JP3525098B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention stores data transmitted from a destination terminal in a memory box designated by the destination terminal by using a sub address, or from a destination terminal by using a sub address. The present invention relates to a facsimile machine that causes the destination terminal to receive data stored in a designated memory box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus, which is one of communication terminal apparatuses, has a sub-address function related to a memory box. The sub-address function related to the memory box means that the calling side terminal sends a sub address signal together with the telephone number of the facsimile device to the called side terminal to specify the memory box provided in the called side terminal, and the calling side terminal is designated. The data transmitted from is stored in the designated memory box, or the data stored in advance in the designated memory box is received by the calling terminal.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-8712, a sub-address and a password are registered in advance for each destination terminal, and communication using the memory box of the destination terminal can be started by a simple operation. A facsimile machine is disclosed. The facsimile device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-8712 has a storage unit that stores a telephone number of a destination terminal and a sub address for designating a memory box of the destination terminal in association with each other, and the storage unit. When dialing the stored telephone number, the sub-address stored corresponding to the telephone number is further transmitted, and the control means for starting the data communication with the destination terminal is provided.

[0004]

A prior art facsimile apparatus having a sub-address function related to a memory box transmits a sub-address signal to a destination terminal prior to data transmission / reception, whereby the memory box of a called side terminal as a communication partner. And stores the data sent from itself in the designated memory box of the called terminal, or the data stored in advance in the designated memory box of the called terminal is It is configured to receive.

In such a conventional facsimile apparatus, since the subaddress and the memory box are associated with each other on the called side terminal, only one memory box can be designated by transmitting one subaddress. Can not. Therefore, when the calling terminal attempts to read / write data from / in the memory boxes of the called terminal, the sub-address signals respectively assigned to the memory boxes are individually transmitted to the called terminal. Therefore, there is a problem that the procedure at the calling terminal becomes complicated. Further, the facsimile machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-8712 can easily specify a single memory box in the called terminal when the facsimile machine functions as a calling terminal, but the called side does not. It is difficult to collectively specify a plurality of memory boxes in the terminal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile machine having a plurality of memory boxes and functioning as a called side terminal, which is specified in the calling side terminal when data is simultaneously read and written in the plurality of memory boxes. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile device capable of simplifying the procedure.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a facsimile machine having a sub-address function for transmitting and receiving data using a memory box, and a communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from a destination terminal, and transmitting and receiving by the communication means. A plurality of memory boxes for storing the data to be stored, a memory box management unit having an association management table in which management information related to the mutual association of two or more memory boxes is registered in advance, and a memory box. Control means for controlling transmission / reception of data to be used using an association management table, subaddresses for individually designating each memory box are pre-assigned to the respective memory boxes, and the control means is a communication means. Responding to the receipt of a single subaddress by the And one of the memory box is, the using both the other memory box that is associated with one of the memory box, a facsimile apparatus, characterized in that for transmitting and receiving data to the communication unit.

According to the present invention, the facsimile apparatus includes a memory box management unit and a control unit in addition to the communication unit and the plurality of memory boxes. Management information relating to the mutual association of two or more memory boxes is preset and registered in the association management table. If a single sub-address is received by the communication means, any one memory box to which the received sub-address is assigned and another memory box associated with the one memory box And both
Used for sending and receiving data by communication means.

When it is attempted to read and write the same data in two or more memory boxes, in a conventional facsimile apparatus having two or more memory boxes, the designation of the memory box using the subaddress is issued. It must be done by the side terminal for each memory box.
On the other hand, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, by registering two or more memory boxes in association with each other in advance, even in the above case, the memory box is designated only once by the calling terminal. Just go. by this,
Since the facsimile apparatus of the present invention can simplify the operation of the calling terminal in the above case as compared with the conventional facsimile apparatus, the usability is improved.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, at least two of all the memory boxes are allocated to a single communication function in the communication means, and the same communication function is allocated to each other. It is characterized in that they are associated with each other.

According to the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus, the communication functions assigned to the two or more memory boxes associated with each other are equal to each other. This allows the calling terminal to specify only one memory box, and the calling terminal can be specified not only in the specified memory box but also in another memory box having the same function as the specified memory box. Since access is enabled, it is possible to simultaneously perform communication with two or more memory boxes to which the same type of communication function is allocated.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, at least two of all the memory boxes are bulletin board boxes for storing data relating to the bulletin board function and polling function of the communication means, and the bulletin board boxes are mutually connected. Characterized by being associated.

According to the present invention, in the facsimile machine, the bulletin board box assigned to the bulletin board function is selected as two or more memory boxes to which the same type of communication functions are assigned and are associated with each other. As a result, in the case of performing the bulletin board remote extraction processing, that is, the polling reception processing, in response to the designation of one bulletin board box, not only the designated bulletin board box but also other bulletin board boxes associated with the bulletin board box, Since it is automatically used for the polling reception process,
It is possible to transmit the data stored in two or more bulletin board boxes at once from the communication means to the calling side terminal. Further, when storing image data in the bulletin board box, it is better to store the image data in a plurality of bulletin board boxes separately than to collectively store the image data in a single bulletin board box. Management of image data becomes easy.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, at least two of all the memory boxes are confidential boxes for storing data relating to the confidential communication function of the communication means, and the confidential boxes are associated with each other. It is characterized by being

According to the present invention, in the facsimile device, the confidential box assigned to the confidential communication function is selected as the two or more memory boxes to which the same type of communication function is assigned and are associated with each other. As a result, in a situation where there are two or more confidential boxes in the facsimile machine, and each confidential box is assigned to an individual and managed individually, the confidential document data is automatically transferred to the two or more confidential boxes. It will be possible to distribute it. As a result, compared to the case of printing the confidential document data distributed to a single confidential box by the confidential communication function and distributing it to multiple people as in the prior art,
It is possible for each person to take out the data when it is convenient for each person to distribute the data of the confidential document to the confidential box addressed to a plurality of persons as in the present invention, and to manage the confidential document. It can be done easily.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, at least two of all the memory boxes are relay boxes for storing data relating to the relay broadcast function of the communication means, and the relay boxes are associated with each other. It is characterized by

According to the present invention, in the facsimile machine, the relay box allocated to the relay broadcast function is selected as the two or more memory boxes to which the same type of communication functions are assigned and are associated with each other. . As a result, a plurality of distribution destinations of data by the relay broadcast function can be divided and managed in a plurality of relay boxes. That is, it becomes possible to manage the relay boxes separately for each distribution destination of the data by the relay broadcast function. This makes it possible to easily manage and specify the distribution destination.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, two or more memory boxes out of all the memory boxes are respectively allocated to two or more communication functions in the communication means, and memories having different communication functions are allocated. The boxes are characterized in that they are associated with each other.

According to the present invention, in the facsimile machine, the communication functions assigned to the two or more memory boxes associated with each other are different from each other.
As a result, the calling side terminal only specifies a certain memory box, and the calling side terminal is not only specified in the specified memory box but also in another memory box having a function different from that of the specified memory box. Since access is enabled, it is possible to simultaneously perform communication for two or more memory boxes to which different communication functions are allocated.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, at least one of all the memory boxes is a bulletin board box for storing data relating to the bulletin board function and polling function of the communication means, and among all the memory boxes. At least another one is a confidential box for storing data relating to the confidential communication function of the communication means, and the bulletin board box and the confidential box are associated with each other.

According to the present invention, in the facsimile machine, as two or more memory boxes to which different kinds of communication functions are allocated and associated with each other,
The bulletin board box allocated to the bulletin board function and the confidential box allocated to the confidential communication function are selected. In the conventional technology, even if the destination terminal requests polling transmission of the data stored in the confidential box, the data cannot be transmitted to the destination terminal. On the other hand, according to the present invention, by associating the bulletin board box with the confidential box, the user can easily confirm the data received by the confidential communication function by polling the destination terminal from the destination terminal. Is possible.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, at least one of all the memory boxes is a relay box for storing data relating to the relay broadcast function of the communication means, and of all the memory boxes. At least another one is a confidential box for storing data relating to the confidential communication function of the communication means, and is characterized in that the relay box and the confidential box are associated with each other.

According to the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus, as two or more memory boxes to which different types of communication functions are allocated and associated with each other,
A relay box assigned to the relay broadcast function and a confidential box assigned to the confidential communication function are selected.

As a result, when the confidential box of the facsimile apparatus is designated by the destination terminal on the data transmitting side, the data confidentially received by the facsimile apparatus can be distributed to the broadcast destination via the relay box. . As a result, for example, when a facsimile device confidentially receives a confidential document with relatively low confidentiality in a department that has a receiving device as a broadcast destination that is confidential, the confidential document is transmitted by a relay broadcast transmission process using a relay box. Document data can be easily distributed.

As a result, when the destination terminal on the data transmitting side designates the relay box of the facsimile apparatus,
Data for relay broadcast transmission is input and stored not only in the relay box but also in the confidential box. By associating the relay box with the confidential box in this way, the data can be stored more easily than the normal relay broadcast instruction transmission in which the data is printed when the data is received. Therefore, the data can be easily managed. Is possible.

[0026]

1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a facsimile apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the mechanical structure of the facsimile machine 1 of FIG. 1 and 2 will be described together. The facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 includes at least a control unit 3, a system memory 4, a communication unit 5, and a storage unit 6, an output unit 7, an operation unit 8, a reading unit 11, and a code / code.
The decoding unit 12 and the display unit 13 are further included.

The control unit 3 controls the entire facsimile apparatus 1. The system memory 4 is a storage unit that stores at least a processing program to be executed by the control unit 3 and further stores data necessary for executing the control program. Specifically, the control unit 3 is realized by a central processing unit (CPU), and operates according to a processing program stored in the system memory 4 to execute various control processes.

Specifically, the system memory 4 is a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15 in which a processing program and invariant data relating to the execution of the processing program are stored in advance.
And a RAM (Random Access Memory) 16 that stores variable data relating to the execution of the processing program. Instead of the RAM 16, a data rewritable storage element such as an EEPROM or a flash memory may be used.

The variable data relating to the execution of the processing program is used, for example, to control the telephone number of the destination terminal which communicates with the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. It includes an association management table 17. That is, the system memory 4 is
It also serves as the memory box management unit 18 that stores the association management table 17, and the control unit 3 includes the communication unit 5
The communication using the memory box 25 is managed according to the association management table 17. The memory box management unit 18 manages the memory boxes 25 and also stores and manages management information relating to the association of each memory box 25.

The display unit 13 is used for presenting information from the control unit 3 to the user. The operation unit 8 is manually operated by the user to input an instruction to the control unit 3. The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display element and the like. The operation unit 8 is configured to include various operation keys and switches. The display unit 13 and the operation unit 8 form an operation panel 20 shown in the plan view of FIG. The document reading unit 11 reads a document and generates image data. The output unit 7 for outputting data includes a printing unit 23 for converting the data into an image and printing it on a recording sheet.

The communication section 5 transmits / receives data to / from a communication partner terminal in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.
The communication unit 5 includes a network control circuit (NCU: Network Control Uni
t) 21 and modem 22 are included. The network control circuit 21 performs network control of the communication line network to which the facsimile apparatus 1 is connected, such as sending dial signals to the telephone line network. The modem 22 modulates and demodulates data based on the facsimile communication standard in order to send and receive image data to and from a destination terminal based on the facsimile communication standard. If the facsimile machine 1 can further perform voice call and data communication, the modem 22
Modulates and demodulates the data based on the voice call standard or the data communication standard in order to transmit / receive voice data and arbitrary data to / from a destination terminal based on the voice call standard and the data communication standard, respectively. To do. Code /
The decoding unit 12 performs a process of encoding data and a process of decoding encoded data. The storage unit 6 is a storage unit for storing and storing data transmitted and received by the communication unit 5. In FIG. 1, the storage unit 6 is realized by an image memory for storing data of images transmitted and received based on the facsimile communication standard.

The facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 is provided with a plurality of memory boxes 25 for storing data to be transmitted / received to / from a destination terminal. Memory box 25
Is realized, for example, by a part obtained by preliminarily dividing the entire memory area of the storage unit 6. In this case, the memory box 25
The data to be stored in is stored in the memory area corresponding to the memory box 25. Alternatively, the data to be stored in the memory box 25 is stored at an arbitrary location in the storage unit 6, and the address indicating the storage location of the data is classified and managed for each memory box 25, whereby the data is stored in the virtual memory box 25. May be virtually stored. In this case, for example,
The address of the data in the storage unit 6 and the identification code of the memory box 25 in which the data is to be stored are associated with each other and stored in the memory box management unit 18.
When two or more memory boxes 25 should share one piece of data, the address of the data in the storage unit 6 is stored in association with the identification code of each of the two or more memory boxes 25. As a result, even in the above case, an increase in the total amount of data stored in the storage unit 6 can be suppressed.

In the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, when transmitting image data, the image data read by the document reading unit 11 is encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 12, and the encoded data is transmitted from the communication unit 5. It performs the basic operation of sending to the destination terminal via the telephone network. Further, in the facsimile device 1, when receiving image data, the communication unit 5 receives the encoded image data transmitted from the destination terminal through the line of the telephone line network, and the received image data is encoded. The basic operation is that the decoded data is decoded by the decoding unit 12 and the decoded data is printed out by the printing unit 23.

When the destination terminal is called from the facsimile device 1 of FIG. 1, the facsimile device 1 functions as a calling side terminal and the destination terminal functions as a called side terminal. When the destination terminal calls the facsimile device 1, the facsimile device 1 functions as the called terminal and the destination terminal functions as the calling terminal. When data is transmitted from the calling side terminal to the called side terminal, the calling side terminal also serves as the data sending side terminal, and the called side terminal also serves as the data receiving side terminal. When data is transmitted from the called terminal to the calling terminal, such as in polling communication, the calling terminal also serves as the data receiving terminal, and the called terminal serves as the data sending terminal.

The communication functions provided in the communication section 5 are individually allocated to each of the plurality of memory boxes 25 in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, and the sub-address function related to the memory boxes 25 can be realized. When executing a single communication function, the data stored in advance in the memory box 25 allocated to the communication function is transmitted from the communication unit 5 to the partner terminal and from the partner terminal. The data received by the communication unit 5 is stored in the memory box 25 allocated to the communication function.

In the present embodiment, the communication section 5 has a bulletin board function, a confidential communication function, a relay broadcast function, and a polling function as communication functions.
5, according to the F code, as shown in FIG. 4, the confidential box assigned to the confidential communication function and the relay assigned to the relay broadcast function according to the assigned function (broadcast).
Boxes, and bulletin board boxes allocated to the bulletin board function and polling function are classified into three types. By using the sub-address function related to the memory box 25 in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, it is possible to realize the above-mentioned bulletin board function, confidential communication function, relay broadcast function, polling function, etc. using the memory box 25. Become.

The bulletin board function is a function that enables transmission / reception of data using the bulletin board box. The bulletin board function includes a process of transmitting data stored in the bulletin board box and a process of storing data in the bulletin board box.
The polling function is a function of responding to an instruction from the calling side terminal and transmitting the data stored in the bulletin board box in the called side terminal to the calling side terminal.

The confidential communication function is a function that permits only the person who inputs the password to take out the data from the confidential box. The confidential communication function includes a confidential reception process of storing the data transmitted from the calling side terminal and received by the communication unit 5 in the confidential box, and a process of reading the data from the confidential box in response to the password input.

The relay broadcast function is a function for temporarily storing data in order to relay and transmit the data to other terminal devices. In the relay box, one or more delivery destination terminals to which the data stored therein are to be delivered by relay are preset. The relay broadcast function is a delivery reservation process for storing in the relay box the data transmitted from the sender terminal and received by the communication unit 5 and the transmission of the data stored in the relay box to the broadcast destination terminal. And a certain distribution process.

At least a sub-address is assigned to each memory box 25 as an identification code for individually specifying each memory box 25. The sub-address is preset so as to correspond to each memory box 25 on a one-to-one basis. The sub address is used to access the memory box 25. More specifically, it is used to specify the memory box 25 to be accessed prior to accessing the memory box 25. The access to the memory box 25 means the memory box 2
5 is a concept including storage of data in 5, storage of data in the memory box 25, and retrieval of data from the memory box 25.

Each memory box 25 is preferably
The password is further assigned. The password is preset for each memory box 25. To access a single memory box 25, the sub-address assigned to the memory box 25 is designated, and if a password is set, the password is also designated. Password is the memory box 25
It is used to limit access to the. That is, the memory box 25 to be accessed is specified by the sub address, but if the password transmitted at the same time as the sub address does not match the password preset in the memory box 25, the memory box 25 of the specified memory box 25 is accessed. Access is prohibited. In the facsimile device 1 of FIG. 1, it is possible not to set a password in the memory box 25.
Access to the memory box 25 for which a password has not been set is permitted when there is no password transmission associated with the subaddress transmission, and further, access is permitted regardless of any password transmitted along with the subaddress transmission. It

In the association management table 17 of FIG. 4, the sub-address and the password are represented by 4-digit numerical values. When transmitting and receiving the telephone number of the calling side terminal from the calling side terminal to the called side terminal, the sub address and password are transmitted from the calling side terminal to the called side terminal by using the sub address signal accompanying the telephone number. Preferably. For this reason, it is preferable that the total number of digits of the sub-address and the password falls within the range of 1 digit to 20 digits. As long as the combination of the numbers of digits satisfying such conditions, the number of digits of the sub-address alone and the number of digits of the password alone may be any number.

In the facsimile machine 1 of FIG. 1, it is possible to associate two or more memory boxes 25 among the plurality of memory boxes 25 provided with each other.
For this reason, in the facsimile apparatus 1, the management information relating to the mutual association of two or more memory boxes 25 is preset and registered in the association management table 17, and the control unit 3 associates the transmission and reception of the data using the memory boxes 25. It is controlled using the management table 17. In detail, in response to the reception of the single sub-address by the communication unit 5, the control unit 3 controls any one of the memory boxes 25 to which the received sub-address is allocated and the one of the memory boxes 25.
The communication unit 5 is caused to send and receive data using both of the other memory boxes 25 associated with one memory box 25.

When the same data is to be read from and written to each of the two or more memory boxes 25, in the conventional facsimile apparatus 1 having the two or more memory boxes 25, the memory box 2 using the subaddress is used.
The calling terminal must specify 5 for each memory box 25. On the other hand, in the facsimile device 1 of FIG. 1, two or more memory boxes 25 are pre-registered in association with each other. Therefore, even in the above case, the calling terminal once specifies the memory box 25. Just go. As a result, the facsimile machine 1 of FIG. 1 can simplify the operation of the calling side terminal in the above case as compared with the conventional facsimile machine 1. Therefore, the usability of the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 is improved.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the association management table 17 of the memory box 25, in addition to the box number which is the identification code of the memory box 25, the record relating to the single memory box 25 also includes the memory box. 25, the type of function assigned to the memory box 25, the sub-address and the password assigned to the memory box 25 are described, and other memory associated with the memory box 25 is used as management information for association. The box number of the box 25 is described.

Preferably, under the situation where a single communication function in the communication section 5 is allocated to at least two of all the memory boxes 25, the memory boxes to which the same communication function is allocated to each other. 25 are associated with each other. As a result, the calling side terminal only specifies a certain memory box 25, and not only the specified memory box 25 but also another memory box 25 having the same function as that of the specified memory box 25 is called. Since the calling side terminal becomes accessible, it is possible to simultaneously access two or more memory boxes 25 to which the same type of communication function is allocated.

In the example of FIG. 4, N memory boxes 25
Among them, the confidential box with the box number “01” and the confidential box with the box number “03” are associated with each other, and the bulletin board box with the box number “02” and the bulletin board box with the box number “04” are Are associated with each other. As a result, for example, the sending terminal determines that the sub address is “1112” and the password is “123”.
When the confidential transmission of data is performed to the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 while designating the memory box 25 of "4",
In the facsimile device 1 shown in FIG. 1 which is the receiving side terminal, the confidential box with the box number "01" and the box number "0"
Since the confidential box of "3" is associated with each other, the image data transmitted from the sending terminal is not limited to the confidential box of the sub address "1112", that is, the confidential box of the box number "01", and the sub address. It is also stored in the memory box 25 of “4445”, that is, the confidential box of box number “03”. As a result, the sending side terminal sends the sub address and password of one memory box 25 to the facsimile device 1 of FIG.
Data can be confidentially transmitted to two parties at once by simply transmitting the data to the other party.

In the above example, the memory boxes 25 to which the same function is assigned are associated with each other, but the memory boxes 25 to which different functions are assigned may be associated with each other. That is, all memory boxes 2
In a situation where at least two kinds of communication functions in the communication unit 5 are allocated to at least two of the memory boxes 5, the memory boxes 25 to which the mutually different communication functions are allocated are associated with each other. As a result, the calling terminal only specifies one memory box 25, and not only the specified memory box 25 but also another memory box 25 having a function different from that of the specified memory box 25. Different communication functions are allocated to each other because the calling terminal can be accessed 2
The above access to the memory box 25 can be achieved at one time.

For example, in the example of FIG. 4, when the confidential box with the box number “01” and the relay box with the box number “05” are associated with each other, the sending terminal determines that the sub address is “8889” and the password is “7”.
If the relay broadcast instruction transmission is performed to the facsimile device 1 of FIG. 1 while designating the memory box 25 of "891", the facsimile device 1 of FIG.
The image data sent is relayed to a plurality of other broadcast destination terminals via the relay box with the box number "05", and the sub-address "1112" of itself is transmitted.
The data of the image is stored in the memory box 25 of FIG.

In the facsimile machine 1 shown in FIG.
The number of memory boxes 25 associated with each other is not limited to two and may be three or more. When three or more memory boxes 25 are associated with each other, the box numbers of two or more other memory boxes 25 may be described as the management information of the record related to the single memory box 25. When three or more memory boxes 25 are associated with each other, all associated memory boxes 25 may be assigned to the same type of communication function, and all the memory boxes 25 are assigned to different types of communication functions. Further, the memory box 25 allocated to the same type of communication function and the memory box 25 allocated to the different type of communication function may coexist.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the facsimile machine 1 shown in FIG.
5 is a flow chart for explaining a basic operation of executing a communication function using. In response to the incoming signal from the calling terminal, which is the communication partner terminal, the process proceeds from step A0 to step A1. First, in step A1, the line between the communication unit 5 of the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 and the calling terminal is connected. Further, the communication unit 5 receives a set of sub-address and password transmitted from the calling side terminal through the line for designating the memory box 25 to be used for this communication.

Next, in step A2, it is determined whether or not the memory box 25 designated by the received sub address exists in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, that is, whether or not the memory box 25 is registered in the association management table 17. Is confirmed by the control unit 3. When the designated memory box 25 is registered, the control unit 3 confirms in step A3 whether or not the received password matches the password of the designated memory box 25. If the memory box 25 designated by the received sub-address is not registered, or if the received password does not match the password of the designated memory box 25, step A2.
In A3, the processing of FIG. 5 is interrupted and ended. in this case,
For example, the disconnection sequence of the line with the calling terminal,
Alternatively, the sequence shifts to a sequence of communication functions that does not use the memory box 25. If the memory box 25 specified by the received sub-address is registered and the received password matches the password of the specified memory box 25, in step A4, the memory box 25 is allocated to the specified memory box 25. The specified communication function is executed.

After the communication function assigned to the designated memory box 25 is completed, in step A5, it is determined whether or not there is another memory box 25 associated with the designated memory box 25, by referring to the association management table 1
The control unit 3 makes a determination based on 7. For this purpose, for example, it is confirmed whether the identification code of another memory box 25 is described as the management information related to the association in the record corresponding to the specified memory box 25 in the association management table 17. It If the identification code of the other memory box 25 is not described in the record, there is no other memory box 25 associated therewith, so the process of step A6 is stopped and the process proceeds to step A7.

If the identification code of another memory box 25 is described in the record, there is another memory box 25 associated with the designated memory box 25, and therefore, in step A6, the other memory box 25 is identified.
Is used to execute the communication function assigned to the other memory box 25. If there are two or more associated other memory boxes 25, the communication functions assigned to the respective memory boxes 25 are executed. When the execution of the communication functions assigned to all the other associated memory boxes 25 is completed, the process proceeds to step A7. In step A7, the control unit 3 causes the communication unit 5 to disconnect the line with the calling terminal, and in step A8,
Processing ends.

The procedure for setting the association of the memory box 25 will be described below. In general, the user inputs the registration key 31 and the arrow → key 32 in the operation unit 8 of the operation panel 20 shown in FIG. 3 in order to select the registration screen. When the registration screen relating to the association of the memory box 25 is displayed on the display unit 13, the user inputs the enter key 33 in the operation unit 8 to determine the registration screen. Then, the user operates the operation unit 8 to input a plurality of box numbers of the memory boxes 25 to be associated. After inputting the box number relating to the above-mentioned association for the desired combination, the user inputs the stop key 34 in the operation unit 8. As a result, the management information related to the association is registered in the association management table 17 in the memory box management unit 18. In the present specification, “the XX key is input (XX is an arbitrary character string)” means that a signal corresponding to the depression of the XX key in response to the depression of the XX key by the user. It is given to the control unit 3.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure for setting and registering the management information relating to the association of the memory box 25 in the association management table 17. First,
In steps B1 and B2, the registration key 31 and the arrow →
The key 32 is input. As a result, in step A3, various registration screens related to the facsimile apparatus 1 in FIG.
In response to the input from the arrow-> key 32, they are sequentially displayed on the display unit 13. After the registration screen related to the association of the memory boxes 25 is displayed, if the enter key 33 is pressed in step B4, the memory boxes 25 in steps B4 to B12
Associated registration is selected and determined as the registration process to be executed.

In step B5, the memory box 2
A screen prompting the user to enter the box number 5 is displayed. In steps B6 and B7, the box number of the memory box 25 in which the association is to be registered is input by the operation of the operation unit 8, and the enter key 33 is also input. Next, in step B8, the display unit 13 displays that the setting of the association with the memory box 25 designated by the box number input in step B6 is continued. If the stop key 34 has not been pressed at the time of step B9, a screen prompting the user to input the box number of the memory box 25 is displayed at step B10.

In steps B11 and B12, the box numbers of the other memory boxes 25 to be associated with the memory box 25 specified in step B6 are input by operating the operation unit 8, and the enter key 33 is input.
After inputting the enter key, the process returns from step B12 to step B8. As a result, the box numbers input in steps B11 and B6 are the management information related to the association.
The memory box 25 of the box number input in each of the steps B6 and B11 of the association management table 17
Mutually described in the record. Steps B6 and B11
If the management information relating to the association already exists in the record of the box number input in step 3, the newly input box number is overwritten or added to the management information. The process of steps B8 to B12 is performed by the stop key 34.
Is repeated until is input. After inputting the stop key 34, the process proceeds from step B9 to step B13, and the processing of FIG. 6 ends. In this way, the management information relating to the association of the memory boxes 25 of the combination desired by the user is
It can be easily registered in the association management table 17.

When the facsimile apparatus 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 operates as a called terminal, confidential communication using the memory box 25, relay broadcast instruction communication, and polling are respectively requested from the calling terminal. The communication procedure will be described below.

FIG. 7 shows a facsimile apparatus 1 having the configuration shown in FIG.
Between the facsimile device 1 and the calling terminal when confidential communication using one memory box 25 and relay broadcast instruction communication are requested from the calling terminal under the situation where the calling terminal operates as the called terminal. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing signal transmission / reception of FIG. The example of FIG. 7 is based on the facsimile communication procedure of the binary code signal system.

First, from the calling terminal to the called terminal,
A calling tone (CNG) is transmitted. When the called terminal detects the calling tone from the calling terminal, it first calls the called station identification signal (CED: Called S).
tationIdentification signal), followed by a non-standard facility sign (NSF).
al) and called terminal identification signal (CSI: CalledSubscriber I)
dentification signal) and digital identification signal (DI
S: Digital Transmit Command signal) to notify the calling terminal of the function of the called terminal.

On the other hand, if the calling side terminal detects from the digital identification signal DIS that the called side terminal has the sub-address capability and the password capability, it should access it as a response to the digital identification signal DIS. A password transmission signal (SID: Sender ID signal) including the password of the memory box 25 and a sub address signal (SUB) including the sub address of the memory box 25.
signal) is further transmitted. As a result, of all the memory boxes 25 in the called terminal, the memory box 25 to be accessed in this facsimile communication is designated. In addition, three types of signal NS from the called terminal
In response to the F, CSI and DIS, the transmission terminal identification signal (T
SI: Transmitting Subscriber Identification signa
l) and digital command signal (DCS: Digital Com)
mand Signal) is sent from the calling terminal to the called terminal.

Subsequently, a training check signal (TCF: Training Check signa) transmitted from the calling terminal.
When the called terminal receives l), the reception preparation confirmation signal (C
FR: Confirmation to Receive signal is returned from the called terminal to the calling terminal. After replying, image data (PIX) is sent page by page from the calling terminal,
It is received by the called terminal. A multipage signal MPS (Multipage Sign) is sent every time image data for one page is transmitted.
al) is transmitted from the calling terminal and received by the called terminal, and a message confirmation signal MCF (Message Confirmation
signal) is returned from the called terminal to the calling terminal,
The image data of the next page is transmitted from the calling side terminal and received by the called side terminal. In the example of FIG. 7, image data for two pages is transmitted / received. Each time the image data PIX is received, the called terminal is designated by the sub-address signal SUB transmitted from the calling terminal and received by the communication unit 5, and is also transmitted from the calling terminal for communication. The received data is stored in the memory box 25 whose access is permitted by the password received by the unit 5.

After the transmission of the data for all pages is completed, the procedure end signal EOP (End of Procedures signal) is transmitted from the calling side terminal and received by the called side terminal, so that the image data for all pages is transmitted. When the called terminal confirms the reception, a message confirmation signal is returned from the called terminal to the calling terminal. Finally, the disconnection command signal DC
When N (Disconnect signal) is transmitted from the calling side terminal and received by the called side terminal, the facsimile communication related to the confidential communication function and the relay broadcast instruction function ends. After the end of the facsimile communication, the called terminal takes out image data from the memory box 25 designated in this facsimile communication, gives the data to the printing unit 23, and prints the image on a recording paper. It becomes possible to do.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are for explaining in detail the operation of the control unit 3 at the time of executing the confidential communication according to the association pattern under the condition that the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 functions as the called terminal. It is a flowchart. After the facsimile apparatus 1 is activated, an incoming call to the facsimile apparatus 1 itself is awaited in step C1. When the communication section 5 receives an incoming signal from the calling side terminal, the communication section 5 starts a call setting sequence for facsimile communication, and connects the line between the calling side terminal and the communication section 5.

When there is the above-mentioned incoming call, after the line is connected, in step C2, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction for F code transmission, that is, whether or not the communication section 5 receives the password transmission signal SID and the sub address signal SUB signal. The control unit 3 makes the determination. If there is no instruction to transmit the F code, the control unit 3 causes the communication unit 5 to start the reception sequence of the normal facsimile communication in Step C3, and Step C4
If the end of the reception sequence is confirmed in step C5, the communication unit 5 is caused to execute the line disconnection sequence in step C5, and the process is terminated after the line disconnection. If there is an instruction to send an F code, the process proceeds from step C2 to step C6.

At step C6, it is determined whether or not the memory box 25 designated by the sub-address transmitted by the sub-address signal SUB (hereinafter abbreviated as "designated memory box 25A") is registered in the association management table 17. The control unit 3 makes the determination. If the designated memory box 25A is not registered, the process proceeds from step C6 to step C5, the communication unit 5 disconnects the line, and the processes of FIGS. If the designated memory box 25A is registered, the control unit 3 determines in step C7 whether the password transmitted by the password transmission signal SID matches the password of the designated memory box 25A. To do. If the passwords do not match, step C7 to step C5
Then, the communication unit 5 is caused to disconnect the line and the processing of FIGS. If the passwords match, the control unit 3 determines whether the confidential communication function is assigned to the designated memory box 25A. Memory box 2 being specified
If a communication function other than the confidential communication function is assigned to 5A, the processing in FIGS. 8 and 9 is terminated halfway and the processing relating to the other communication function is performed. Memory box 25 being specified
If A is a confidential box, then in step C8,
The communication unit 5 is caused to perform the reception process of the data transmitted from the calling side terminal after the password transmission signal and the like, and the reception process of the confidential communication using the designated memory box 25A is executed.

Next, in step C9, the control unit 3 determines whether or not there is another memory box 25 associated with the designated confidential box. If another memory box 25 is associated with the designated memory box 25A, the control unit 3 determines in step C10 and C11 whether the other memory box 25 is a confidential box or a relay box. . Steps C9-C1
If it is determined by 1 that there is no other memory box 25 associated with the designated confidential box, the designated confidential box is associated with the other memory box 25 other than the confidential box and the relay box. If it is determined that the confidential communication has been received,
Proceeding to step C14, the communication section 5 disconnects the line,
The processing of FIGS. 8 and 9 is completed.

When it is determined in steps C9 to C11 that the confidential box that is being designated is associated with the confidential box, the control unit 3 determines in step C12 that the other memory box 25 and the designated memory box 25.
Let A share the received data this time. When it is determined that the relay box is associated with the designated confidential box, the control unit 3 in step C13
A delivery reservation process of the received data of this time is performed for the delivery destination terminal set in the other memory box 25. The received data this time refers to the data received by the communication unit 5 in step C8. After the processes of steps C12 and C13 are completed, the process proceeds to step C14, the communication unit 5 disconnects the line, and the processes of FIGS. The distribution of the reception data of this time to the distribution destination terminal set in the other memory box 25 is executed again after the line is disconnected in the reception process of confidential communication.

The relay broadcast function using the memory box 25 will be described below. Facsimile device 1 of FIG.
Under the situation where the device functions as a called terminal and a relay terminal,
The sequence of signal transmission / reception between the facsimile apparatus 1 and the calling side terminal when the relay broadcast instruction communication using one memory box 25 is requested from the calling side terminal is
This is the same as the signal transmission / reception sequence during confidential communication described in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 describe in detail the operation of the control unit 3 when executing the relay broadcast communication according to the association pattern under the situation where the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 functions as the called terminal. It is a flowchart for. The processing from the start of the facsimile apparatus 1 to step D7 is the same as the processing from the start of the facsimile apparatus 1 to step C7 in the flowchart of FIG. If the passwords match, the specified memory box 2
The control unit 3 determines whether the relay broadcast communication function is allocated to 5A. When a communication function other than the relay broadcast communication function is assigned to the designated memory box 25A, the processing in FIGS. 10 and 11 is terminated halfway and the processing relating to the other communication function is performed.

When the designated memory box 25A is the relay box, the control unit 3 determines in step D8 whether or not there is another memory box 25 associated with the designated memory box 25A. If another memory box 25 is associated, step D9,
At D10, the control unit 3 determines whether the other memory box 25 is either a confidential box or a relay box. When it is determined by the determination in steps D8 to D10 that there is no other memory box 25 associated with the designated memory box 25A,
Alternatively, if it is determined that the memory box 25 other than the confidential box and the relay box is associated with the designated memory box 25A, the process proceeds to step D11. When it is determined that the confidential box or the relay box is associated with the designated memory box 25A, the process proceeds to steps D12 and D13.

In step D11, the control unit 3 causes the communication unit 5 to perform the receiving process of the data transmitted from the calling side terminal after the password transmission signal and the distribution set in the designated relay box. Only the delivery reservation process for the destination terminal is executed. In step D12, the control unit 3 causes the communication unit 5 to
In addition to the data receiving process by the device and the delivery reservation process using the designated relay box, the other memory box 25
It also executes the reception process of confidential communication using. In step D15, the control unit 3 performs not only the data reception process by the communication unit 5 and the delivery reservation process using the designated relay box, but also the delivery reservation process for the delivery destination terminal already set in the other memory box 25. I do. Steps D11-D1
After the end of the process of 3, the communication unit 5 disconnects the line in step D16. After disconnecting the line, in step D17, the control unit 3 causes the communication unit 5 to execute the distribution process of the present reception data to the distribution destination terminal reserved in the distribution reservation process of steps D11 to D13. After the distribution is completed, the processing of FIGS.

FIG. 12 shows a facsimile machine in the case where polling communication using one memory box 25 is requested from the calling side terminal under the situation that the facsimile machine 1 having the configuration of FIG. 1 functions as the called side terminal. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing signal transmission / reception between 1 and a calling side terminal. Figure 1
The second example is based on the facsimile communication procedure of the binary code signal system.

First, from the calling terminal to the called terminal,
Calling tone CNG is transmitted. The called terminal is
When a calling tone from the calling terminal is detected, the called station identification signal CED is first sent, and then the non-standard function signal NSF, the called terminal identification signal CSI and the digital identification signal DIS are sent. On the other hand, the calling side terminal sets the digital identification signal DI from the called side terminal so that the called side terminal has the sub-address capability and the password capability.
If detected from within S, digital transmission command signal DTC
Is sent to the called side terminal, and the calling side terminal is similarly set to the called side terminal to have both capabilities. further,
A password polling signal PWD (Password signal) containing a password for polling reception, a selective polling signal SEP (Selective Poling signal), and a calling terminal identification signal CIG (Calling Station Identificatio).
n signal) is transmitted from the calling terminal to the called terminal. The selection polling signal SEP includes the sub address of the memory box 25 to be designated. As a result, of all the memory boxes 25 in the called terminal, the memory box 25 to be accessed in this facsimile communication is designated and the polling communication is instructed.

Subsequently, a digital command signal DCS and a training check signal TCF are transmitted from the called terminal, and when these signals are received by the calling terminal, a reception preparation confirmation signal CFR is sent from the calling terminal to the called terminal. It is sent back to the terminal. After the reply, the image data PIX stored in the memory box 25, which is designated by the sub-address and which is permitted to be accessed by the selective polling signal, is taken out page by page, and the called side terminal sends it to the calling side terminal. Sent. Every time one page of image data is transmitted, the multi-page signal MPS is transmitted from the called terminal to the called terminal, and the message confirmation signal MCF is returned from the calling terminal to the called terminal, The image data of the next page is transmitted from the called terminal. In the example of FIG. 12, two pages of image data are transmitted and received. After the transmission of data for all pages is completed, a procedure end signal EOP is transmitted from the called terminal to the calling terminal, and in response to this, a message confirmation signal is returned from the calling terminal to the called terminal. To be done. Finally, when the disconnection command signal DCN is transmitted from the called terminal and received by the calling terminal, the facsimile communication related to the polling function ends.

Next, the operation of storing image data in the bulletin board box will be described below. In general, first, a document as a source of image data to be registered is read by the document reading unit 11
And the registration key 31 on the operation panel 20 of FIG. 5 is input. Select the registration screen by inputting the arrow → key 32, and when the registration screen of the image data on the bulletin board is displayed,
By inputting the decision key 33, the registration screen to be used is decided. The box number and password of the bulletin board box are set, the reading operation of the original is started, and the obtained image data is registered in the designated bulletin board box. Finally, the management information related to the bulletin board box is registered in the memory box management unit 18.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the procedure for storing data in the bulletin board box. First,
In step E1, the document is set on the document reading unit 11, and in steps E2 and E3, the registration key 31
And the arrow → key 32 are input. As a result, in step E4, the various registration screens related to the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.
It is sequentially displayed in 3. If the enter key 33 is pressed in step E5 after the registration screen relating to the data storage in the bulletin board box is displayed, the data storage in the bulletin board box in steps E6 to E14 is selected and determined as the registration process to be executed. .

At step E6, the memory box 2
A screen prompting the user to enter the box number 5 is displayed. In steps E7 and E8, the box number of the bulletin board box in which the data is to be stored is input by operating the operation unit 8 and the enter key 33 is input. Then step E
At 9, a screen prompting the user to enter the password for the memory box 25 is displayed. In steps E10 and E11, the password of the bulletin board box in which the data is to be stored is input by operating the operation unit 8 and the enter key 33 is input. By these processes, the memory box 25 in which the data should be stored is designated. In step E12, the document reading operation by the document reading unit 11 is started. The data of the obtained image are the steps E6 to E.
It is stored in the memory box 25 designated by 11. If the end of the document reading operation is confirmed in step E13, the fact that the data has been stored in the bulletin board box is displayed on the display unit in step E14, and the processing of FIG. 13 ends.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are for explaining in detail the operation of the control unit 3 at the time of executing the polling communication according to the association pattern under the condition that the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 functions as the called terminal. It is a flowchart. After the start of the facsimile device 1, in step F1, an incoming call to the facsimile device 1 itself is awaited.
If the communication unit 5 receives an incoming signal from the calling terminal,
The communication unit 5 starts the call setting sequence of facsimile communication, and connects the line between the calling terminal and the communication unit 5.

If there is the above-mentioned incoming call, after the line connection, in step F2, it is determined whether or not there is an F code polling instruction, that is, whether or not the polling password signal PWD and the selective polling signal SEP are received by the communication section 5. The control unit 3 makes the determination. If there is no F code polling instruction, the control unit 3 causes the communication unit 5 to execute a normal facsimile communication sequence in steps F3 to F5, and performs processing after disconnecting the line, as in steps C3 to C5 in FIG. To finish. If there is an F code polling instruction, the process proceeds from step F2 to step F6.

In steps F6 and F7, the memory box 25 designated by the sub-address included in the selection polling signal SEP (hereinafter "the designated memory box 25") is selected.
The control unit 3 determines whether or not (A) is registered in the association management table 17 and the designated memory box 25A is a bulletin board box. If the designated memory box 25A is not registered, or if the designated memory box 25A is registered but not allocated to the bulletin board function, the process proceeds from step F6, F7 to step F5, and the line is connected to the communication unit 5. Figure 1
The processing of 4 and 15 is stopped. Memory box 2 being specified
If 5A is registered and is a bulletin board box,
In step F8, the polling password signal PW
The control unit 3 checks whether the password transmitted by D matches the password of the bulletin board box being specified.
Determines. If the passwords do not match, step F
The process proceeds from step 7 to step F5, the communication unit 5 disconnects the line, and the processing of FIGS.

Then, in step F9, another memory box 25 associated with the bulletin board box being specified.
The control unit 3 determines whether or not there is. If the specified bulletin board box is associated with another memory box 25, the control unit 3 determines whether the other memory box 25 is a bulletin board box or a confidential box in steps F10 and F11. Steps F9 to F11
When it is determined that there is no other memory box 25 associated with the bulletin board box being specified, and when the designated bulletin board box is associated with another memory box 25 other than the confidential box and the bulletin board box. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step F12.
If it is determined that the bulletin board box or confidential box is associated with the specified bulletin board box,
The process proceeds to step F13 or step F14, respectively.

In step F13, the control section 3 controls the communication section 5 for the data stored in the bulletin board box being specified.
To start the transmission processing from the to the calling terminal. Step F
At 14, the control unit 3 performs a batch transmission process from the communication unit 5 to the calling terminal with the data stored in the designated bulletin board box and the data in other bulletin board boxes associated with the bulletin board box. Let it start. In step F15, the control unit 3 performs a batch transmission process from the communication unit 5 to the calling terminal, with the data stored in the designated bulletin board box and the data in another confidential box associated with the bulletin board box. To start. When the end of the data transmission processing in steps F12 to F14 is detected in step F15, in step F16,
The communication unit 5 disconnects the line, and the processing of FIGS.

As described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 15, if two or more memory boxes 25 are associated with each other, depending on the combination of the functions assigned to the associated memory boxes 25, There are advantages like.

When the bulletin board boxes are associated with each other, when the bulletin board remote extraction processing, that is, the polling reception processing is performed, only one bulletin board box is designated by the calling terminal, and only the designated bulletin board boxes are designated. Since other bulletin board boxes associated with the bulletin board box are automatically used for polling reception processing, the data stored in two or more bulletin board boxes are once transmitted from the communication unit 5 to the calling terminal. Can be sent to. Further, when storing image data in the bulletin board box, it is better to store the image data in a plurality of bulletin board boxes separately than to collectively store the image data in a single bulletin board box. Management of image data becomes easy.

When the confidential boxes are associated with each other, in the situation where there are two or more confidential boxes in the facsimile apparatus 1 and each confidential box is individually assigned and managed individually. , It is possible to automatically distribute confidential document data to two or more confidential boxes. As a result, as compared with the case of printing the confidential document data distributed to a single confidential box by the confidential communication function and then distributing the data to a plurality of persons as in the prior art, it is possible to address a plurality of persons to each person as in the present invention. Distributing the confidential document data to the confidential box enables each person to retrieve the data at his or her own convenience, and further facilitates the management of the confidential document.

When the relay boxes are associated with each other, a plurality of distribution destinations of data by the relay broadcast function are
Multiple relay boxes can be managed separately. That is, it becomes possible to manage the relay boxes separately for each distribution destination of the data by the relay broadcast function. This makes it possible to easily manage and specify the distribution destination.

When the bulletin board box and the confidential box are associated with each other, in the prior art, even if the destination terminal requests polling transmission of the data stored in the confidential box, the data is sent to the destination terminal. However, in the present invention, the data received by the confidential communication function can be easily confirmed by allowing the user to poll from the destination using the partner terminal.

When the relay box and the confidential box are associated with each other, when the confidential box of the facsimile device 1 is designated by the destination terminal on the data transmission side, the data confidentially received by the facsimile device 1 is transferred to the relay box. It is possible to distribute it to the recipient via the same way. As a result, for example, when the facsimile device 1 confidentially receives a confidential document having a relatively low confidentiality in a department having a receiving device which is a broadcast destination but is confidential, the relay document transmission processing using the relay box is performed. It is possible to easily distribute confidential document data. As a result, when the relay box of the facsimile apparatus 1 is designated by the destination terminal on the data transmission side, the data for relay broadcast transmission is input and stored not only in the relay box but also in the confidential box. By associating the relay box with the confidential box in this way, the data can be stored more easily than the normal relay broadcast instruction transmission in which the data is printed when the data is received. Therefore, the data can be easily managed. Is possible.

Next, the facsimile apparatus 1 of this embodiment
Specific configurations of the document reading unit 11 and the printing unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 is a side view of the front side of the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, and a part of the side surface of the housing is cut away.

The original reading unit 11 is used for the facsimile apparatus 1
A transparent document table 41 provided on the upper surface of the casing of the main body, a scanner section 42 provided below the document table 41 inside the main body of the facsimile apparatus 1, and an image processing section 43 are included. Platen 4
The reference numeral 1 is realized by, for example, a flat glass body, and is fitted into the upper surface of the casing of the facsimile apparatus 1 main body.
The scanner unit 42 includes an exposure lamp 44, one or more reflecting mirrors 45, a lens 46, and an image sensor 47 including a photoelectric conversion element. The image sensor 47 is, for example, a so-called C
It is realized by a CD image sensor or a CCD line sensor.

The original 49 to be read is placed on the upper surface of the original table 41 with one surface to be read facing the original table 41. Exposure lamp 44 and at least one
The reflecting mirrors 45 reciprocate in the horizontal direction with the upper surface of the document table 41 below the lower surface of the document table 41 while maintaining the mutual positional relationship. As a result, one surface of the original 49 placed on the upper surface of the original table 41 is exposed and scanned by the light emitted from the exposure lamp 44. Exposure lamp 44
The light reflected from one side of the document is reflected by the total reflection mirror 45.
Is reflected by the lens 46, is guided to the lens 46, and is imaged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device 47 by the lens 46. Each photoelectric conversion element arranged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup element 47 photoelectrically converts the light imaged on the photoelectric conversion element, and outputs an analog signal of a level corresponding to the amount of light received by itself. A group of analog signals output from all the photoelectric conversion elements of the image sensor 47 is converted into digital data, and then subjected to predetermined processing in the image processing unit 43 and output as image data.

In the example of FIG. 2, the printing unit 23 is realized by an electrophotographic printing device. In this case, the printing unit 23
Is a photoconductor drum 51, a charger 52, an image writing unit 53, a developing tank 54, a transfer device 55, and a cleaner 56.
including. At the center of the inside of the main body of the facsimile apparatus 1, a cylindrical photosensitive drum 51 is supported rotatably in the circumferential direction indicated by an arrow A around the central axis. Around the side surface of the photoconductor drum 51, a charger 52, an image writing unit 53, a developing tank 54, a transfer device 55, and a cleaner 56 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the photoconductor drum 51. It is arranged.

Further, in relation to the printing section 23, a paper feed cassette 57, a paper discharge tray 58 and a paper transport path 59 are arranged inside the main body of the facsimile apparatus 1. The paper feed cassette 57 is located inside the main body of the facsimile apparatus 1 below the printing unit 23 and the paper transport path 59, as shown in FIG.
Is mounted at the bottom of the main body and stores a plurality of blank recording sheets P. The paper transport path 59 is formed so as to reach the paper discharge tray 58 from the paper feed cassette 57 via the printing unit 23. The paper transport path 59 transports the recording paper P in the transport direction from the paper feed cassette 57 to the paper discharge tray 58 via the printing unit 23. In the portion of the paper transport path 59 on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the printing unit 23, the paper feed rollers 6 are provided from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction.
1, the transport roller, and the registration roller 63 are arranged in this order. Further, a fixing roller 64 and a paper discharge roller 65 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the transport direction to the downstream side in a portion of the paper transport path 59 downstream in the transport direction from the printing unit 23. Note that, in FIG. 2, the description of the transport roller is omitted.

At the time of image formation, first, the charger 52 uniformly applies electric charges of a single polarity to the side surface of the photosensitive drum 51 rotating in the direction of arrow A. Then, the image writing unit 53 irradiates the side surface of the photoconductor drum 51 after the charge is applied with image light which is light modulated based on the image data output from the image processing unit 43. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is created on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 by the photoconductive effect. Next, the developing tank 54 supplies the developer to the surface of the photosensitive drum 51, so that the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a developer image.

Prior to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 51, the white recording paper P in the paper feeding cassette 57 is fed one by one into the paper feeding path 59 by the rotation of the paper feeding roller 61. The fed recording paper P is conveyed to the registration roller 63 by the rotating conveying roller. The recording paper P is stopped with the front end portion in the transport direction being in contact with the registration roller 63 until the electrostatic image is visualized. The registration roller 63 changes from the paper feed roller 61 to the photosensitive drum 5
1 and the transfer device 55 are arranged in a section up to the gap. When the front end of the recording paper P faces the front end of the developer image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 51, the registration roller 63 starts rotating, and the recording paper P is printed by the printing unit 23.
Be led to.

The transfer device 55 transfers the developer image carried on the side surface of the photosensitive drum 51 to the surface of the recording paper P guided between the transfer device 55 and the photosensitive drum 51. The cleaner 66 removes the developer remaining on the side surface of the photosensitive drum 51 after the transfer of the developer image. The recording paper P to which the developer image is transferred is heated and pressed while passing through the pair of rotating fixing rollers. As a result, the developer image is melted and fixed to the first surface of the recording paper, that is, one surface of the recording paper. The recording paper P having the developer image fixed on the first surface is discharged from the end of the paper transport path 59 to the discharge tray 58 by the rotating discharge roller 65. As a result, a printed matter, which is the recording paper P having an image formed on one side, is provided to the user.

The facsimile apparatus 1 of the present embodiment described above is an example of the facsimile apparatus 1 of the present invention, and can be realized in various other forms as long as the main configurations and operations are the same. . Especially the facsimile machine 1
The detailed configurations and operations of the respective component parts are not limited to the configurations and operations described above as long as the same effect can be obtained, and may be realized by other configurations and operations. For example, instead of providing the memory box 25 inside the facsimile device 1, the memory box 25 may be provided in a storage device or a server device outside the facsimile device 1, and the memory box 25 may be managed by the control unit 3. .

Further, the facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a general facsimile apparatus having at least a control unit 3, a system memory 4, a communication unit 5, and an image memory functioning as a storage unit 6, and is the same as that shown in FIGS. It may be realized by installing a control program including the processing program for causing the control unit 3 to execute the described operation and the association management table 17 described in FIG. 4, and causing the control unit 3 to execute the processing program. Good.

The above-mentioned control software may be stored in advance in a recording medium, read from the recording medium by a medium reading unit provided in a general facsimile apparatus, and stored in the system memory 4. It may be given to a general facsimile apparatus by communication via the and stored in the system memory 4. As a recording medium, a magnetic recording medium typified by a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Onl)
y Memory) and optical recording media represented by DVD (Digital Video Disc), and MO (Magneto-Optic Disc)
And a magneto-optical recording medium represented by. The transmission medium includes a transmission line of a telephone line network and a LAN (Local Area Network).
and a transmission path of a computer network using WAN (Wide Area Network) and the like, and a transmission cable for connecting computers.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus having a sub-address function for transmitting and receiving data using a memory box, two or more memory boxes are associated with each other, and a single communication means is used. If one sub-address is received, both one of the memory boxes to which the received sub-address is assigned and the other memory box associated with the one of the memory boxes are , Used for transmitting and receiving data by communication means. As a result, the operation of the calling terminal can be simplified by the facsimile apparatus of the present invention as compared with the conventional facsimile apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, the memory boxes to which the same communication function is assigned are associated with each other. As a result, it is possible to simultaneously perform communication for two or more memory boxes to which the same type of communication function is allocated. Still further according to the invention,
The bulletin board boxes are associated with each other. As a result, at the time of polling reception, it becomes possible to transmit the data stored in two or more bulletin board boxes at once from the communication means to the calling side terminal. Also, it becomes easy to manage the image data in the bulletin board box. Further, according to the present invention, confidential boxes are associated with each other. As a result, since the confidential document data can be distributed to the confidential boxes addressed to a plurality of persons, it is possible for each person to retrieve the data when it is convenient for each person, and the confidential document can be easily managed. It can be carried out.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the relay boxes are associated with each other. This makes it possible to easily manage and specify the distribution destination of data.

Further, according to the present invention, the memory boxes to which different communication functions are allocated are associated with each other. As a result, it is possible to simultaneously perform communication for two or more memory boxes to which different communication functions are allocated. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the bulletin board box and the confidential box are associated with each other. This allows the user to easily confirm the data received by the confidential communication function by allowing the user to poll the destination terminal using the partner terminal. Further, according to the present invention, the relay box and the confidential box are associated with each other. As a result, for example, when a facsimile device confidentially receives a confidential document with a relatively low confidentiality within a department that has a receiving device that is a broadcast destination but is confidential, the confidential document is processed by a relay broadcast transmission process using a relay box. It is possible to easily distribute the data. Further, this makes it possible to easily manage the data.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a side view of the facsimile device 1 of FIG.

3 is a plan view of an operation panel of the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

4 is a diagram showing an association management table 17 of a memory box 25 provided in the facsimile machine 1 of FIG.

5 is a flow chart for explaining a basic operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting association of the memory box 25 in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

7 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure of confidential communication and relay broadcast communication in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

8 is a first half of a flowchart for explaining a receiving operation during confidential communication in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

9 is a second half of a flowchart for explaining a receiving operation during confidential communication in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

10 is a first half portion of a flowchart for explaining a receiving operation at the time of relay broadcast communication in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

11 is a latter half of a flowchart for explaining a receiving operation at the time of relay broadcast communication in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

12 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure of polling communication in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

13 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of storing image data in a bulletin board box in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

14 is a first half of a flowchart for explaining a receiving operation during polling communication in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

15 is the second half of the flowchart for explaining the receiving operation during polling communication in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Facsimile machine 3 control unit 5 Communication unit 6 storage 8 operation part 17 Association management table 18 Memory Box Management Department 25 memory box

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Akihiro Tanaka 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Within Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Mikihiro Hayashi 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Osaka Sharp Corporation (56) References JP-A-6-291910 (JP, A) JP-A-6-291902 (JP, A) JP-A-11-17848 (JP, A) JP-A-11-8712 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00 H04N 1/21 H04N 1/32 H04N 1/44

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having a sub-address function for transmitting and receiving data using a memory box, comprising: communication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from a destination terminal; and storing data transmitted and received by the communication means. A plurality of memory boxes, a memory box management means having an association management table in which management information relating to the association of two or more memory boxes with each other is preset and registered, and transmission and reception of data using the memory boxes are associated with each other. And a sub-address for individually designating each memory box, the control means for controlling using a table is pre-assigned to each of the memory boxes, and the control means allows the communication means to receive a single sub-address. Any one of the sub-addresses responding and received is assigned And Mori box, using both the other memory box associated with said one of the memory box, a facsimile apparatus, characterized in that for transmitting and receiving data to the communication unit. 2. At least two of all the memory boxes are respectively allocated to a single communication function in the communication means, and memory boxes to which the same communication function is allocated are mutually connected. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus is associated with the facsimile apparatus. 3. At least two of all the memory boxes are bulletin board boxes for storing data relating to a bulletin board function and a polling function of the communication means, and the bulletin board boxes are associated with each other. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. At least two of all the memory boxes are confidential boxes for storing data relating to the confidential communication function of the communication means, and the confidential boxes are associated with each other. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. 5. At least two of all the memory boxes are relay boxes for storing data relating to the relay broadcast function of the communication means, and the relay boxes are associated with each other. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4. 6. Two or more memory boxes of all the memory boxes are respectively allocated to two or more communication functions in the communication means, and the memory boxes to which mutually different communication functions are allocated are mutually connected. 6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus is associated with. 7. At least one of all memory boxes is a bulletin board box for storing data relating to a bulletin board function and a polling function of the communication means, and at least another one of all memory boxes. 7. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a confidential box for storing data relating to the confidential communication function of the communication means, wherein the bulletin board box and the confidential box are associated with each other. 8. At least one of all the memory boxes is a relay box for storing data relating to the relay broadcast function of the communication means, and at least another one of all the memory boxes is 8. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the facsimile box is a confidential box for storing data relating to a confidential communication function of the communication means, and the relay box and the confidential box are associated with each other.