JPH0955826A - Fax machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: To prevent wasteful consumption of toner, accelerate deterioration of a cleaning member, and perform re-conveyance without toner contamination when a cut sheet fails to be fed. SOLUTION: When a paper feeding failure occurs in which a cut sheet is not fed from a paper feed tray before a toner image forming operation is performed by an image writing unit 16, reception data relating to communication can be stored in an image memory 25. In this way, the cut sheets are re-fed after the data is stored in the image memory 25, and printing is performed according to the stored data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus which uses cut sheets as recording sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electrophotographic facsimile machines using cut sheets as recording sheets have become widespread.
In such a facsimile device, for example, by receiving a signal from a transmitting facsimile device, a cut sheet loaded as a recording sheet in a sheet feeding unit such as a sheet feeding tray or a sheet feeding cassette is started to be conveyed, and A toner image is formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member such as a photosensitive belt from image information in the received signal. The cut sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit is detected by the pre-registration sensor and then starts to be conveyed in synchronization with the toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member by the pair of registration rollers. The transfer device facing the electrophotographic photosensitive member electrostatically transfers the toner image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto the cut sheet conveyed to the transfer position. After the transfer is completed, the cut sheet is conveyed to the fixing device, the toner image is heated and fixed, and the sheet is ejected from the apparatus.

In the above-mentioned facsimile machine, which is premised on receiving a signal unattended and recording on a cut sheet, if the cut sheet loaded in the paper feed unit is unfed for some reason, it is received. An error occurs and reception and recording are interrupted. As a device capable of increasing the reliability in such a case, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 6-237355 filed by the applicant of the present application describes a facsimile device using cut paper as a receiving image recording paper. ,
If the cut sheet is not fed during image formation, the cut sheet is re-conveyed, and the unused toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member is prevented from contaminating the cut sheet when it is not fed. The configuration is shown.

That is, in the facsimile apparatus of the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 6-237355, when the cut sheet is not fed, the cut sheet is re-conveyed and the pre-registration sensor detects the cut sheet. Up to the transfer device, a voltage having the opposite characteristic to that at the time of transfer is applied so that the toner image that is not transferred to the cut paper remains on the photoconductor, and the toner image is collected by the cleaning member to prevent the occurrence of contamination by toner. It is preventing.

[0005]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application No. 6-237355
In the facsimile device in the specification, it is possible to prevent the toner from being transferred to the cut sheet during the re-conveyance, but since the toner image is formed even when the sheet is not fed,
The toner is wastefully consumed, and the toner forming the toner image needs to be collected by the cleaning member, which is a problem in that the toner is wastefully consumed and the deterioration of the cleaning member is accelerated.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, therefore, the present invention eliminates wasteful consumption of toner, speeds up deterioration of the cleaning member, and re-conveys toner-stainless paper when cut-sheet feeding failure occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile machine that performs the above.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording means for forming a toner image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member based on received data, and a cutting device loaded as recording paper in a paper feeding section. A paper feeding unit capable of setting a normal paper feeding mode or a re-feeding mode for re-feeding when a paper non-feed occurs, and the above-mentioned electronic unit for the cut sheet conveyed to the transfer position by the paper feeding unit. In a facsimile machine equipped with a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the photographic photosensitive member, the re-convey mode can be set when the sheet feeding unit performs the conveying operation before the image forming of the recording unit and the cut sheet is not fed. And storing all received data relating to one communication in the memory, and then starting the re-conveying operation in the re-conveying mode.

Further, in the above-mentioned facsimile apparatus, the received data can be stored in the memory, and the re-conveying mode is set in the case where the sheet feeding means performs the feeding operation before the image formation of the recording means and the cut sheet is not fed. It is configurable, and
Based on the preset average data amount for one page,
If there is enough free memory space to store the received data, set the re-transport mode after storing the received data in the memory, and also have sufficient memory space to store all the received data. When there is no capacity, control is performed to set the normal transport mode without setting the re-transport mode.

Further, in the above-mentioned facsimile apparatus, the received data can be stored in the memory, and the re-conveying mode is set in the case where the sheet feeding means performs the feeding operation before the image formation of the recording means and the cut sheet is not fed. It is configurable, and
The re-conveyance mode is set when the amount of received data that does not exceed the preset data amount for the memory capacity is set, and the data amount is set to the preset data amount while receiving data is being accumulated. When it exceeds, the control is performed to set the normal transport mode without setting the re-transport mode.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electrophotographic recording section in the first embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.
Is a paper feed tray into which cut paper P cut into a predetermined size is loaded as recording paper, 2 is a half-moon-shaped paper feed roller, 3 is cut paper P, and cut paper P is placed by an elastic member (not shown). A bottom plate urged upwardly, 4 is a separation claw for engaging the corner portion of the cut sheet P urged upwardly by the bottom plate 3, 5 is a pair of conveying rollers, 6 is a pair of registration rollers, 7 is a pre-registration sensor, 8 Is a photoconductor belt stretched by rollers 9, 10 is a charger, 11 is a developing device, 12 is a transfer charger, 13 is a fixing device composed of a heating roller and a pressure roller, 14 is a cleaning device, and 15 is a cleaning device. Static elimination lamp, 16
Is an image writing unit that emits laser light L to the exposure unit of the photosensitive belt 8.

When the recording paper is conveyed, a paper feed motor and a paper feed clutch (not shown) are turned on to rotate the conveyance roller pair 5 and the registration roller pair 6. After that, paper feed roller 2
The driving force is transmitted to the sheet feeding roller 2 via the sheet feeding clutch to rotate the sheet feeding roller 2. When the paper feed roller 2 rotates once, the uppermost cut paper P in the paper feed tray 1 is fed to the conveyance roller pair 5 side. As is known, at the beginning, the leading edge of the cut sheet P is locked by the separation claw 4, but the uppermost cut sheet P cuts the separation claw 4 on the lower side by receiving the conveying force of the sheet feeding roller 2. The sheets P are separated from the sheet P one by one, and are conveyed in the direction of the registration roller pair 6 by the conveyance roller pair 5. The leading edge of the cut sheet P turns on the pre-registration sensor 7, the pair of registration rollers 6 conveys the cut sheet P to a standby position before the photosensitive belt 8, and stops.

At the time of image formation, the photosensitive belt 8 moves in the direction of arrow A, the charge elimination lamp 15 neutralizes the residual charge, and the charger 10 charges the charge uniformly. By scanning with the light L, an electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing device 11 is
The electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by transferring toner to one of the exposed area and the non-exposed area of the electrostatic latent image.

Then, the registration roller pair 6 starts the conveyance of the cut sheet P, which has been stopped, in synchronization with the toner image on the photosensitive belt 8. Cut paper P is transfer charger 12
The toner image on the photoconductor belt 8 is electrostatically transferred by the transfer charger 12 after being conveyed to a transfer position between the photoconductor belt 8 and the photoconductor belt 8. After the transfer is completed, the cut paper P is fixed in the fixing device.
The toner image is conveyed to 13 and the toner image is fixed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system in the facsimile apparatus. Reference numeral 20 is a modem for transmitting and receiving image information and various procedure signals for transmission control in order to enable communication with the outside, and 21 is a telephone. A network control device connected to the line and performing a predetermined circuit control at the time of incoming / outgoing call, 22 is a document reading unit for reading a document image, and 23 is the pre-registration sensor 7
A recording output unit 24, which receives a detection signal from the sheet feeding roller 2 or the image writing unit 16 and outputs the original image signal read by the original reading unit 22 or the received image information, the image output unit 24 transmits the image. Data compression of information,
An encoding / decoding unit 25 that decodes the received image information to restore the original image information, and 25 is an image memory that stores the image information of the transmission original or, if necessary, the received image information.

Further, 26 is an operation display section having an input section for the operator to perform various operations and a display section for displaying the operation state of the apparatus, and 27 is information registered in advance or information temporarily held during communication operation. System memory to store, 28
Is a system control unit for controlling the above respective units, and 29 is a system bus of a signal line for exchanging various control signals or data between the respective units.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart relating to image formation at the time of reception in the first embodiment, and when reception is started.
(S1-1) First, all the received data is stored in the image memory 25 (S1-
2) After the accumulation is completed (YES in S1-2), the paper feed roller 2 is driven to start feeding the cut paper P (S1-3). From the start of paper feeding, it is monitored whether or not a cut sheet is detected at a predetermined transport position. Specifically, the timer counter is started and it is determined whether or not the pre-registration sensor 7 is turned on within a fixed time (S1-4). Then, when the pre-registration sensor 7 is not turned on (NO in S1-4), it is determined that the paper is not fed, and the pre-registration sensor 7 detects the cut sheet P, and then the re-feeding is performed a certain number of times ( S1-5). When the cut sheet P is not detected by the pre-registration sensor 7 even if the sheet is re-conveyed for a certain number of times (NO in S1-6), it is determined that a trouble such as no cut sheet occurs and the process is stopped.

When the cut sheet P is conveyed to the pre-registration sensor 7 in the above-mentioned paper feeding (YES in S1-4, S1-6
YES), based on the received data stored in the image memory 25, the image information is output from the recording output unit 23, and the image forming / writing process centered on the photoconductor belt 8 is started (S1-7). Then, the toner image is transferred onto the cut paper P.
(S1-8), fixing (S1-9), and discharging (S1-10) are sequentially performed as is known.

As described above, in the first embodiment, all the received data is accumulated in the image memory 25 without immediately forming an image upon reception, and when the paper is properly fed, the received data is based on the received data. Therefore, when the paper is not fed and the paper is re-conveyed, the toner image that is not transferred to the cut paper and remains on the photoreceptor is not formed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of toner and prevent the deterioration of the cleaning device 14 for removing residual toner from being accelerated.

By the way, most of the received data has image information relating to the page currently being received and the total number of pages in the vicinity of the leading end portion and the CSI printing portion, and this image information is received by character recognition. You can know the total number of pages to be played. In addition, the average memory consumption per sheet is stored in advance as a set value in the system, and from the total number of pages of received data and the average memory consumption per sheet,
An approximate value of the memory capacity required for one communication can be calculated.

Therefore, as a second embodiment of the present invention, first, when the first sheet is received, the total number of pages of received data is checked, and "average memory consumption of one page" × "total number of pages".
Calculate the memory capacity required to receive data from, then check the currently available memory capacity (free capacity), compare both memory capacity, if the free capacity is smaller than the calculated value, Do not set the re-conveyance mode when the paper is not fed so that the received data is not stored in the memory and the image is formed (printed) immediately in the normal conveyance mode.
When the received data exceeds the memory capacity, it is prevented that the received data cannot be printed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart relating to image formation at the time of reception in the second embodiment. When reception is started (S2-1), the total amount of received data is calculated as described above.
(S2-2), the calculated value a is compared with the free space b (S2-
3). When a <b (YES in S2-3), the re-conveyance mode at the time of no feeding is selected (S2-4), and the paper feed roller 2 is driven to start feeding the cut paper P (S2- Five). Then, similarly to the first embodiment, it is monitored whether or not a cut sheet is detected at a predetermined transport position from the start of sheet feeding. Specifically, the timer counter is started and it is determined whether or not the pre-registration sensor 7 is turned on within a fixed time (S2-6). If the pre-registration sensor 7 does not turn on (NO in S2-6), it is determined that the paper has not been fed and the cut paper P
The sheet is re-fed a fixed number of times until is detected by the pre-registration sensor 7 (S2-7). When the cut sheet P is not detected by the pre-registration sensor 7 even if the sheet is re-fed a fixed number of times (NO in S2-8), it is determined that a trouble such as no cut sheet occurs and the process is stopped. In the step (S2-3), when a <b is not satisfied (NO in S2-3), that is, when the free space is insufficient, the normal conveyance mode without re-feeding is selected and the sheet is fed. (S2-9).

When the cut sheet P is conveyed to the pre-registration sensor 7 in the paper feeding (YES in S2-6, YES in S2-8),
Based on the received data stored in the image memory 25, image information is output from the recording output unit 23, and the photoconductor belt 8
Start the image forming writing process centered on (S2-1
0). Then, the toner image is transferred to the cut paper P (S2-1
1), fixing (S2-12), and discharging (S2-13) are sequentially performed as is known.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, when the received data is large, the following control is performed in order to prevent the received data from becoming unprintable and to prevent the received data from being lost.

That is, when the amount of data preset in the system is accumulated while the currently received data is being accumulated in the memory, the free space of the memory is checked, and at this time, the received data is received. If the transfer has been completed, the re-conveyance mode at the time of non-feeding similar to the above is selected and the image formation is started.

However, the free memory capacity when examined is
If it is smaller than the free memory capacity set in the system, it is judged that all the received data of one communication cannot be stored in the memory, and in the above non-feed mode, the normal transport mode is selected instead of the re-transport mode. And immediately form an image.

When the free memory capacity at the time of the above-mentioned examination is smaller than the free memory capacity set in the system, the amount of data preset in the system is stored in the memory.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to image formation at the time of reception in the third embodiment. When reception is started (S3-1), the reception data of the data accumulation amount preset as described above is displayed. When stored in the image memory 25 (S
3-2), if all received data has been stored (S3-3 YES), or if all received data has not been stored (S3-3 NO), set in advance. If the available memory capacity is larger than the available memory capacity (NO in S3-4)
, The re-conveyance mode at the time of non-feed is selected (S3-5), and the paper feed roller 2 is driven to start feeding the cut paper P (S3-
6).

Then, as in the first and second embodiments, it is monitored whether or not a cut sheet is detected at a predetermined transport position from the start of sheet feeding. Specifically, a timer counter is started and it is determined whether or not the pre-registration sensor 7 is turned on within a fixed time (S3-7). If the pre-registration sensor 7 does not turn on (S3-
(NO of 7), the sheet is re-fed a fixed number of times until it is determined that the sheet is not fed and the pre-registration sensor 7 detects the cut sheet P (S3-8). When the cut sheet P is not detected by the pre-registration sensor 7 even after being re-conveyed a certain number of times (N in S3-9)
O), determine that a trouble such as lack of cut paper has occurred and stop processing. In the step (S3-4), when the free memory space is smaller than the preset free memory space (YES in S3-4), that is, when the free space is insufficient, the re-feeding is performed. A normal transport mode that is not present is selected and paper feeding is performed (S3-10), and image formation writing processing is started (S3-11).

When the cut sheet P is conveyed to the pre-registration sensor 7 in the paper feeding (YES in S3-7, YES in S3-9),
Based on the received data stored in the image memory 25, image information is output from the recording output unit 23, and the photoconductor belt 8
The image formation writing process centered on (S3-1
1). Then, the toner image is transferred to the cut paper P (S3-1
2), fixing (S3-13), and discharging (S3-14) are sequentially performed as is known.

[0031]

As described above, according to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention forms a toner image even when the sheet is not fed and the cut sheet is re-conveyed. Since the received data is stored in the memory in advance, it is possible to eliminate the wasteful consumption of toner when the paper is not fed as in the past, and therefore the cleaning device can operate for wasteful toner removal. Since it is not present, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the cleaning device from being accelerated.

According to the configuration of claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, even when the received data exceeds the capacity of the memory, image formation (printing) based on the received data can be performed. .

According to the structure of claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1, it is possible to prevent a problem that the amount of received data is too large to be stored in the memory and the received data is lost. , You can receive surely.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system in a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an electrophotographic recording unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart relating to image formation during reception in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart relating to image formation during reception in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to image formation during reception in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Paper feeding tray, 2 ... Paper feeding roller, 7 ... Pre-registration sensor, 8 ... Photosensitive belt, 12 ... Transfer charger,
14 ... Cleaning device, 16 ... Image writing unit, 23 ... Recording output unit, 25 ... Image memory, 27 ... System memory,
28 ... System control unit.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A recording unit for forming a toner image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member based on received data, and a normal conveyance mode for feeding a cut sheet loaded as a recording sheet in a sheet feeding unit or a paper non-feeding occurrence. Facsimile equipped with a sheet feeding unit that can set a re-conveying mode for re-feeding the sheet and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image of the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto the cut sheet conveyed to the transfer position by the sheet feeding unit In the apparatus, the re-conveyance mode can be set when the sheet feeding unit performs the conveying operation before the image formation of the recording unit and the cut sheet is not fed, and all received data relating to one communication is set. A facsimile machine, wherein the re-conveying operation in the re-conveying mode is started after being stored in a memory. 2. A recording unit for forming a toner image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member based on received data, and a normal conveyance mode for feeding a cut sheet loaded as a recording sheet in a sheet feeding section or a paper non-feeding occurrence. Facsimile equipped with a sheet feeding unit that can set a re-conveying mode for re-feeding the sheet and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image of the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto the cut sheet conveyed to the transfer position by the sheet feeding unit In the device, the received data can be stored in the memory, and the re-conveyance mode can be set when the cut paper is not fed due to the feeding operation of the paper feeding means before the image formation of the recording means. In addition, if there is sufficient memory free space for accumulating the received data based on the preset average data amount for one page, the received data is accumulated in the memory and then the re-loading is performed. When the transmission mode is set, and when there is not enough free memory capacity to store all the received data, control is performed to set the normal conveyance mode without setting the re-conveyance mode. And a facsimile machine. 3. A recording unit for forming a toner image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member based on received data, and a normal conveyance mode for feeding a cut sheet loaded as a recording sheet in a sheet feeding section or a paper non-feeding occurrence. Facsimile equipped with a sheet feeding unit that can set a re-conveying mode for re-feeding the sheet and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image of the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto the cut sheet conveyed to the transfer position by the sheet feeding unit In the device, the received data can be stored in the memory, and the re-conveyance mode can be set when the cut paper is not fed due to the feeding operation of the paper feeding means before the image formation of the recording means. In addition, the re-conveyance mode is set when the amount of received data that does not exceed the preset data amount with respect to the memory capacity is set, and the data amount is preset when the received data is being stored. A facsimile machine characterized by performing control to set the normal carrying mode without setting the re-carrying mode when the predetermined data amount is exceeded.