JPH08181817A - Fax machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide an inexpensive facsimile machine which can be operated while suppressing the running cost. The size of one page of received image data received by the FAX line control unit 60 and stored in the image memory 61 is compared with the size of the recording paper set in the apparatus. As a result of the comparison, if the received image can be recorded on two or more pages on the recording sheet, the image of the next page is recorded on the same recording sheet without ejecting the received image data on the recording sheet. Control to do so. On the other hand, if the received image cannot be recorded on two or more pages on the recording paper, the recording paper is ejected after the image on the page is recorded.

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 having a printer unit of a type that reproduces a received image by relative movement of a recording paper and a recording head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional facsimile machine using cut sheets employs an electrophotographic page printer, and uses one recording sheet for each page of a received image. That is, as shown in FIG.
The image data for one page received by the X-line control unit 100 is temporarily stored in the image memory 101, and this is output from the page printer unit 102 to one recording sheet.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the electrophotographic system is adopted as the recording system.
To print two or more pages of received images on a sheet of paper,
It was necessary to temporarily store the received image in a storage device such as an image memory having a capacity to store images of two or more pages, and then print. Therefore, image data 2
Since a large-capacity storage device having more than one page is provided in the device, there are problems that the production cost of the device increases and the device itself increases in size.

Further, if one page of recording paper is always recorded in correspondence with one page of the received image, there is a problem that the running cost of operating the apparatus is high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus which is inexpensive, compact, and has a reduced running cost.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, receiving means for receiving image data from a communication line, storage means for temporarily storing the received image data for one page, size of one page of received image data stored in the storage means and size of recording medium. Comparing means for comparing, the recording means for recording the received image data on the recording medium, the discharging means for discharging the recording medium recorded by the recording means to the outside of the apparatus, according to the comparison result by the comparing means, A facsimile apparatus is provided, which has a control means for controlling the discharging means and the recording means so as to record images of a plurality of pages on one recording medium.

[0007]

With the above-described structure, the present invention compares the size of one page of received image data stored in the storage means with the size of the recording medium, and discharges the recording medium out of the apparatus and records the same according to the comparison result. Recording on a medium is controlled, and images of a plurality of pages are recorded on one recording medium.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Description of Apparatus Configuration and Basic Operation (FIGS. 1 to 3)] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. This facsimile apparatus uses a color printer adopting an ink jet recording system for a recording unit and a color scanner for an image reading unit, and includes a facsimile control unit capable of handling color data. Therefore, it can be said that this color facsimile apparatus is roughly composed of a FAX line control unit (not shown), an image reading unit and an image processing unit 24 (hereinafter referred to as a reader unit), and a printer unit 44.

Further, this facsimile apparatus can be used as a copying machine by using the reader section 24 and the printer section 44.

The reader section 24 reads an image while scanning the original 2 placed on the original glass 1 by the CCD line sensor 5 having a filter of three color components of R, G and B, and reads it through an image processing circuit. In the printer unit 44, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (B)
An image is recorded on the recording paper by the recording head that ejects the four color inks of k).

Next, details of the operation of this facsimile apparatus will be described.

The reader unit 24 comprises components 1 to 23, and the printer unit 44 comprises components 25 to 43. In this apparatus, the upper left side of FIG. 1 is the front surface.

First, the recording operation of the printer section 44 will be described.

The printer unit 44 is equipped with an ink jet head (recording head 32) for performing recording by ejecting ink droplets from the ejection port by causing the ink to change its state using thermal energy. In this embodiment, the recording head 32 has 128 nozzles having a pitch of 63.5 μm arranged in the vertical direction (sub-scanning direction) and is capable of recording a width of 8.128 mm at a time.

Therefore, when recording on a recording sheet, after recording an image with a width of 8.128 mm as shown in FIG. 2, the recording sheet is conveyed by 8.128 mm in the sub-scanning direction to prepare for the next recording. The process will be repeated.

Hereinafter, the recording direction of the recording head 32 will be referred to as the main scanning direction, and the paper feeding direction perpendicular to this will be referred to as the sub-scanning direction. In FIG. 1, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is the main scanning direction, and the left-right direction with respect to the paper surface is the sub-scanning direction.

The reader unit 24 repeats reading the original 2 with a width of 8.128 mm corresponding to the printer unit 44. The reading direction is the main scanning direction, and the moving direction for the next reading is the sub-scanning direction. Call. In this configuration, the main scanning direction is the left-right direction in FIG. 1, and the sub-scanning direction is the direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

Next, the operation of the reader section 24 will be described.

A document 2 on the platen glass 1 is illuminated by a lamp 3 on a main scanning carriage 7, and its image is guided to a CCD line sensor 5 through a lens array 4.
The main scanning carriage 7 is fitted on a main scanning rail 8 on the sub scanning unit 9 and is slidable. Further, since the main scanning carriage 7 is connected to the main scanning belt 17 by an engaging member (not shown), the rotation of the sub scanning motor 19 and the actions of the pulleys 11, 16 and 18 cause the main scanning carriage 7 with respect to the paper surface of FIG. It moves in the vertical direction to perform the sub-scanning operation.

The image signal read by the CCD line sensor 5 is transmitted to the sub-scanning unit 9 by the loop-shaped signal cable 13. Signal cable 13
On the main scanning carriage 7, one end of which is held by the gripper 14, and the other end of which is the bottom surface 2 of the sub-scanning unit 9.
It is fixed to member 0 by a member 21 and is connected to a sub-scanning signal cable 23 connecting the sub-scanning unit 9 and the electrical unit 26 of the printer section 44. Where the signal cable 1
3 follows the movement of the main scanning carriage 9, and the sub-scanning signal cable 23 follows the movement of the sub-scanning unit 9.

Reference numeral 22 is a part of the bottom surface of the sub-scanning unit 9.

Further, the operation of the printer section 44 will be described.

Power source (not shown) from recording paper cassette 25
The recording paper fed out one by one by the paper feed roller 27 driven by the two roller pairs 28, 29 and 3
Recording is performed by the recording head 32 between 0 and 31. The recording head 32 is configured integrally with the ink tank 33, and is detachably mounted on the printer main scanning carriage 34. The printer main scanning carriage 34 is fitted on the printer main scanning rail 35 and is slidable.

Further, since the printer main scanning carriage 34 is connected to the main scanning belt 36 by an engaging member (not shown), the main scanning motor 37 rotates to move in the vertical direction on the paper surface of FIG. Perform a scanning operation.

The printer main scanning carriage 34 has an arm portion 38, and a printer signal cable 39 for transmitting a signal to the recording head 32 is fixed. The other end of the printer signal cable 39 is fixed to the middle plate 40 of the printer by a member 41, and is further connected to the electrical unit 26. The printer signal cable 39 follows the movement of the printer main scanning carriage 34, and is not in contact with the upper optical frame 10.

The sub-scanning of the printer section 44 is performed by the roller pair 2.
8, 29 and 30, 31 are rotated by a power source (not shown) and the recording paper is moved by 8.128 mm. In addition, 42 is a bottom plate of the printer unit 44, 45 is an exterior plate, 46 is an original pressure plate, 47 is a discharge tray, and
Reference numeral 48 is an electric component of the operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement of the recording unit of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 60 is a FAX line control unit for performing interface control with a communication line for facsimile communication, and 61 is a FAX line.
An image memory for temporarily storing the image data received under the control of the line controller 60, and 62 is an FA
The control unit controls the X-line control unit 60, the image memory 61, and the printer unit 44. The data storage capacity of the image memory 61 is one page of recording paper.

[Filing Mode (FIGS. 4 to 5)] The facsimile apparatus having the above-described configuration has two operation modes, a filing mode and a normal mode. The filing mode is an operation mode in which a plurality of images are arranged and output on one recording sheet as shown in FIG. Further, the normal mode refers to an operation mode in which an image for one page is output on one recording sheet. This operating mode is
This is effective not only when the facsimile machine performs a facsimile reception operation, but also when it operates as a copying machine.

For example, when the facsimile apparatus is used as a copying machine and the reduced image 1 is copied as shown in FIG. 4A, the recording paper is ejected when the recording of the image 1 is completed in the normal mode. In the filing mode, by changing the drawing position of the image without ejecting the recording paper,
As in (b), image 2, image 3, ...
Can be recorded, and then the recording paper can be ejected. In the filing mode, not only the arrangement shown in FIG. 4B, but also FIG. 4C, FIG. 4D, FIG. 4E, and FIG.
Arbitrary arrangements such as (f) are possible.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an outline of the operation in the filing mode.

In the filing mode, it is first judged whether or not the image to be recorded is the image to be recorded first on the recording paper (step S1). If the judgment result is "the image to be recorded first", the recording paper is recorded. Paper is fed to the position (step S2), and thereafter, if the determination result is not the "image to be printed first", one page of the received image is printed without feeding the printing paper (step S3).

Next, it is judged whether or not the image just recorded is the last image recordable on the recording sheet (step S
4) If the judgment result is "the last recordable image", the recording paper is ejected (step S5), but if the judgment result is not the "final recordable image", the process ends. .

When the facsimile machine operates as a copying machine, the above-mentioned mode selection is performed by a user's instruction from an operation panel (not shown).

[Facsimile Receiving Operation (FIG. 6)] FIG. 6 shows a process of automatically selecting an operation mode from the above two modes and performing a facsimile image receiving operation in the facsimile apparatus having the above-described configuration. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown. In the explanation below,
This processing is executed when the facsimile image received by the FAX line control unit 60 according to a predetermined procedure is accumulated in the image memory 61 and the control unit 62 issues a transfer command of the image data to the printer unit 44. .

First, the size of the received image and the size of the recording paper are compared (step S20), and it is checked whether or not the received image can be recorded on two or more pages on the recording paper (step S21). This can be checked by comparing the size of the cut paper set in the recording paper cassette 25 of the apparatus with the image size of one page of the received image data stored in the image memory 61. If the judgment result is "recording of two pages or more of received image" is possible, the filing mode is selected as an operation mode (step S22), and if "recording of two pages or more of received image is impossible", operation is performed. The normal mode is selected as the mode (step S23).

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the ink jet printer is used for the printer unit and the received facsimile image is output on the recording paper, a plurality of pages are printed according to the relationship between the recording paper size and the received image size. The image can be output on one recording sheet. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of recording sheets used and reduce the operating cost of the apparatus.

Further, since the images for one page are recorded on the recording paper one after another, the capacity of the image memory for temporarily storing the images in the facsimile reception image output operation may be one page, and the capacity of the image memory can be reduced. Will also contribute to.

In this embodiment, the operation mode is selected based on the result of comparison between the size of the received image and the size of the recording paper, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7, it is possible to judge whether the recording operation of the printer unit 44 is a recording operation by facsimile reception and select the mode. That is, it is judged whether the recording operation is a facsimile reception (step S30), and the operation mode is selected and set according to the result.

The present invention is particularly equipped with means for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) in the ink jet recording system, and by the thermal energy The printing apparatus of the type that causes a change in the state of ink has been described. According to such a method, the recording density is increased,
High definition can be achieved.

Regarding the typical structure and principle thereof, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which the liquid crystal is held, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding film boiling. Since the electrothermal converter is caused to generate heat energy to cause film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal in a one-to-one relationship can be formed. It is valid. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal in a pulse shape, because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be achieved.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the discharge port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, The present invention also includes configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose configurations in which the heat-acting surface is arranged in a bending region. In addition, for multiple electrothermal converters,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670, which discloses a structure in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-63, which discloses a structure in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is associated with the discharge portion. A configuration based on Japanese Patent No. 138461 may be used.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum recording medium width that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification provides the length. Either of the structure satisfying the requirement or the structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, by being attached to the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . Specific examples thereof include capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, and recording. It is also effective to perform a stable recording by performing a preliminary discharge mode in which another discharge is performed.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, the device may be provided with at least one of full-color mixed colors.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, or one that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used, or In the inkjet method, it is common to control the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C to 70 ° C to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It is sufficient that the ink is liquid.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy from being used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent the ink from evaporating, an ink that solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, by applying heat energy, such as ink that is liquefied by applying heat energy according to the recording signal and liquid ink is ejected, or that begins to solidify when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention can be applied to the case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink is retained as a liquid or solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. It may be configured to face the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to one provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and further transmission / reception It may take the form of a facsimile machine having a function.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, the size of one page of received image data stored in the storage means is compared with the size of the recording medium, and according to the comparison result,
Since the ejection of the recording medium to the outside of the apparatus and the recording on the recording medium are controlled and images of a plurality of pages are recorded on one recording medium, it is possible to save the consumption of the recording medium. Further, even when a plurality of pages of images are recorded on one recording medium, the capacity of the storage means for storing the received image data may be one page, so there is no need to provide an extra memory for storing the received images, The device cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus that is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording operation performed by a recording head.

3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a recording unit of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between an image recorded in a filing mode and a recording sheet.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation in a filing mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of automatically selecting an operation mode from two modes and performing a facsimile image receiving operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of processing for automatically selecting an operation mode from two modes and performing a facsimile image receiving operation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an output operation of a received image of a conventional facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 24 reader unit 32 recording head 44 printer unit 60 facsimile line control unit 61 image memory 62 control unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Receiving means for receiving image data from a communication line, storage means for temporarily storing the received image data for one page, and size and recording of one page of received image data stored in the storage means. Comparison means for comparing the size of the medium, recording means for recording the received image data on the recording medium, discharging means for discharging the recording medium recorded by the recording means to the outside of the apparatus, comparison by the comparing means According to the result, a facsimile apparatus having a control unit for controlling the discharging unit and the recording unit so as to record a plurality of pages of images on one recording medium. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit has a recording head that discharges a recording material onto the recording medium to perform recording. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording. 4. The recording head is a recording head for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is provided with a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. The facsimile apparatus according to Item 2. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reading unit for reading an image original, and operating as a copying machine by outputting the image data read by the reading unit from the recording unit to a recording medium. Facsimile apparatus described in 1. 6. The image data received by said receiving means is further provided with a determining means for determining whether it operates as a copying machine or as a facsimile, according to the determination result by said determining means. 6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording unit and the discharging unit are controlled so as to record images of a plurality of pages on one recording medium when recording.