JP2000022923A - Device and system for image formation and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the power consumption and to save recording paper, toner, etc., while keeping the living environment, etc., of an operator silent. SOLUTION: A CPU decides first whether or not the current time that a timer IC indicates is in a time zone wherein print output is inhibited (step S101). When it is decided that the current time is in the inhibition time zone, it is decided whether or not there is facsimile reception (step S102) and when so, received image data are compressed and stored in a memory (step S103). Therefore, a reception tone indicating the facsimile reception of data is not generated and print output is not performed either in the time zone wherein the operator inhibits reception tone generation and print output even if the facsimile reception of the data is done.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus or a composite apparatus having communication means connected to a communication line for transmitting and receiving data, and print output means for printing out data on a recording material. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus, an image forming system, and a control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in response to a demand for downsizing OA equipment, a composite image forming apparatus constituted by providing a plurality of apparatuses, for example, a facsimile apparatus and a printing apparatus in one apparatus, has been widely used. Have been.

In such a composite image forming apparatus, when data is received via a communication line, a reception sound is emitted from a speaker provided in the composite image forming apparatus to notify an operator, Under independent control, the received data is printed out on a recording sheet as an image.

[0004]

However, according to the above-described conventional composite image forming apparatus, even if the operator wants to keep quiet in a living environment or a working environment, the operator receives the sound from the speaker and then receives the sound. Since the data is printed out, there is a problem that the silence cannot be maintained due to the received sound or noise generated by the printing operation.

Further, since data is printed out every time data is received, in the case of an apparatus having a fixing means for fixing by heat when printing an image, power is supplied to the fixing means every time data is received. Therefore, it is difficult to further reduce the power consumption. In addition, since printing is performed every time the data is received, recording paper and toner are consumed more than necessary, and it is difficult to reduce the cost in this respect as well. There is also a problem that the burden on the operator for organizing the printed recording paper is large.

Such a problem occurs not only when the composite image forming apparatus is used alone, but also when, for example, the composite image forming apparatus is connected and used as a printer of a host computer.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and it is possible to maintain the quietness of the living environment of the operator, to reduce the power supply, and to save recording paper and toner. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a control method.

[0008]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit connected to a communication line for receiving data transmitted through the communication line; An image forming apparatus having output means for printing out data on a recording material; determining means for determining whether it is a timing at which the data received by the receiving means can be printed out; and printing output by the determining means It is characterized by comprising a compression means for compressing the data received by the reception means when it is determined that the timing is not possible, and a storage means for storing the data compressed by the compression means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a clock unit that displays a time; and a setting unit that sets a time zone in which printing by the output unit is not possible. The determination unit includes a time displayed by the clock unit. Is within the time zone set by the setting means, it is determined that the timing is not the timing at which the printout is possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit connected to a communication line for receiving data transmitted through the communication line; and an output unit for printing out the data on a recording material. In the forming apparatus, a sound generating means for generating a sound when data is received by the receiving means, a sound generating timing determining means for determining whether or not it is a timing capable of generating a sound by the sound generating means, When the voice generation timing determination unit determines that the timing is not a timing at which a voice can be generated, the voice generation unit includes a prohibition unit that prohibits the generation of the voice by the voice generation unit.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: clock means for displaying a time; and setting means for setting a time zone during which printing by the output means is not possible, wherein the determination means is configured to display the time displayed by the clock means. When the time is within the time zone set by the setting means, it is determined that it is not the timing at which the sound can be generated.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: a host computer; a receiving unit connected to a communication line for receiving data transmitted through the communication line; and an output unit for printing out the received data. In the image forming system, the image forming apparatus includes: a determination unit configured to determine whether the received data can be printed out; and a timing that the determination unit can print out the received data. Not having a compression means for compressing the data received by the receiving means when it is determined that it is not, and storage means for storing the data compressed by the compression means, the host computer,
A data discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not unread data is stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus; and a data discriminating unit when the data discriminating unit determines that the unread data is stored. And a display unit for displaying the data extracted by the data acquisition unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image forming apparatus which is connected to a communication line, receives data transmitted through the communication line, and prints out the data on a recording material. In the method, when it is determined that the timing does not allow the received data to be printed out, the received data is compressed and stored without being printed out on a recording sheet.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the sixth aspect, the time displayed by the clock means is within a time zone set by the operator and in which printing cannot be performed. Sometimes, it is determined that it is not the timing at which the printout is possible.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which is connected to a communication line, receives data transmitted through the communication line, and generates sound when the data is received. In the control method of the apparatus, when it is determined that the timing is not such that the voice can be generated, the generation of the voice by the voice generating unit is prohibited.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the eighth aspect, the time displayed by the clock means is within the time zone set by the setting means in which sound cannot be generated. Sometimes, it is determined that it is not the timing at which the voice can be generated.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 includes an interface unit 3 connected to a telephone line 2 and a speaker 4 for generating a reception sound when data transmitted through the telephone line is received by the interface unit 3. The operation of the controller unit 9 for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 1, the operation panel unit 10 used for setting the operation mode and the like of the image forming apparatus, and the operation of the printer engine 12 for printing and outputting data. And an ECU 11 for control.

The controller unit 9 includes a memory 5 for storing image data received by the interface unit 3, a clock IC 7 for displaying time, and a clock IC
CPU 6 for monitoring the time displayed by 7 and battery 8 capable of supplying at least power capable of driving clock IC 7 and memory 5 even when power supply to the image forming apparatus is stopped. It is composed of

The operation panel unit 10 has an LCD display section 13 for displaying the operation mode of the image forming apparatus, the number of output sheets for executing print output, the enlargement / reduction ratio, and the like. When using the facsimile function, the key input unit 14 including ten keys and various operation keys is used to set the number of output sheets, and to use the facsimile number of the transmission destination when using the facsimile function. Have. The key input unit 14 generates a reception sound at the time of facsimile reception by a procedure described later,
And an operation key for setting a time zone during which printing is prohibited.

In the above configuration, the image data received by the interface unit 3 is sent to the printer engine 12 via the ECU 11 and printed out by the printer engine 12. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 can realize a facsimile function by using the interface unit 3, the controller unit 9, the ECU 11, and the printer engine 12.

The clock IC 7 is used by an operator to set a time zone during which reception sound generation and print output are prohibited during facsimile reception. The time zone can be set by operating the operation keys on the operation panel unit 10 by the operator. The CPU 6 monitors the time provided by the clock IC 7 based on the set time zone. When image data is received by the interface unit 3 when the time indicated by the clock IC 7 is a time zone set by the operator, the CPU 6 compresses the received image data without printing out the received image data. Process and store in memory 5.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of facsimile reception processing performed in the image forming apparatus having the above configuration.

First, the CPU 6 determines whether or not the current time displayed by the clock IC 7 is in a time zone during which printing is prohibited (step S101). If it is determined that the time period is prohibited, it is determined whether or not facsimile reception has been performed (step S102).
When facsimile reception is performed, the received image data is compressed and stored in the memory 5 (step S).
103). When the storage of the compressed data in the memory 5 ends, the process of step S101 is performed again.

Therefore, in the time period in which the operator sets to prohibit reception sound generation and print output, even if data is received by facsimile, no reception sound for notifying the reception is generated. Also, no print output is performed.

If it is determined in step S102 that no facsimile is received, the process in step S101 is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that the current time is not within the time period in which printout is prohibited, it is determined whether or not facsimile reception has been performed (step S104). In this determination, if there is no facsimile reception, it is determined whether or not compressed data is stored in the memory 5 (step S105). If no compressed data is stored, the process of step S101 is performed.

If it is determined in step S105 that the compressed data is stored in the memory 5, the compressed data is
It is taken out by the PU 6 and expanded, and then the ECU
11 is sent. Then, under the control of the ECU 11, the image data is printed out by the printer engine 12 (step S106). When the printout ends, the image data stored in the memory 5 is deleted (step S107). Then, the process of step S101 is performed again.

If it is determined in step S104 that facsimile reception has been performed, a reception sound notifying that facsimile reception has been performed is generated (step S108), and thereafter, as in steps S106 and S107. Is performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the time period during which the received sound generated when facsimile-received image right data is received and the operation of printing the image data are prohibited are set. By making it configurable,
The time that the operator wants to keep silence can be set arbitrarily. Further, since the time period during which the printout is performed is limited to a time period other than the prohibited time period, it is not necessary to always supply power to a portion required for printout, such as the printer engine 12 in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the image forming apparatus 31 supplies power capable of driving at least the clock IC 7 and the memory 5 even when the power supply to the memory 34, the CPU 35, and the image forming apparatus is stopped. And a controller unit 36 comprising a battery 42 that can be used. The controller unit 36 is connected to the host computer 37 via the network line 32. The host computer 37 is connected to a keyboard 37a used for inputting an operation mode and the like for controlling the image forming apparatus 31 from the host computer 37, and a monitor 38 including, for example, a liquid crystal display.

The image forming apparatus 31 includes a telephone line 41
And an ECU 39 for controlling the operation of a printer engine 40 for printing and outputting data.

The memory 34 of the controller unit 36
Saves the image data received by the interface unit 33. Further, the CPU 35 controls the entire image forming apparatus.

In the above configuration, the operator uses the keyboard 37 a of the host computer 37 or the operation panel unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 31.
The image data received by the image forming apparatus 31 by facsimile is prohibited from being printed out using the printer engine 40, and the image data is transmitted to the host computer 37.
Can be set to be forwarded.

In such a setting, the image data received by the interface unit 38 by facsimile is compressed by the CPU 35 and then stored in the memory 3.
4 is temporarily stored. On the other hand, when the operator starts the host computer by inputting power to the host computer 37, or when the operator performs a predetermined operation, the information is stored in the memory 34 on the monitor 38 of the host computer. Information on the image data being displayed, for example, a reception date, a reception time, a transmission source name, and the like are displayed. These pieces of display information are obtained from the memory 34 by the host computer. The operator stores the image data received by facsimile according to the content displayed on the monitor 38 in the memory 34.
It can be confirmed whether or not it is stored in the storage device. When the image data is stored in the memory 34, an image data request is sent to the controller unit 36 automatically under the control of the host computer 37 or by a predetermined operation by the operator. CPU 35 of the controller unit 36 receiving the image data request
Transfers the image data to the host computer 37 in response to this request. Upon acquiring the transferred image data, the host computer 37 displays this on the monitor 38. The displayed image data can be stored in a memory or an external storage device (not shown) in the computer 37 or discarded when unnecessary, according to the judgment of the operator. Further, by sending a command to print out the image data to the image forming apparatus 31 as necessary, the printer engine 40 is driven by the control of the ECU 39 in the image forming apparatus 31, and the designated image data is output. Print output is performed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a facsimile receiving procedure performed in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment.

First, the CPU 35 determines whether print output is prohibited (step S201).
In this determination, if the setting is prohibited, it is determined whether or not facsimile reception has been performed (step S20).
2) When facsimile reception is performed, the received image data is subjected to compression processing and stored in the memory 34 (step S203). When the storage of the compressed data in the memory 34 ends, the process of step S201 is performed again.
Therefore, when the operator sets to prohibit print output, the received data is not printed out even if the image forming apparatus 31 has a facsimile reception function.

If it is determined in step S202 that there is no facsimile reception, the process in step S201 is directly performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that printout is not prohibited, it is determined whether or not facsimile reception has been performed (step S204). If it is determined in this determination that facsimile reception has been performed, a reception sound notifying that facsimile reception has been performed is emitted (step S205), and printout of the received data is performed (step S206). Upon completion of the print output, the process returns to step S201. Step S204
If there is no facsimile reception, the process of step S201 is performed as it is.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for confirming the presence or absence of image data by the host computer 37.

This procedure is started when the operator activates the host computer 37 or instructs execution of processing for confirming the presence or absence of image data by using the keyboard 37 (a) of the host computer 37. It is determined whether the data is stored in the memory 34 (step S301).

If it is determined in step S301 that no image data is stored, the procedure is immediately terminated.

If it is determined in step S301 that there is image data, an instruction to transfer the image data is sent from the host computer 37 to the image forming apparatus 31 (step S302). In response to this command, the image forming apparatus 31
Is transferred to the host computer (step S303), the image data is displayed on the monitor 38 by the host computer 37 (step S304), and then the procedure is terminated. Monitor 38
The image data displayed above may be stored in a storage means in the host computer 37 or an external storage device (not shown) connected to the host computer 37 at the discretion of the operator. The data can be transferred to the image forming apparatus 31 again and printed out.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to set so that the image data received by facsimile is displayed on the host computer 37 without being printed out on the recording paper. Therefore, it is possible to save toner and recording paper. Further, by storing the received image data in the host computer 37 or its peripheral device, it is possible to reduce the burden of the operator on organizing the recording paper on which the facsimile-received content is printed out.

The technique of acquiring image data received by facsimile from the host computer 37 as shown in the present embodiment can be applied to the image forming apparatus shown in the first embodiment. It is possible. In this case, for example, the image forming apparatus stores the image data received by facsimile during the time period in which the printout is prohibited in the memory without performing the printout as in the present embodiment, and the printout is prohibited. The image data received by facsimile in the time zone when it is not in operation is controlled so as to print out as normally set. With this configuration, in addition to the above-described effects, the operator can keep the living environment quiet during a desired time zone, and
There is also an effect that the supply power can be reduced.

[0048]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect or the control method of the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, the data connected to the communication line and transmitted through the communication line. In the control method of the image forming apparatus that prints out the data on a recording material, if it is determined that the timing is not such that the received data can be printed out, the received data is printed on a recording sheet. Instead of printing out, the data is compressed and stored, so that the living environment of the operator can be maintained comfortably and the power supply can be reduced.
The effect of saving recording paper and toner can be obtained.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect or the control method of the image forming apparatus of the seventh aspect, the time displayed by the clock means is within a time zone set by the operator and in which printing cannot be performed. Sometimes, it is configured to determine that it is not the timing at which the printout is possible, so the operator can
The effect is obtained that the living environment can be kept quiet during the time period desired by the operator.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of: receiving data transmitted through the communication line connected to the communication line; In the control method of the image forming apparatus that generates a sound when the sound is generated, when it is determined that the timing is not such that the sound can be generated, the generation of the sound by the sound generating unit is prohibited. In such a case, no sound is generated, thereby providing an effect that silence in the living environment of the operator can be maintained.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect or the control method of the image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect, the time displayed by the clock means falls within the time zone in which the sound set by the setting means cannot be generated. , When it is determined that it is not the timing at which the sound can be generated,
The effect is obtained that the operator can maintain the silence of the living environment in a desired time zone.

According to the image forming system of the present invention, the host computer, the receiving means connected to the communication line for receiving the data transmitted through the communication line, and the output for printing out the received data. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus including: a determination unit configured to determine whether or not it is a timing at which the received data can be printed out; A compression unit that compresses the data received by the reception unit when it is determined that the timing is not a proper timing, and a storage unit that stores the data compressed by the compression unit, wherein the host computer Data determination means for determining whether unread data is stored in the storage means of the forming apparatus;
When the data determination unit determines that the unread data is stored, the data acquisition unit retrieves the data and a display unit that displays the data retrieved by the data acquisition unit. As a result, the received image data was not printed out on recording paper,
It can be set so that it is displayed on the display means of the host computer. Therefore, it is possible to save the toner and the recording paper according to the setting of the operator, and it is possible to reduce the burden of organizing the recording paper on which the content of the facsimile reception is printed out.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is performed in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows a facsimile reception processing procedure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a facsimile receiving procedure performed in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for confirming presence / absence of image data by a host computer 37 shown in FIG. 3;

[Description of Signs] 1, 31 Image forming apparatus 2, 41 Telephone line (communication line) 3, 33 Interface unit (receiving means) 4 Speaker (sound generating means) 5, 34 Memory (storage means) 6, 37 CPU (discrimination) Means, compression means) 7 clock IC (clock means) 12, 40 printer engine (output means) 37 host computer 38 monitor (display means)

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit connected to a communication line for receiving data transmitted through the communication line; and an output unit for printing and outputting the data on a recording material. Determining means for determining whether it is a timing at which the data received by the printer can be printed out; and compressing the data received by the receiving means when the determining means determines that the timing is not at a printable time. An image forming apparatus comprising: a compression unit that performs compression; and a storage unit that stores data compressed by the compression unit. A clock for displaying a time; and a setting unit for setting a time zone during which printing by the output unit is disabled, wherein the determining unit determines that the time displayed by the clock unit is the time. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the time is within a time zone set by the setting unit, it is determined that the timing does not allow the printout. 3. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit connected to a communication line for receiving data transmitted through the communication line; and an output unit for printing out the data on a recording material. A voice generating means for generating a voice when data is received, a voice generating timing determining means for determining whether or not it is a timing at which a voice can be generated by the voice generating means, and a voice generating timing determining means An image forming apparatus comprising: a prohibition unit that prohibits the generation of a voice by the voice generation unit when it is determined that the timing is not a time at which a voice can be generated. 4. A clock display means for displaying a time, and a setting means for setting a time zone in which sound cannot be generated by the sound generating means, wherein the discriminating means sets the time displayed by the clock means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the time is within a time zone set by the setting unit, the timing is determined not to be a timing at which the sound can be generated. 5. An image forming apparatus comprising: a host computer; a receiving unit connected to a communication line for receiving data transmitted through the communication line; and an output unit for printing out the received data. In the image forming system, the image forming apparatus determines whether or not it is time to print out the received data,
A compression unit that compresses the data received by the reception unit when it is determined that the timing is not printable by the determination unit; and a storage unit that stores the data compressed by the compression unit. The host computer determines whether or not the unread data is stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, and the host computer determines that the unread data is stored by the data determination unit. An image forming system comprising: a data acquisition unit that retrieves the data when the data is acquired; and a display unit that displays the data retrieved by the data acquisition unit. 6. A control method for an image forming apparatus which is connected to a communication line, receives data transmitted through the communication line, and prints out the data on a recording material. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, wherein when it is determined that it is not a timing at which output is possible, the received data is not printed out on a recording sheet, but is compressed and stored. 7. When the time displayed by the clock means falls within a time zone set by the operator that does not allow print output, it is determined that the print output is not possible. Item 6. The control method according to Item 6. 8. A control method for an image forming apparatus connected to a communication line, receiving data transmitted through the communication line, and generating a sound when the data is received. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: prohibiting the generation of a sound by the sound generating means when it is determined that the timing is not possible. 9. When the time displayed by the clock means is within a time zone set by the operator in which sound cannot be generated, it is determined that the time is not the time at which the sound can be generated. The control method according to claim 8.