JPH057264A - Equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a battery-backed facsimile apparatus capable of holding a large amount of data such as image data. In a facsimile apparatus capable of using a battery as a main power source, a means for mounting a plurality of external batteries, a means for detecting a voltage of the plurality of batteries, and a plurality of the batteries for different devices in the facsimile apparatus. A facsimile apparatus characterized in that it is provided with a means for controlling so as to be in charge of driving.

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 facsimile machine in which a plurality of external batteries are mounted and used properly.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile machine (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "apparatus") prints received image information on recording paper.
When the recording paper runs out during the reception, the conventional apparatus is configured to interrupt the multi-page reception in the middle, or have an internal image memory and store the reception data (alternative reception function). When the received data is stored in the image memory, as in the latter case, the operator is informed that there is received data in the internal memory, and printing is started after the recording paper is replenished. by the way,
Recently, the demand for portable facsimile machines is increasing. In this case, it is considered effective to use a battery as the power source. This means that when you use a battery as a power source, it will
This is because a facsimile device can be connected. As a user's request for such a portable facsimile machine, regardless of the remaining amount of recording paper, the received data is stored in the internal memory and the received image is output at any time. There is something that you want. this is,
This is because, in a portable device, the surrounding environment is different, so that the contents of the received image are not desired to be seen by others, and the difference in image quality due to the ambient temperature is desired to be prevented. Regarding these, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
The techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 84971 and 64-89751 are referred to.

[0003]

However, when the battery is used as the main power source, the battery capacity may be insufficient when recording the received data. Since the switch has to be turned off, the problem that the received data stored in the memory disappears occurs. In addition to this, a small battery is often connected to the SRAM for backup of internal parameters. However, this is because the SRAM has a small amount of data per unit area, and thus the backup as described above is possible. On the other hand, since it is necessary to store a large amount of data such as image data in the DRAM, a data holding circuit is required, which cannot be used with a small battery for memory backup. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to solve the problems as described above in the related art and to back up a large amount of data such as image data by battery backup. It is to provide a facsimile machine.

[0004]

The above objects of the present invention are as follows:
In a facsimile machine capable of using a battery as a main power source, a means for mounting a plurality of external batteries, a means for detecting a voltage of the plurality of batteries, and a plurality of batteries for driving different devices in the facsimile machine. A facsimile machine, characterized in that it is provided with a control means as in charge. Achieved by

[0005]

In the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, by mounting a plurality of batteries and separating the devices to be driven, it becomes possible to cope with a decrease in battery voltage, data is guaranteed, and reliability is improved. That is the effect that can be obtained.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram (enclosed by a broken line) in the case where two batteries are installed in a facsimile apparatus 20 in which a plurality of batteries can be installed, showing an embodiment of the present invention.
Is. In the figure, 101 is a scanner for reading image information, 1
Reference numeral 02 is a plotter that prints an image, 103 is a voltage detection unit that detects the voltage of the battery, 104 is an encoding / decoding unit that compresses and expands image information, 105 is a communication control unit that executes a communication protocol, and 106 is communication data. Numeral 107 is a modem for modulating and demodulating the signal, 107 is a network control unit for controlling incoming and outgoing calls by connecting to a line, and 108 is an operation display unit for communicating with an operator. Further, 109 is a system control unit that performs control such as battery voltage detection described below and predetermined facsimile control such as data retention control of an image memory, 110 is an image memory that stores image information such as received data, and 111 is DC / DC converters, 112a and 112b are reverse voltage preventing diodes, and 113a and 113b are batteries. In this embodiment, the DC / DC converter 111 supplies various voltages of + 12V, -12V, + 5V, and -5V from the two batteries 113a and 113b, and these voltages are properly used in the facsimile apparatus. Further, the voltages of the two batteries 113a and 113b described above are constantly monitored by the voltage detection unit 102, and when one of them becomes a state in which it falls below the predetermined potential, the operator is informed accordingly. In addition, the other one of the batteries controls so as to continue important operations such as protection of storage in the image memory 110.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. Symbols 101 to 111 in the figure indicate the same constituent elements as shown in FIG. 1, and 201 indicates the second DC /
A DC converter is shown. In the present embodiment, the power supply to the components that consume large power, such as the scanner 101 and the plotter 102, is performed by another battery (here, 113b). The operation when the battery is in a state where it falls below a predetermined voltage is the same as that of the above-described embodiment. The components indicated by 202 to 204 will be described later. Further, 202 in FIG. 2 is a switch which is turned off when the above-mentioned battery 113b is connected. For this operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a micro switch 503 is provided in the mounting portion as a battery mounting detection means, and the switch 202 is turned off when the switch is pressed. In addition, in FIG. 5, 501 is a battery and 502 is a connector. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the battery 113a, the image memory 204 and the memory data holding circuit 203 are arranged together in a package including an external battery. In the present embodiment, the image memory in the battery package can be used when driven by the battery, and the image memory 110 can be used when the battery is not used (when AC power is used, etc.). Of course, in this case, the image memory 110 inside the apparatus main body can be omitted.

FIG. 3 shows a case where the image memory 204, the memory data holding circuit 203 and the diode 112 are incorporated in the battery package shown in the above embodiment.
A specific configuration example is shown. Here, the memory data holding circuit 203 stores a data refresh circuit (R) for storing data in the image memory 204 (DRAM).
AS, CAS output), and circuits that make the voltage suitable for semiconductors. Further, an address bus 305 and a data bus 304 of the DRAM and a terminal 302 for charging and voltage detection of the battery 113 are provided separately from the output terminal 303 of the battery. Furthermore, a reset button 301 for resetting the data in the image memory 204 may be provided. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when the facsimile apparatus configured as described above is used with a commercial power source (AC100V). In this case, similarly to the configuration shown in FIG. 5, when the AC / DC converter 401 is mounted and the connector from this is inserted into the device, the battery disconnecting switch 402 is turned off. The overall operation is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, so the details will be omitted. According to each of the above-described embodiments, by mounting a plurality of batteries and separating the devices to be driven, it is possible to cope with a decrease in battery voltage, data is guaranteed, and reliability is improved. .

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 601 indicates a power supply control unit. FIG. 7 shows a detailed configuration example of the power supply control unit (shown by a broken line) 601. In FIG. 6, the reverse voltage preventing diodes 112a and 112b are not shown. In FIG. 7, 113
Reference numeral c denotes a main power source and 113d denotes a sub power source. Also,
Reference numeral 103a indicates a voltage detection unit, and Tr1 and Tr2 indicate transistors. The sub power source 113d is the main power source 113
Therefore, the main power source 113c normally charges the sub power source 113d,
When the voltage of the main power source 113c drops, the sub power source 113d supplies electric power and has a function of sending a voltage drop signal. In the present embodiment, when the voltage of the main power source 113c drops, power is temporarily supplied from the sub power source 113d. The operation will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The voltage detection unit 103a is
The voltage of the main power source 113c is constantly monitored (step 801). When the voltage of the main power source 113c is sufficient, the main power source 1c
Power is being supplied from 13c (step 802). If the voltage of the main power source 113c drops, check whether the facsimile machine is sending / receiving or copying.
(Step 803) If it is operating, the sub power supply 113d is temporarily used to continue the operation of the facsimile apparatus) Step 804). During this period, the monitoring of the voltage of the main power source 113c is continued, and when the voltage of the main power source 113c is restored, the main power source 113c is switched to. In the check in step 803, if the device is not in operation, a low voltage warning is given (step 805) and the start of operation is prohibited (step 806). According to the above-mentioned embodiment, since the plurality of power supplies are positioned as the main power supply and the sub power supply, and are automatically switched to the sub power supply when the voltage of the main power supply drops,
The effect that stable operation is guaranteed is obtained. The arrangement position of the power supply control unit 601 in the above embodiment can be any part of the facsimile machine.

[0010]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a battery-backed facsimile apparatus capable of holding a large amount of data such as image data. .

[0011]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a power supply control unit of the embodiment shown in FIG.

8 is an operation flowchart of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

101: Scanner, 102: Plotter, 103 and 1
03a: voltage detection unit, 104: encoding / decoding unit, 10
5: communication control unit, 106: modem, 107: network control unit,
108: operation display unit, 109: system control unit, 110
And 204: image memory, 111 and 201: DC
/ DC converters 112a and 112b: reverse voltage preventing diodes 113a to 113d: battery, 20
3: memory data holding circuit, 601: power supply control unit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a facsimile apparatus capable of using a battery as a main power source, a means for mounting a plurality of external batteries, a means for detecting a voltage of the plurality of batteries, and a plurality of the batteries in a facsimile apparatus A facsimile machine provided with means for controlling to drive different devices. 2. In addition to the above-mentioned respective means, a storage means for storing image data in any one of the plurality of batteries, a storage circuit for storing data in the storage means, and a storage in the storage means. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising data resetting means. 3. In addition to the above-mentioned respective means, a means for detecting that an AC / DC converter is attached, and disconnecting the connection with the battery when the detecting means detects attachment of the AC / DC converter. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for controlling as described above. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of batteries is a standby power supply for one operation of printing output of received data.