Operation Device for Facsimile

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an operating method for facsimile and a device therefor, in which the number of operating switches is reduced by the use of an operating switch capable of changing its function thereof according to the operating mode of the facsimile.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Fascimile apparatus, utilized for image transmission between distance locations, is generally composed of so-called tranceiver terminals capable of both sending and receiving images, although terminals exclusively for sending or receiving images are also found.

Such a tranceiver type facsimile usually has a copying function in addition to the image sending and receiving functions. Such a copying function allows it to utilize a facsimile terminal as a simplified copier, and is also effective for confirming the quality of the received image by copying the original image on the sending terminal prior to the image transmission.

In this manner the tranceiver type facsimile has the three functions of sending, receiving and copying, which have conventionally been selected by the operator.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there have been provided a sending button or switch 1, a receiving button or switch 2 and a copying button or switch 3 independent for said three functions.

The facsimile terminal inspects the actuation of the buttons 1-3 through the steps ST1-ST3 of a control program shown in FIG. 2 and selects a sending mode F1, a receiving mode F2 or a copying mode F3 according to the actuated button.

As shown in FIG. 1, there are provided indicator lamps 4-6 respectively for indicating selection of the sending, receiving or copying mode.

Such conventional structure, requiring independent operating buttons for the sending, receiving and copying modes inevitably leads to a complicated and expensive control panel with a large area. Also the operator is required to select an appropriate button at the operation.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus in which the number of operating switches is reduced to simplify the operation.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus in which a single operating switch can be used for controlling the sending, receiving and copying modes.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus having plural display means for indicating the function of the operating switch.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a control panel of a conventional facsimile apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the function of a conventional facsimile apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a control panel embodying the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit embodying the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the function of said circuit; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein is provided only one operating button 7 in combination with indicator lamps 4-6 respectively indicating the sending, receiving and copying modes.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention, showing only the parts necessary for the explanation of the operating unit.

In FIG. 4, a telephone line 11 is connected to a telephone set 12 through a switch 17 and a relay 13. Said relay 13 detects if handset 12a is lifted from the telephone set 12. When the handset 12a is lifted, a hook of the telephone set is elevated to close a circuit therein, thereby supplying a current from a switchboard connected to the telephone line 11. Consequently a coil 13a of the relay 13 is energized to close a contact 13b, thus identifying the hung on state of the handset 12a and, accordingly, the state of apparatus in transmission. An original detector 14 mechanically or optically detects the presence or absence of an original document.

Also a recording sheet detector 15 detects, mechanically or optically, the presence or absence of a recording sheet. A controller 10, generally composed of a microcomputer having input ports 10a, output ports 10b, CPU 10c etc., is capable of identifying the sending, receiving or copying mode in response to the dctection of said relay 13, original detector 14, recording sheet detector 15 and of whether the operating button has been actuated.

A modem 16 is connected to the telephone line 11 through the relay switch 17 for selecting either the modem 16 or the telephone set 12.

Now the function of the above-mentioned embodiment will be explained in the following, in relation to the flow chart shown in FIG. 5.

In case of sending the image of an original through the facsimile apparatus, the apparatus is started after the original is mounted at a determined position of the apparatus. Then the receiving terminal is called by dialling the telephone set after the handset 12a is lifted. After the step S1 identifies that the handset has been lifted, the step S2 is executed to identify if the original is mounted, and, if so, the controller 10 identifies the sending mode and activates the sending indicator lamp 4 in blinking manner in the step S3, whereby the operator confirms that the apparatus is ready for the sending mode.

A response from the receiving terminal can be confirmed in the step S4 by actuating the operating button or switch 7. In the step S5 the sending indicator lamp 4 is changed from the intermittent lighting to continuous lighting, thus indicating the start of the sending mode.

In case of image receiving, the step S1 identifies that the handset or receiver 12a has been lifted from the hook when the operator calls or is called by the local terminal. The step S2 identifies the absence of the original, as the original mounting is not required in the receiving mode. Then the step S6 identifies if the recording sheet is mounted, and, if so, the step S7 is executed to intermittently energize the receiving indicator lamp, thereby enabling the operator to confirm that the apparatus is ready for the receiving mode. Upon actuation of the operating button 7 by the operator, the setp S8 detects said actuation and changes the receiving indicator lamp 5 from the intermittent lighting to continuous lighting, and the operation of the receiving mode is started in the step S9.

In case of simply copying the original, the step S1 identifies that the handset 12a has not been lifted since it is not necessary to call the local terminal. Then the step S10 is executed to identify if the original is mounted, and, if so, the step S11 is executed to identify if the recording sheet is mounted. If the presence of the recording sheet is confirmed, the step S12 intermittently energizes the copying indicator lamp 6, thus enabling the operator to confirm that the apparatus is ready for the copying mode. Upon actuation of the button 7 by the operator, the step S13 identifies said actuation and changes the copying indicator lamp from intermittent lighting to continuous lighting, whereby the operation of the copying mode is initiated.

The above-explained procedures are summarized in Tab. 1.

In Tab. 1, "0" indicates the hung-up state of the telephone handset or the absence of original of recording sheet, while "1" indicates the hung on state of the telephone handset or the presence of original or recording sheet. "X" indicates that either "1" or "0" is acceptable.

In the foregoing embodiment independent indicator lamps 4, 5, 6 are utilized for indicating the sending, receiving and copying modes, but such lamps may be replaced by a single indicator tube 8 capable, as shown in FIG. 6, of displaying numerals, symbols etc. so that the various modes can be displayed by a display means.

Also in each mode the actuation of the operating button 7 is identified by the change of the indicator lamp from the flashing state to the continuous lighting state, but such identification can also be achieved by changing the color of the display.

As explained in detail in the foregoing, the present invention allows the operator, by means of a single operating button and at least a mode display means, to identify the sending, receiving and copying modes and stand-by state in each mode according to the status of the facsimile terminal and of, the telephone handset, and therefore enables the operator to control the facsimile terminal with only one operating button. The present invention also reduces the number of operating buttons or of display means, thereby compactizing not only the control panel but also the entire facsimile apparatus.