JP3062340B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for selecting a recording sheet when receiving a facsimile apparatus or outputting a report.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an LBP facsimile using a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as an LBP) has become widespread as a printer of a facsimile apparatus.

In this LBP facsimile, a plurality of recording paper cassettes of various sizes are mounted, and a method of automatically selecting an optimum recording paper according to the size of a received image is used. When a report indicating the communication result is output, a recording sheet of a predetermined specific size is selected.

[0004] For example, if recording paper cassettes of A4 size and B4 size are mounted, the received image is A4 size and B4 size.
If so, the A4 cassette is selected, and if B4, the B4 cassette is selected and printing is performed. In addition, the report is printed in a uniform A4 size.

At the time of reception, the maximum size of the loaded cassette is declared by DIS (digital identification signal). When printing a received image, a cassette having the same size as the received image data size is selected, and if the size is not mounted, a cassette one size larger than that is selected to print the received image data.

Also, in printing a report, when the above-mentioned specific recording paper size is not mounted, a cassette having a size one step larger than that is selected and a report is printed.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, there is a disadvantage that an A4 received image cannot be received on B4 paper when the A4 cassette is mounted.

That is, for example, all the received images are to be received and filed on B4 recording paper for filing, but if copying is desired, both A4 recording paper and B4 recording paper should be used. A4
And B4. Therefore, in this case, the facsimile apparatus automatically selects the recording paper and prints it on paper of various sizes, so that the received image cannot be arranged as desired. And
This is extremely inconvenient, for example, the images printed in such irregular sizes must be re-copied to paper of a desired size.

[0009] Also, regarding the communication result report, since the recording paper is selected and output by the apparatus without permission, there is an inconvenience that the user cannot select and output a desired recording paper size. In particular, this type of report is output in a state where a long sheet is selected and a large margin is left even though a sheet short in the sub-scanning direction is sufficient, and the sheet is wasted. Further, even when it is desired to output only the report on the recycled paper, there is a problem that the effective use of the recycled paper is hindered because it cannot be specified at all.

An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of printing a received image by selecting the size and quality of recording paper according to a user's request.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for outputting a received image.
A means for registering the recording paper size or cassette number at the time of output is provided, and it is possible to prevent the image output from being performed on the recording paper other than the registered recording paper size or cassette number. the received document of the received document or a particular type of paper quality equal depending on the sheet size
It is possible to obtain .

[0012]

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

The CPU 101 controls the entire apparatus, and the ROM 102 stores a control program for the CPU 101. The work memory 103 has the SR
It is composed of an AM or the like and stores program control variables and the like.

The operation unit 104 is constituted by a keyboard or the like, and allows an operator to perform various input operations. The display unit 105 is constituted by an LCD or the like, and performs various displays.

The communication unit 106 is composed of a modem (modulator / demodulator), an NCU (network controller), and the like, and exchanges image information with a partner communication device through a line.

The reception buffer 107 is composed of an SRAM or the like, and temporarily stores the reception data obtained from the communication unit 106.

The registration memory 108 is composed of an SRAM or the like, and stores setting values registered by an operator, management data of the apparatus, and the like. The registration memory 108
Is backed up by a battery, so that state is maintained even when the power of the apparatus is turned off.

The image memory 109 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores transmission image data, reception image data, and the like.

The reading unit 110 is composed of a CCD image sensor, a document transport mechanism, an image processing device, etc., reads a document optically and converts it into electrical image data.
Further, the image data is subjected to various correction processes to output high-definition image data.

The encoding / decoding processing unit 111 performs an encoding process or a decoding process on image data handled by the facsimile apparatus. The encoding / decoding processing unit 111 includes the following four processing blocks 112 to 115 and a line buffer 116 for storing raw image data.

The scanner processing unit 112 includes the reading unit 11
0 captures one line of the output image data and stores it in the line buffer 116.

The encoder 113 includes a line buffer 11
6 is encoded (M)
H, MR, MMR, etc.) and output to the data bus 123.

The decoder 114 receives the encoded data (MH, MR, MMR, etc.) from the data bus 123, decodes it, and stores it in the line buffer 116.

The printer processing unit 115 converts the raw image line data stored in the line buffer 116 into an LBP
Transfer to controller 117.

The LBP controller 117 receives the image line data from the printer processing unit 115 in the encoding / decoding processing unit 111 and transfers it to the LBP 118.

The LBP controller 117 has a CP
Transfer command from U101 to LBP118,
Conversely, it receives the status from the LBP 118 and transfers it to the CPU 101.

Further, the LBP controller 117
A line buffer is built in so that data transfer to the BP 118 can be performed without delay.

The LBP 118 receives image data from the controller 117 and prints on recording paper. Recording paper for printing is supplied from either the cassette 1 or the cassette 2. Which of the cassette 1 and the cassette 2 is selected is determined by a command from the CPU 101.

The CPU 101 can receive, via the LBP controller 117, the size of each cassette currently mounted on the LBP 118 as a status.

The DMA controller 121 has a CPU 10
The transfer of image data between the image memory 109 and the encoding / decoding processing unit 111 is controlled without going through 1.

The encoding / decoding processing section 122 has the same function as the above-described encoding / decoding processing section 111, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

The ASCII buffer 124 is composed of an SRAM or the like, and creates and stores report data as ASCII data.

Character generator (CG) 125
Has a function of converting the ASCII data into raw image data.

In the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment,
The flow of the image data is determined by the reading unit 110 and the LBP1.
18 and the image memory 109, or between the communication unit 106 and the image memory 109, which require encoding and decoding processes, respectively.

The encoding / decoding processing section 111 controls the former image data, and the encoding / decoding processing section 122 controls the latter image data.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams showing management information necessary for storing image data in the image memory 109. FIG. These pieces of management information are stored in the registration memory 108.

The image management record 201 is generated one for each reception and manages received image data in the image memory 109. Items included in the image management record 201 include file attributes. There are modes (report, reception, transmission, etc.) shown, a pointer to the page management record 202 of the first page message, and the like.

The image management record 201 is
It is deleted when all the received image data in the image memory 109 is printed. Also, this image management record 201
Indicates that when the recording paper runs out during printing, the image memory 10
Along with the received image data in 9, the recording paper is set again and held until printing is completed.

The page management records 202 to 204 are 1
It manages one page of received image data generated in the image memory 109 each time a page is received. Items included in the page management records 202 to 204 include a mode (encoding method, main scanning width, sub-scanning direction density, etc.), a page number, a pointer to a page management record of the next page, a first memory block number, and the like. There is.

Note that an end code (NULL) is set in the part of the pointer to the page management record of the last page.

Here, the memory block number is a serial number when the image memory 109 is divided into blocks of a certain fixed size.
A physical address that can be recognized by the DMA controller 101 and the DMA controller 121 can be calculated.

The block management table 205 stores the number information of the memory block constituting one page of the received image data in the image memory 109.

From the top of the table, memory block 0,
Areas are statically allocated to each memory block, such as No. 1, No. 2,.... In each area, a pointer to the area of the next block is stored, and in the area of the last block, an end code (NUL) is stored.
L) is set.

By searching for a free area from the beginning of the block management table 205, an unused memory block in the image memory 109 can be obtained.

When reading one page of the image data in the image memory 109, the first block number information is obtained from the page management record 202 and the block management table 2 is read.
If the data is traced from the area of the block 05 in the order of pointers, data for one page can be obtained.

Next, an outline of the receiving operation in this embodiment will be described. The receiving operation includes (1) a process of encoding and storing one page of received image data in the image memory 109, and (2) an image memory 1 generated by the process.
09 while decoding the received image data in LBP 118
And printing.

Therefore, the process (1) of encoding the received image data in the image memory 109 and storing it will be described first.

When there is an incoming call from the partner device, in the pre-procedure, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 101 refers to the registration memory 108 and determines whether or not the recording paper size is registered by the user (S1). If it is registered, the size of the recording paper is declared to the partner device by DIS (S
2). If not registered, the current LBP118
The largest recording paper size among the cassettes installed in the device is declared to the partner device by DIS (S3).

Thereafter, in preparation for receiving an image, an image management record 201 and a page management record 202 are created, one memory block is acquired from the image memory 109, and the block number is set in the page management record 202.

Next, image data is transmitted from the partner device to the communication unit 1.
06, and sequentially stores them in the reception buffer 107. Then, the image data is decoded by the decoder 114 in the encoding / decoding processing unit 122 and stored as raw image line data in the line buffer 116 in the encoding / decoding processing unit 122.

Next, this image line data is encoded /
The data is encoded by the encoder 113 in the decoding processing unit 122 and DMA-transferred to the image memory 109. This DM
The transfer block A is the same as the memory block size. In parallel, memory blocks are successively acquired from the image memory 109, the next block information is set in the DMA controller 121, and the block management table 20
Update 5

According to the above procedure, the received image data is encoded and stored in the image memory 109.

When the decoder 114 in the encoding / decoding processing unit 122 recognizes the RTC (control return signal), the processing is stopped by attaching the end code of the image data in the image memory 109 to the end of the RTC code. I do.

A mode, a page number, etc. are set in the page management record 202, and NULL is set in the pointer.
Is set.

Next, in the post-procedure, EO is sent from the partner device.
When P (procedure end signal) is received, the page concerned is the last page. Therefore, the mode and the like are set in the image management record 201, and the processing shifts to the above (2). Start printing the data.

When an MPS (multi-page signal) or an EOM (message end signal) is received from the partner apparatus, the next page is present, so a page management record 202 for the next page is created, and a page management record for the previous page is created. And a pointer, and similarly encodes and stores the received image data. At the same time, the printing process of the previous page is started.

Next, the process (2) of printing the received image data in the image memory 109 by the LBP 118 while decoding it will be described.

First, the DMA controller 12 searches the block management table 205 from the first block information of the page management record 202 to acquire block information.
1 and the decoder 114 of the encoding / decoding processing unit 111 to store the image line data in the line buffer 116.

At the same time, the image line data stored in the line buffer
Transfer to BP controller 117.

When line data is accumulated to some extent in the line buffer in the LBP controller 117, the LB
The data transfer from the P controller 117 to the LBP 118 is performed, and the printing operation of the LBP 118 is started.

Before starting the printing operation of the LBP 118, the main scanning width, the density in the sub-scanning direction, the cassette and the like are specified by a command. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 101 refers to the registration memory 108 and, if the recording paper size is registered (S11), performs printing by designating the size (S12).

If the recording paper size is not registered in S11, printing is performed by designating a recording paper size corresponding to the size of the received image data. That is, when a recording paper cassette having the same size as the received image data is mounted (S13), printing is performed using the size (S1).
4) If not mounted, printing is performed using a recording sheet one step larger than that size (S15).

When the decoder 114 detects the RTC code which is the termination code, the printing process is stopped.

If the line length of the image data in the sub-scanning direction is equal to or longer than the length of the recording sheet of the designated cassette, the processing is temporarily stopped at the printable line, and the rest is printed on the next recording sheet.

As described above, the image data is received,
The designated recording paper cassette size is selected to print the received image.

Next, a process for registering the recording paper cassette size will be described.

In the present embodiment, the recording paper size to be received can be registered by the operator using the keys of the operation unit 104 and the display 105.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a selection menu in the registration of the recording paper size.

When a registration operation is performed in each display state,
The code is converted and stored in the registration memory 108 in the apparatus.

First, the display 301 is in the automatic mode, in which the apparatus selects a cassette according to the size of the received image data. That is, this indicates that the recording paper size is not registered in the registration memory 108. This display appears on the display unit 105 by a predetermined key operation for starting the registration of the recording paper size, and is displayed as "Auto" as shown in a state where no recording paper size is input. .

As described above, in the pre-communication procedure, DIS
When declaring the recording paper size in, the maximum size of the installed cassette is declared.

Thereafter, if there is a cassette having the same size as the declared size in the DCS (Digital Command Signal) from the partner device, that cassette is selected. Otherwise, a cassette one size larger than that is selected and the received image data is selected. Print.

The display 302 shows a mode for forcibly selecting a B4 size cassette. In this embodiment, when the selection key is pressed from the state of the display 301, the display is automatically switched, and the state of the display 302 appears. By performing a key operation indicating registration completion in this display state, registration of this mode is determined.

In this case, in the DIS, the B4 size is declared, and the B4 cassette is also selected at the time of printing.

If the B4 recording paper runs out in the middle, memory alternate reception is performed regardless of the presence or absence of recording paper of another size. If there is no free space in the image memory 108, the process ends with an error.

Next, a display 303 is a mode for forcibly selecting an A4 size cassette, and the operation is the same as that of the display 302.

In the selection menu display in such registration, the size of the currently mounted cassette is sequentially displayed in addition to the initial automatic mode. Note that all the cassette sizes that can be mounted on the apparatus may be displayed in order.

In the above embodiment, the size of the recording paper is registered. However, for example, a recording paper cassette having the same size but different paper quality, such as plain paper and recycled paper, may be mounted. .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, a cassette number may be registered. That is, a serial number is set at the cassette mounting position, and the number is selected and registered. The method of registration is the same as the example described with reference to FIG.

If the cassette number is not registered, the maximum size among the installed cassettes is set to D.
When an IS is declared and a received image is printed, a cassette having the same size as the received image data size is selected, and if not, a cassette one size larger than that is selected and the received image data is printed.

If the cassette number is registered,
In the DIS, the size of the cassette number is read from the LBP 118 through the LBP controller 117, and the size is declared. Also, the cassette is selected at the time of printing.

If the recording paper in the cassette runs out in the middle, the memory substitute reception is performed regardless of the presence or absence of paper in another cassette. If there is no free space in the image memory 109, the process ends with an error.

Further, in the above embodiment, the recording paper is selected when outputting the received image. Similarly, when outputting the communication result report, the recording paper size or the cassette must be registered. Thus, the recording paper can be selected and printed.

In this case, the report data is created by the ASCII buffer 124 and the CG 125 shown in FIG. 1, and the one-page report data from the CG 125 is transferred to the encoding / decoding processing unit 111. The operation of encoding and storing the image data in the image memory 108 via the line buffer 116, reading the image data from the image memory 108, transferring the image data to the LBP 118 while decoding the image data, and printing the received image data is almost the same as the operation of printing the received image data. is there.
Therefore, the management information shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is also common.

When specifying the recording paper size to be used in printing the report data, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 101 refers to the registration memory 108 and, if the recording paper size is registered, (S21), printing is performed by designating the size (S22).

If the recording paper size is not registered in S21, and a recording paper cassette of a predetermined specific size is mounted (S23), printing is performed using that size (S24). If not, printing is performed using recording paper one step larger than that size (S25).

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a selection menu in the registration of the recording paper size.

When a registration operation is performed in each display state,
The code is converted and stored in the registration memory 108 in the apparatus. The registration operation is the same as in the above embodiment.

First, the display 501 is in the automatic mode, in which the apparatus selects a cassette according to a preset specific size. That is, this indicates that there is no registration of the recording paper size for report output in the registration memory 108.

A display 502 indicates a mode in which a B4 size cassette is forcibly selected.
Indicates a mode in which an A4 size cassette is forcibly selected.

In this embodiment, when the recording paper of the registered size runs out during the printing of the report, the recording paper of that size is supplied regardless of the presence or absence of the recording paper of another size. Suspend report output until

In the selection menu display in such registration, the size of the currently mounted cassette is sequentially displayed in addition to the first automatic mode. Note that all the cassette sizes that can be mounted on the apparatus may be displayed in order.

Although the size of the recording paper is registered in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the cassette number may be registered as shown in FIG. The registration method is the same as the example described with reference to FIG. By registering cassettes in this way, for example, it is possible to set a report to be printed using recycled paper.

[0094]

According to the present invention, means for registering a recording paper size or a cassette number at the time of outputting a received image is provided, and recording paper other than the registered recording paper size or the cassette number is provided. Has the advantage that it is possible to obtain a received document of the same paper size or a received document of a specific type of paper quality, if necessary, by not allowing image output.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an image management record and a page management record in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a block management record in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of declaring a recording paper size in a pre-procedure of image reception in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of designating a recording paper size when recording a received image in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a selection menu when recording paper size is registered in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a selection menu when registering a cassette number in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of specifying a recording paper size when recording a received image according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a selection menu when recording paper size is registered in the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a selection menu when registering a cassette number in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU, 102 ROM, 103 RAM, 104 operating unit, 105 display unit, 106 communication unit, 107 receiving buffer, 108 registration memory, 109 image memory, 110 reading unit, 111, 122 ... Encoding / decoding processing section, 117 LBP controller, 118 LBP, 119, 120 cassette, 121 DMA controller, 124 ASCII buffer, 125 character generator.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masao Kiguchi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Hirai 3-30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (56) References JP-A-6-30181 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus having a plurality of recording paper cassettes and selecting one of them to print received image data, comprising a registration means for registering a recording paper size or a cassette number at the time of reception. If the recording paper size or cassette number is not registered in the registration unit at the time of reception, the maximum size among the installed cassettes is declared to the transmitting side, and the cassette is selected according to the received image data size. When the received image is selected and printed, and the recording paper size or cassette number is registered in the registering means, the recording paper size based on the registration is declared to the transmitting side, and the cassette or the cassette of the recording paper size is registered. facsimile apparatus according to claim <br/> to print the received image by selecting the cassette of the cassette number. 2. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a recording paper size or a cassette number is registered in said registration means, and when said recording paper runs out while printing said received image data, another recording paper is used. A facsimile apparatus characterized in that, if there is a free space in the image memory, a memory substitute reception is performed, and if there is no free space, an error is terminated. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the recording paper size or the cassette number is not registered in the registration unit, if there is a cassette having the same size as the received image data size, the cassette of that size is selected. A facsimile apparatus for selecting a cassette one size larger than that size and printing a received image.