JPH08228246A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To properly cope with image data stored in an image memory by accurately and easily grasping a storage state of image data in the image memory. CONSTITUTION: The facsimile equipment provided with an image memory to store image data prints out various information relating to image data stored in the image memory 7 to recording paper as a storage state list based on the operation of a storage state confirmation key 9a of an operation section 9. Then information such as a box number, the number of original sheets, storage date, the name of registered person, the name of sender, the name of recipient and data amount in the image memory 7 is printed out in the storage state list based on identification of image data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having an image memory for storing image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of facsimile apparatus, image data read by a reading unit or image data transmitted from a transmitting side is temporarily stored in an image memory, and then the stored image data is stored in a receiving side. It is designed to be transmitted or printed out on a recording paper by the recording unit.

By the way, as a facsimile apparatus of this type, there is one having a search polling function and a confidential communication function. In such a facsimile device, a plurality of boxes are provided in the image memory as areas for storing the image data for polling and the confidentially received image data in a state in which numbers are assigned. The search polling function stores the image data read by the reading unit in advance in a polling box of a predetermined number in the image memory, and is specified when a transfer request and a box number are specified by the partner device. It is a function to transfer the image data stored in the box with the specified number to the partner device. In addition, the confidential communication function means that when confidential image data is sent from the other device, the confidential image data is stored in a confidential box of a specified number in the image memory, and then the box number is specified and It is a function to print out the image data stored in the box of the designated number based on the input of the personal identification number.

When the range of use of the image memory is widened as the multifunctional function of the facsimile apparatus is increased, the amount of image data stored in the image memory increases, and the image memory tends to run short. In this state, if further confidentially received image data or image data for polling is to be stored in the image memory, the image data cannot be stored in the image memory, which hinders the communication operation. May occur. for that reason,
In such a facsimile machine, the accumulation status of image data in the image memory is accurately grasped, and if the accumulated image data is unnecessary, it is immediately deleted, and if it is to be printed out, it is immediately printed out. Therefore, it becomes necessary to secure the remaining capacity of the image memory.

However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, when confirming the storage state of image data in the image memory, only what percentage of the remaining capacity of the image memory is displayed on the display section.

[0006]

Therefore, in the conventional apparatus, it is easy to determine whether the image data stored in the image memory is unnecessary or should be printed out. However, there is a problem that image data to be erased or image data to be printed out is left in the image memory for a long time, which easily causes a trouble in the subsequent communication operation.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to be able to accurately and easily grasp the storage status of image data in an image memory, and to store the image data in the image memory. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of appropriately dealing with existing image data.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of a facsimile apparatus of claim 1, a facsimile apparatus provided with an image memory for accumulating image data is for displaying characters. As information regarding the image data stored in the display means and the image memory,
At least a control unit for displaying the type and data amount of each accumulated image data on the display unit is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the image memory has a plurality of boxes as areas for storing image data for polling and confidentially received image data. The control means displays the number of the box in which the image data is stored and the storage date and time in addition to the type and amount of each stored image data in the image memory. Is.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the control means provides the information regarding the image data in either the oldest or newest order of the date and time when the image data was accumulated. The display is rearranged in one order.

[0011]

Therefore, according to the invention of claim 1, the type and data amount of each image data stored in the image memory are
It can be grasped accurately and easily based on the display.
Therefore, based on the recognition of the type of the image data, the image data to be printed out can be immediately printed out, and the unnecessary image data can be immediately erased to secure the remaining capacity of the image memory.
Also, based on the data amount of each image data, it is possible to confirm how much the remaining capacity of the image memory is.

According to the second aspect of the invention, for example, if it is known that the type of the stored image data is confidentially received image data and the box number in which the received image data is stored, the confidential contents are Identify who should receive it. Therefore, the recipient of the confidential content can be prompted to print out the received image data. Further, for example, if the type of the stored image data is the image data for polling and the number of the box storing the image data is known, it is possible to specify who is the person who stored the image data. . Therefore, the person who stored the image data can confirm the necessity of the stored image data. Further, the person who stored the image data can determine whether the stored image data is necessary or not based on the display of the storage date and time.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the information regarding the image data stored in the image memory can be easily confirmed in the order of the date and time when the image data was stored.

[0014]

[Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of the facsimile apparatus F of this embodiment. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2 storing programs for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus,
Also, a RAM (random access memory) 3 for temporarily storing various information is connected. In this embodiment, CP
The control means is composed of U1, ROM2 and RAM3.

An NCU (network control unit) 4 controls connection with a telephone line. The modem 5 modulates and demodulates transmitted / received data. The reading unit 6 reads an image on a document. The image memory 7 temporarily stores the received image data and the image data read by the reading unit 6.
Note that, hereinafter, temporarily storing the received image data in the image memory 7 is referred to as proxy reception. The recording unit 8 as a display unit prints on recording paper based on the image data and the like stored in the image memory 7. In the facsimile apparatus F of the present embodiment, it is possible to select either one of a mode for automatically printing out the image data received by proxy and a mode for printing out based on a predetermined key operation. ing.

The operation unit 9 is a dial key for inputting a telephone number or the like, a start key for starting a facsimile operation, and a storage status operated when confirming the storage status of image data in the image memory 7. Confirmation key 9
Various operation keys such as a are provided. The display unit 10 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display screen, and displays various information in characters.

Interface 11 such as RS232C
Is provided to connect an external device 12 such as a personal computer. That is, the facsimile apparatus F of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of so-called FIP (Facsimile Interface Processor) reception, and receives the character code data transferred from the external device 12 via the interface 11. Character font data is stored in the ROM 2 in advance, and when the character code data from the external device 12 is received, the CPU 1 reads the character font data corresponding to the character code data from the ROM 2. Then, the CPU 1 stores the read character font data in the image memory 7 while developing it into image data.

Further, the facsimile apparatus F of this embodiment has the search polling function and the confidential communication function described in the section of the prior art. Therefore, the image memory 7 has a plurality of polling boxes 7 as areas for storing image data for search polling and confidentially received image data.
a and a confidential box 7b are provided in a state of being respectively assigned numbers. In addition, a plurality of FIP boxes 7c are provided in the image memory 7 as areas for storing the FIP-received image data in a state in which numbers are assigned.

The CPU 1 stores the image data in the image memory 7 when the proxy reception, the document reading for the search polling, the confidential reception, the FIP reception, etc. are performed and the image data is accumulated in the image memory 7. Various information (detailed later) on the stored image data is stored in the RAM 3 as image data accumulation status data.

When the storage status confirmation key 9a of the operation unit 9 is operated in the facsimile apparatus F having the above-mentioned configuration, the CPU 1 prints out the storage status list as shown in FIG. The operation shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3 is executed.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, when the CPU 1 recognizes in step S1 that the accumulation status confirmation key 9a has been operated, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S2 to search the image memory 7 for polling. It is determined whether there is image data. Here, if there is no image data for search polling, the CPU 1 moves to step S3, operates the recording unit 8, and prints on the recording paper P that there is no image data for search polling. The print mode is
For example, "There is no image data for search polling."
Is printed on the recording paper P.

If there is image data for search polling in the image memory 7, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S4.
Then, the information regarding the image data for search polling is read out from the storage status data stored in the RAM 3, and is printed on the recording paper P by the recording unit 8 as a search polling list. As the printing mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the polling box number, the number of originals, the storage date and time, the registrant name, and the data amount are recorded on the recording paper P in the order of the storage date and time of each image data for search polling. Is printed on. The amount of data indicates the ratio to the maximum storage capacity of the image memory 7.

Next, in step S5, the CPU 1 determines whether or not there is confidentially received image data in the image memory 7. Here, if there is no confidentially received image data, the CPU 1 shifts to step S6 and prints, for example, the characters "Confidentially received image data does not exist" on the recording paper P. If there is confidentially received image data, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S7, reads out information relating to the confidentially received image data from the storage status data in the RAM 3, and prints it as a confidential reception list. Print on P. As the printing mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the confidential box number, the number of originals, the reception date and time, the sender name, the recipient name, and the data amount of each confidentially received image data are arranged in the order of oldest accumulation date and time. It is printed on the recording paper P.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, in step S8, the CPU 1 determines whether or not there is image data that has been received as a substitute in the image memory 7. Here, if there is no proxy-received image data, the CPU 1 shifts to step S9 and prints, for example, the characters "There is no proxy-received image data." On the recording paper P. If there is image data that has been received as a proxy, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S10 to read information regarding the image data that has been received as a proxy from the accumulation status data in the RAM 3, and print it as a recording sheet as a proxy reception list. Print on P. As the print mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, for each image data received as a proxy,
The reception number, the number of documents, the date and time of reception, the name of the sender, and the amount of data are printed on the recording paper P. The reception number is a number that is automatically added to the received image data when the image data is received.

Next, in step S11, the CPU 1 determines whether or not there is image data received by FIP in the image memory 7. If there is no FIP-received image data, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S12,
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the character “FIP received image data does not exist.” Is printed on the recording paper P.
If there is FIP-received image data, the CPU
In step S13, the information regarding the image data received by FIP is read out from the storage status data in the RAM 3 and is printed on the recording paper P as a FIP reception list. As the printing mode, for example, similar to the above-mentioned lists, the FIP box number, the number of originals, the reception date, the registrant name, and the data amount are recorded on the recording paper P in the order of the accumulated date and time of each FIP-received image data. Printed on top.

After that, when there is image data other than those described above in the image memory 7, the CPU 1 also prints the information regarding these image data on the recording paper P as a storage status list in substantially the same manner as described above. Let Finally, in step S14, the CPU 1 determines the remaining capacity of the image memory 7 as shown in FIG.
%is. Is printed on the recording paper P, and the process ends.
Although not described in the flowchart, the date and time when the storage status list is output is printed on the upper right end of the recording paper P.

Further, in the above printing, when the number of image data is small and the storage status list fits on one recording sheet P, the storage status list is printed out on one recording sheet P. . However, when the number of pieces of image data is too large to fit on one recording sheet P, the storage status list is divided and printed on a plurality of recording sheets P.

As described above, in this embodiment, based on the operation of the storage status confirmation key 9a, the information regarding the image data stored in the image memory 7 is recorded on the recording paper P as a storage status list as shown in FIG. Printed on top. Therefore, it is possible to accurately and easily determine whether or not each image data accumulated in the image memory 7 is unnecessary or should be printed out by looking at this accumulation status list. You can Therefore, unnecessary image data can be immediately erased, and image data to be printed out can be immediately printed out, so that the remaining capacity of the image memory 7 can be secured. As a result, unlike the prior art, there is less risk that image data to be erased or image data to be printed out will remain in the image memory forever, and will interfere with subsequent communication operations. Further, by observing the data amount of each image data displayed in the storage status list, it is effective to erase or print out which image data in order to secure the remaining capacity of the image memory 7 as much as possible. It is possible to easily judge whether or not

For example, if the number of the box in which the received image data is stored and the recipient who should receive the confidential contents are confirmed based on the confidential reception list in the accumulation status list, the received image data is printed for that recipient. Output can be prompted. Further, for example, if the number of the box in which the image data is stored or the registrant who stored the image data is confirmed based on the search polling list in the accumulation status list, the stored image data can be requested to the registrant. You can check the unnecessary. Then, the registrant can easily determine the necessity / unnecessity of the stored image data based on the storage date / time and the number of sheets in the list. That is, according to the storage status list of the present embodiment, the information regarding the image data stored in the image memory 7 can be grasped in detail, and the subsequent measures can be taken appropriately.

Further, in this embodiment, in the storage status list, the information regarding the image data is rearranged and printed in the order of the date and time when the image data was stored. Therefore, the information about the image data stored in the image memory 7 can be easily confirmed in the order of the date and time when the image data was stored. In particular, since the oldest date and time of accumulation is the first, it becomes easy to determine whether or not the image data left in the image memory 7 for a long time is required or not.

Further, in this embodiment, the accumulation status list is divided into different lists for each type of image data and printed. Therefore, the type of the image data stored in the image memory 7 can be easily recognized.

The present invention can be modified and embodied as follows. (1) In the storage status list, the document size should be printed in addition to the number of documents of each image data.

(2) The storage status list should be printed on the recording paper P one by one for each type of image data. (3) In the storage status list, information regarding image data is sorted and printed in ascending order of the date and time when the image data was stored. By doing so, it becomes easier to confirm the accumulated date and time from the newest one. In addition, if the user can arbitrarily select whether to print in the oldest order or the newest order of the storage date and time by operating the predetermined selection key, the storage status list according to the user's purpose and preference can be obtained. To be

(4) Displaying information relating to image data on the display unit 10 based on the operation of the storage status confirmation key 9a. In this case, the display unit 10 serves as a display means. By operating a predetermined selection key, it is possible to arbitrarily select whether to display the information regarding the image data as a storage status list on the recording paper P or to display it on the display unit 10. By doing so, the user can select the optimum display mode as necessary.

(5) The form of the printed accumulation status list should be different from that shown in FIG. For example, instead of dividing the accumulation status list for each type of image data, add an item "Type of image data" in the accumulation status list,
Print out as one list.

The technical idea which can be understood from the above-mentioned embodiment will be described below. (1) The control means determines the data amount of each accumulated image data by
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile is displayed as a ratio to the maximum storage capacity of the image memory.

(2) The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means displays the data amount of each accumulated image data by the number of originals. That is, the data amount in claim 1 is
It also includes the number of originals of image data.

(3) The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means is a recording unit that prints and displays information regarding accumulated image data on recording paper. In this way, the information regarding the accumulated image data can be surely confirmed in the easy-to-read state on the recording paper.

(4) The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means is a display unit for displaying information regarding accumulated image data on a screen. With this configuration, the information regarding the accumulated image data can be easily confirmed only on the screen without using the recording paper.

[0040]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the following excellent effects are obtained. According to the invention of claim 1, it is possible to accurately and easily grasp the storage status of the image data in the image memory, and appropriately deal with the image data stored in the image memory.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the information on the stored image data can be grasped in more detail, and the subsequent measures can be taken more accurately. According to the invention of claim 3, the information on the stored image data can be easily confirmed in the order of the date and time when the image data was stored.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a printing operation of a storage status list.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a printing operation of a storage status list.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a print state of a storage status list.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU which comprises a control means, 2 ... ROM which comprises a control means, 3 ... RAM which comprises a control means, 7 ... Image memory, 8 ... Recording part as a display means, 9a ... Storage condition confirmation key, 10 ... A display unit as a display means.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having an image memory for accumulating image data, wherein display means for displaying characters and at least each of the accumulated image data as information on the image data accumulated in the image memory. A facsimile apparatus provided with control means for displaying the type and the amount of data on the display means. 2. The image memory is provided with a plurality of boxes in which numbers are assigned as areas for storing image data for polling and image data received confidentially, and the control means comprises: 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in addition to the type and amount of each stored image data in the image memory, the number of the box in which the image data is stored and the storage date and time are also displayed. 3. The facsimile machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit rearranges and displays the information regarding the image data in either the oldest order or the newest order of the date and time when the image data was accumulated. apparatus.