JPH0531435U - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of protecting communication data of communication when power is cut off. An image forming apparatus according to the present invention detects an interruption and a restoration of supplied power, outputs a power interruption and a recovery signal, and supplies an uninterruptible power supply unit for a predetermined time even after the interruption of the power, and a CPU 205. And a data storage unit that stores the received data in the RAM when the communication function is transmitting when the communication function is transmitting when the power is cut off. And an output means for printing out the received data received by the communication function and stored in the RAM when the power is restored, when the power recovery signal is input.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a communication function and an uninterruptible power supply.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Conventionally, various types of image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a facsimile (hereinafter simply referred to as FAX) equipped with various functions have been proposed. In recent years, such an image forming apparatus having a communication function, specifically, a FAX, a copying machine having a function equivalent to that of a FAX or the like, or a communication apparatus such as a FAX can be connected to the copying machine. It has come to be proposed what is configured as.

However, in the image forming apparatus having these communication functions, when the supplied power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the transmission operation is stopped at that point, and the information of the page being transmitted is transmitted to the destination. Will be interrupted without being transmitted to the receiver.

Therefore, by adding an uninterruptible power supply to the image forming apparatus having these communication functions, the information of the page being transmitted is completely transmitted to the receiving side, thereby minimizing the loss of information. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a reception error in advance by continuing the memory reception until the reception data ends if the reception data is being received.

[0005]

[The purpose of the device]

 The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of protecting communication data of communication when power is cut off.

[0006]

[Device configuration]

 In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention of the present application is, in an image forming apparatus having a communication function, a detection means for detecting interruption of supplied power and outputting a power interruption signal, and an output from this detection means. A power supply means for inputting a power cutoff signal to supply power for a predetermined time even after power is cut off, and a power supply means for receiving power from the power supply means during transmission by the communication function when the power is cut off. Transmission continuation means for continuing transmission of the data being transmitted, and data storage for accumulating the received data by receiving power from the power supply means when receiving by the communication function when the power is cut off. And means.

The second invention of the present application is, in an image forming apparatus having a communication function, a detection means for detecting cutoff and recovery of supplied power and outputting a power cutoff and recovery signal, and the detection means. Input the output power-off signal to supply power for a predetermined time even after power-off, and supply power from the power-supply means when receiving by the communication function when power-off. When the data storage means that receives and accumulates the received data and the power restoration signal output from the detection means are input, the received data received and accumulated by the communication function when the power is cut off is input to the data storage means. And output means for printing out.

[0008]

[Action]

 The image forming apparatus of the first invention of the present application is provided with the power supply means for supplying the power for a predetermined time even after the power is cut off by the power cutoff signal output from the detecting means which detects the cutoff of the power supply. .. When the power is cut off, the power is supplied from this power supply means when the power is cut off, so that the data being transmitted is continuously transmitted during the transmission and the received data is accumulated when the data is being received. To prevent loss of sent / received data.

The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is a power supply unit that supplies power for a predetermined time even after the power is cut off by the power cutoff signal output from the detection unit that detects the cutoff of the supplied power. It is equipped with. Also, when the power is cut off, the power is supplied from this power supply means, so that the received data being received when the power is cut off is accumulated, and when the power recovery signal output from the detection means is input, when the power is cut off. By printing out the received data that has been received and accumulated, it is possible to prevent power consumption due to printing out the received data, which consumes a large amount of power.

[0010]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 31 show the structure and operation of a multi-function peripheral having a communication function as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

First, the configuration of the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the entire digital copying machine, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are a plan view and a side view of a writing section in the digital copying machine, respectively.

The schematic configuration of the digital copying machine will be described below with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the digital copying machine includes a copying machine main body (I) as shown in FIG. 1, an automatic document feeder [ADF] (II) formed on the copying machine main body (I), The copying machine main body (I) is composed of four units, a sorter (III) attached to the discharge opening and a double-sided reversing unit (IV) attached to the lower side of the sorter (III).

The copying machine main body (I) mainly includes a scanner unit, a writing unit, a photoconductor unit, a developing unit, a paper feeding unit, and the like. Next, the configuration and operation of each unit will be described.

First, the scanner unit will be described. A first scanner equipped with a reflecting mirror 1, a light source 3 and a first mirror 2 and moving at a constant speed, a second mirror 4 and a third mirror 5 It has a second scanner that moves at a speed following the first scanner.

A document (not shown) on the contact glass 9 is optically scanned by the first scanner and the second scanner, and the reflected image is guided to the lens 7 via the color filter 6, and the one-dimensional solid-state image pickup device is obtained. Image on 8.

A fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp, or the like is used as the light source 3, and a fluorescent lamp is generally used because of its stable wavelength and long life. In the present embodiment, the reflecting mirror 1 is attached to one light source 3, but two or more light sources may be used. Since the solid-state image sensor 8 has a constant sampling clock, the fluorescent lamp will adversely affect the image unless it is lit at a higher frequency.

A CCD is generally used as the solid-state imaging device 8. Since the image signal read by the solid-state imaging device 8 is an analog value, it is converted from analog / digital (hereinafter simply referred to as A / D) and various image processing (binarization, multi-valued) is performed by the image processing board 10. Conversion, gradation processing, scaling processing, editing processing, etc.), and converted into a digital signal as a set of spots.

In order to obtain color image information, in the present embodiment, a color filter 6 that transmits only necessary color information is arranged so that it can be taken in and out along the optical path guided from the document to the solid-state image sensor 8. The color filter 6 is put in and taken out in accordance with the scanning of the original, and various kinds of copies can be made by the functions such as multiple transfer and double-sided copy each time.

In addition, a color original may be read using a 3-line CCD or the like in order to simultaneously obtain three pieces of RGB information.

Next, the writing unit will be described. The image information after the image processing is written on the photosensitive drum 40 in the form of a set of light spots by raster scanning of laser light in the optical writing unit. 5 and 6 are a plan view and a side view showing the writing unit. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 20 is converted into a parallel light flux by the collimator lens 21 and shaped into a constant light flux by the aperture lens 32. The shaped laser light is incident on the polygon mirror 24 in a form compressed by the first cylinder lens 22 in the sub-scanning direction. The polygon mirror 24 has an accurate polygonal shape, and is rotated in a fixed direction by a polygon motor 25 at a fixed speed. This rotation speed is determined by the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 40, the writing density, and the number of faces of the polygon mirror 24.

The reflected light of the laser light incident on the polygon mirror 24 is deflected by the rotation of the polygon mirror 24. The deflected laser light sequentially enters the fθ lenses 26a and 26b. The fθ lenses 26a and 26b are converted so that scanning light having a constant angular velocity is scanned on the photosensitive drum 40 at a constant speed, and are imaged on the photosensitive drum 40 so as to form a minimum light spot. It also has a correction mechanism.

The laser light transmitted through the fθ lenses 26a and 26b is guided to the synchronization detection light input section 30 by the synchronization detection mirror 29 outside the image area, propagated to the sensor section by the optical fiber, and is laid out in the main scanning direction. The reference sync detection is performed and a sync signal is output. The image data for one line is output after a fixed time from the output of the sync signal, and one image is formed by repeating this process.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show layout examples of the writing unit.

Next, the photoconductor portion will be described. A photosensitive layer is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 40. A semiconductor laser (organic photoreceptor (OPC), α-Si, Se-Te, etc. is known as a photosensitive layer having a sensitivity to a wavelength of 780 nm, and in this embodiment, the organic photoreceptor (OPC) is used. There is.

In general, in the case of laser writing, there are two processes, a negative / positive (N / P) process of shining light on the image part and a positive / positive (P / P) process of shining light on the background part. In the example, the former N / P process is adopted.

The configuration will be described below together with the operation. The charging charger 41 is of a scorotron type having a grid on the photoconductor side, uniformly (-) charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 40, and irradiates the image forming portion with laser light to reduce the potential of this exposed portion. .. As a result, the background portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 has a potential of about −750 to −800 V and the image portion has a potential of about −500 V, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. This electrostatic latent image is developed by applying a bias voltage of -500 to -600 V to the developing roller by the developing devices 42a and 42b, and the toner charged in (-) is attached to visualize the electrostatic latent image.

Next, the developing unit will be described. In this embodiment, two developing devices, a main developing device 42a and a sub-developing device 42b, are provided. In the case of development using a single black color, the sub-image forming device 42b and the toner replenishing device 43b are removed. In this embodiment having two developing devices, black toner is put in the toner replenishing device 43a paired with the main developing device 42a, and color toner is put in the toner replenishing device 43b paired with the sub developing device 42b. During the development of one color, the development is selectively performed by changing the position of the main pole of the developing device for the other color.

By using this developing unit, color information can be read by switching the color filter 6 of the scanner, and by combining the paper transfer system multiple transfer and double-sided copying functions, multi-functional color copying and color editing can be performed. Become. Development of three or more colors can be achieved by a method of arranging three or more developing devices around the photosensitive drum 40, a revolver method of rotating and switching three or more developing devices, and the like.

The image visualized by the developing devices 42a and 42b is transferred onto the paper surface that is synchronized with the photosensitive drum 40 and sent from the back surface of the paper with a (+) charge applied by the transfer charger 44. It The transferred paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 40 by AC charge removal by a separation charger 45 which is integrally held with the transfer charger 44.

The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 40 without being transferred to the paper is scraped off from the photosensitive drum by the cleaning blade 47 and collected in the attached tank 48. Furthermore, the potential pattern remaining on the photoconductor drum 40 is erased by irradiating it with light from the static elimination lamp 49.

A photo sensor 50 is provided at a position immediately after the development. The photo sensor 50 is composed of a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the reflection density on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. This is because the optical writing unit writes a certain pattern (for example, a pattern of black or halftone dots) at the position corresponding to the reading position by the photo sensor, and the reflectance of the pattern unit after development and the other than the pattern unit The image density is judged from the ratio of the reflectance of the photoconductor drum 40, and if the image density is low, a toner replenishment signal is issued. In addition, the fact that the density does not increase even after replenishment can be used to detect an insufficient toner level.

Next, the paper feeding unit will be described. In this embodiment, a plurality of cassettes 60a, 60b, 60c are provided, and the paper once transferred can be passed through the re-feeding loop 72 for double-sided copying or re-feeding. That is, when one cassette 60 is selected from the plurality of cassettes 60a, 60b, 60c and then the start button is pressed, the paper feed rollers 61 (61a, 61b, 61c) near the selected cassette 60. ) Rotates and is fed until the leading edge of the paper hits the registration roller 62. Although the registration roller 62 is stopped at this time, the registration roller 62 starts its rotation in synchronism with the image position formed on the photoconductor drum 40, and feeds the paper to the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 40. After that, the toner image is transferred to the paper at the transfer unit, suctioned and conveyed at the separation / conveyance unit 63, and the toner image transferred by the fixing roller composed of the pair of the heat roller 64 and the pressure roller 65 is transferred onto the paper surface. Establish.

The paper thus transferred is guided by the switching claw 67 to the paper exit on the sorter (III) side during normal copying. On the other hand, at the time of multiple copy, the switching claws 68 and 69 do not eject the sheet toward the sorter (III) side, pass through the lower sheet re-feeding loop 72, and guide the sheet again to the resist roller 62.

In the case of double-sided copying, there are two cases, one is only using the copying machine main body (I) and the other is using the double-sided reversing unit (IV). Here, the former case will be described.

The sheet guided downward by the switching claw 67 is further guided downward by the switching claw 67, is guided to the re-feeding loop 72 by the next switching of the switching claw 69, and is fed to the registration roller 62. To be done.

Next, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) (II) will be described. This ADF automatically guides the originals one by one onto the contact glass 9 and automatically discharges them to the discharge tray 103 after copying. The originals placed on the original feeding table 100 are aligned in the widthwise direction by the side guides 101. The placed originals are separated and fed one by one by a paper feed roller 104, transported to a predetermined position on the contact glass 9 by the rotation of the conveyor belt 102, and positioned.

When the copying of the predetermined number of sheets is completed, the original is discharged to the discharge tray 103 by the rotation of the conveyor belt 102 again. At this time, the size of the document can be detected by counting the position of the side guide 101 and the feed time of the document.

Next, the sorter (III) will be described. The sorter (III) is a device that selectively feeds the copy paper discharged from the copying machine main body (I) to, for example, page order, page by page, or preset bins 111a to 111x. Copy paper sent by a plurality of rollers rotated by the motor 110 is guided to the selected bin 111 by switching the claws near the entrance of each bin 111.

Next, the double-sided reversing unit (IV) will be described. As mentioned above, the main body of the copying machine (I) can only perform double-sided copying for each sheet, but by attaching this double-sided reversing unit (IV), it is possible to successively perform double-sided copying.

That is, when performing a double-sided copy collectively for a plurality of sheets, the paper guided downward by the paper discharge roller 66 is sent to the double-sided reversing unit (IV) by the next switching claw 67. The paper that has entered the double-sided reversal unit (IV) is accumulated on the tray 123 by the paper discharge roller 120. At this time, the feed roller 121 and the side alignment guide 122 align the copy paper vertically and horizontally. The copy sheets stacked on the tray 123 are re-fed by the re-feed roller 124 when the back side is copied. At this time, the re-feeding loop 72 is directly guided by the switching claw 69.

In FIG. 1, the positions of the other components such as the mirror 27, the dustproof glass 28, the lens holding unit 31, the separation claw 46, the main motor 80, and the fan motor 81 are shown.

Next, the electrical equipment control unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The control unit of the copying machine has two CPUs. The CPU (a) controls the sequence and the CPU (b) controls the operation. The CPU (a) and the CPU (b) are connected by a serial interface (RS232C).

In FIG. 2, an uninterruptible power supply unit 201 as a detection unit and a power supply unit communicates with a CPU (b) Main 205a via an SCI (serial communication interface) 203a, and this CPU (b) Main 205 a Communicates with the CPU (a) Sequence 205b. Further, the CPU (a) Sequence 205b is connected to a load 209 such as a motor, a clutch, and a solenoid via an I / O interface 207, and controls ON and OF of these. Further, the application 213 such as a FAX and a printer communicates with the CPU (b) Main 205a via the SCI 203b.

When the power is cut off, the CPU (b) Main 205a receives a signal indicating the power cut off from the uninterruptible power supply unit 201, determines the current copying status, and gives a command to the entire copying machine.

In the block diagrams showing the overall configuration of FIGS. 3 and 4, the uninterruptible power supply unit 201 detects the power cutoff at the time of power cutoff and transmits a power cutoff signal to the main control board 301. The uninterruptible power supply unit 201 is connected to the DC power supply 303 and the AC addition 305, and supplies a certain amount of electric power for a certain period when the power supply is cut off.

The CPU (b) Main 205 a configured on the main control board 301 receives a power cutoff signal output from the uninterruptible power supply unit 201, and when the application 213 is in operation, a power failure or the like may occur. Even if the power supply is cut off, it instructs to send power from the uninterruptible power supply unit 201 to the application 213, judges whether it is transmitting or receiving, and if it is transmitting, it is currently transmitting. For pages, control is performed so that transmission is continued until the end of transmission, and if reception is in progress, memory reception is continued until reception of the received file is completed.

Next, sequence control will be described. The sequence sets and outputs conditions related to paper transport timing and image formation.The paper size sensor, paper transport sensors such as paper discharge detection and registration detection, duplex unit, high-voltage power supply unit, relay, solenoid, A driver such as a motor, a sorter unit, a laser unit, a scanner unit, etc. are connected.

Regarding sensors, a paper size sensor that detects the size and orientation of the paper in the paper feed cassette and outputs an electrical signal according to the detection result, a sensor related to paper transportation such as registration detection and paper discharge detection, oil end, toner end, etc. There are inputs from sensors that detect the presence or absence of sub-lines, and sensors that detect machine malfunctions such as door open and fuse blown.

In the duplex unit, a motor for adjusting the paper width, a paper feed clutch, a solenoid for changing the conveyance path, a paper presence detection sensor, a side fence home position sensor for adjusting the paper width, and a paper There are sensors related to transportation.

The high-voltage power supply unit applies a predetermined high-voltage power to the outputs of the charging charger, the transfer charger, the separation charger, and the current image bias electrode by the duty obtained by the PWM control. The PWM control is performed so that the feedback value of each high-voltage power output is converted into a digital value by A / D conversion so that it becomes equal to the target value.

The drivers include a paper feed clutch, a registration clutch, a counter, a motor, a toner replenishing solenoid, a power relay, and a fixing heater.

A serial interface is connected to the sorter unit, and the paper is conveyed at a predetermined timing by a signal from the sequence and discharged to each bin.

A fixing temperature, a photosensor input, a monitor input of the laser diode 20, a reference voltage of the laser diode 20, a feedback value of output values from various high-voltage power supplies, and the like are input to the analog input.

An input from a thermistor in the fixing unit controls ON / OFF of the heater or phase control so that the temperature of the fixing unit becomes constant. The photo sensor input inputs a photo pattern created at a predetermined timing with a phototransistor, and detects the density of the pattern to control the toner density by turning on and off the toner supply clutch. The toner end is also detected based on this density. An analog input of the A / D converter and the CPU is used as a mechanism for adjusting the power of the laser diode 20 to be constant. This is controlled so that the monitor voltage when the laser diode 20 is turned on matches the preset reference voltage (this voltage is set so that the laser diode 20 becomes 3 mW in this embodiment). ..

Next, operation-related control will be described. The main CPU (b) 205a controls a plurality of serial ports and a calendar I C. In addition to the sequence control CPU (a) 205b, an operation unit, a scanner, an application 213, an editor and the like are connected to the plurality of serial ports.

The operation unit has a display for displaying the operator's key input and the status of the copying machine, and informs the main CPU (b) 205a of the key input information by serial communication. Based on this information, the main CPU (b) 205a turns on, turns off, and blinks the display.

Further, the operating condition of the machine is determined from the obtained information, and the information is transmitted to the CPU (a) 205b which is performing the sequence control at the time of copying start.

The scanner unit is a serial transmission process for information relating to scanner servo motor drive control, image processing, and image reading to the main CPU (b) 205a, and an interface between the ADF and the main CPU (b) 205a. Exchange the information contents that are present.

The editor is a unit for inputting an editing function, and serially transmits the image editing data (masking, trimming, imaging, etc) input by the operator to the main CPU (b) 205a.

The calendar IC stores the date and time, and can be called up by the main CPU (b) 205a at any time. Therefore, the current time is displayed on the operation unit display and the machine on / off time is set. By doing so, it is possible to control the on / off of the machine by a timer.

The gate array outputs image data (DATA0, ..., DATA7) and a synchronizing signal in the following three directions in response to a select signal from the CPU (b) 205a.

1) Scanner control circuit → image control circuit In this case, an image signal continuously sent by 8-bit data (however, it can be 4 bits or 1 bit) from the scanner is synchronized with the synchronization signal PMSYNC by the laser beam scanner unit. And output to the image control circuit.

2) Scanner control circuit → application In this case, an image signal associated with 8-bit data (however, it can be 4 bits or 1 bit) from the scanner is output in parallel to the application 213. The application outputs the input image data to an external output device such as a printer.

3) Application → Image control circuit In this case, the application 213 transmits an image signal continuously transmitted by 8 bit data (however, it can be 4 bit or 1 bit) from an externally connected input device (fax etc.). The synchronization signal PMSYNC from the laser beam scanner unit is synchronized and output to the image control circuit.

In this case, when the image signal from the outside is 1 bit or 4 bits, it is necessary to perform a process of converting it to 8 bit data.

A block diagram of the application unit is shown in FIG. 8 and will be described. This example shows a system including APL1 (file unit), APL2 (FAX unit) APL3 (on / off printer unit), APL4 (LAN), and display (T / S, LCD).

First, the base portion will be described. The image data is sent serially to the engine I / F, so convert it to parallel here. Also, the parallel data of the page memory is converted to serial by the engine I / F and sent to the EXTIN. The control signal is serial and is connected to the system bus via the engine I / F and SCI (serial communication interface). In this example, the page memory has a size of one page of A3, which is converted into a BIT image, and arbitrates the data speed of EXTIN and EXTOUT and the processing speed of the CPU.

The scaling circuit enlarges or reduces the data in the page memory by this circuit. In order to perform high-speed processing, the DMAC is used to perform high-speed processing without going through the CPU.

In the rotation control, for example, when the document to be sent is A4 portrait and the receiver is A4 landscape in FAX transmission, the sending side automatically reduces the size by 71% and the sending side becomes difficult to read. .. In order to prevent this, when the size is the above, the transmission original is rotated by 90 degrees to be converted into A4 landscape and transmitted at the same size.

Another object is that when the receiving size is A4 landscape or the set size is A4 portrait when receiving and outputting, the rotation control unit rotates the output image 90 degrees and converts it to A4 portrait and outputs it. There is no need to distinguish between vertical and horizontal cassettes. The CEP is a circuit having functions of image data compression, expansion, and through.

The bus arbiter performs processing of sending data from the AGDC to the image bus and sending to the system bus. The timer has a function of generating a predetermined clock. RTC is a clock that generates the current time. The console is a terminal for control, and it is possible to develop software using the display bag tool, which is a function of the internal OS, in addition to reading and rewriting data inside the system. ROM has basic functions such as OS and is mainly used for working. Next, APL1 will be described. SCSI is an I / F for HDD (hard disk), ODD (optical disk), and FDD (floppy disk). The ROM controls the HDD, ODD, FDD via SCSI and contains software as a filing system.

Next, the APL2 will be described. This APL2 is a unit for FAX control and comprises the following components.

The G4 FAX controller is a unit that controls the protocol for G4, and is a unit that supports class 1, class 2, and class of G4 in this part. Needless to say, since I SDN is also supported and the line is 2B + 1D (64K Bx2 + 16KB) in NET64, it is a unit in which only G4 / G4, G4 / G3, G3 / G3, G4 or only G3 can be selected. The G3FAX controller is a unit that controls the G3G3 protocol, and in this part it also has the G3FAX protocol by analog wiring and the model that converts digital signals to analog signals.

The NCU (Network Control Unit) has a function of dialing when connecting to the other party by using a switch or receiving an incoming call from the other party.

SAF (store and forward) is for accumulating image data (including merge data, code data, etc.) when transmitting and receiving FAX. This unit uses a semiconductor memory, HDD, ODD, or the like.

The ROM 2 contains a program for controlling the APL 2. In addition, the ROM is used for those works and at the same time is made non-volatile by a battery, in which the telephone number of the other party, the name of the other party, and data for controlling the FAX function are stored. The contents can be easily set using the T / S and LCD of the display unit.

Next, the APL3 will be described. APL3 is a control unit for online printers and offline printers. FDC (floppy disk controller) controls a floppy disk. Also, some recent floppy disks support SCSI, and here the SCSI and ST506 interfaces are supported. The SCI (Serial Communication Interface) is used to connect to the HOST computer. The Centro I / F is also the same as the SCI.

Next, the emulation card will be described. When looking at the printer from HOST, it is currently sold by many manufacturers, such as those made by company N and company E, and the specifications for each are different. The software used in HOST cannot be used unless the functions of these printers are the same as seen from HOST.

In order to eliminate this inconvenience, an emulation card is provided so that the software installed inside can operate as a printer of each manufacturer when apparently viewed from HOST.

Further, the AGDC (Advanced Graphics Display Spray Controller) expands the code data sent from the HOST to the page memory at high speed in the FONT image in the CGROM or CG card. The ROM 3 stores software for controlling these.

CGROM (Character Generator ROM) contains FONT data corresponding to code data. The FONT format contains data such as outline FONT. The CG card is an external CGFONT, and the contents are the same as the CGROM.

Next, the APL4 will be described. The APL 4 is a unit that controls the LAN. Here, the currently operating LAN such as insert net, omni, star run, etc. is controlled. Naturally, APL2 (FAX) and APL4 (LAN) work in the background even when other APLs are operating.

Next, the display unit will be described. The display unit controls the LCD and touch switches. The LCD can display graphics and characters, and the CG therein has a built-in second-level code of ANK and Chinese characters. TSC is a touch switch controller, where T / S that controls T / S is divided by X and Y grids, and the size when used by the operator is the number of grids for one key by TSC. It can be freely set by deciding. The LCD and T / S have a two-layer structure so that the key size and the LCD key frame can correspond.

Next, the FAX operation will be described. FAX as a communication function in this embodiment has the functions of MF, G2, G3, and G4, and the transmission density is 3.85, 7.7, 15. 4 lines / mm Furthermore, for G4, 200, 300, and 400dpi are supported, and density conversion can be performed mutually using the variable magnification function.

Using the SAF memory, memory transmission / reception, relay, confidential reception, polling, etc. can be realized, and further, memory transmission, memory reception, reception output, etc. can be performed simultaneously while storing the transmission original in the memory.

Next, the operation at the time of immediate transmission will be described with reference to the transmission flowcharts shown in FIGS. 26 (a), (b), FIG. 27 and FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 10 (a) is displayed on the LCD of FIG. When the fax key is pressed (step S3) in this state (step S1), the screen changes to the mode shown in FIG. 10 (b) and the mode for instructing the destination is displayed in step S5. There is a method of using the telephone directory mode as shown in FIG. 10 (b) and a method of using the 10 key shown in FIGS.

The telephone book system has the following modes. (1) Normal mode: This mode operates almost the same as a so-called one-touch key. This mode can be set by pressing the regular key, and can be set by the other party by pressing the key in section A. In this example, nine kinds of keys are displayed at one time, but the keys in section B can be pressed in four directions. You can scroll the screen by pressing the upper and lower keys as appropriate. It is possible to display the destinations set internally. (2) Japanese syllabary mode: This mode is to display the other party in the order of Japanese syllabary. This mode can be selected by pressing the Japanese syllabary key "a, ka, sa, ta, na, ha, ma, ra, w". For example, when the "A" key is pressed, the display of the "A" key is highlighted and the other party belonging to this key is displayed. The operator can select the other party by checking the other party and pressing the key. (3) User mode: This mode is a mode in which the other party is displayed for each user. Pressing the "Planning room" key in Fig. 12 (a) displays the other party registered in the planning room.

As described above, the present embodiment has a mode for selecting various destinations, and the operator can select a frequently used mode in advance. For example, if the 10 key is frequently used, it is possible to press the FAX key in Fig. 10 (a) and immediately move to Fig. 11 (a). 12 (b) and 13 (a) show the display when the destination is specified.

Next, when the transmission conditions are set, the transmission condition key is pressed to display the screen shown in FIG. 13 (b), which is a mode in which the read density, the document type, the character size, etc. can be set. At this time, the reading density, the document type, the 10 key, etc. are light and dark with the hard keys in FIG. 14, and the photo key etc. can be used in parallel.

FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b) show the display when confirming the mode set by the operation so far. By pressing the confirmation key, the other party, density, character mode, department name, designated time, presence / absence of memory transmission, etc. can be displayed and confirmed. By pressing the start key, the called party stored in the ROM of the APL2 is dialed and the called party is called. When it is determined in step S9 that the other party is a FAX, the document reading operation starts. At this time, if the signal such as CDE, NSF, DIS shown in FIG. 16 is not sent from the other party, it is judged that the other party is not FAX, and this telephone number is stored in the ROM of APL2. When this next number is selected or dialed, the operator is notified by display, voice, sound, etc. that the other party is not FAX (step S11).

By this operation, the display becomes as shown in FIG. 18 and the original is read. If the start key (step S13) is pressed when there is no document, a display prompting the document to be reset is displayed as shown in FIG. 18 (step S45). In FIG. 18, it is possible to specify the density, the type of the original, the character size, etc. according to each transmission original while the original is being read. By this operation, the scanner operates to read the original, and the data is output to the terminal of EXTOUT via the individual circuits shown in FIG.

At this time, it is possible to select whether or not to use the IPU (FIG. 20) by selecting MUX1 and MUX3 shown in FIG. 19, and further, the internal function of the IPU can be freely selected by the program. .. This signal enters the engine I / F in FIG. 9 and is stored in the page memory according to the bit size of the page memory. Note that EXTOUT is sent in multi-value of 8 bits per pixel, whereas the page memory corresponds to 16 bits and the bit configuration is different, so it is matched here.

When the data from the scanner enters the memory, the data is stored in the SAF memory of the APL2 while being compressed via CEP in step S49, and at the same time, the SAF data is transferred to the G3FAX controller. The timing charts at this time are shown in FIGS. By transmitting the data from the scanner while accumulating it in the SAF, the following characteristics can be obtained. That is, reading from the scanner can read one A4 size sheet in about 2 seconds. On the other hand, the transmission time for G3 is about 9 seconds for A4 size. Thus, the transmission time is about 4.5 times longer than reading.

In a device that can be used in combination with a copying machine, a fax machine, a printer, etc. as in the present embodiment, for example, when the next person wants to make a copy during fax transmission, the time required for fax transmission Is expected to be shortened. However, FAX transmission may be faster or slower depending on the performance of the partner machine.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the apparent transmission speed is increased by transmitting the read data while accumulating the read data in the ASAF, and since the transmission original is accumulated in the SAF memory, an error may occur during the transmission. When an error occurs or the line is disconnected, the image can be sent correctly by resending and calling again.

FIG. 24 shows blocks for controlling G3 and G4 FAX lines and protocols. Here, G3 FAX will be described. The compression data stored and read in the SAF memory is output to the G3 FAX unit via the dua1PortRAM. FIG. 25 shows the configuration of the dua1 Port RAM. DATA BUFFER 1 and 2 are areas used when exchanging data with each other and can be used as toggles.

The TTI image has characters printed on the leading edge of the FAX received image in this area. The system parameters include the parameters required when operating the G3 FAX. It should be noted that this area can be rewritten via the operation unit. The command area is an area for exchanging commands with each other. Commands and data are exchanged through these areas at the timings shown in FIGS. 21, 22, and 23.

Any data of MH, MR, MMR, raw data, and code data from SAF is stored in DPRAM (DualPortRAM). Here, the size and density of the transmitted document are adjusted to the mode of the partner using the DCR and variable magnification functions. For example, when the transmitted original is A3, the density is 15.4 lines / mm, the compression mode is MMR, the receiving mode is A4, the density is 7.7 lines / mm, and the compression mode is MH, DCR and scaling are used. To adjust the sent document to the receive mode.

The operation at this time is as follows. The DPMR MMR data is returned to the raw data using the DCR and temporarily stored in the RAM (processing is performed in line units). Then, the raw data temporarily stored in the RAM according to the other party is used by a scaling circuit. The data is scaled and the data is compressed according to the other party via the DCR circuit.

Next, the compressed data is sent to the public circuit via the modem and NCU while being stored in the RAM. The reason for storing the compressed data in RAM here is that the transmission speed on the line is constant, but the compression speed is different depending on the data so that the transmission data is not cut off. There is.

In this example, the DCR can be switched between compression and expansion operations on a line-by-line basis.

Next, the case of data reception will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 29 shows a block of NCU. A public circuit is connected to L1 and L2. When there is an incoming call, a 16HZ signal is sent from the exchange. This signal enters the detection circuit of 16 HZ via L1, L2 and RY1 and a signal is output to the output b. Also, the detection of 1300HZ indicates that there is an incoming call when this signal is sent from the exchange when the F network operated by NTT is used. In this mode, either 16HZ or 1300HZ can be specified by contract with NTT.

Here, when the NCU detects 16HZ, the SCU side is notified that there is an incoming call request from the CCU side, as can be seen from the receiving side in the timing chart of FIG. The SCU prepares for reception by this signal and issues a reception request to the CCU, which causes the CCU to transmit CED, NSF, and DIS to the partner machine. This time, the other machine sends TSI and DCS. The receiving mode is included in this, and the receiving side sets this mode in the receiving unit.

Next, the training of the modem (step S63) is started. This is because the transmitting side sends a "0" code for 1 second, and the receiving side determines the quality of the line based on the number of error bits. When it is good, CFR is returned, and when it is not, FTT is returned to the transmitting side. ..

Next, the reception of image information is started. In FIG. 24, the received image data is converted into a digital signal by the modem. This is converted into raw data via DCR, further compressed, and stored in the SAF memory in step S71. At this time, the reason why DCR restores the raw data once and then compresses it again is that the received data usually contains an error on the line, and if it is stored in SAF as it is, it is impossible to distinguish between a hardware error and a data error. Because it will be.

When recompressing, a memory efficient method is adopted. For example, the data stored in the SAF memory is printed out for each page, or one file is stored according to the mode setting and then output. In order to output from the SAF memory, it is necessary that the page memory of FIG. 9 is not used by any other APL and that the copying machine is also free. When these conditions are met, the data in the SAF memory is expanded to the page memory while being returned to the raw data via CEP.

After the development is completed, the optimum paper size is selected. At this time, the page memory data is A4 portrait, and when the optimum paper is A4 landscape, the page memory data is rotated 90 degrees by the rotation control to be output to the selected paper.

With this function, it has become possible to prevent an A4 portrait image from being printed on an A4 landscape paper and leaving a margin. This function can rotate not only the received output but also the image information read according to the other device by 90 degrees even in the transmission mode. So, for example, when the transmitted original is A4 landscape and the receiving side is A4 portrait, it has been 71 What was sent in% reduction can be sent in the same size by incorporating 90 degree rotation, which makes it easier to see on the receiving side.

Next, the configuration and operation of the uninterruptible power supply unit will be described. This uninterruptible power supply unit supplies power for a specified period of time when the power supply is cut off due to a power failure, etc. It is generally called an uninterruptible power supply and is a device equivalent to that used in computers and the like. Is. Further, this unit is provided with a serial port for communicating with the main CPU (b) 205a, through which information such as a power cutoff signal can be exchanged.

In a digital copying machine such as this embodiment, a large amount of electric power is consumed by a fixing heater, a motor, and the like. Therefore, in order to maintain normal operation for a long time when the power is cut off, a very large capacity is required. It is uneconomical and unrealistic, requiring a power outage. Therefore, by detecting the power interruption by communication and executing a special operation called the shutdown operation to reduce the power consumption, even a small capacity uninterruptible power supply can cause paper jams due to power outages and instantaneous interruptions. This is to prevent the problem of.

Next, the operation when the power is cut off will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 30. First, in step S81, the uninterruptible power supply unit 201 as the detection means and the power supply means supplies power to the main control board 301 when it detects power cutoff, and sends a power cutoff signal to the main control board via the SCI 203a. Output to the CPU (b) Main 205a of 301.

Upon receiving the power cutoff signal from the uninterruptible power supply unit 201, the CPU (b) Main 205a inputs the operation status of the application 213 such as a FAX or a printer via the SCI 203b. Here (step S83), when the FAX is operating, the process proceeds to step S85, and the power from the uninterruptible power supply unit 201 is supplied. In step S87, it is detected whether the FAX is being received or is being transmitted. If it is being received, the process proceeds to step S89, and if it is being transmitted, the process proceeds to step S95.

First, if the file is being received, it is detected in step S89 whether or not there is a file being received. If there is no file being received, the process proceeds to step S93, and if there is a file, the data is received. The process proceeds to step S91 which constitutes the storage means, the received data is stored in the RAM until the reception of the file being received is completed, and then the process proceeds to step S93 to end the receiving operation, and further proceeds to step S101.

On the other hand, if the page is being transmitted, it is detected in step S95 whether there is a page being transmitted. If there is no page being transmitted, the process proceeds to step S99. If there is a page, the transmission is continued. The transmission operation is continued until the transmission of the page being transmitted is completed, and after the page being transmitted is exhausted, the process proceeds to step S99 to end the transmission operation, and further proceeds to step S101. ..

In step S101, after the line is opened, the processing at the time of power cutoff is ended.

Next, the operation when the power is restored will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 31. First, in step S111, the uninterruptible power supply unit 201 outputs a power supply recovery signal to the CPU (b) Main 205a of the main control board 301 via the SCI 203a when detecting the power supply recovery.

When the CPU (b) Main 205a receives the power recovery signal from the uninterruptible power supply unit 201, the operation status of the application 213 is input via the SCI 203b, and the received data is accumulated in the RAM in step S113. Detect whether or not Here, when the received data is stored in the RAM, the process proceeds to step S115 to print out.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the uninterruptible power supply unit 201 detects the power cutoff at the time of power cutoff and sends the power cutoff signal to the main control board 301. The uninterruptible power supply unit 201 is connected to the DC power supply 303 and the AC addition 305, and supplies a certain amount of power for a certain period when the power is shut off.

Further, when the CPU (b) Main 205 a configured on the main control board 301 receives the power cutoff signal output from the uninterruptible power supply unit 201, when the application 213 is in operation, Even if the power supply is cut off due to a power failure, etc., the power from the uninterruptible power supply unit 201 is instructed to be sent to the application 213, it is judged whether it is transmitting or not, and if it is transmitting. For example, for the page currently being transmitted, the transmission is continued until the transmission is completed, and if it is being received, the memory reception is controlled until the reception of the received file is completed. Communication data is protected.

[0121]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, the power is supplied from the power supply means for a predetermined time even after the power is cut off, and when the power is cut off, the transmission is continued during the transmission and the received data is accumulated during the reception. Therefore, it is possible to protect the communication data of the communication when the power is cut off.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus to which an uninterruptible power supply of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a part of a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is another part of the block diagram of FIG.

5 is a plan view showing a configuration of a writing unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

6 is a side view showing a configuration of a writing unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

7 is a plan view showing a configuration of a writing unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

8 is a side view showing a configuration of a writing unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an application unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

10A and 10B are diagrams showing a display example of an LCD screen of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

11A and 11B are diagrams showing a display example of an LCD screen of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

12A and 12B are diagrams showing a display example of an LCD screen of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

13A and 13B are diagrams showing a display example of an LCD screen of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

14 is a diagram showing a display example of an LCD screen of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

15A and 15B are diagrams showing a display example of an LCD screen of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram comparing signals on the transmitting side and the receiving side.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

18 is a diagram showing a display example of an LCD screen of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

19 is a block diagram showing a configuration from reading of a document to output in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an IPU in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a timing chart when data from the scanner in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is transferred to the FAX controller.

FIG. 22 is a timing diagram when data from the scanner in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is transferred to the FAX controller.

FIG. 23 is a timing diagram when data from the scanner in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is transferred to the FAX controller.

FIG. 24 is a view showing G3 and G in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a part for controlling a 4FAX line and a protocol.

FIG. 25 is a Dual in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
RAM mappin showing the configuration of the Port RAM
It is g.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are flowcharts for explaining a FAX transmission procedure in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

27 is a flowchart for explaining a FAX transmission procedure in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a FAX transmission procedure in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a FAX NCU in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining a FAX transmission / reception procedure in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

31 is a flowchart for explaining a FAX reception procedure in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

201 uninterruptible power supply unit, 203 SCI, 2
05 CPU, 207 I / O, 211 sorter unit, 213 application, 215 image control circuit,

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. In an image forming apparatus having a communication function, a detection means for detecting interruption of supplied power and outputting a power interruption signal, and a power interruption signal inputted from the detection means are inputted. Power supply means for supplying power for a predetermined time even after power-off, and transmission continuation means for receiving power from the power-supply means and continuing transmission of the data being transmitted during transmission by the communication function when power-off An image forming apparatus, comprising: and a data storage unit that receives power from the power supply unit and stores the received data when receiving power by the communication function when power is cut off. 2. In an image forming apparatus having a communication function, a detecting means for detecting cutoff and restoration of supplied power and outputting a power cutoff and restoration signal, and a power cutoff signal outputted from this detecting means. Power supply means for supplying power for a predetermined time even after the power is turned off and data storage means for receiving power from the power supply means and accumulating the received data when receiving by the communication function when the power is cut off And output means for printing out received data received and accumulated by the communication function when the power is shut off to the data accumulating means when the power recovery signal output from the detecting means is input. Image forming apparatus.