Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese patent application No. 2007-331146 filed Dec. 21, 2007. The entire contents of the priority applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     One type of facsimile apparatus well known in the art scans an image from a document, acquires the maximum document size that a reception-side apparatus can receive, and reduces the scanned image to fit within the acquired maximum document size prior to transmitting the image to the reception-side apparatus. 
     Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H9-37009 describes one such facsimile apparatus. This facsimile apparatus transmits a scanned image at its document size, when a maximum image size that a reception-side apparatus can receive is equivalent to or greater than the image size of the scanned image, and reduces the scanned image prior to transmission when the maximum receivable image size is smaller than the scanned image size. Each time a scanned image is transmitted, the facsimile apparatus also prints out a transmission report including information on the maximum image size that the reception-side apparatus can receive (“A3” size, for example). 
     SUMMARY 
     However, since the facsimile apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H9-37009 prints out a transmission report each time a scanned image is transmitted to a reception-side apparatus, regardless of whether the scanned image is transmitted at its original size or reduced prior to transmission, the facsimile apparatus needlessly wastes recording paper. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of reducing the needless waste of recording paper by outputting transmission results only when the transmission-side user wishes to confirm the transmission results. 
     To achieve the above and other objects, one aspect of the invention provides a facsimile apparatus including a document size detecting unit, a first image data generating unit, a size acquiring unit, a size comparing unit, a second image data generating unit, an image data transmitting unit, and a first transmission result outputting unit. The document size detecting unit detects a first size of a first document. The first image data generating unit generates first image data based on a first image on the first document. The size acquiring unit acquires a second size of a second document that can be received by a reception-side apparatus. The size comparing unit compares the first size with the second size. The second image data generating unit generates second image data for forming a second image on the second document from the first image data based on a comparing result of the size comparing unit. The image data transmitting unit transmits the second image data to the reception-side apparatus. The first transmission result outputting unit outputs exclusively a transmission result indicating a result of transmission of the second image data to the reception-side apparatus. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus including a document size detecting unit, a first image data generating unit, a size acquiring unit, a first size comparing unit, a second image data generating unit, an image data transmitting unit, a first storing unit, an identification data acquiring unit, a second size comparing unit, and a first transmission result outputting unit. The document size detecting unit detects a first size of a first document. The first image data generating unit generates first image data based on a first image on the first document. The size acquiring unit acquires a second size of a second document that can be received by a reception-side apparatus. The first size comparing unit compares the first size with the second size. The second image data generating unit generates second image data for forming a second image on the second document from the first image data based on a comparing result of the first size comparing unit. The image data transmitting unit transmits the second image data to the reception-side apparatus. The first storing unit stores identification data identifying the reception-side apparatus, and a third size of a third document that can be received by the reception-side apparatus. The third size is stored when previously transmitting an image data to the reception-side apparatus. The identification data is in association with the third size. The identification data acquiring unit acquires the identification data of the reception-side apparatus. The second size comparing unit compares the second size with the third size that is in association with the identification data acquired by the identification data acquiring unit and stored in the third storing unit. The first transmission result outputting unit outputs a transmission result indicating a result of transmission of the second image data to the reception-side apparatus only when the second comparing unit determines that the third size is different from the second size and the second image data is transmitted to the reception-side apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a multifunction peripheral having a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating a transmission control procedure performed between the multifunction peripheral (transmission-side apparatus) and a reception-side apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating steps in a fax transmission process performed on the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram showing sample content in a transmission report according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6A  is a block diagram showing a flash memory of a multifunction peripheral having a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6B and 6C  are explanatory diagrams showing sample content of a reception-side receivable size memory area; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating steps in a fax transmission process performed on the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram showing sample content in a transmission report according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a multifunction peripheral (MFP)  1  having a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     The MFP  1  has a facsimile transmission function for transmitting a scanned image to a reception-side apparatus  200  (see  FIG. 2 ) connected to the MFP  1  via a telephone network  100  (see  FIG. 2 ). When the maximum document size that the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive (the size of paper used in the reception-side apparatus  200 ) is smaller than the document size of the scanned original document that the MFP  1  is transmitting to the reception-side apparatus  200 , the MFP  1  first reduces the a size of the scanned image being transmitted to another size that the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive before transmitting the scanned image. 
     The MFP  1  also has a function for recording (printing) a transmission report  30  (see  FIG. 5 ) on recording paper to notify the user of the transmission results. As a feature of this embodiment, the MFP  1  according to the first embodiment records this transmission report  30  only when the scanned image was reduced in a size before being transmitting to the reception-side apparatus  200 . In addition to the facsimile transmission function, the MFP  1  has a printer function, scanner function, copier function, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the MFP  1  includes an inkjet printer  21  for recording images on recording paper conveyed to a prescribed transfer position (not shown) based on image data, and a scanner  20  disposed above the inkjet printer  21  for scanning an original document when implementing the facsimile function, scanner function, or copier function. 
     The inkjet printer  21  has an opening  5  formed in the front surface of the main body of the MFP  1 . The opening  5  is partitioned vertically into an upper section and a lower section. A paper cassette  3  capable of accommodating a plurality of stacked sheets of recording paper is inserted into the lower section of the opening  5 . The paper cassette  3  is capable of accommodating cut sheets of recording paper up to A3 size, for example. The upper section of the opening  5  serves as a discharge section  4  into which sheets of recording paper are discharged after a recording operation. 
     While not shown in the drawings, the inkjet printer  21  also includes a paper-conveying motor for conveying the recording paper, a print head for ejecting ink onto the recording paper, a carriage for supporting the print head, and a carriage motor for moving the carriage. 
     The scanner  20  disposed above the inkjet printer  21  is capable of scanning original documents of the A3 size or smaller. The scanner  20  includes a glass plate (not shown) for supporting an original document, a document cover  8  capable of being rotated open and closed over the glass plate, and a sensor (not shown) such as a compact image sensor (CIS) or a charge coupled device (CCD) disposed beneath the glass plate for scanning the original document positioned on the glass plate. 
     A rectangular control panel  6  elongated laterally is provided on the front side of the document cover  8 . The control panel  6  includes operating keys  15  and a liquid crystal display (LCD)  16 . The operating keys  15  include a fax transmission key  15   a  for issuing an instruction to transmit a fax to a specified transmission destination, a destination selection key  15   b  for selecting a transmission destination from among a plurality of prerecorded transmission destinations, and number keys  15   c  for inputting the fax number of a transmission destination. By pressing the operating keys  15 , the operator can perform various operations, such as turning the power on and off and switching the active function. 
     The LCD  16  serves to display menus, operation procedures, and the status of operations being executed. Since data corresponding to the operating keys  15  is displayed on the LCD  16 , the operator can confirm the fax number for the transmission destination, the number of pages being transmitted to the destination, and various other data. 
     In order to scan an original document and transmit the scanned image as a fax, the operator rotates the document cover  8  upward, places the original document on the glass plate, and closes the document cover  8  to hold the original in place. Next, the operator presses the fax transmission key  15   a  to initiate the fax transmission. At this time, the sensor of the scanner  20  scans an image of the original document positioned on the glass plate. 
     When scanning an image of an original document with the scanner  20 , the MFP  1  first acquires the size of the original document and subsequently generates an image based on this size. To do this, the sensor performs a quick low-quality pre-scan of the entire scannable region of the glass plate. The pre-scanned image includes an image of the original document and an image of the document cover  8  resting on top of the original document. From this data, the MFP  1  can detect the border between the original document and the document cover  8  and can determine the size of the original document based on the shape and size of the region recognized as a document image. The MFP  1  stores the size of the original document in an area of memory. Next, the sensor of the scanner  20  rescans the original document at the desired resolution (resolution for facsimile transmissions, for example) and stores a scanned image data in a separate area of memory. 
     Next, the electrical structure of the MFP  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating this electrical structure. The MFP  1  primarily includes a CPU  11 , a ROM  22 , a RAM  13 , a flash memory  14 , the operating keys  15 , the LCD  16 , the scanner  20 , the inkjet printer  21 , a modem  23 , and a network configuration utility (NCU)  24 . 
     The CPU  11 , ROM  12 , RAM  13 , and flash memory  14  are interconnected via a bus line  26 . Further, the operating keys  15 , LCD  16 , scanner  20 , inkjet printer  21 , modem  23 , NCU  24 , and bus line  26  are interconnected via an I/O port  27 . 
     The CPU  11  controls the components connected to the I/O port  27  and the functions implemented on the MFP  1  based on fixed values and programs stored in the ROM  12 , RAM  13 , and flash memory  14 . 
     The ROM  12  is a rewritable memory for storing control programs and the like executed on the MFP  1 . The ROM  12  stores a program for implementing the main process shown in the flowchart of  FIG. 4 . 
     The RAM  13  is a rewritable volatile memory for temporarily storing various data used when the CPU  11  executes processes on the MFP  1 . The RAM  3  is provided with a document size memory area  13   a , a document image memory area  13   b , a reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c , a reduction ratio memory area  13   d , and a reduced image memory area  13   e.    
     The document size memory area  13   a  stores the document size of an original document scanned by the scanner  20 . For example, the document size is stored in the form “A3” to indicate the dimensions of the original document when the original document is of the A3 size. The document image memory area  13   b  stores image data based on an image on an original document scanned by the scanner  20 . 
     The reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  stores the size of a document for a facsimile transmission that can be received by the reception-side apparatus  200 . Although this will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 3 , the reception-side apparatus  200  transmits a DIS signal to the MFP  1  that includes data indicating the maximum receivable document size (hereinafter refer to as maximum document size) that can be received by the reception-side apparatus  200 . When the MFP  1  receives the DIS signal from the reception-side apparatus  200 , the MFP  1  stores this maximum document size in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  in the form “A4”, for example. 
     The reduction ratio memory area  13   d  stores a reduction ratio used for reducing the document size of the image defined by image data stored in the document image memory area  13   b  to the maximum document size that can be received by the reception-side apparatus  200 . The reduction ratio is calculated from the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  and the document size stored in the document size memory area  13   a . For example, if the document size of image data being transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  is “A3” and the maximum document size that the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive is “A4”, a reduction ratio of “70%” is stored in the reduction ratio memory area  13   d.    
     The reduced image memory area  13   e  stores image data for a reduced image generated by reducing the size of the image corresponding to image data stored in the document image memory area  13   b  based on the reduction ratio stored in the reduction ratio memory area  13   d.    
     The flash memory  14  is a rewritable nonvolatile memory capable of preserving data even when the power to the MFP  1  is turned off. The flash memory  14  is provided with a transmission destination registration memory area  14   a.    
     The transmission destination registration memory area  14   a  functions to store information for transmission destinations, such as fax numbers and names. When the transmission destination registration memory area  14   a  stores the fax numbers, names, and the like of transmission destinations, the user can select a destination for transmitting a fax by operating the destination selection key  15   b  described above. 
     The modem  23  functions to modulate image data being transmitted with the facsimile function to signals that can be transferred over the telephone network  100  and to transmit these signals via the NCU  24 , and to receive signals inputted from the telephone network  100  via the NCU  24  and demodulate the signals into image data that can be displayed on the LCD  16  or recorded on recording paper with the inkjet printer  21 . The NCU  24  is connected to the telephone network  100  and controls the transmission of dialing signals to the telephone network  100 , a response to calling signals from the telephone network  100 , and the like. 
     Next, the various signals exchanged between the MFP  1  (transmission-side apparatus) and the reception-side apparatus  200  during a facsimile transmission will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  is an explanatory diagram conceptually illustrating communication control procedures performed between the MFP  1  and the reception-side apparatus  200 . When calling the reception-side apparatus  200 , the MFP  1  transmits a call signal  41  to the reception-side apparatus  200  via a telephone exchange. When the reception-side apparatus  200  receives the call signal  41  and establishes a closed circuit  42  with the telephone line, the MFP  1  transmits a CNG signal (calling tone)  43  indicating a non-voice terminal to the reception-side apparatus  200 . 
     After receiving the CNG signal  43 , the reception-side apparatus  200  transmits a CED (called station identification) signal  44 , a CSI (channel state information) signal  45 , and a DIS (digital identification signal) signal  46  to the MFP  1 . The CSI signal  45  is a signal identifying the reception-side terminal, i.e., a signal indicating the fax number of the reception-side apparatus  200 . The DIS signal  46  notifies the MFP  1  of the transmission/reception functions possessed by the reception-side apparatus  200 , such as the maximum document size, resolution, encoding methods, transfer rate, and the like. 
     Upon receiving the DIS signal  46 , the MFP  1  acquires the maximum document size that the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive and stores this size in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  of the RAM  13 . Subsequently, the MFP  1  transmits a TSI (transmission subscriber identification) signal  47  and a DCS (digital command signal) signal  48  to the reception-side apparatus  200 . 
     The TSI signal  47  is a calling terminal identification signal, i.e., a signal representing the fax number of the MFP  1 . The DCS signal  48  is a signal notifying the reception-side apparatus  200  of transmission parameters set based on the transmission/reception functions of the reception-side apparatus  200 , such as the size and resolution of the document being transmitted, the encoding method, and the transfer rate. 
     Here, when the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  is smaller than the document size stored in the document size memory area  13   a , the MFP  1  reduces the document size of the image data to a size conforming to the maximum document size on the reception-side apparatus  200  and notifies the reception-side apparatus  200  of the reduced size of the document being transmitted through the DCS signal  48 . If the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  is the same or greater than the document size stored in the document size memory area  13   a , the MFP  1  notifies the reception-side apparatus  200  that the document will be transmitted at the document size. 
     After transmitting the DCS signal  48 , the MFP  1  transmits a TCF (training check) signal  49  to the reception-side apparatus  200 . The TCF signal  49  is a signal for confirming that the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive data normally. If the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive the TCF signal  49  normally, the reception-side apparatus  200  transmits a CFR (confirmation to receive) signal  50  to notify the MFP  1  that the reception-side apparatus  200  is prepared to receive the image data and that the MFP  1  may begin transmitting the image data. 
     Upon receiving the CFR signal  50 , the MFP  1  transmits a PIX (image) signal  51  and an EOP (end-of-packet) signal  52  to the reception-side apparatus  200 . The PIX signal  51  is a signal for transmitting image data to the reception-side apparatus  200 . When the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  is smaller than the document size stored in the document size memory area  13   a , the image data stored in the reduced image memory area  13   e  is transmitted through the PIX signal  51 . 
     However, if the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  is the same as or greater than the document size stored in the document size memory area  13   a , the image data stored in the document image memory area  13   b  is transmitted through the PIX signal  51 . The EOP signal  52  functions to notify the reception-side apparatus  200  that the transmission of image data through the PIX signal  51  is complete and to confirm that the reception-side apparatus  200  receives the image data normally. 
     Upon receiving the EOP signal  52 , the reception-side apparatus  200  transmits an MCF (message confirmation) signal  53  to the MFP  1  if the image data transmitted through the PIX signal  51  was received normally. The MCF signal  53  notifies the MFP  1  that the image data transmitted through the PIX signal  51  was received normally. After receiving the MCF signal  53 , the MFP  1  transmits a DCN (disconnect) signal  54  to the reception-side apparatus  200  instructing that the closed telephone circuit be opened and subsequently disconnects the telephone line. 
     This completes the description of signals exchanged between the MFP  1  and reception-side apparatus  200  during facsimile communications. 
     Next, a fax transmission process executed by the CPU  11  of the MFP  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating steps in the fax transmission process performed on the MFP  1 . The fax transmission process is performed to transmit an image scanned from an original document to the reception-side apparatus  200 . In this process, the MFP  1  records the transmission report  30  (see  FIG. 5 ) indicating results of the transmission on recording paper using the inkjet printer  21  only when the image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  was reduced prior to transmission. The CPU  11  of the MFP  1  executes this fax transmission process when the user of the MFP  1  presses the fax transmission key  15   a  after selecting a transmission destination with the destination selection key  15   b  or after inputting a fax number on the number keys  15   c  to specify the transmission destination. 
     In S 1  of the fax transmission process, the CPU  11  initializes the memory areas  13   a - 13   e  in the RAM  13 . In  52  the CPU  11  controls the scanner  20  to pre-scan an image of an original document to be transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 , acquires a document size of the original document, and stores this document size in the document size memory area  13   a . In S 3  the CPU  11  controls the scanner  20  to rescan the image of the original document and stores the scanned image data in the document image memory area  13   b.    
     In S 4  the MFP  1  calls the reception-side apparatus  200  via the telephone network  100  and closes the telephone circuit. As described in  FIG. 3 , the MFP  1  transmits the CNG signal  43  to the reception-side apparatus  200  at this time. Upon receiving the CNG signal  43 , the reception-side apparatus  200  transmits the CED signal  44 , CSI signal  45 , and DIS signal  46  to the MFP  1 . After receiving the DIS signal  46  from the reception-side apparatus  200 , in S 5  the MFP  1  acquires the maximum document size that the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive, from the various data included in the DIS signal  46  and stores this maximum document size in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c.    
     In S 6  the CPU  11  determines whether the document size of the original document scanned by the scanner  20  is greater than the maximum document size that can be received by the reception-side apparatus  200 . In other words, the MFP  1  determines whether the document size stored in the document size memory area  13   a  exceeds the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c.    
     For example, if the original document scanned by the scanner  20  has an A3 size and the maximum document size of a document that the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive is A4 sizes the MFP  1  stores the size “A3” in the document size memory area  13   a  and the size “A4” in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c . Subsequently, in S 6  the MFP  1  compares the A3 size stored in the document size memory area  13   a  to the A4 size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  and determines that the A3 size exceeds the A4 size. 
     If the document size stored in the document size memory area  13   a  is the same as or smaller than the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  (S 6 : NO), in S 1  the MFP  1  transmits the DCS signal  48  to the reception-side apparatus  200 , notifying the reception-side apparatus  200  that the image data will be transmitted at the original document size stored in the document size memory area  13   a  (the size of the original document scanned by the scanner  20 ). 
     In S 12  the CPU  11  transmits the image data stored in the document image memory area  13   b  to the reception-side apparatus  200  and opens the telephone circuit after transmission is completed. Subsequently, the CPU  11  ends the fax transmission process. 
     However, if the document size stored in the document size memory area  13   a  exceeds the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  (S 6 : YES), in S 7  the CPU  11  transmits the DCS signal  48  to the reception-side apparatus  200 , notifying the reception-side apparatus  200  that the image data will be transmitted at the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c . In other words, the CPU  11  indicates that the original document size of image data scanned by the scanner  20  will be reduced to conform to the maximum document size on the reception-side apparatus  200  prior to transmitting the image data to the reception-side apparatus  200 . 
     In S 8  the CPU  11  calculates a reduction ratio for reducing the document size of the scanned document to the maximum document size that can be received by the reception-side apparatus  200  so that the document size of the scanned document conforms to the maximum document size that the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive, and stores this reduction ratio in the reduction ratio memory area  13   d.    
     As an example, if the document size “A3” is stored in the document size memory area  13   a  and the receivable size “B4” is stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c , the CPU  11  calculates a reduction ratio capable of reducing data for the A3-size document to 86% its original size so that text and images in the A3-size page can fit on a B4-size sheet. Similarly, the CPU  11  can calculate reduction ratios for paper sizes of various dimensions. 
     In S 9  the CPU  11  reduces the image represented by image data stored in the document image memory area  13   b  by the reduction ratio stored in the reduction ratio memory area  13   d  and stores the resulting image data in the reduced image memory area  13   e . In S 10  the CPU  11  transmits the reduced image data stored in the reduced image memory area  13   e  to the reception-side apparatus  200  and opens the telephone circuit after transmission is completed. In S 13  the CPU  11  controls the inkjet printer  21  to record the transmission report  30  on recording paper, and subsequently ends the fax transmission process. 
     Through the fax transmission process described in  FIG. 4 , the CPU  11  can control the inkjet printer  21  to record the transmission report  30  on recording paper indicating the transmission results only when the image (the image data) transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  was reduced. Since the transmission report  30  is recorded on paper only when the transmission-side user would wish to confirm the transmission results, less recording paper and ink are wasted unnecessarily in recording operations than in the conventional method of recording the transmission report  30  on recording paper each time an image is transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 . 
     Further, this process ensures that the transmission-side user is notified by recording the transmission report  30  on recording paper only when there is a possibility that the transmitted image (image data) was compressed beyond readability or otherwise ruined. The present invention does not require the transmission-side user to confirm transmission results when such confirmation is unnecessary (when the image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  was not reduced), thereby reducing the time and effort spent by the transmission-side user. 
     Next, the transmission report  30  will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . The inkjet printer  21  records the transmission report  30  on recording paper when an original document image is reduced prior to transmission to the reception-side apparatus  200 . 
       FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram showing sample content of the transmission report  30  recorded on recording paper. In order from top to bottom in  FIG. 5 , the transmission report  30  includes a title  31 , transmission results information  32 , and reduction results information  33 . The title  31 , transmission report  32 , and the reduction results information  33  correspond to a transmission result. 
     The title  31  is the heading of the transmission report  30 , such as “Transmission Report.” The transmission results information  32  indicates results for transmitting a reduced image, such as the date and time, contact name, duration, page(s), result, and quality. 
     The date and time are the date and time at which the MFP  1  initiated transmission of the reduced image (reduced image data) to the reception-side apparatus  200  and is given in the format “11/2 18:00,” for example. The contact name is the name of the contact on the reception side to which the reduced image was transmitted and, more specifically, is the name selected with the destination selection key  15   b  or the fax number inputted with the number keys  15   c . For example, the contact name “A Company” is recorded when the user selects A Company as the transmission destination with the destination selection key  15   b.    
     The duration is the amount of time that the MFP  1  communicates with the reception-side apparatus  200  from the time that the telephone circuit is closed to the time that the circuit is opened. If the duration is 30 seconds, for example, “00:00:30” is recorded as the duration. Page(s) indicates the number of pages in the document transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 . “01” is recorded as the page(s) if the transmitted document included only one page, for example. 
     The result indicates the result of communications with the reception-side apparatus  200 . For example, if the reduced image data was transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  normally, “OK” is recorded as the result. If the reception-side apparatus  200  was busy or if image data was otherwise not transmitted normally, “Error” is recorded as the result. 
     The quality indicates the image quality of the reduced image data transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 . The user can select from “Standard” and “Fine” as the transmission quality for image data, but the quality is set to “Standard” as the default. Therefore, “Standard” is normally recorded as the transmission quality. 
     The reduction, results information  33  indicates the results of reducing the image (image data) prior to transmission. The reduction results information  33  includes the page size of the reduced image data transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 , and supplemental information to the results of reducing and transmitting the data. 
     For example, when the document size of the original document scanned by the scanner  20  is the “A3” size and the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive a maximum page (document) size of “B4”, the image data transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  must first be reduced to a size receivable by the reception-side apparatus  200 . In this case, the image data is reduced from the A3 size to the B4 size. 
     In this example, the reduction results information  33  in the transmission report  30  includes the data “Document size: B4**” and “**: Fax reduced due to capacity of reception-side device.” 
     As a variation on the page size in the reduction results information  33  indicating the size of the image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 , the reduction results information  33  may include the reduction ratio at which the document size of the image data scanned by the scanner  20  was reduced to match the receivable size on the reception-side apparatus  200 . Alternatively, the reduction results information  33  may include both the reduction ratio and the page size of the image data transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 . 
     Since the reduction results information  33  of the transmission report  30  indicates the page size corresponding to the image data transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 , as described above, the transmission-side user can easily recognize how much the original image was reduced before being transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 . Accordingly, if the reduced size of the image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  is inappropriate, the transmission-side user can take steps to modify the image size on the original or the size of the original itself to an appropriate size and to retransmit the image. 
     Further, by recording a single transmission report  30  on a single sheet of recording paper, the transmission-side user can confirm the results in the transmission report  30  at a glance, unlike when the transmission report  30  is recorded on a plurality of sheets of recording paper or when a plurality of transmission reports  30  is recorded on a single sheet of recording paper. 
     Next, an MFP  71  having a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 through 8 . 
     While the MFP  1  according to the first embodiment records the transmission report  30  on recording paper only when the document image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  was reduced, the MFP  71  according to the second embodiment records a transmission report  60  (see  FIG. 8 ) on recording paper only when the document image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  was reduced and when the maximum document size acquired from the reception-side apparatus  200  is less than a maximum document size at the time of previously transmitting a document image to the reception-side apparatus  200   
     Here, the electrical structure of a MFP  71  according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 6A  is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of a flash memory  74  provided in the MFP  71 . Since the flash memory  74  of the MFP  71  shown in  FIG. 6A  is the only part of the MFP  71  that differs from the block diagram of the MFP  1  according to the first embodiment (see  FIG. 2 ), only the flash memory  74  will be described below. 
     The flash memory  74  includes a transmission destination registration memory area  74   a , and a reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b . The purpose of the transmission destination registration memory area  74   a  is identical to that of the transmission destination registration memory area  14   a  described in the first embodiment and will not be repeated here. 
     The reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b  stores the maximum document size corresponding to each transmission destination, when a DIS signal including the maximum document size was received from the transmission destination. 
     Specifically, the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b  associatively stores the transmission date and time, the destination that received the image, and the maximum document size included in the DIS signal received from the reception-side apparatus  200  corresponding to each transmission when each transmission is completed. 
     When the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b  already stores a transmission date and time, transmission destination, and receivable document size from a previous transmission, this existing data is replaced with a new transmission date and time, transmission destination, and receivable document size when performing a new transmission to the same transmission destination. 
     The MFP  71  may also be configured to allow the user to input through operations on the operating keys  15  transmission destinations and the maximum document size at each transmission destination to be stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b . In this case, the inputted data is stored associatively in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b , with the date and time at which the user inputted the data serving as the transmission date and time. 
     Next, sample content of the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b  in the flash memory  74  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6B and 6C .  FIGS. 6B and 6C  are explanatory diagrams showing sample content of the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b  associatively stores transmission dates and times, transmission destinations, and receivable page sizes. 
     The transmission date and time is the date and time at which the MFP  71  initiated transmission of the image data (the image) to the reception-aide apparatus  200 . The transmission destination is the name of the contact at the destination to which the image data was transmitted. If the user selected the transmission destination with the destination selection key  15   b , the name of the selected destination is stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b . If the user specified the transmission destination by inputting the fax number for the contact via the number keys  15   c , the inputted fax number is stored as the transmission destination. 
     The maximum document size is the maximum receivable document size specified in the DIS signal received from the reception-side apparatus  200 . For example, if the maximum document size that the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive is the A3 size and the MFP  71  transmits an image data of a B4-size original document to A Company on Nov. 1, 2007 at 13:30, the MFP  71  associatively stores the data “11/1/2007 13:30” as the transmission date and time, “A Company” as the transmission destination, and “A3” as the maximum document size in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b.    
     At this time, if an image data for an A4-size original document is transmitted to a new destination “C Company” on Nov. 2, 2007 at 12:00, and the reception-side apparatus  200  at the destination (C Company) can receive a maximum document size of A4, then the MFP  71  associatively stores the transmission date and time “11/2/2007 12:00,” the transmission destination “C Company,” and the receivable document size “A4” in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b , as shown in  FIG. 6C . 
     Further, if an image data for an A4-size original document is subsequently transmitted to A Company on Nov. 2, 2007 at 18:00 and the maximum document size on the reception-side apparatus  200  at the destination (A Company) is changed to B4, then the information “11/1/2007 13:30,” “A Company,” and “A3” shown in  FIG. 6B  is replaced with the information “11/2/2007 18:00,” “A Company,” and “B4” shown in  FIG. 6C . 
     Next, a fax transmission process executed by the CPU  11  of the MFP  71  according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating steps in the fax transmission process performed on the MFP  71  according to the second embodiment. In the flowchart shown in  FIG. 7 , steps identical to those in the flowchart of  FIG. 4  are designated with the same step numbers to avoid duplicating description. Only the differing steps in  FIG. 7  will be described below. A program implementing the main process in  FIG. 7  is stored in the ROM  12 . 
     The fax transmission process is performed to transmit an image scanned from an original document to the reception-side apparatus  200 . In this process, the MFP  71  records a transmission report  60  (see  FIG. 8 ) on recording paper with the inkjet printer  21  only when the maximum document size that can be received by the reception-side apparatus  200  is less than the maximum document size indicated in a previous transmission and when the original document image was reduced prior to the latest transmission. 
     The CPU  11  of the MFP  71  executes the fax transmission process when the user of the MFP  71  presses the fax transmission key  15   a  after selecting a transmission destination with the destination selection key  15   b  or after inputting a fax number on the number keys  15   c  to specify the transmission destination. 
     After completing the process in S 10  described in the first embodiment, in S 21  the CPU  11  determines whether the maximum document size indicated in the DIS signal received from the reception-side apparatus  200  at the transmission destination is smaller than the maximum document size for the reception-side apparatus  200  stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b  of the flash memory  74 . In other words, the CPU  11  determines whether the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  is smaller than the receivable page size for the reception-side apparatus  200  stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b.    
     If the CPU  11  determines that the maximum document size in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  is smaller than the maximum document size for the reception-side apparatus  200  stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b  (S 21 : YES), in S 22  the CPU  11  controls the inkjet printer  21  to record the transmission report  60  described later on a recording paper. 
     However, if the maximum document size stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  13   c  is the same as or greater than the maximum document size for the reception-side apparatus  200  stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b  (S 21 : NO), the CPU  11  skips S 22  and advances to S 23 . 
     In S 23  the CPU  11  associatively stores the transmission date and time at which the MFP  71  initiated the current transmission, the transmission destination at which the image data was received, and the maximum document size indicated in the DIS signal received from the reception-side apparatus  200  at the transmission destination in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b , and subsequently ends the fax transmission process. 
     If a transmission date and time, transmission destination, and maximum document size at the destination are already associatively stored in the reception-side receivable size memory area  74   b , in S 23  the CPU  11  overwrites this existing data with the transmission date and time, destination, and maximum document size for the newly completed transmission. 
     Through the fax transmission process described in  FIG. 7 , the inkjet printer  21  is instructed to record the transmission report  60  (see  FIG. 8 ) on recording paper only when the maximum document size for the reception-side apparatus  200  is less than the maximum document size in a previous transmission to the same reception-side apparatus  200  and when the CPU  11  reduced the image prior to the current transmission. Since the transmission results are recorded on recording paper only in cases where the transmission-side user would wish to confirm these results, less recording paper and ink are wasted unnecessarily in recording operations than in the conventional method of recording the transmission report  60  on recording paper each time an image is transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 . 
     Further, this process ensures that the transmission-side user is notified by recording the transmission report  60  on recording paper only when there is a possibility that the transmitted image (image data) was compressed beyond readability or otherwise ruined. The present invention does not require the transmission-side user to confirm transmission results when such confirmation is unnecessary (when the image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  was not reduced), thereby reducing the time and effort spent by the transmission-side user. 
     Next, the transmission report  60  will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . The inkjet printer  21  records the transmission report  60  on recording paper when the maximum document size that can be received on the reception-side apparatus  200  is less than the maximum document size indicated for a previous transmission to the same reception-side apparatus  200  and when the CPU  11  reduced the original document image prior to the current transmission to the reception-side apparatus  200 . 
       FIG. 8  is an explanatory diagram showing sample content of the transmission report  60  recorded on recording paper, wherein like parts to the transmission report  30  described in  FIG. 5  are designated with the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description. 
     The single transmission report  60  is recorded on a single sheet of recording paper. In order from top to bottom in  FIG. 8 , the transmission report  60  includes the title  31 , the transmission results information  32 , a reduction results information  61 , a scanned image  62 , and a transmitted image  63 . The title  31 , transmission report  32 , the reduction results information  61 , the scanned image  62 , and the transmitted image  63  correspond to a transmission result. 
     The reduction results information  61  indicates the results of reducing the image (the image data) prior to transmission to the reception-side apparatus  200 . In this embodiment, the reduction results information  61  includes one document size of the document image scanned by the scanner  20 , another document size of the image data transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 , the reduction ratio used to reduce the original document size of the image scanned by the scanner  20  to the maximum document size on the reception-side apparatus  200 , and supplemental information to the results of reducing and transmitting the data. 
     For example, when the size of the original document scanned by the scanner  20  is the A3 size and the reception-side apparatus  200  can receive a maximum document size of B4, the reduction results information  61  in the transmission report  60  includes the data “Document size: A3→B4** (reduction ratio: 86%)” and “**: Fax reduced due to capacity of reception-side device.” 
     The scanned image  62  is a portion of the original document image scanned by the scanner  20 , i.e., part of the image corresponding to the image data stored in the document image memory area  13   b  of the RAM  13 . The transmitted image  63  is a portion of the image corresponding to the image data transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 , i.e., part of the image corresponding to image data stored in the reduced image memory area  13   e  of the RAM  13 . 
     Since the reduction results information  61  of the transmission report  60  describes the size of the original document scanned by the scanner  20 , the document size of image data transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 , and the reduction ratio at which the original document scanned by the scanner  20  was reduced to the maximum document size that could be received by the reception-side apparatus  200  as described above, the transmission-side user can easily recognize how much the original document image was reduced before being transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200 . 
     Accordingly, if the reduced size of the image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  is inappropriate, the transmission-side user can take steps to modify the image size on the original or the size of the original itself to an appropriate size, for example, and to retransmit the image. 
     Further, since the transmission report  60  also includes the scanned image  62  and transmitted image  63 , the transmission-side user can easily recognize by looking at the transmitted image  63  whether the image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  was reduced appropriately. The transmission-side user can even more easily recognize whether the image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  was reduced appropriately by comparing the scanned image  62  and transmitted image  63 . 
     Further, by recording the single transmission report  60  on a single sheet of recording paper, the transmission-side user can confirm the images (the scanned image  62  and transmitted image  63 ) associated with the transmission report  60  at a glance, unlike when the transmission report  60  is recorded on a plurality of sheets of recording paper or when a plurality of transmission reports  60  is recorded on a single sheet of recording paper. Further, by consolidating all necessary information on a single sheet of recording paper, this embodiment consumes less recording paper than when the information is recorded over a plurality of sheets. 
     While the invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the attached claims. 
     For example, while the transmission report  30  is recorded on recording paper only when the image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  was reduced prior to transmission in the first embodiment described above, it is also possible to record the transmission report  30  on recording paper in cases when the image was enlarged prior to transmission to the reception-side apparatus  200  in addition to or instead of cases in which the image was reduced prior to transmission. For example, if the size of the original document image scanned by the scanner  20  is smaller than the document size that can be received by the reception-side apparatus  200 , the MFP  1  may enlarge the size of the original document image scanned by the scanner  20  to match a receivable (minimum) document size on the reception-side apparatus  200  prior to transmission. With this variation, the transmission report  30  is printed to notify the transmission-side user only when the original document image was enlarged or reduced prior to transmission. Accordingly, the transmission-side user can easily be informed when there is a high possibility that the transmitted image became fragmented when enlarged or was compressed beyond readability when reduced. 
     In the second embodiment described above, the transmission report  60  is recorded on paper when the maximum document size that can be received by the reception-side apparatus  200  is less than the maximum document size of an image previously transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  and when the image of the current transmission was reduced prior to transmission. However, the transmission report  60  may be recorded on paper for an image transmitted to the reception-side apparatus  200  only when the maximum document size that can be received by the reception-side apparatus  200  differs from that in a previous transmission (the maximum document size changed). In this way, the second embodiment can clearly notify the transmission-side user of a change in the maximum document size that can be received by the reception-side apparatus  200 . 
     Further, the reduction results information  33  of the transmission report  30  (see  FIG. 5 ) may be recorded on the recording paper in a color different from the title  31  and transmission results information  32 . Similarly, the reduction results information  61  in the transmission report  60  (see  FIG. 8 ) may be recorded on paper in a different color from the title  31 , transmission results information  32 , scanned image  62 , and transmitted image  63 . Using different colors in this way can aid the transmission-side user in more reliably recognizing the possibility that the transmitted image was compressed beyond readability. 
     Further, in addition to recording the transmission reports  30  and  60  on recording paper as described in the above embodiments, the MFP  1  may also display the content of the report on the LCD  16  or may transmit the content to the transmission-side user via e-mail, providing the transmission-side user with the convenience of confirming the transmission report  30  or  60  according to a preferred method. 
     Further, in the first embodiment described above, the transmission report  30  is recorded on recording paper only when the document image was reduced prior to transmission to the reception-side apparatus  200 , while, in the second embodiment, the transmission report  60  is recorded on recording paper only when the maximum document size of the reception-side apparatus  200  is less than the maximum document size of an image previously transmitted to the same reception-side apparatus  200  and when the image of the current transmission was reduced prior to transmission. However, the MFP in these embodiments may be configured to record the transmission report  30  or transmission report  60  on paper also when the image could not be transmitted for any reason (when a transmission error occurred). In this case, the present invention notifies the transmission-side user of transmission results only when the user would wish to confirm these results. 
     Further, while the paper formats A3, A4, B4, and the like are used to indicate the document sizes in the above embodiments, it is also possible to use the actual dimensions of the paper or any symbols or numerals that can identify the document size. Similarly, the document sizes stored in the RAM  13  and flash memories  14  and  74  and recorded on the transmission reports  30  and  60  may be expressed in the actual dimensions of the paper or with the symbols or numerals that can identify the document sizes.

Technology Category: 5