JPH05328005A - Automatic controller for single roller type facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To automate the switching of the position of the reading unit and the recording unit with respect to the roller in a facsimile apparatus which feeds a document and a recording sheet with one roller. [Structure] The transmission mechanism 11 transfers the power of the motor 10 to the rubber roller 1.
And the power of the motor 10 is transmitted to the switching mechanism 9 only when the motor 10 rotates in the reverse direction. The switching mechanism 9 switches between the approaching and separating states of the reading unit 3 and the recording unit 7 with respect to the rubber roller 1. The control unit 12 detects the mode of the facsimile device, reversely rotates the motor 10 to activate the switching mechanism 9, and determines the positional relationship between the rubber roller 1 and both units 3 and 7 so that only the reading unit 3 can change the rubber roller when the transmission mode is entered. When the copy mode is entered, both units 3 and 7 are pressed against the rubber roller 1 so that they are pressed against 1.
When the power is turned on, the transmission mode and the copy mode are ended, only the recording unit 7 is pressed against the rubber roller 1 so that
It is automatically changed so that it will be pressed against.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a single roller type facsimile machine for feeding a transmission original and feeding a recording sheet with a single roller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a facsimile apparatus for transmitting an image on a transmission original through a communication line and recording an image received through the communication line on a recording sheet, separate rollers are provided for feeding the transmission original and feeding the recording sheet. When used,
Since two rollers must be installed in the device,
This hinders downsizing, weight reduction, and cost reduction of the device.

Therefore, as seen in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-75173 (Japanese Patent Application No. 1-2117664), there is provided a facsimile apparatus in which one roller is used both for feeding a transmission original and for feeding a recording sheet. Proposed. That is, one rotatable roller, a reading unit such as an image sensor capable of approaching and separating a transmission original from the roller, and a recording sheet such as thermal paper capable of approaching and separating from the roller. Switching between a recording unit such as a thermal head and the reading unit only in the transmission mode, the recording unit only in the reception mode, and both units in the copy mode. A facsimile machine including a mechanism.

[0004]

Such a single-roller type facsimile apparatus can be significantly reduced in size, weight and cost as compared with the conventional two-roller type facsimile apparatus, and will be used for household use in the future. It is considered to be very popular as a portable facsimile machine.

However, there are still some problems to be solved for that purpose. One is the problem of operability. That is, in the single-roller type facsimile apparatus described in the above document, a detailed technique is disclosed regarding a switching mechanism for switching the positional relationship between the roller and the reading unit and the recording unit, but automation of switching is considered. Not not.

Here, if the switching is performed by the user's own manual operation, the switching mechanism is manually operated when transmitting a document, copying a document, or receiving a document. Then, both units have to be moved to positions suitable for each, which makes the operation very troublesome. Further, if the user forgets to switch to the receiving state after the end of transmission, there is a disadvantage that recording cannot be performed when reception is made.

Therefore, when the single-roller type facsimile apparatus is put to practical use, it is absolutely necessary to automatically switch the positional relationship between the roller and both units. However,
It is necessary to avoid making the device large, heavy and expensive due to its automation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to make it possible to reduce the size, the weight, and the cost while automatically switching the positional relationship between the roller and both units. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic controller for the single roller type facsimile machine.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a rotatable roller, a motor for rotating the roller, and a reading capable of approaching and separating the transmission document with respect to the roller. In a single-roller type facsimile apparatus including a unit and a recording unit capable of approaching and separating a recording sheet with respect to the roller, a switching mechanism for switching the approaching and separating states of the both units to the roller, and the motor. And a transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the motor to the switching mechanism at the time of switching between the approaching and separating states of the both units with respect to the roller, and the switching mechanism for detecting the mode of the facsimile apparatus. The position relationship between the roller and both units is automatically read by the Only the take-off unit is pressed against the rollers, and both units are pressed against the rollers when the copy mode is entered, and the recording is performed when the power is turned on, when the transmission mode ends and when the copy mode ends. And a control unit for changing so that only the unit is pressed against the roller.

[0010]

In the automatic controller of the single-roller type facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the transmission mechanism transmits the power of the motor to the roller, and at the same time, the power of the motor is changed when the recording unit and the reading unit are moved toward and away from the roller. It is transmitted to the switching mechanism. Then, the control unit
The mode of the facsimile machine is detected, and the positional relationship between the roller and the recording unit and the reading unit is automatically changed by operating the switching mechanism according to the detected mode. That is, the positional relationship between the roller and both units is
Changed so that only the reading unit is pressed against the roller when shifting to the transmission mode, and changed so that both units are pressed against the roller when shifting to the copy mode, and received when the power is turned on, when the transmission mode ends and when the copy mode ends. In preparation for this, change the recording unit so that it is pressed against the roller.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of a single roller type facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied, reference numeral 1 denotes a rotatable rubber roller for feeding a transmission original 2 and for feeding a recording paper 6 such as thermal paper. Also used as and.

Reference numeral 3 is a reading unit such as an image sensor for reading the image of the transmission original 2 one line at a time in the axial direction of the rubber roller 1, and the transmission original 2 can be approached and separated from the rubber roller 1. A compression spring 4 is provided between the reading unit 3 and the chassis 5 so that the reading unit 3 can apply an appropriate pressure to the rubber roller 1 at the time of the closest approach.
It is designed to be pressed by.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a recording unit such as a thermal head which heats and prints on the recording paper 6 one line at a time in the axial direction of the rubber roller 1, and approaches the rubber roller 1 with the recording paper 6 interposed therebetween.
Separation is possible. A compression spring 8 is provided between the recording unit 7 and the chassis 5 so that the recording unit 7 is pressed by the rubber roller 1 with a proper pressure when the recording unit 7 is closest to the compression spring 8.

Although the reading unit 3 and the recording unit 7 face each other above and below the rubber roller 1 in FIG. 1, the arrangement is not limited to this. It suffices that the recording unit 7 and the recording unit 7 can approach and separate from each other.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a switching mechanism for switching between the approaching and separating states of both units 3 and 7 with respect to the rubber roller 1.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the structure of the switching mechanism 9, in which the tongue piece 3 is attached to one end of the reading unit 3 and the recording unit 7.
a, 7a are provided, the cam roller 91 is arranged between the tongues 3a, 7a, and the other is arranged between the tongues (not shown) similarly provided on the other end side of the reading unit 3 and the recording unit 7. By connecting the cam roller with the rotating shaft 92,
Two cam rollers are made to interlock, and the approaching and separating states of both units 3 and 7 with respect to the rubber roller 1 are switched depending on the rotation angles of both cam rollers.
Note that 131 and 132 in FIG. 2 are limit switches for detecting the rotation angle of the cam roller 91.

The cam roller 91 is shown in FIG.
When the rotation angle is as shown in (c), the reading unit 3
And the tongues 3a and 7a of the recording unit 7 are cam rollers 9
Both units 3 and 7 are shown in FIG.
Is pressed against the rubber roller 1 by the compression springs 4 and 8 of
The copy operation in the copy mode becomes possible. At this time, since the contacts of the limit switches 131 and 132 are not in contact with the tongues 3a and 7a, both are turned off.

When the cam roller 91 is at the rotation angle shown in FIG. 3 (b), the tongue piece 7a of the recording unit 7 and the cam roller 91 are not in contact with each other, and therefore the recording unit 7 is compressed by the compression spring 8 to the rubber roller. 1, the tongue 3a of the reading unit 3 is pressed against the cam roller 9
As it touches 1 and is pushed down, the reading unit 3
Are separated from the rubber roller 1. This enables the receiving operation in the receiving mode. At this time, the limit switch 131 comes into contact with the tongue piece 3a and is turned on.

Further, when the cam roller 91 is at the rotation angle shown in FIG. 3 (d), the tongue 3a of the reading unit 3 and the cam roller 91 are not in contact with each other, so that the reading unit 3 is compressed by the compression spring 4 to cause the rubber roller to rotate. Although the tongue piece 7a of the recording unit 7 is pushed against the cam roller 91, the recording unit 7 is separated from the rubber roller 1. Therefore, the transmission operation in the transmission mode becomes possible. At this time, the limit switch 132 comes into contact with the tongue 7a and is turned on.

Referring again to FIG. 1, 10 is a motor, 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor 10 to the rubber roller 1 and also transmits the power of the motor 1 to the switching mechanism 9 when switching between the approaching and separating states of the units 3 and 7 with respect to the rubber roller 1.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of the transmission mechanism 11, which includes gears 111 and 112 mounted on the shaft 100 of the motor 10.
A gear 113 that meshes with the gear 112 and is mounted on the rotating shaft 1 ′ of the rubber roller 1, and a gear 114 that meshes with the gear 111.
And a gear 115 that rotates integrally with the gear 114, and a gear 1
2 and a clutch gear 116 mounted on the rotary shaft 92 of FIG. In addition, in FIG.
Is a cam roller on the other end side not shown in FIG.

When the normal rotation direction of the motor 10 is the direction indicated by the arrow a in the figure and the reverse rotation direction is the direction indicated by the arrow b in the figure, when the motor 10 rotates in the normal rotation direction, the roller 1 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. The clutch gear 116 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow c in FIG.
The 16 clutch is disengaged so that the rotational force is not transmitted to the rotary shaft 92. On the other hand, when the motor 10 rotates in the reverse direction, the clutch gear 116 rotates in the direction of arrow e in the figure, at which time the clutch of the clutch gear 116 is engaged and the rotational force is transmitted to the rotary shaft 92, and the cam rollers 91, 9
2 is rotated in the direction of arrow f in the figure.

Referring again to FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 is a control unit for detecting the mode of the facsimile machine and using the switching mechanism 9 to determine the positional relationship between the rubber roller 1 and both units 3 and 7. It controls the entire facsimile machine, such as the control that automatically changes according to the mode.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the control unit 12, which is an MPU.
And the like, a ROM 122 for storing programs executed by the processing device 121, and a processing device 12
1, a RAM 123 that stores data in the processing process, an input interface 124 that receives various signals from the outside and transmits the signals to the processing device 121, and a driver 126 that outputs signals that rotate the motor 10 in FIG. And an output interface 125 for transmitting the output of the processing device 121 to the driver 126, the reading unit 3 and the recording unit 7 of FIG. 1 and the communication line.

Here, the input interface 124 receives the following signals from the outside and transmits them to the processing device 121. Outputs of limit switches 131 and 132 shown in FIG. 2 Output of original detection sensor 133 for detecting whether or not original paper is inserted Hook signal 1 of telephone to which facsimile apparatus is connected
34 Output of recording paper end sensor 135 for detecting the end of recording paper Output of start switch 136 provided on the front panel of the facsimile device Signal 137 received through communication line Output 138 of reading unit 3

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of processing executed by the control unit 12. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

When the power of the facsimile machine is turned on,
The processing device 121 of the control unit 12 includes the limit switch 13
The outputs of 1, 132 are read through the input interface 124, and the switching positions of both units 3, 7 are detected based on the outputs (S1 in FIG. 6). This is done as follows.

When both of the limit switches 131 and 132 are off, the cam roller 91 of the transmission mechanism 11 is shown in FIG.
Since the rotation angles are as shown in (a) and (c), it is detected that the switching positions of both units 3 and 7 are at the copy position.

When the limit switch 131 is on and the limit switch 132 is off, the cam roller 91 moves to the position shown in FIG.
Since the rotation angle is as shown in (b), it is detected that the switching positions of both units 3 and 7 are at the receiving position.

When the limit switch 131 is off and the limit switch 132 is on, the cam roller 91 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
Since the rotation angle is as shown in (d), it is detected that the switching position of both units 3 and 7 is at the transmission position.

Next, the processing device 121 determines whether the detected switching position is the reception position (S2),
If it is the receiving position, the operation shifts to the standby state (S3).
On the other hand, if it is at a position other than the reception position, both units 3, 7
The switching position of is changed to the receiving position (S4). This is the output interface 125 until limit switch 131 is on and limit switch 132 is off.
Then, the motor 10 is rotated in the opposite direction through the driver 126.

That is, when the motor 10 rotates in the opposite direction,
The clutch gear 116 shown in FIG. 4 of the transmission mechanism 11 transmits the rotational force to the rotating shaft 92, so that the cam rollers 91 and 93 rotate in the direction of arrow f in the figure. Then, as shown in FIG.
When rotating from the states of (c) and (d) to the state of FIG. 3B, the limit switch 131 is turned on and the limit switch 132 is turned off, so that the processing device 121 stops the reverse rotation of the motor 10. As a result, the switching position of both units 3 and 7 is changed to the receiving position, and the control unit 1
2 shifts to the standby state.

In the standby state, the processing unit 12
1 examines the states of various signals via the input interface 124 to monitor the occurrence of the transmission mode, the copy mode, and the reception mode (S5, S).
6, S7).

Then, the hook signal 134 is turned off by off hooking the handset of the telephone for transmission by the user, and the output of the document detection sensor 133 is turned on by setting the transmission document 2, and
Thereafter, when the start switch 136 is turned on, the processing device 121 recognizes that the transmission mode has occurred (S5
YES), the motor 10 is rotated in the reverse direction until the limit switch 131 is turned off and the limit switch 132 is turned on, so that the switching positions of both units 3 and 7 are changed from the reception position of FIG. 3 (b) to that of FIG. 3 (d). The transmission position is changed to (S8). Then, the transmission process S9 is performed.

In this transmission processing S9, the processing device 1
21 rotates the motor 10 in the forward direction. in this case,
Since only the reading unit 3 is in contact with the rubber roller 1, the transmission original 2 moves on the reading portion of the reading unit 3 as the rubber roller 1 rotates, and the image on the transmission original 2 becomes an electric signal in the reading unit 3. To be converted. The processing device 121 inputs the electric signal through the input interface 124, performs signal processing on the electric signal, and transmits the electric signal to the communication line through the output interface 125.

The transmission process S9 is continued while the output of the document detection sensor 133 is on, and when the output of the document detection sensor 133 is turned off because there is no document to be transmitted, it is recognized that the transmission mode has ended and the process of FIG. In step S4, the switching positions of both units 3 and 7 are changed to the receiving position again,
Return to standby.

Further, in the standby state, the output of the document detection sensor 133 is turned on by the user setting the transmission document 2 for making a copy, and after that, the hook signal 134 remains on and the start switch is turned on. When 136 is turned on, the processing device 121 recognizes that the copy mode has occurred (YES in S6), and the motor 10 continues until both limit switches 131 and 132 are turned off.
By reversing, the switching position of both units 3 and 7 is changed from the receiving position of FIG. 3 (b) to the copy position shown in FIG. 3 (a) or (c) (S10). Then, the copy process S11 is performed.

In this copy processing S11, the processing device 121 rotates the motor 10 in the forward direction. In this case, since both the reading unit 3 and the recording unit 7 are in contact with the rubber roller 1, the transmission document 2 moves on the reading portion of the reading unit 3 as the rubber roller 1 rotates, so that the image of the transmission document 2 is displayed. In addition to being readable, the recording sheet 6 moves on the recording portion of the recording unit 7, so that recording on the recording sheet 6 by the recording unit 7 becomes possible. The processing device 121 includes the reading unit 3
Output 138 from the input interface 124 for input signal processing and output it.
The image on the transmission original 2 is recorded on the recording paper 6 by sending it to the recording unit 7 through 25.

The copy process S11 is performed by the document detection sensor 13
When the output of the document detection sensor 133 is turned off because the output of the document No. 3 is turned on and the output of the document detection sensor 133 is turned off, it is recognized that the copy mode is finished and the process proceeds to step S4 of FIG. The switching position is changed to the receiving position again, and the standby state is restored. When the end of the recording paper 6 is detected by the recording paper end sensor 135 during the copy processing, the processing device 121 immediately stops the copy processing and notifies the user of the recording paper shortage.

Further, in the standby state, when there is a reception from another facsimile machine via the communication line, the processing device 121 detects the occurrence of the reception mode at the time when it detects it from the reception signal 137 (at S7). YES), in this case, since the switching position of both units 3 and 7 has already been switched to the receiving position, the receiving process S12 is immediately performed.

In this reception process S12, the processing device 121 rotates the motor 10 in the forward direction. At this time, since only the recording unit 7 is in contact with the rubber roller 1, the recording sheet 6 moves on the recording portion of the recording unit 7, and recording on the recording sheet 6 by the recording unit 7 becomes possible. The processing device 121 inputs a signal 137 received from another facsimile device via an input interface 124, processes the signal 137, and outputs the processed signal to an output interface 1.
The received image is recorded on the recording sheet 6 by being sent to the recording unit 7 via 25.

The reception process S12 is continued while the valid signal 137 is sent from the partner station, and when the reception signal 137 ends, the reception process S12 returns to the standby state. When the end of the recording paper 6 is detected by the recording paper end sensor 135 during the reception processing, the processing device 121 immediately stops the reception processing and notifies the user of the recording paper shortage.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various other additions and changes can be made. For example, the transmission mechanism 1 of FIG.
In the configuration of 1, the rubber roller 1 is used when the motor 10 rotates in the reverse direction.
Is also reversed. Even with such a configuration, the amount of the recording paper 6 or the transmission original 2 to be fed in the reverse direction is very small and does not cause any problem in practical use. However, when it is desired to completely eliminate the reverse feeding, for example, as shown in FIG. The gear 112 and the like may be clutch gears.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

The mode of the facsimile machine is detected,
Since the positional relationship between the reading unit and the recording unit with respect to the roller is automatically changed according to the detected mode, the user can use the facsimile machine without being aware of the switching position of both units. The sexuality is significantly improved.

Since the power for the switching mechanism for switching the positional relationship between the two units with respect to the roller is obtained from the motor for driving the roller, the power source required for the facsimile machine is only one motor, and the facsimile machine accompanying the automatic switching is provided. It is possible to minimize the increase in size and cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a single roller type facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a switching mechanism.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of a switching mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a transmission mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of a control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... rubber roller 6 ... recording paper
12 ... Control unit 2 ... Transmission original 7 ... Recording unit 3 ... Reading unit 9 ... Switching mechanism 4, 8 ... Compression spring 10 ... Motor 5 ... Chassis 11 ... Transmission mechanism

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A rotatable roller, a motor for rotating the roller, a reading unit capable of approaching and separating a transmission document from the roller, and a reading unit capable of approaching and separating a recording sheet from the roller. In a single-roller type facsimile apparatus including a recording unit, a switching mechanism that switches the approaching and separating states of the two units with respect to the roller, and the power of the motor is transmitted to the roller and both units with respect to the roller are transferred. A transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor to the switching mechanism at the time of switching between the approaching state and the separated state and a mode of the facsimile apparatus are detected, and the switching mechanism automatically determines the positional relationship between the roller and the both units. Change so that only the reading unit is pressed against the roller when shifting to the transmission mode Then, both of the units are changed so as to be pressed against the roller at the time of shifting to the copy mode, and only the recording unit is changed so as to be pressed against the roller at power-on, at the end of the transmission mode and at the end of the copy mode. An automatic control device for a single-roller type facsimile machine, comprising: a control unit. 2. The transmission mechanism includes clutch means for transmitting power to the switching mechanism only when the motor rotates in the reverse direction, and the control unit changes the positional relationship between the roller and both units. At this time, the automatic control device for a single-roller type facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motor is rotated in a reverse direction.