U.S. patent number RE42,201 [Application Number 11/806,682] was granted by the patent office on 2011-03-08 for facsimile machine for use in combination with pc.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Noriko Matsumoto, Tetsuya Ouchi, Kiyotsugu Takiguchi.
United States Patent |
RE42,201 |
Matsumoto , et al. |
March 8, 2011 |
Facsimile machine for use in combination with PC
Abstract
In view of the fact that a limited storage area of a facsimile
memory cannot store a large amount of data necessary to operate and
manage the facsimile machine, a hard disk of a personal computer
connected to the facsimile machine is used for storing such a large
amount of data. For example, an application software needed for
achieving a certain function of the facsimile machine is supplied
from a service station managed by a manufacturer of the facsimile
machine and is downloaded and installed in a hard disk of the
personal computer. An example of the function is a
scheduled/delayed transmission for scheduling a time of facsimile
transmission at a specific time or after a certain period of time
has passed. As far as the facsimile machine and the personal
computer are connected, other kinds of data, such as help list data
and facsimile transaction information, are stored in the hard disk
of the personal computer.
Inventors: |
Matsumoto; Noriko (Aichi-ken,
JP), Takiguchi; Kiyotsugu (Nagoya, JP),
Ouchi; Tetsuya (Tajimi, JP) |
Assignee: |
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
(Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
26561558 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/806,682 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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08749964 |
Nov 18, 1996 |
6373598 |
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Reissue of: |
09878273 |
Jun 12, 2001 |
06903845 |
Jun 7, 2005 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Nov 16, 1995 [JP] |
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1995-298536 |
Nov 16, 1995 [JP] |
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1995-298539 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/400;
379/100.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/00204 (20130101); H04N 1/32358 (20130101); H04N
2201/0049 (20130101); H04N 2201/001 (20130101); H04N
2201/0041 (20130101); H04N 2201/0093 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
1/00 (20060101); H04M 11/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;358/442,400,401,403,404,405,406,434,435,436,437,439,407,468
;379/100.01,100.05,100.12 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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B-2-63-13391 |
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63-231368 |
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7 29956 |
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JP |
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JP |
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9065038 |
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Mar 1997 |
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JP |
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9-93383 |
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Apr 1997 |
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JP |
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409097235 |
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Apr 1997 |
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JP |
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9128174 |
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May 1997 |
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JP |
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9-130509 |
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May 1997 |
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JP |
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2000341462 |
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Dec 2000 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Grant, II; Jerome
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Baker Botts L.L.P.
Parent Case Text
This is a Division of application Ser. No. 08/749,964 filed Nov.
18, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,373,598. The entire disclosure of the
prior application(s) is hereby incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A facsimile system, comprising: a facsimile machine having an
input/output interface, a storage device, a printing section, and a
display unit, said facsimile machine being provided with a variety
of functions; a personal computer connected to said input/output
interface of said facsimile machine, said personal computer having
a data storage device storing help list data regarding how to set
and how to use the variety of functions of the facsimile machine,
.[.a printing section,.]. and a display unit, said personal
computer generating a help list based on the help list data when
requested by a user; and a help key through which the user inputs a
command for requesting the help list.
2. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein the help list
generated by the personal computer is printed out by said printing
section of said facsimile machine.
3. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein the help list
generated by the personal computer is displayed on said display
unit of said facsimile machine.
.[.4. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein the help
list is printed out by said printing section of said personal
computer..].
5. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein the help list
is displayed on said display unit of said personal computer to
indicate the help list thereon.
6. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein basic help
list data is stored in said storage device of the facsimile machine
and a basic help list is printed out by said printing section of
said facsimile machine when said facsimile machine and said
personal computer are disconnected from each other.
7. The facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein basic help
list data is stored in said storage device and a basic help list is
generated by said display unit of said facsimile machine to
indicate the basic help list when said facsimile machine and said
personal computer are not connected to each other.
8. A printing system, comprising: a printer having an input/output
interface, a storage device, a printing section, and a display
unit, said printer being provided with a variety of functions; a
personal computer connected to said input/output interface of said
printer, said personal computer having a data storage device
storing help list data regarding how to set and how to use the
variety of functions of the printer, .[.a printing section,.]. and
a display unit, said personal computer generating a help list based
on the help list data when requested by a user; and a help key
through which the user inputs a command for requesting the help
list.
9. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the help list
generated by the personal computer is printed out by said printing
section of said printer.
10. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the help list
generated by the personal computer is displayed on said display
unit of said printer.
.[.11. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the help
list is printed out by said printing section of said personal
computer..].
12. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the help list
is displayed on said display unit of said personal computer to
indicate the help list thereon.
13. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein basic help
list data is stored in said storage device of the printer and a
basic help list is printed out by said printing section of said
printer when said printer and said personal computer are
disconnected from each other.
14. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein basic help
list data is stored in said storage device and a basic help list is
generated by said display unit of said printer to indicate the
basic help list when said printer and said personal computer are
not connected to each other.
15. A peripheral device having at least one function, the
peripheral device being capable of connecting with a host device
having a data storage device storing help list data regarding how
to set and how to use the at least one function of the peripheral
device, the peripheral device comprising: an input/output interface
connectable to the host device; a help key through which a user
inputs a command for requesting the help list; a read unit that
reads out the help list data stored in the data storage device of
the host device via the input/output interface when the peripheral
device is connected to the host device and when requested by
operating the help key by the user; and a display unit that shows a
help list based on the help list data read from the host device via
the input/output interface when the peripheral device is connected
to the host device.
16. The peripheral device according to claim 15, wherein the
display unit includes a printer that prints out the help list on a
recording medium when the peripheral device is connected to the
host device.
17. The peripheral device according to claim 15, wherein the
display unit includes a display device that visually displays the
help list thereon when the peripheral device is connected to the
host device.
18. The peripheral device according to claim 15, further comprising
a storage device that stores a basic help list data, wherein the
display unit shows the basic help list when the peripheral device
and the host device are disconnected from each other upon when
requested by the user operating the help key.
19. A host device capable of connecting with a peripheral device
having at least one function and a help key through which a user
inputs a command for requesting a help list, the host device
comprising: an input/output interface connectable to the peripheral
device; a data storage device storing help list data regarding how
to set and how to use the at least one function of the peripheral
device; a read unit that reads out the help list data stored in the
data storage device when requested by operating the help key by the
user when the host device is connected to the peripheral device;
and a display unit that shows a help list based on the help list
data read from the data storage device when the host device is
connected to the peripheral device.
20. The host device according to claim 19, wherein the display unit
includes a printer that prints out the help list on a recording
medium when the host device is connected to the peripheral
device.
21. The host device according to claim 19, where in the display
unit includes a display device that visually displays the help
thereon when the host device is connected to the peripheral
device.
22. A peripheral device having at least one function, the
peripheral device being capable of communicating with a host device
having a data storage device storing help list data regarding how
to set and how to use the at least one function of the peripheral
device, the peripheral device comprising: an input/output interface
communicable to the host device; a help key through which a user
inputs a command for requesting a help list; a read unit that reads
out the help list data stored in the data storage device of the
host device via the input/output interface when the peripheral
device communicates to the host device when requested by operating
the help key by the user; and a display unit that shows a help list
based on the help list data read from the host device via the
input/output interface when the peripheral device communicates to
the host device.
.Iadd.23. A facsimile system, comprising: a facsimile machine
having an input/output interface, a storage device, a printing
section, and a display unit, said facsimile machine being provided
with a variety of functions; a personal computer connected to said
input/output interface of said facsimile machine, said personal
computer having a data storage device storing help list data
regarding how to set and how to use the variety of functions of the
facsimile machine, a printing section, and a display unit, said
personal computer generating a help list based on the help list
data when requested by a user; and a help key through which the
user inputs a command for requesting the help list. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The facsimile system according to claim 23, wherein the
help list is printed out by said printing section of said personal
computer. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. A printing system, comprising: a printer having an
input/output interface, a storage device, a printing section, and a
display unit, said printer being provided with a variety of
functions; a personal computer connected to said input/output
interface of said printer, said personal computer having a data
storage device storing help list data regarding how to set and how
to use the variety of functions of the printer, a printing section,
and a display unit, said personal computer generating a help list
based on the help list data when requested by a user; and a help
key through which the user inputs a command for requesting the help
list. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The printing system according to claim 25, wherein the
help list is printed out by said printing section of said personal
computer. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a facsimile system having a
facsimile machine connected to an external data processing device,
such as a personal computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. SHO-63-13391 and Japanese
Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. HEI-6-98077 describe
providing an interface (I/O port) to the facsimile machine allowing
to connect the facsimile machine to a personal computer (PC). Such
a facsimile/PC combination is convenient because the facsimile
machine can be used as a terminal of the PC. The document data
produced by the PC can be sent to a remote facsimile machine
through the facsimile machine serving as the terminal. Also the
data sent from the remote facsimile machine can be received and
stored in the memory of the PC via the facsimile machine serving as
the terminal.
Facsimile machines have various functions, such as an image
capturing function, a printing function, a communication function,
a multi-copying function, an auto-answer function, a memory
transmission function, a scheduled/delayed transmission function
and so on. With the image capturing function, a document to be
transmitted can be read by means of a scanner. The printing
function refers to a printing capability in which image data
received from a remote facsimile machine can be printed on a
recording paper. The communication function is essential for the
facsimile machine. By this function, image data can be transmitted
to a remote facsimile machine and incoming image data can be
received. The multi-copying function is capable of generating
plural sets of copies of the original documents upon reading the
original documents with the scanner. When the facsimile machine is
set to the auto-answer mode, an incoming voice message (voice data)
and/or image data from the remote facsimile machine or other data
communicating device is stored in the memory of the called
facsimile machine in the form of a digital signal. The image data
is later printed on a recording paper and the voice message is also
later reproduced from a speaker. The memory transmission is
performed by storing image data in a memory prior to transmission
and then transmitting the image data stored therein to the remote
facsimile machine. The scheduled/delayed transmission is for
scheduling a time of facsimile transmissions. If an operator scans
a document into a memory-equipped machine and programs it to dial
up and transmit the document at a specific time or after a certain
period of time has passed, the operator can enjoy the ultimate in
unattended facsimile operation.
Control programs for the various functions of the facsimile machine
and for data transfer between the facsimile machine and its
associated personal computer are stored in a read-only memory (ROM)
equipped in the facsimile machine. Accordingly, increase of the
facsimile functions requires that a ROM with an increased amount of
a storage capacity be equipped in the facsimile machine. This leads
to an increase of cost for manufacturing the facsimile machine.
Once the facsimile machine is delivered to customers, altering the
control programs contained in the ROM or offering a version-up
services to the customers are difficult for many reasons.
The recent facsimile machines are provided with a help function for
generating information so that a user can learn how to use the
various functions. Like the control programs, an amount of help
data for implementing the help function increases as the number of
facsimile functions increases. The increased amount of help data
requires a memory of a large storage capacity. This also increases
the cost of the facsimile machine. There is a further problem in
such facsimile machine that a liquid crystal display equipped in
the facsimile machine is too small to display a lengthy message.
Therefore, fully descriptive information to each help item cannot
be provided. One possible solution to this problem would be
printing out the descriptive information on recording papers using
the print function of the facsimile machine. However, the help data
stored in the memory of the facsimile machine is rather simplified
in its contents because the limited storage capacity of the
facsimile memory does not allow to store a large amount of help
data. Therefore, the information is not so detailed as to satisfy
the user even if it is printed out.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made to eliminate the
above-described inconveniences. Accordingly, it is an object of the
present invention to provide a facsimile system which releases the
burden on a facsimile memory and effectively uses a storage area of
a hard disk of a personal computer connected to the facsimile
machine.
To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a
facsimile system which includes a facsimile machine, a data
processing device, and a support control means. In use, the
facsimile machine and the data processing device, which may be a
personal computer, are connected to each other. The facsimile
machine has a first storage device and the data processing device
has a second storage device which may be a hard disk. The facsimile
machine is provided with a variety of functions, each of which is
available when a corresponding application software is provided.
Examples of functions of the facsimile machine include an image
capturing function, a printing function, a communication function,
a multi-copying function, an auto-answer function, a memory
transmission function, a scheduled/delayed function. In the present
invention, a service station is provided which supplies a variety
of application softwares relating to the variety of functions. The
support control means is provided for controlling the second data
storage device to store at least one application software supplied
from the service station when a communication link is established
between the facsimile machine and the service station. The
facsimile machine achieves a function in accordance with the
application software supplied from the service station and stored
in the second storage device.
The support control means may be provided either in the facsimile
machine or in the service station. In the former case, the
application software is downloaded and installed in the second
storage device in accordance with a request of the facsimile
machine. In the latter case, the support control means is provided
in the service station, wherein the service station makes a call to
the facsimile machine at every predetermined interval to establish
the communication link between the facsimile machine and the
service station whereupon the support control means downloads and
installs the application software in the second storage device in
accordance with a request of the service station.
It is preferable that the first storage device store an
identification code of the facsimile machine. The facsimile machine
sends the identification code to the service station when the
facsimile machine requests the service station to supply the
application software. The service station stores identification
codes of registered facsimile machines and verifies the
identification code received from the facsimile machine with those
stored in the service station to determine that the identification
code received from the facsimile machine is valid. The service
station sends the application software when the identification code
is valid.
It is also preferable that the facsimile machine supply a version
information of an application software which has been stored in the
second storage device to the service station. Then, the service
station determines a relevant application software to be sent to
the facsimile machine based on the version information supplied
from the facsimile machine. A display unit may be provided to
display an updated version information.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the
second storage device of the data processing device stores help
list data regarding the variety of functions. When a help key is
depressed, a help list is generated based on the help list data
stored in the second data storage device. The help list is
generated by one of the printing section and display unit of the
facsimile machine or by one of the printing section and display
unit of the data processing device. Basic help list data is stored
in the first storage device and is generated by the display unit of
the facsimile machine to indicate the basic help list when the
facsimile machine and the personal computer are disconnected from
each other.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a
control means is provided for controlling the second storage device
to store a facsimile transaction information when the control means
detects that the facsimile machine and the data processing device
are connected to each other. When the control means detects that
the facsimile machine and the data processing device are
disconnected from each other, the control means further controls
the first storage device to store the facsimile transaction
information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a facsimile system including a
facsimile machine and a personal computer mutually connected to
each other;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a facsimile
machine;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a personal
computer;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a facsimile system connected to a
service station;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an application software
installation process according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an application software
installation process according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a help list generating process
according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a string process of a
communications interactive information according to a forth
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A facsimile system to which the present invention is applied will
firstly be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4. The term
"facsimile system" as used herein is intended to mean a combination
of a facsimile machine 1 and a personal computer 2 mutually
connected to each other with a cable 4 as shown in FIG. 1. In the
following description, the facsimile machine 1 will be described as
a calling side.
As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile machine 1 has an input/output
interface (I/O port) 3 connected to the personal computer 2 with
the cable 4. The input/output interface 3 may be a serial interface
such as RS-232C, or a parallel interface. The facsimile machine 1
includes a network controller unit (NCU) 5 that is connected
through a telephone line 6 to a telephone switchboard 7. As shown
in FIG. 4, another facsimile machine 9, which will be described as
a receiving side, and a service station 8 are also connected to the
telephone switchboards 7 so that the two facsimile machines 1 and 9
are communicable with each other through a telephone line and also
the facsimile machine 1 is accessible to the service station 8.
Although not shown in FIG. 4, another personal computer equipped
with a facsimile board modem may also be connected to the telephone
switchboard 7.
Referring back to FIG. 2, the facsimile machine 1 includes a
central processing unit (CPU) 10 which is connected to various
components to be described later with signal bus lines. The CPU 10
controls its associated components in accordance with a
predetermined communication control sequence and executes data
communication, that is, facsimile transmission and reception.
A modem 11 executes a data communication function under the aegis
of the CPU 10. Specifically, the modem 11 modulates image data in
the form of digital signal to an analog signal and transmits the
latter signal to a remote facsimile or personal computer through
the NCU 5 and the telephone line 6. The modem 11 also demodulates
the incoming analog signal received through the telephone line 6
and the NCU 5 to a digital signal. Other than modulation and
demodulation, the modem 11 sends to and receives from the remote
facsimile machine various kinds of transmission control
signals.
The CPU 10 is connected through the bus to a buffer memory 12, a
read-only memory (ROM) 13 storing control programs therein, an
electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)
14, a random access memory (RAM) 15 temporarily storing various
kinds of data, a CCD scanner 16 executing an image capturing
function, an operation panel 21 provided with a liquid crystal
display (LCD) 22, a printer 18 executing a printing function, an
encoding section 17, a decoding section 20, and an image memory
19.
The buffer memory 12 has a plurality of storage areas including a
transmission buffer memory 12a and a reception buffer memory 12b
for temporarily storing coded image data transmitted to the called
side facsimile machine 9 and received from the calling side
facsimile machine 9 along with various kinds of data accompanying
the coded image data, reception commands, telephone numbers and
names of the subscribers of the called side facsimile machines, and
the like. The EEPROM 14 has a single-key number storing area 14a, a
calling side telephone number storing area 14b, a communication
condition storing area 14c, a function storing area 14d for storing
data and various function programs such as a communication mode
program, a time storing area 14e for storing incoming and outgoing
fax transmission times, and a communication managing information
storing area 14f for storing communication records. Those storing
areas store data regarding dial numbers (telephone numbers) and the
names of the subscribers of called side facsimile machines together
with single-key numbers for speed dialing, and various kinds of set
data for allowing the user to select whether or not the name of the
subscriber of the calling side facsimile machine is registered, a
fax transaction report is generated, communications report is
printed, or to set a calling bell volume, and to set a volume of
the speaker equipped with the facsimile machine 1. The EEPROM 14 is
a non-volatile memory so that its storing contents are not lost
even if the facsimile machine 1 is power down.
The RAM 15 is used to temporarily store various kinds of data at a
time of execution of a prescribed operation. The RAM 15 has a
voice/image storing area 15a for storing voice data and image data
received from the remote facsimile machine when the called side
facsimile machine 1 is set to an auto-answer mode. The data is
stored therein in a digital form. The CCD scanner 16 is for
capturing images on an original document and produces image data.
The image data is encoded by the encoder 17 and the resultant data
is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 12 and then transmitted.
A modified READ or MR method is used for a redundancy compression
coding. According to such method, the image data is encoded in view
of statistic property of run-length, i.e., the duration of white
signal or black signal, of the image data.
The printer 18 carries out printing of the received image data on a
recording paper by way of an electro-photographic recording method
or a thermal printing method. In the electro-photographic
recording, a latent image is formed on a photosensitive drum by
irradiating a laser beam thereonto in accordance with the image
data and the latent image is developed using toner particles. The
toner image is transferred onto the recording paper and thermally
fixed by a thermal fixing device. In the thermal printing method,
the image is printed on a thermal-sensitive paper with a thermal
head.
The facsimile machine 1 has a copying capability wherein an
original document can be copied using the CCD scanner 16 and the
printer 18. Copying can be made in two modes, a multi-copy mode and
a sort copy mode. The multi-copy mode makes a desired number of
copies for each original document. The sort copy mode sorts the
pages of each of plural sets of copies in an order of the pages in
the original documents.
The image data received from the remote facsimile machine and dot
data for generating print outputs are stored in an image memory 19
which may be a dynamic RAM (DRAM). In a normal fax reception
operation in which fax transmission and reception are taken place
at a real time, the image data is received after exchanging signals
according to a predetermined communication control sequence between
the called facsimile machine 1 and the calling facsimile machine 9
or personal computer 8. The image data is temporarily stored in the
buffer memory 12 in the form of an analog signal. The image data
stored therein is decoded (expanded) by the decoder 20. The
resultant data is developed into a dot image and written into the
bit image storing area of the image memory 19 so as to print the
image on a page basis. The dot image stored in the image memory 19
is developed into bits of a predetermined resolution and the
resultant data is sent to the printer 18 for printing on a page
basis.
At a time of a memory reception in the facsimile machine, the image
data received from the remote facsimile machine is temporarily
stored in the image memory 19 upon compressing it. When the
received image data is printed, it is developed into the bits of
the predetermined resolution and separately stored in the image
memory 19. The image data received when the facsimile machine 2 is
in the memory reception mode can be transmitted to an external
storage device 39 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) to process the received image
data in the personal computer 2. The same is true with respect to
the image data stored in the voice/image storing area of the RAM 15
when the facsimile machine is in an auto-answer mode.
When the facsimile transmission is made, the original document to
be sent is read by the CCD scanner 16, and the image data output
from the CCD scanner 16 is encoded and the resultant data is sent
to the remote facsimile machine. When the image data is sent by a
memory transmission, the encoded image data is temporarily stored
in the image memory 19 and automatically transmitted to the
destination shortly thereafter or at a specified time. A
scheduled/delayed transmission (timer transmission) is performed
when there is a time lag between two places where a communication
link is established or when a group transmission is performed
wherein the same original document is sent to a plurality of
subscribers.
The image data input from the personal computer 2 has already been
encoded, so it can be transmitted to the remote facsimile machine
after temporarily storing it in the image memory 19. The operation
panel 20 provided in the facsimile machine 1 or 9 has a display 22
such as a liquid crystal display for displaying operation
conditions of the facsimile machine. The operation panel 20 also
has numeral keys 23, function keys 24, and one-touch registration
key 25 as shown in FIG. 1. Registration for a memory dialing is
performed by entering the telephone number and the name of a called
party through depressing the numeral keys 23 and the function keys
24, and then depressing the one-touch registration key 25. A
predetermined function key is depressed to send a help command to
the personal computer 2 when a help function to be described later
is used.
The facsimile machine 1 further includes a voice LSI 26 for storing
an answer voice message that is sent out when answering to the
incoming call in the auto-answer mode, an amplifier 27 and speaker
for reproducing the incoming voice message recorded during the
auto-answer mode, and a reproduction key (not shown) for generating
an instruction to reproduce the recorded messages.
As shown in FIG. 3, the personal computer 2 includes a central
processing unit (CPU) 30, a ROM 31 storing control programs, a RAM
32 for storing various kinds of data, an input/output port
(interface) 33 and a floppy disk driver 40. To the personal
computer 2 are connected various peripheral components such as a
keyboard 34, a mouse 35, a CRT display 36, a printer 37, left and
right speakers 38a and 38b, the facsimile machine 1, the external
storage device 39 such as a hard disk. A liquid crystal display may
be used in place of the CRT display 36.
Referring again to FIG. 4, the service station 8 stores application
softwares relating to control programs. The control programs
execute various functions of the facsimile machine 1. The control
programs are developed by a manufacturer of the facsimile machine
1. Version-up application softwares are stored in the service
station 8.
The ROM 13 of the facsimile machine 1 stores a basic control
program for transmission and reception of data to and from the
telephone line 6 and also stores a data transfer control program
for a data transfer between the facsimile machine 1 and the
personal computer 2. The control program of the facsimile machine 1
is pre-installed in the hard disk 39 of the personal computer 2.
The facsimile machine 1 is operated to execute a particular
function in accordance with a corresponding control program stored
in the hard disk 39 of the personal computer 2.
The CPU 10 of the facsimile machine 1 serves as a support control
means for downloading the application software supplied from the
service station 8 and installing the same in the hard disk 39 of
the personal computer 2. The EEPROM 14 or the ROM 13 of the
facsimile machine 1 stores an identification (ID) code of its own
facsimile machine 1 that corresponds to a manufacture number
attached to the facsimile machine 1 by the manufacturer. The ID
code is given to the purchaser who bought the facsimile machine 1
when he or she is registered as the user of the facsimile machine 1
in the manufacturing company or a sales service company. The
registration ID code is stored in the service station 8 and also
informed to the user. In this case, the user has to store the
registration ID code to the EEPROM 14 while referring to an
operation guide book. The user is capable of knowing the telephone
number of the service station 8 from the operation manual.
Referring next to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a download/installation
process will be described for downloading an application software
from the service station 8 and installing the same in the hard disk
39 of the personal computer 2.
The routine starts upon powering the facsimile machine 1 and the
personal computer 2. Initially, determination is made as to whether
or not the personal computer 2 and the facsimile machine 1 are
mutually connected (S1). When the personal computer 2 and the
facsimile machine 1 are connected (S1: Yes) and thus data
communication therebetween is possible, the user dials the service
station 8 from the facsimile machine 1 (S2). This can be
automatically accomplished by a program stored in the facsimile
machine 1.
When the facsimile machine 1 and the service station are connected
(S3: Yes), the facsimile machine 1 sends out its own registration
ID code to the service station (S4). Upon receipt of the
registration ID code, the service station 8 checks if the received
ID code is valid by verifying the received ID code with registered
ID codes stored in the service station 8. If determination is made
that the received ID code is valid (S5: Yes), the service station 8
sends at least one application software to the facsimile machine 1
(S6). By the operation of the CPU 10 acting as a support control
means, the application software is downloaded in the hard disk 39
of the personal computer 2 (S7). When sending the application
software is complete (S8: Yes), the telephone line is disconnected
(S9) whereupon the personal computer 1 installs the downloaded
software in its hard disk 39. In S5, if determination is made so
that the received ID code is invalid (S5: No), the telephone line 6
is disconnected (S11) and the communication is terminated.
A modification can be made so that after execution of S5, the
facsimile machine 1 sends to the service station 8 information on a
version of the application software that has been stored in the
facsimile machine 1 (S12) and then the service station 8 sends a
relevant application software to the facsimile machine 1 based on
the information supplied from the facsimile machine 1 (S13). By
supplementing these two steps, an irrelevant software will not
eventually be sent to the facsimile machine 1. Therefore,
superfluous data transfer will not be performed and thus a
communication time can be minimized.
The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 pertains to a second embodiment of
the present invention. The routine starts when both the facsimile
machine 1 and the personal computer 2 are powered. Based on the ID
codes and telephone numbers, the service station 8 connects the
telephone line to the facsimile machines at a regular interval
(S20). Upon connection to a facsimile machine 1, the ID code stored
in the facsimile machine 1 and that stored in the service station 8
are compared to determine that the two ID codes are in coincidence
with each other (S21). If the two ID codes are not in coincidence
with each other (S21: No), the telephone line 6 is disconnected
(S22) whereupon the routine is ended. When the two ID codes are in
coincidence with each other, i.e., when the facsimile machine 1 has
a valid ID code (S21: Yes), determination is made as to whether or
not the facsimile machine 1 and the personal computer 2 are
connected (S23). When the facsimile machine 1 and the personal
computer 2 are not connected (S23: No), the telephone line is
disconnected (S22), whereupon the routine is ended.
When the facsimile machine 1 and the personal computer 2 are
connected (S23: Yes), the service station 8 interrogates the
facsimile machine 1 the version of the application software stored
in the personal computer 2 (S24). The service station 8 sends an
appropriate application software to the facsimile machine 1 (S25).
Under the aegis of the CPU 10 of the personal computer 2, the
application software thus received from the service station 8 is
stored in the hard disk 39 of the personal computer 2. When sending
the application software is complete (S27: Yes), the telephone line
6 is disconnected (S28) and the downloaded application software is
installed in the personal computer 2 so as to be usable (S29).
The user can obtain the updated application software if the service
station 8 performs such an automatic software support service. It
is desirable that the display 36 displays a message that the
version-up application software is running and also an operation
guidance on how the new application software is to be used. By so
doing, erroneous operation of the new application software can be
prevented.
In the second embodiment, either the CPU 10 of the facsimile
machine 1 or the CPU 30 of the personal computer 2 may act as the
support control means. Facsimile machines may be sold on the market
with a floppy disk storing only a control program relating to a
data transfer between the facsimile machine 1 and the personal
computer 2. In this case, the application software for various
functions of the facsimile machine 1 is supplied to the purchaser
from the service station 8 in a manner as described above.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. The third embodiment
pertains to a help list generating process. When a user depresses a
help key to know how to set and how to use various functions of the
facsimile machine, a help list is indicated on the display 36 of
the personal computer 2. The help list can be printed out from the
printer 37 of the personal computer 2 or the printer 18 of the
facsimile machine 1. Data regarding the help list and a program
(application software) for manipulation of the help list are stored
in a floppy disk. A facsimile machine is sold on the market with
the floppy disk. The help list data and the program supplied by the
floppy disk are installed in the hard disk 39 of the personal
computer 2 in a manner known in the art. A basic help list has been
stored in the EEPROM 14 of the facsimile machine.
Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, when the user depresses
the help key on the facsimile machine 1 (S31), a connection
confirmation command is sent from the facsimile machine 1 to the
personal computer 2 to determine that the personal compute 2 is
connected to the facsimile machine 1 (S32). When the determination
is made so that the personal computer 2 is connected to the
facsimile machine 1 (S32: Yes), whether or not the personal
computer 2 is powered is determined (S33). When the personal
computer 2 is powered (S33: Yes), data regarding the help list as
stored in the hard disk 39 of the personal computer 2 is
transferred to the facsimile machine 1 to print the help list on a
recording paper with the printer 18 (S34). Alternatively, the help
list may be displayed on the display 36 of the personal computer 2
or printed out using the printer 37 on part of the personal
computer 2. The help list may also be displayed in the LCD 22 on
the operation panel 21 of the facsimile machine 1.
To shorten the transmission time, it is desirable not to download
the help list which has already been downloaded from the personal
computer 2. However, when the memory in which the help list data is
stored is also used as a buffer, downloading the help list again
must be permitted because the help list data may be damaged for
some reasons.
When the personal compute 2 and the facsimile machine 1 are not
connected (S32: No) and when the personal compute 2 is not powered
(S33: No), the basic help list stored in the facsimile machine 1 is
printed with the printer 18 or displayed on the LCD 22.
A modification of the third embodiment may be made so that the help
list data stored in the hard disk 39 is displayed on the display 36
of the personal computer 2 or printed on a recording paper using
the printer 37 when the help key on the keyboard 34 of the personal
computer 2 is depressed.
With the third embodiment of the present invention, the user can
readily obtain a detailed help list. It is no longer necessary for
the user to consult a guide book as is done conventionally.
Further, whereas only a basic help list was available in a
conventional facsimile machine, detailed help list can become
available with the facsimile system of the third embodiment. It is
no longer necessary to store a large amount of data regarding the
help list in the memory (such as, EEPROM 14) of the facsimile
machine 1 but is stored in the hard disk 39 of the personal
computer 2. This is possible because recent personal computers are
equipped with a hard disk of a large storage capacity. By making
use of the residual storage area of the hard disk 39, the
manufacturing cost of the facsimile machine 1 can be reduced.
It is preferable that a color ink jet printer be used in the
printer of the facsimile machine 1 and the personal computer 2
because color-printed help list is more comprehensive than a
monochromatic printing.
A forth embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIG. 8 which pertains to a data storing process of a
facsimile transaction information. After the start of this process,
each time when data transmission to or data reception from a remote
facsimile machine is over (S41), whether or not the facsimile
machine 1 is connected to the personal computer 2 is determined
(S42). When the facsimile machine 1 is connected to the personal
computer 2 (S42: Yes), whether or not the personal compute 2 is
powered is determined (S43). When the personal computer 2 is
powered (S43: Yes), the facsimile transaction information are
transferred to and stored in the hard disk 39 of the personal
computer 2. The facsimile transaction information includes
year/month/day and time data on the transmission and reception,
name and telephone number of the calling or called party,
communication time involved, number of sheets transmitted or
received, and transmission mode.
If the facsimile machine 1 is not connected to the personal
computer 1 (S42: No) or if the personal computer 1 is not powered
(S43: No), the facsimile transaction information is stored in the
communications managing data storing area 14f of the facsimile
machine 2 (S45). Transfer of the facsimile transaction information
to the personal computer 2 may be carried out whenever the
transmission or reception is complete or at a regular interval.
The storage capacity of the communication managing information
storing area 14f is not so large. Typically, only several tens of
pieces of facsimile transaction information can be stored therein.
When the information to be stored therein exceeded the storage
capacity of the area 14f, the data therein are erased in a first-in
first-out fashion to thereby allow newest data to be stored
therein. Therefore, if the old data wants to be retained for a long
time, the hard disk of the personal compute 2 is utilized to store
the data.
When the facsimile transaction information is generated by the
facsimile machine 1, it may be displayed one by one on the LCD 22,
or printed out on a recording paper at every predetermined
interval, or a predetermined number of pieces of information may be
printed out on the recording paper at a time. The facsimile
transaction information stored in the hard disk 39 of the personal
computer 2 may be uniquely managed by a managing application
software. For example, the transmission results and the reception
results may be separately managed. Or, the data may be collected
from the accumulated facsimile transaction information according to
the customers, the department to which the facsimile message is
addressed, the number of transmissions and receptions made in a
month, etc. These pieces of information can be printed with the
printer 37 at the side of the personal computer 2. The facsimile
transaction information can thus be effectively used if stored in
the memory or hard disk 39 of the personal computer 2.
While some exemplary embodiments of this invention have been
described in detail, those skilled in the art will recognize that
there are many possible modifications and variations which may be
made in these exemplary embodiments while yet retaining many of the
novel features and advantages of the invention.
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