JPH0457463A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use equipment advantageously in point of cost and efficiently by making either plural block memory function as transfer memory and read buffer memory when print and reading are performed simultaneously, and making the block memory function as the transfer memory when only the print is performed. CONSTITUTION:When the reading and the print of an original are performed simultaneously, they can be performed simultaneously by making memory take partial charge for the reading and the print even by the memory is provided with three or two blocks. The switching of allocation for reading and print to use buffer memory VB 11, VB 12, VB 13, and VB 14 is performed by a control signal from a CPU 71. When only the print is performed, since all four buffer memory are used for data transfer to a recording part 38, the fluctuation of extension speed of data or constraint on a compression system can be minimized, which enables the buffer memory to be efficiently used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile machine having a page printer such as a laser printer that continuously prints one page's worth of images.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, facsimile machines having a page printer such as an electrophotographic printer have been provided.

These facsimile machines have a bitmap memory with a capacity to store one page of dot data, and when receiving data, they expand the received data from the code memory and store one page of received data in the bitmap memory. store. The data is then transferred to the printer and printed.

Furthermore, a facsimile machine has been proposed in which the printer section performs the printing operation while the image reader IR section simultaneously performs the image reading process, thereby making efficient use of the IR section and the printer. ing.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In a facsimile machine that attempts to perform printing and reading processing simultaneously as described above, a buffer memory for data transfer to the printer section, a memory for writing images read by the IR section, etc. necessary and costly.

In particular, facsimile machines with a page printer have a page memory, which poses a big problem in terms of cost.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a facsimile device that can be used efficiently at low cost by using memory efficiently. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] When printing received image data, a facsimile device having a page printer according to the present invention decompresses the compressed received data and stores it in a transfer memory, and then transfers the data. When transferring the image data stored in the memory to the printer device and reading the original to be sent, the image data stored in the reading buffer memory is transferred after the original image read by the reading device is stored in the reading buffer memory. This is a facsimile machine that compresses data, has multiple block memories, and when printing received image data and reading a document to be sent at the same time, one of the block memories is transferred. Any block memory other than the block memory used as transfer memory functions as a read buffer memory, and when only printing received image data, the block memory is used as transfer memory. It functions as a

[Function] In this invention, when printing and reading are performed at the same time, one of the plurality of block memories functions as a transfer memory and a reading buffer memory, and when only printing is performed, the block memory functions as a transfer memory. Functions as memory.

[Example code] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a document reading section 1 for transmission and a printing section 11 for reception of a laser facsimile apparatus.

In the document reading section 1, the document on the platen 2 is irradiated with a light source 3 and a scanner 4 is moved and scanned by a stepping motor (not shown). The light reflected from the original is reflected by a mirror,
The light enters a linear CCD sensor (for example, 8 pixels/mm) 6 through a lens 5.

The output signal of the linear CCD sensor 6 is digitized as explained later, and then binarized. Note that the configuration becomes simpler if reading is performed in a document moving type.

In the printing section 11 , a laser optical system 12 controls the light emission of a laser diode in response to a received signal, and the light is incident on a photoreceptor 13 . Then, development, transfer, and fixing are performed using a well-known electrophotographic process, and the received signal is printed on plain paper. Since the above reading and printing are similar to those of conventional laser printers, detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Next, an outline of the operation of the facsimile will be explained with reference to FIG. First, the operation of the calling side will be explained. The original is converted into an electrical signal by the reading section 32 including the linear CCD sensor 6 of the original reading section 1 . Next, predetermined binarization processing (
(dither processing, etc.) and is converted into a binary time series signal. The converted data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 40. Next, the data read from the buffer memory is encoded by the compression unit 33 using a method such as MH or MR. The encoded signal is then stored in code memory 34. Connection with the called side is established by the transmission control section 35, and the signal in the code memory 34 is sent out to the line according to a predetermined procedure.

Next, the operation of the called side will be explained. When the transmission control unit 35 receives a connection request from the calling side, the line is connected, a signal is received, and the signal is stored in the code memory 34. The expansion section 37 decodes the signal in the code memory 34 and converts it into a signal that can be output by the recording section 38 . Buffer memory 40
temporarily stores this signal.

Note that the control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU) 71 is the operation display unit 5.
The signal processing described above is controlled in response to display No. 1.

Next, a signal compression method will be explained. In facsimile machines, storing electric signals as they are takes time and increases memory capacity, so the electric signals are compressed using patterns that tend to appear (continuous white signals, continuous black signals). There are three types of electrical signal compression methods: the MH method, the MR method, and the MMR method as shown in FIG.

One-dimensional encoding is a method of encoding the continuous length (run length) of pixels of the same color, white pixels and black pixels, that appear alternately on one line. A method of encoding based on the positional relationship between the position of each changed pixel on a line (encoding line) and the corresponding changed pixel on a reference line immediately before the encoding line. Here, the changed pixel refers to the first pixel that changes from white to black or from black to white.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the upper part of the CPU 7 that controls the facsimile machine. CPU71 is RAM7 for work.
2, timer clock IC73, ROM74, and PI○
75. The CPU 71 also controls the key matrices 52 to 58 of the operation display section 61 and the LCD display section 59.
It is also connected to each control section (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main flow of the CPU 71 that controls the facsimile. CP in step S1
Initial settings are performed after U71 is reset. In step S2, all input/output processing of the CPU 71 is performed. In step S3, the control mode that changes according to the input signal from the PIO 75 is checked and branched. If the control mode value is 0, the program proceeds to step S4, if it is 1, the program proceeds to step S5, and if it is 2, the program proceeds to step S6.
If the result is 3, proceed to step S7. In the standby mode of step S4, the CPU 71 waits for an incoming signal by key operation or reception. When the device is performing reception processing, the program performs reception mode processing in step S5, and when the device is performing transmission processing, the program performs transmission mode processing in step S6. When processing other than reception mode and transmission mode, for example, when registering one-touch dialing, a subroutine of other processing S7 is executed. After each process is completed,
The program returns to step S2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing in standby mode (step S4). In step 5101, the input of an incoming signal is checked. When an incoming signal is input,
The process advances to step 5102, sets the control mode to 1, and returns.

If no incoming signal is being input, the program proceeds to step 5103 and checks whether a transmitting signal is being input. If the transmission signal is being input, the program advances to step 5104, sets the control mode to 2, and returns. If it is determined in step 8103 that no transmission signal is input, the program returns to step 5105.
Checks for other inputs, and if there are other inputs, the program advances to 106, sets the control mode to 3, and returns. If it is determined in step 5105 that there is no other input, the program returns as is.

Next, the operations of the compression section 33, expansion section 37, and buffer memory 40 shown in FIG. 2 will be explained. A conventional facsimile machine has a bitmap memory (hereinafter referred to as page memory) for one page of printer output in a portion corresponding to the buffer memory 40 in FIG. The data for one page of the code memory 34 is expanded by the expansion unit 37 (indicated by ■ in FIG. 2), and stored in the page memory as a bitmap memory for one page (the second (indicated by ■ in the figure). Thereafter, the data is transferred to the recording unit (PR) 38 at a predetermined transfer rate (indicated by ■ in FIG. 2). That is, after the operations indicated by ■ and ■ in FIG. 2 are completed, the operation indicated by ■ is performed.

The reason why such an operation is performed will be explained next. When a page printer is used as the recording unit 38, since it is a page printer, once the printer is activated, data for one page is recorded at the system speed of the printer. That is, since it is necessary to transfer data in accordance with the speed of the printer, the operation indicated by (■) needs to be performed at a constant speed. On the other hand, the speed of the operations indicated by ■ and ■ changes depending on the code data in the code memory 34. MHSMR shown in Fig. 3, which is a normal encoding method,
In MMR, when white or black data is continuous, a short code is assigned, so compression efficiency is good. However, when white and black data appear alternately (for example, halftone data), compression efficiency is poor. That is, when looking at one line, the coded data of a line with continuous white or black is short, and it takes less time to decompress. On the other hand, in lines where there is a high probability that white and black appear alternately, the encoded data is long, and the time required for decompression increases accordingly. Therefore, the operation time of (1) and (2) changes depending on the length of encoded data when viewed line by line.

Next, a specific embodiment in which a buffer memory according to the present invention is provided will be described. In describing the specific embodiments of the present invention, the facsimile apparatus will be explained separately for reception and transmission.

Regarding reception, each case where the number of blocks in the buffer memory 40 is different will be individually explained.

The time of transmission will be explained separately for immediate transmission and memory transmission.

(A) Operation during reception (1) If the buffer memory is 40 or 1 block (for 1 line), the block diagram when the buffer memory is for 1 line is shown in Figure 7, and the timing chart in that case is shown in Figure 8. Shown below. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the main parts around the line memory 41, which corresponds to the buffer memory 40 shown in FIG. First, the decompressing section 37 decompresses the data from the code memory 34 by one line and stores it in the line memory 41. Next, the recording section 38 is activated, and data is transferred from the line memory 41 to the recording section 38 in synchronization with the synchronization signal H3YN of the recording section 38. When the transfer of one line is completed, the next line synchronization signal n-5y
Extend the next line before Nc comes.

The reason why the printer unit can be controlled with just one line of buffer memory will be explained below.

A timing chart for explaining scanning efficiency in a laser beam printer is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 9, signal H3YNC is a signal indicating the start of scanning, and tl in the figure represents the time until the next line starts scanning. On the other hand, the data is recorded in the recording section 3.
The time required to transfer to 8 is denoted by t2. Since a laser beam printer uses a polygon mirror, the scanning efficiency (t2/l1) is about 60%. Therefore, even if the expansion time for one line of image data changes, the system speed of the printer is set so that one line of data is always expanded within the time indicated by t3 in the figure, and the recording unit 38 By decompressing one line of data between data transfers, printing can be performed using only one line of buffer memory.

Note that VIDEO represents data to be transferred to the printer.

The printer used as the recording section 38 or, in the case of a laser beam method, the printer section can be controlled even by a buffer memory for one line as described above.

On the other hand, other page printers, such as LCD printers or LED printers, have a scanning efficiency of -10 for boat fishing.
0%, so such a method cannot be used, but by increasing the time interval of the drive timing for each line of the printer head and setting the scanning efficiency to about 60%, the example of the laser printer described above can be achieved. Similarly, it is possible to perform a printing operation by filling up the buffer memory for one line.

(2) When the buffer memory 40 has two blocks The case where the second buffer memory 40 has two blocks will be explained. A block diagram in this case is shown in FIG. 10, possible encoding methods depending on the memory capacity and printer are shown in FIG. 11, and timing charts for specific encoding methods are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Referring to FIG. 10, buffer memory 40 includes two buffer memories VBI and VB2. Each of the buffer memories VBI and VB2 is connected to the expansion section 37 through gates G11 and G21, and to the recording section 38 through a bus through gates G12 and G22. The reason why the gates G11, G12, G21, and G22 are provided between each of them is to prevent each data from colliding with each other.

In this case, the applicable encoding method differs depending on the memory capacity of each of the buffer memories VBI and VB2 and the type of printer, as shown in FIG. LBP here
The other printers are the laser beam printer, liquid crystal printer, and LED printer described in the previous one-block embodiment.

In the case of the MH method, buffer memories VBI and VB2 may be used alternately for decompression and printer transfer.

Also, in the case where the memory capacity is a multiple of 4 and the encoding method is MR, there is no need to take in the reference line from another buffer memory, so similar processing is performed.

Next, check the memory capacity or the multiple line of 4 to determine the encoding method or MMR.
The case will be explained with reference to FIG. First, four lines of data are expanded into the buffer memory VBI. At the end, the reference line is taken into the decompression section 37 in order to decompress the next line in the buffer memory VB2. Next, the data expanded from the buffer memory VBI is transferred to the recording unit 3.
The data is transferred to the recording section 38 in synchronization with the synchronization signal H3YNC of No. 8. During this time, the next data is expanded into the buffer memory VB2.

Next, a case where the memory capacity is one line and the encoding method is MR will be explained with reference to the timing chart of FIG. This case is also basically the same as the case of FIG. 12. However, in the case of the MR method, data is decompressed by the MH method once every four lines, so the decompression indicated by 4 in the buffer memory VB2 and 1 in the buffer memory VBI
No reference line is included between the extension shown in .

The other parts are the same as those shown in FIG. 12.

Note that if the buffer memory has two or more blocks, the problem described in (1) will not occur, so even if the printer is a liquid crystal printer or an LED printer, a page memory for one page is not required.

(3) When the buffer memory 40 has three or more blocks As shown in FIG. 11, if the buffer memory has two blocks, the MMR method cannot be used in other printers. However, if there are three blocks of buffer memory, data can be written to the next buffer memory while referring to the last data in one buffer memory, and data can be transferred from the remaining buffer memory to the recording section 38 in the meantime.

Therefore, when there are three memory blocks, the reference line problem does not occur in either the MR method or the MMR method, whether each block contains one line or multiple lines of four. Transfer to 38 can be done smoothly.

As an example of a case where the next buffer memory has three or more blocks, an embodiment in which there are four blocks will be described with reference to FIGS. 14, 15, 16A and 16B. 14th
The figure is a block diagram that does not show the main parts around the buffer memory in this case, and Figure 15 is a timing chart showing the opening and closing of the gates around each buffer memory.
Figure 6A.

FIG. 16B is a flowchart of the reception mode.

Referring to FIG. 14, FIG. 16A, and FIG. 16B, the code data received and stored in the code memory 34 is decompressed by the decompression unit 37 and written to the buffer memory VBII (not necessarily in the buffer memory VBII). There is no need to exist, and it may be any of VB12, VB13, and VB14) (S201.5203). When the writing to the buffer memory VBII is finished, the decompression unit 37 next starts writing to the buffer memory VBI"2. Similarly, when the writing to the buffer memory VB12 is finished, the decompression unit 37 starts writing to the buffer memory VBI"2.
13 (S205), and when the writing to the buffer memory VB13 is completed, the CPU 71 determines this and sends a recording start signal to the recording unit 38 (S207, 5).
209). The recording section 38 feeds the recording paper based on the signal, and when the recording paper reaches a predetermined position for starting printing (S211), it sends a printing start signal to the CPU 71. After receiving the signal, CP
U starts transferring data from the buffer memory VBII to the recording unit (8213-5219). At the same time, the decompression unit 37 decompresses the continuation and writes the data into the buffer memory B14 (S221). At this time, each buffer memory V
Gates 221-22 provided in BII-VB14
Among the four gates, only gate 224 is enabled, and gates 221 to 223 are disabled. As described above, in this embodiment, data transfer from the buffer memory VBII to the recording unit 38 is started after the writing of data to the buffer memory VB13 is completed, so data continues to be decompressed with poor decompression efficiency, and the data is faster than the print speed. Even if the elongation speed is slower than that of The timing for starting the printer may be set arbitrarily, for example, starting the printer when data has been written to a predetermined area of buffer memory 1) VB14, or after writing of data on buffer memory VB14 is completed. You may also do so.

The gates 229 to 232 on the recording section 38 side are operated as follows. When data is being read from buffer memory VBII, gate 229 is enabled.
Gates 230-232 are disabled.

Furthermore, since the gate 220 is enabled only when the CPU 71 accesses the buffer memory, it is in a disabled state at this time. Also selector 200.20
1 selects an address for transferring to the recording unit 38. When data is being transferred from the buffer memory VB11 to the recording unit 38 and decompressed data is being written to the buffer memory VB14, the selector 202 selects the address of the data to be transferred in the buffer memory VBll. , selector 205 selects an address to which data sent from decompression section 37 to buffer memory VBI4 is to be written. The same applies to the buffer memory control signals (selectors 206 to 209). Also, at this time, gates 225 to 228 are in a disabled state. The latch 210 and path buffer 211 are necessary because the data bus and address bus are shared in the decompression section and the compression section for time division.

In addition, each gate 221 to 224.22 in the above case
The timing chart of each gate 9 to 232 is as shown in FIG. The gates 221 to 224 are controlled in synchronization with the data writing process to the buffer memories VBII to 14, respectively, and the gates 229 to 232 are controlled at a certain level for the data transfer process from the buffer memories VBII to VBII to the recording unit 38, respectively. Controlled by cycle. In the timing chart, when the signal is “L”, the gate is “
"Open" state, and "H" indicates "closed" state.

If the decompression speed is faster than the transfer speed of the printer, the decompression and writing to the buffer memory VB14 ends faster than the transfer of the buffer memory VBII. After writing to buffer memory VB14,
The expansion is in a standby state. and buffer memory VBII
When the transfer from to the recording unit 38 is completed (when the sub-scanning address counter for transfer to the recording unit 38 reaches a predetermined address), PRBLEND indicates the end of printer block transfer.
A signal is output (S223). As a result, data begins to be transferred from the buffer memory VB12 to the printer (S227). Also, CPU71 is PRBLEND
By detecting the signal, the next block of decompressed data is started to be transferred to the buffer memory VB11. When the transfer from the buffer memory VB12 to the printer is completed, the data is then transferred from the buffer memo IJVB 13 to the recording unit 38, and expanded into the buffer memory VB12. Similar processing is performed in the following order. Note that in steps 5215 to 5221 of the flowchart of FIG. 16A, a buffer memory for data transfer to the printer and a buffer memory for decompression from the code memory are set.

In FIG. 14, the buffer memories VBII to VB13 are used for transfer to the recording unit 38, and the buffer memory VB14 is made read-only, so that the reading unit 32 reads the original and the recording unit 38 prints the received image at the same time. The operation will be explained with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG.

Regarding the buffer memories VBII to VB13, the same processing as in the case of using the four blocks described above is performed. When reading is performed at that time, first the buffer memory V
The data stored in B14 is read, and then the decompression unit 3
7 is not decompressing, the buffer memory V
Compress the data stored in B14. Once compression is complete, the next few lines are read. In this way, the facsimile machine of this embodiment uses one of the four buffer memories.
By making one read-only, reading and printing can be performed at the same time, and when only printing is performed, all four buffer memories are used for data transfer to the recording section 38, so the data expansion speed can be reduced. It minimizes constraints on fluctuations and compression methods, and is efficient (buffer memory can be used).

Note that in the above embodiment, one of the four buffer memories
One memory block is used for reading only, and the other three memory blocks are used for printing. The more blocks there are for printing, the greater the margin against fluctuations in data expansion speed, etc., as explained above, which is preferable. However, unless such a point is taken into consideration, two buffer memories may be made read-only, and the remaining two buffer memories may be used for data transfer to the recording section. Regarding the use of the two blocks as transfer memory in this case, see the above (
The same processing as described in 2) may be performed.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, even if the target is four blocks, three blocks, or two blocks, reading and printing can be processed simultaneously if memory is shared between reading and printing.

For example, in the case of two blocks, one block is used for printing, and this block may be used as described in (1) above.

The allocation of the buffer memories VBII, VB12, B13 and VB14 for reading and printing is switched by a control signal from the CPU 71.

Furthermore, when reading the original is performed at the same time as printing, in the above example, since only one buffer memory is used, the reading of the original depends on the compression speed of the data from the buffer memory VB14 by the compression unit 33. It is necessary to do it. Therefore, in this case, the moving speed of the scanner 4 and the reading operation by the CCD sensor 6 are controlled according to the compression speed.

On the other hand, if multiple memories are used for reading,
This is preferable as a reading operation because the influence of fluctuations in the compression speed on the reading operation, such as the moving speed of the scanner, is reduced and the reading speed can be increased.

(B) Operation when transmitting Next, the operation when the facsimile machine transmits will be explained. Transmission includes immediate transmission and memory transmission, each of which will be explained below.

(1) At the time of immediate transmission, refer to Figures 14 and 20.
The operation during immediate transmission when there is a block will be explained.

Move the scanner 4 at a constant speed and read the image reader (
(hereinafter abbreviated as IR section) 100 reads the original, and the data is written into the buffer memory VB11 (83
01-S 305). Next, buffer memory VB12,
Written to VB13.

When the writing of data to the buffer memory VBII is completed, the data written to the buffer memory VBII is read out and compressed by the compression unit 33, and the data is written to the code memory 34 (S307). This compression of the data in the buffer memory VBII is performed in parallel with the data from the IR section 100 being written into the buffer memory VB12. FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of each gate during document reading, and is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of each gate when reading a document.
228 are controlled at a constant cycle in synchronization with the writing of data into the buffer memories VBII-14, respectively, and the gates 221-224 are controlled at a constant cycle in synchronization with the writing of data into the buffer memories VBII-14, respectively.
4 to the compression unit 33. Normally, the data compression speed is faster than the image reading speed by the IR unit 100, so the buffer memory V
Rather than writing data to B12, the buffer memory vB
The compression of the data in the buffer memory VB12 is completed first, and after the data writing to the buffer memory VB12 is completed, the data in the buffer memory VB12 is compressed in parallel with the data writing process to the buffer memory VB13. become. However, depending on the type of data, the data compression process may take time, and for example, data writing to the buffer memory VB12 may be completed before the data compression in the buffer memory VBII (see FIG. 17).

Even in such a case, the data from the IR unit 100 is continuously written to the buffer memory VB13 without waiting for the completion of the compression process of the data in the buffer memory VBII.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when reading image data without paralleling print processing by the recording unit 38, four buffer memories are used for image reading, so one buffer memory is used. Compared to the case where only the IR unit 100 is used, there is less influence from fluctuations in the compression speed, and the reading speed by the IR unit 100 can be increased.
0 images can be read at a constant speed.

Note that when automatic reduction is performed depending on the paper size of the other party, the image data read by the IR section 100 is written to the buffer memory VB12 and the buffer memory VB13 alternately via the automatic reduction section 102.

The data written in the code memory 34 is sequentially read out, modulated, and sent out from the line. Note that the details of automatic reduction will be explained later.

(2) When sending memory When sending memory, the IR
The data read by unit 100 is stored in a code memory. The data once stored in the code memory 34 is read out, decompressed by the decompression unit 37, recompressed in accordance with the compression method of the other party, and transmitted. At this time, the paper size of the other party (receiving party) is If it is smaller than the paper size, it is necessary to perform automatic reduction according to the paper size of the other party at the same time. This will be explained below.

(i) Data is read from the automatic reduction code memory 34, decompressed by the decompression unit 37, and written to the buffer memory VBII.

When the writing is completed, the data is read from the buffer memory VBII, and the automatic reduction unit 102 performs reduction by spacing out the data in both the main scanning and sub-scanning directions using a known method, and the data is written into the buffer memory VB12. . At this time, automatic reduction is performed, so the buffer memory V
Even after all 2 minutes of BII data is written, the buffer memory VB
12 is not full. Next, the continuation is read from the code memory 34, expanded in the same way, and written to the buffer memory VBII. After that, data is read from the buffer memory VBII in the same way, automatic reduction is performed, and the buffer memory VB12
Data is written to the remaining part. When the buffer memory ■B12 becomes full, the AR2BLEND signal is output and the buffer memory is switched to VB13.
Data is written to buffer memory VB13. When this transfer is completed, writing has been completed halfway into the buffer memory VB13. CPU71 is AR2BLEN
By detecting the D signal, it is known that the data in the buffer memory VB12 is completely empty, and the transfer is completed (A
RIBLEND signal detection), buffer memory VB1
The data is read from 2, compressed by the compression unit 33, and the compressed code data is written into the code memory 34. That is, automatic reduction and transfer are performed until either buffer memory VB12 or VB13 becomes full, and then compression is repeated from there. C.P.
U71 detects that the buffer memory VB12 is full at the odd-numbered AR2BLEND signal, and detects that the buffer memory VB13 is full at the even-numbered AR2BLEND signal.

The above processing will be explained with reference to FIG. 19. 1st
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing three buffer memories VBII to VB13 and the order of processing data stored in each buffer memory VBII to VB13.

With reference to FIG. 19 and FIGS. 21A to 21C, ■
indicates the first data transfer, and ■ indicates the second transfer. During this second transfer, in this embodiment the first
Data is written from the address following the first time. However, when writing page breaks or transmission printouts in this block, it is better to leave the address truncated.

Therefore, it is possible to specify the forwarding destination address before forwarding.

The above contents will be explained in more detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 19 and FIGS. 21A to 21C.

First, each flag is set in the initial settings (S 40
1). Next, the data is expanded from the code memory 34 to the buffer memory VBII as shown in Figure 19 (S4
03,8405). The expanded data is stored in the buffer memory VBI.
It is written until it becomes full (S409). Next, another flag i is reset (S413).

Next, the expanded data in the buffer memory B11 is automatically reduced and written to the buffer memory VB12 (5417, 5419 in FIG. 19). The reduced expanded data is written until it becomes full (■ and ■, 5421, 5427 in FIG. 19). When the buffer memory VB12 becomes full, flags 1 and j are set (84
23,5425).

Next, at 5415, the buffer memory 12 is full (i=
1), the expanded data in the buffer memory VB11 is automatically reduced and written to the buffer memory VB13 (■, 5445.5447 in FIG. 19). Then, the same processing as in the buffer memory VB12 is performed on the buffer memory VB12.
This is carried out in B13 (S445 to S449). When the data transfer from the buffer memory VBll to the buffer memory VB13 is completed (S455), the buffer memory V
The data of B12 is sent to the code memory 34 via the compression section (■, 5457-5461 in FIG. 19). When compression is completed, the above operations are repeated until one page is completed (S463 to S467).

When decompression for one page is completed at the stage where compression is completed in either buffer memory VB12 or buffer memory VB13 (S435, 5437.5463.3
465), flag k is reset, flagging is set, data in the other buffer memory is compressed, and automatic reduction processing for one page is completed (S439, 5467).
.

(11) Specifying the start address in the case of outgoing printing, incoming printing, and automatic reduction Next, the above-mentioned outgoing printing and incoming printing will be explained. Figure 22 shows the transmission printing.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a printing area for incoming printing. Transmission printing is to read the name of the sender, facsimile number, sending time, etc. from the font ROM and print them when transmitting data. Incoming call printing prints out the time when the call was received, the fax number of the other party, the number of pages, etc.

As an example, processing when performing transmission printing during memory transmission will be described. The compressed data is decompressed and automatically reduced according to the paper size of the other party, and the data is compressed using the encoding method of the other party. The operation regarding automatic reduction is the same as that described in the previous automatic reduction section. Now, if automatic reduction is to be performed at the same size, data is first expanded into the buffer memory VBII as shown in FIG. 23 (assuming that the buffer memory currently has a capacity for 32 lines).

Thereafter, the data is transferred to the buffer memory VB12. At that time, only 8 lines of data are transferred, and the next 24 lines are not transferred. Characters corresponding to the transmitted print are read from the font data stored in the ROM 74 in Fig. 4, and written to the buffer memory B12. It's crowded. Since this character font is composed of 16×24 dots, 24 lines are used as the transmission print area. Next, the next 32 lines are expanded into the buffer memory VB11 and transferred to the buffer memory VB13. At this time, the automatic reduction sub-scanning address AR2BLEND output from the automatic reduction sub-scanning address counter 1522 in FIG. 14 remains at the 8th line of the buffer memory VB12, so it must be reset to the first line of the buffer memory VB13.

This is done by the CPU 71. That is, since the CPU 71 currently manages which address is the automatic reduction sub-scanning address, it outputs a value obtained by skipping 24 lines of addresses to the automatic reduction sub-scanning address counter 152-2. Load the counter value using the address setting signal and set the desired address value.

A timing chart in this case is shown in FIG.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when printing and reading are performed simultaneously, one of the plurality of block memories functions as a transfer memory and a reading buffer memory, and when only printing is performed, one of the plurality of block memories functions as a transfer memory and a reading buffer memory. Since the block memory functions as a transfer memory, it is possible to provide a facsimile device that is cost-effective and can be used efficiently.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the main parts of a laser facsimile device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the structure of the facsimile device, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the encoding method in the facsimile device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a CPU that controls a facsimile machine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main flow of the CPU, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in standby mode, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing main parts around the line memory when the buffer memory is one line. and the eighth
The figure is a timing chart explaining the operation when the buffer memory is one line, and FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the scanning efficiency of the laser beam printer.
Figure 0 is a block diagram showing the main parts around the buffer memory when there are two blocks of buffer memory, and Figure 11 shows the relationship between the memory capacity and the encoding method depending on the type of printer when there are two blocks of buffer memory. FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are timing charts explaining the operation when there are two blocks of buffer memory, and FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part when there are four blocks of buffer memory. Figures 15 and 17.
The figure is a timing chart of gates to explain the operation when there are four blocks of buffer memory.
Figures A and 16B are flowcharts showing the contents of the reception mode, Figure 18 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of each gate when reading a document, and Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of each gate when reading a document. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the contents of the transmission mode, FIGS. 21A to 21C are flowcharts showing the contents of automatic reduction processing, and FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the contents of the transmission mode. This is a diagram showing areas for printing and incoming printing, and FIGS. 23 and 24 are diagrams for explaining the contents of operations when performing outgoing printing and incoming printing. In the figure, 32 is a reading unit, 33 is a compression unit, 34 is a code memory, 35 is a transmission control unit, 37 is an expansion unit, 38 is a recording unit (printer), 40 is a buffer memory, VBI, VB2
, VBll, VB12, VB13, and VB14 each indicate a block of the buffer memory. In addition, in the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts. Patent Applicant: Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Ko 5 Hituki 6Z Ki 3 Ska 5 Figure Date 229 Su゛゛-To 23 0'-To 23 V Date 14 γ-To 224 Y-To 232 WaslD ChiA Figure 7 Figure Gate +229 γ -to 230 γ-to 2 3B+4γ-to 228 Kate 224 A figure part 1-224 Chi 21B section Crow figure 623

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] When printing received image data, compressed received data is decompressed and stored in a transfer memory, and then the image data stored in the transfer memory is transferred to a printer device, When reading a document to be sent, after storing the document image read by the reading device in the reading buffer memory,
A facsimile device configured to compress image data stored in the reading buffer memory, the facsimile device having a plurality of block memories, and capable of simultaneously printing received image data and reading a document to be transmitted. wherein one of the block memories functions as the transfer memory, and one of the block memories other than the block memory used as the transfer memory functions as the read buffer memory, and the received image In the facsimile machine, the block memory functions as the transfer memory when only printing data.