Fax machine

A fax machine includes a setting recorder, a communication device, a remainder calculator, a determination device, and a controller. The setting recorder holds setting information on a fax transmission job. The communication device performs the transmission job based on the held setting information. The remainder calculator calculates the number of sheets which can be faxed further for the transmission job by the fax machine. When the transmission job stops, the determination device determines, based on the calculated number of sheets, whether the job is completed. If the determination device determines, when the transmission job stops, that the transmission job is completed, the controller clears the setting recorder. If the determination device determines, when the transmission job stops, that the transmission job is not completed, the controller does not clear the setting recorder.

CROSS REFERENCE

This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 2007-158927 filed in Japan on Jun. 15, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fax machine having an accounting function.

In recent years, faxing services are as easily available as public telephones. For example, faxing services have recently been available at many convenience stores.

If one uses a faxing service at a convenience store, the store has to collect the money for the service. A coin vendor may be used to collect money effectively. JP H2-25153 A discloses a conventional fax machine fitted with a coin vendor, which subtracts the charge for a faxing service from the amount of money inserted into the vendor, and which keeps fax transmission possible until the remainder of the inserted amount becomes insufficient.

When one uses a fax machine for public use, it is important for him/her to avoid the risk of information leakage. For example, if the fax machine holds the destination number, the number may become known to third parties.

It may be inconvenient to delete the destination number from a fax machine every time a fax transmission job is interrupted. Some convenience stores limit the number of sheets which can be faxed at a time. When one uses a faxing service at a convenience store, it is troublesome for him/her to reenter the destination number, image quality, and other setting information every time a fax transmission job is interrupted.

The object of the present invention is to provide a convenient fax machine which avoids the risk of information leakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fax machine according to the present invention has an accounting function and includes a setting recorder, a job processor, a money inlet, a remainder calculator, a determination device, and a recording controller.

The setting recorder holds setting information on a fax transmission job which a user requests the fax machine to perform. The setting information may be the destination number, image quality, and/or image size.

The job processor performs the transmission job based on the held setting information.

The user inserts an amount of money into the money inlet.

The remainder calculator calculates a remainder by subtracting, from the inserted amount of money, the charge of the fax machine for the sheets faxed already for the transmission job. Based on the remainder of the inserted amount and the charge of the fax machine for one sheet, the remainder calculator calculates the number of sheets which can be faxed further for the job by the fax machine.

In general, the number of sheets which can be faxed further for a transmission job by the fax machine is the integral part of the quotient found by dividing, by the charge for one sheet, the remainder of the amount of money inserted into the money inlet by a user.

When a fax transmission job stops, the determination device determines, based on the number of sheets calculated for the job by the remainder calculator, whether the job is completed.

As an example of the determination, if the calculated number of sheets is zero when the transmission job stops, the determination device may determine that the job is completed. Likewise, if the calculated number is not zero when the transmission job stops, the determination device may determine that the job is not completed.

By detecting with a sensor whether the user is present near the fax machine, the determination device may also determine whether the transmission job is completed.

Even if the calculated number of sheets is not zero, the determination device may, if a specified stand-by time has passed after the transmission job stops, determine that the job is completed. This makes it possible to determine, even if the user has forgotten to take out the remainder of the inserted amount of money, whether the transmission job is completed. The stand-by time may be directly proportional to the remainder of the inserted amount. It is conceivable that the user will be less liable to forget to take out a larger remainder of the inserted amount.

If a credit card is inserted into the fax machine, the determination device may, as far as a considerable time has not passed, also determine that the transmission job is not completed.

When the transmission job stops, the recording controller clears the setting recorder if the determination device determines that the job is completed. Accordingly, if the transmission job is completed, the setting recorder is cleared. This makes the destination number and other personal information less liable to leak out to third parties.

When the transmission job stops, the recording controller does not clear the setting recorder if the determination device determines that the job is not completed. Accordingly, if the transmission job is not completed, the user does not need to reenter the setting information on the job when the job stops. This makes it easy for the user to redial.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows a fax machine10embodying the present invention. The machine10is designed for public use and may be installed at a convenience store. The machine10includes an accounting unit100and a main unit200.

The accounting unit100has an accounting function and includes a card inlet16, a money inlet17, a money outlet18, a remainder calculator14, and a console12.

The card inlet16is so designed that a credit card can be inserted into it. The card inlet16might be so designed that a prepaid card or another card for the accounting for the use of the machine10could be inserted into this inlet.

The money inlet17is so designed that coins and paper money can be inserted into it for the use of the machine10. The money outlet18is so designed that coins and paper money can be returned from it to users.

The remainder calculator14subtracts, from the amount of money inserted into the money inlet17for a fax transmission job, the charge of the machine10for the sheets faxed already for the job. Based on the remainder of the inserted amount and the charge of the machine10for one sheet, the remainder calculator14calculates the number of sheets which can be faxed further for a fax transmission job by the machine.

The console12includes keys (not shown) which a user presses to make an entry in the accounting unit100. The console12further includes a stop key122, which a user presses to stop using the machine10.

The main unit200includes a setting recorder28, a document reader30, a communication device32, and a determination device34.

The setting recorder28holds the setting information recorded in it on the fax transmission job which the machine10is requested to perform. The setting information includes the destination number, image quality, color/monochrome selection, and image size.

The document reader30reads the image on a document which the machine10is requested to copy or fax.

The communication device32performs a transmission job based on the setting information recorded on the job in the setting recorder28.

When a fax transmission job stops, the determination device34determines, based on the number of sheets which can be faxed further for the job, whether the job is completed. Specifically, if the number of sheets calculated by the remainder calculator14is zero when the transmission job stops, the determination device34determines that the job is completed.

The main unit200further includes a RAM24, a ROM26, and a controller22.

The RAM24is a volatile memory, which stores data temporarily. The ROM26stores the programs necessary for the operation of the controller22.

When a fax transmission job stops, the controller22clears the setting recorder28if the determination device34determines that the job is completed. Even when a fax transmission job stops, the controller22does not clear the setting recorder28if the determination device34determines that the job is not completed.

The main unit200further includes a liquid crystal display36, a console38, an image memory40, an image former42, and a timer44.

The display36displays the information which needs to be given to a user.

The console38includes keys (not shown) which a user presses to enter data such as setting information on a fax transmission job in the controller22. The console38further includes a redialing key382, which a user presses to enter a redialing command in the controller22. If the redialing key382is pressed when a fax transmission job stops, the communication device32performs the job based on the associated setting information recorded in the setting recorder28.

The image memory40stores the image data which the machine10is requested to copy or transmit or has received.

The image former42performs image formation based on the image data which the machine10is requested to copy or has received.

FIG. 2shows a procedure according to which the controller22can operate during fax transmission.

With reference toFIG. 2, the machine10starts a fax transmission job (S1) if a user inserts into the money inlet17an amount of money equal to or larger than the charge for one sheet and enters setting information on the job through the console38.

Subsequently, the controller22determines at step S2whether the transmission job has stopped. A fax transmission job stops when the machine10has faxed a set number of sheets. A fax transmission job is interrupted if it requests the machine10to fax more sheets than the limit number of sheets which the machine can fax serially at a time. A fax transmission job is also interrupted if no sheet of paper is held in the machine10, or if a paper jam occurs in it.

If the controller22determines at step S2that the transmission job has stopped, the controller determines at step S3whether the machine10can further fax one or more sheets for this job. The determination at step S3makes it possible to determine whether the transmission job is completed.

If the controller22determines at step S3that no more sheet can be faxed, the controller clears the setting recorder28at step S4.

If the controller22determines at step S3that one or more sheets can be faxed further, the setting information is kept in the setting recorder28, so that the user does not need to reenter the information when he/she redials.

According to the procedure shown inFIG. 2, the controller22determines, based on the number of sheets which can be faxed further for a fax transmission job, whether the job is completed. The controller22can, in place of, or in addition to this procedure, determine, based on the presence or absence of a credit card in the card inlet16, whether a fax transmission job is completed.

FIG. 3shows another procedure according to which the controller22can operate during fax transmission. According to this procedure, if there is a credit card in the card inlet16, the controller22determines that the machine10can fax an infinite number of sheets for a fax transmission job.

If the card inlet16were designed to receive a prepaid card, the controller22would calculate, based on the data recorded on the prepaid card inserted into the inlet16and the charge for one sheet, how many sheets the machine10could further fax for a fax transmission job.

According to the procedure ofFIG. 3, when a fax transmission job stops, the controller22determine, based on the presence or absence of a credit card in the card inlet16, whether the job is completed.

With reference toFIG. 3, the machine10starts a fax transmission job (S11) if a user inserts a credit card into the card inlet16and enters setting information on the job through the console38.

Subsequently, the controller22determines at step S12whether the transmission job has stopped.

If the controller22determines at step S12that the transmission job has stopped, the controller determines at step S13whether the credit card is present in the card inlet16. The determination at step S13makes it possible to determine whether the transmission job is completed.

If the controller22determines at step S13that there is no credit card in the card inlet16, the controller clears the setting recorder28at step S14.

If the controller22determines at step S13that the credit card is present in the card inlet16, the setting information is kept in the setting recorder28, so that the user does not need to reenter the information when he/she redials.

FIG. 4shows another procedure according to which the controller22can operate during fax transmission.

With reference toFIG. 4, as is the case with the procedure shown inFIG. 2, the machine10starts a fax transmission job (S21) if a user inserts into the money inlet17an amount of money equal to or larger than the charge for one sheet and enters setting information on the job through the console38.

Subsequently, the controller22determines at step S22whether the transmission job has stopped.

If the controller22determines at step S22that the transmission job has stopped, the controller determines at step S23whether the machine10can further fax one or more sheets for this job. The determination at step S23makes it possible to determine whether the transmission job is completed.

If the controller22determines at step S23that no more sheet can be faxed, the controller clears the setting recorder28at step S24.

If the controller22determines at step S23that one or more sheets can be faxed further, the controller determines at steps25and26whether the redialing key382has been pressed within a specified stand-by time. Specifically, the controller22determines at step25whether the redialing key382has been pressed.

If the controller22determines at step25that the redialing key382has been pressed, the machine10restarts the transmission job (S21), with the setting information kept.

If the stand-by time has passed without the redialing key382pressed (S26), the controller22clears the setting recorder28at step S24. It is preferable that the stand-by time should vary with the number of sheets which can be faxed further for the transmission job.

FIG. 5shows the relation between the number of sheets and the stand-by time. If the number of sheets is 5 or smaller, the stand-by time is set at 3 minutes. The stand-by time increases with the number of sheets. If the number of sheets is 50 or larger, the stand-by time is set at 30 minutes.

If the number of sheets is smaller, it is more possible that the user will forget to take the remainder of the inserted money from the money outlet18after using the machine10. In this case, the stand-by time is set shorter so that the setting information is deleted sooner. As a result, even if the user forgets to take out the remainder of the inserted money, the risk of information leakage is lower.

If the number of sheets is larger, it is less possible that the user will forget to take out the remainder of the inserted money. In this case, the stand-by time is set longer. As a result, it is less possible that the setting information will be deleted before the user stops using the machine10.

If the procedure shown inFIG. 4were so programmed that the machine10would start the transmission job when a credit card is inserted into the card inlet16, the stand-by time would be set at 30 minutes.

FIG. 6shows another procedure according to which the controller22can operate during fax transmission.

With reference toFIG. 6, the machine10starts a fax transmission job (S31) if a user inserts into the money inlet17an amount of money equal to or larger than the charge for one sheet and enters setting information on the job through the console38.

Subsequently, the controller22determines at step S32whether the transmission job has stopped.

If the controller22determines at step S32that the transmission job has stopped, the controller determines at step S33whether the machine10can further fax one or more sheets for this job.

If the controller22determines at step S33that the machine10can further fax one or more sheets, the setting information is kept in the setting recorder28, so that the user does not need to reenter the information when he/she redials.

If the controller22determines at step S33that no more sheet can be faxed, the controller22determines at steps S34and S35whether money has been inserted into the money inlet17within a specified stand-by time. Specifically, the controller22determines at step S34whether money has been inserted into the money inlet17.

If the controller22determines at step S34that money has been inserted, the procedure returns to step S33.

If the controller22determines at step S34that no money has been inserted within this stand-by time, the controller clears the setting recorder28at step S36.

As a result, even when no more sheets can be faxed for the transmission job, the job can, if money is inserted soon, be restarted without the setting information reentered.

As stated already, the determination device34determines whether a fax transmission job is completed. Alternatively, a user could stop a fax transmission job by pressing the stop key122. In this case, the setting recorder28would be cleared when the user presses the stop key122.