that OK?" (21a), the operator says "Yes".
When you press the key 22a, 'Register as a file' (21
When b) is displayed and the'No 'key 22b is pressed,' Store in memory without registering as file '(21c) is displayed.

FIG. 8 is a constitutional block diagram showing still another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this embodiment is characterized in that it is provided with a usage status monitoring means 19 for monitoring whether or not each image information (image file) has been used within a predetermined period. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the oldest files are deleted in the order of registration, whereas in the present embodiment, the image files that have not been used during the predetermined period are deleted. When there is no image file as described above, or when it is necessary to delete the image files even if they are deleted, it is possible to additionally delete the oldest files in the order of registration.

In order to monitor whether or not the file has been used during a predetermined period, the usage status monitoring means 19 is provided with a file management table 17a having a last usage date / time field as shown in FIG. This last use date / time field is used for the control unit 1 (which program is executed by the control unit 1 belonging to the use status monitoring unit 19 when the image file registered (held) in the image memory 10 is used for transmission, for example. Depending on what is done, it can belong to other components)
Updated by. That is, the control unit 1 acquires the current date and time from the clock circuit 15 when the image file is used,
Rewrite the value of the last used date and time field of the corresponding image file to that date and time.

When a new image file is registered and the remaining capacity of the image memory 10 becomes less than or equal to a predetermined remaining capacity, the control unit 1 refers to the last used field of the file management table 17a in order to erase a part of the image file. Then, the image file which has not been used for a predetermined period is extracted. In other words, the file whose last use date and time is earlier than the date and time acquired at that time by a predetermined period or more is extracted, and the erasing means 14a erases all the image files or erases the oldest file based on the extracted file. According to still another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to refer to the transmission / reception type of the file management table 17 and delete the image files belonging to the transmission / reception (job) type of low priority first. Is.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the essential parts of this embodiment. In the figure, 20 is a priority setting means having a priority table. As shown in the figure, the priority setting means 20 includes a control unit 1 (not exclusive), an operation display unit 2 (not exclusive), R
The control unit 1 is composed of a part of the AM 3, and the priority corresponding to each transmission / reception (job) type instructed by the operator on the operation display unit 2 is stored in the priority table of the RAM 3 according to a program stored in the control unit 1, for example, in FIG. Set as follows. Figure
In 11, the priority value “1” indicates the highest priority, and the larger the number below, the lower the priority.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention,
First, after transmitting the transmission image information accumulated in the image memory or after outputting the reception image information accumulated in the image memory to a recording sheet, the accumulated image information is continuously retained in the image memory. By adopting a configuration that includes a holding determination unit that determines whether or not it is based on the type of transmission / reception, only a portion of the image information is automatically and continuously retained as necessary, and unnecessary image information is prevented from being accumulated. Therefore, by effectively utilizing the image memory, the memory capacity can be limited without impairing the function, and the user is not bothered to hold the image information.

Secondly, in the above description, the remaining capacity managing means for managing the remaining capacity of the image memory, and when the remaining capacity of the memory reaches a predetermined capacity or less, a part of the image information is erased in a predetermined erasing order. With the configuration including the erasing means and the predetermined remaining capacity setting means for setting the predetermined remaining capacity, when the remaining capacity of the image memory decreases to the remaining capacity set by the user, some images are automatically Since the information is erased, there is no problem that new image information cannot be held due to insufficient image memory capacity.

Thirdly, in the above, since the holding confirmation means for confirming whether or not the image information is continuously held is provided by the operation display unit, obviously necessary image information is automatically saved and it is necessary to save it. For those whose sex is unknown, it is possible to reconfirm the user's intention and decide whether to retain it,
It is possible to improve the flexibility in use while reducing the troublesomeness of the user.

Fourthly, in the above, the use status monitoring means for monitoring whether or not each image information held in the image memory is used within a predetermined period is provided, and the image information not used during the predetermined period is provided. Since the image information having a low frequency of use is retained and the image information having a high frequency of use is not erased, the retention priority setting means set in association with the type of transmission / reception can be provided. Since the image information belonging to the transmission / reception type with the low priority set in the priority setting means is first erased in one of the predetermined erasing order, the transmission / reception type with the low priority is provided. Since the image information belonging to is retained and the image information belonging to the transmission / reception type with high priority is not erased, the function is impaired even if the capacity of the image memory is limited. Theft is not.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table configuration diagram of a main part of a facsimile apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation flow chart of the facsimile apparatus showing the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another table configuration diagram of the main part of the facsimile apparatus showing the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a facsimile apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration block diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a table configuration diagram of a main part of a facsimile apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration block diagram of a main part of a facsimile apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a table configuration diagram of a main part of a facsimile apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Control unit, 2 ... Operation display unit, 3 ... RAM, 4 ... Scanner, 5 ... Plotter, 6 ... Network control device, 7 ... Communication control unit,
8 ... Encoding / decoding unit, 9 ... Modem, 10 ... Image memory, 11
... holding determination means, 12 ... holding determination table, 13 ... remaining capacity management means, 14 ... erasing means, 15 ... clock circuit, 16 ... predetermined remaining capacity setting means, 17 ... file management table, 18 ... holding confirmation means, 19 ... use status monitoring means, 20 ... holding priority setting means.

Front page continuation (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1/21 H04N 1/32-1/36 101

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. Image information to be transmitted or received
Facsimile machine with image memory to store
After sending the transmission image information stored in the image memory,
Or print the received image information stored in the image memory on the recording paper.
The image information stored in the image memory.
Whether to keep it continuously or not
Storage capacity determining means, remaining capacity management means for managing the remaining capacity of the image memory, and when the remaining capacity of the image memory reaches a predetermined amount or less, a predetermined erase
Erasing means for erasing a part of the image information in the order of removal, predetermined remaining capacity setting means for setting the predetermined remaining capacity, and each image information held in the image memory for a predetermined period.
Equipped with usage monitoring means to monitor whether or not it has been used
Erase image information that has not been used within a predetermined period
A facsimile machine having the above-mentioned configuration . 2. A facsimile apparatus equipped with an image memory for accumulating image information to be transmitted or received image information, after transmitting the transmitted image information accumulated in the image memory,
Or print the received image information stored in the image memory on the recording paper.
The image information stored in the image memory.
Whether to keep it continuously or not
Storage capacity determining means, remaining capacity management means for managing the remaining capacity of the image memory, and when the remaining capacity of the image memory reaches a predetermined amount or less, a predetermined erase
Erasing means for erasing a part of the image information in the order of removal, predetermined remaining capacity setting means for setting the predetermined remaining capacity, and holding priority setting means set in association with the type of transmission / reception.
And the priority set in the priority setting means is low.
If you want to delete the image information that belongs to the
Facsimile machine characterized by being one of the erasing orders .